Getting Around Romania: Transport Guide

By Waterways

If you’re in the Danube Delta in eastern Romania, you’ll find that the best way to get around in the region is by boat. Distances are short, and the rides, quite nice.

By Road

In Romania you can hit the road by bus or car. There are car rental firms in the bigger cities but renting a car is expensive. In most deals there’s a flat per day charge, with unlimited mileage. You need an International Driver’s Permit if you are driving yourself, and insurance if driving a private car.

Bus stations or autogaras are plenty. But don’t expect reclining seats or personal TV screens at these…you usually will have to wait to buy tickets till a few hours before the bus leaves. Often though, especially in the villages and small towns, there are no bus stations: people just queue up where they know a bus stand is – for once, follow the crowd. Buses crawl and crib their way from destination to destination, and are only used even by the locals only if there is no train connection.

By Rail

Trains are the most popular mode of intercity transportation. Comfortable, reliable and fast, the A1 category is that of the Inter-city trains. It is the most expensive service and therefore the least crowded. Just below this are the Rapid and expres trains: fast as promised but substantially less comfortable except in the first class. The cheapest and most crowded services are the Accelerat and Personal trains: the first is slow and uncomfortably crowded, the second slower and more uncomfortable and more crowded. Romanian Railways (CFR) extensively connects the country’s cities, though travelling is neither too luxurious nor overly punctual. Tickets should be booked in advance CFR booking office up to 48 hours in advance. Seat reservations are compulsory in all except Personal trains. Booking offices at train stations only offer current booking services. InterRail passes are accepted on CFR trains.

By Air

Tarom, the domestic service has regular planes between Bucharest and other major cities in Romania. There are air connections to Constanta Arad, Satu Mare, Sibiu and Timisoara. At these airports you will find buses and taxis that ply between the airport and the city centre.