What is the easiest transportation to use throughout Romania for a foreigner?
Another definition question that interested me was: What is the easiest transportation to use throughout Romania for a foreigner? I plan to visit at some point but I'm still relatively ignorant of how to get about. I'm particularly interested in more rural areas and the mountains (the difficulty of crossing which I am also ignorant of).
Best Answer
I was there in 2009. I highly recommend it, and the trains are very easy to use and are quite comfortable. Even when we had an overnight train on chairs, they have a 'backpacker' carriage just for the foreigners, and if there's space they assign you an empty seat next to you at all times, so you can stretch out and try and sleep.
I'v also been told hitching is totally fine and quite common, although I didn't try it myself. I'd prefer not to drive on some of those roads, they could be quite ... interesting.
Recommend Brasov as a base in Transylvania - near to Dracula's castle!
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How do you travel between cities in Romania?
An internal flight is the best option. Why? Because the 450 km between Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca which takes about 7h by car or 10h by train takes only 45 minutes by plane - and for a very affordable price (starting from 30 Euro). That's why flying is the best way to travel longer distances in Romania.What is the main transportation in Romania?
The air traffic in Romania reached 20.28 million passengers in 2017 and 23.19 million passengers in 2019. The national carrier of Romania is TAROM, the largest Romanian airline is Blue Air while Wizz Air has the largest share of Romania's air transport market.How do you get around in Bucharest?
There are many bus and tram stops throughout the city, making it easier to get around in Bucharest. Buses, trolleybuses and trams are all run by RATB, the local public transport operator. A ticket can be used on any of the three transport options as they use the same ticketing system.5 SECRETS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO ROMANIA/ why I left Italy
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Answer 2
We have been in Romania in 2003 and we were using public transport most of the time - very reasonable, I don't remember having any issues with it. Both trains and minibusses were fine. Hitchhiking is quite popular, but beware that you are supposed to pay for it! (similar fee as for the bus). If we couldn't find any form of transport, we actually ended up chatting to random people with cars and we found some young blokes to drive us where we wanted (for a fee obviously).
I don't have any experience with renting a car, sorry.
Answer 3
The most comfortable and popular way is by train. There are trains toward most of the cities/villages. The train station in Bucharest is called "Gara de Nord"
You can go fast from Bucharest to mountain cities such as Brasov, Sinaia, Predeal (all these in the same zone) or farther to Sibiu. I think you may hire guides for mountain trips. Young Romanians also hike by foot (with rucksacks) and go camping.
Some cities might be connected by buses. There are also vans (called maxitaxi) which are fast.
Answer 4
The taxis in the cities are easy and convenient, though they will probably charge you more if you don't speak Romanian. Make sure they reset their meter when you get in (and that the meter is even on!).
Going between cities, I recommend the train. I once took the train from Timisoara to Bucharest (an over-night trip). Three one-way tickets (for three adults) in a sleeping car had the total price of about $50 USD, and the tickets can be purchased online from C?ile Ferate Române - the official designation of the state railway carrier of Romania.
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