Orșova, Mehedinți county, is the most popular gateway to the Romanian side of the Danube Gorge and the largest town within the Iron Gates Natural Park. While it’s not a large town by national standards, its location at the park’s entrance makes it a key hub for tourism and activities. The best way to see the Iron Gates Danube Gorge is by visiting Orșova.
Reaching the Iron Gates in Romania is accessible through various transportation methods, each offering unique advantages depending on your travel preferences.
Fly to Orșova, Romania
Orșova doesn’t have an airport, but here are the closest ones. From these airports, you can rent a car or take a train or bus to reach the Iron Gates region.
- Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP): the biggest airport in Romania is approximately 300 km east of Orșova town.
- Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR), approximately 200 km northwest of Orșova.
- Craiova International Airport (CRA), 150 km east of Orșova town.
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG), Serbia, approximately 160 km from Orșova. Remember, you’ll have to get through customs from Serbia to Romania.
If you choose one of these airports, read on to learn how to reach the Iron Gates from there.
Get to the Iron Gates by car
From Bucharest: Orșova is about 360 km from Bucharest, a drive of roughly 5.5 to 6 hours. The route is straightforward, with a highway from Bucharest to Pitești, followed by an expressway from Pitești to Craiova. The most challenging section is from Craiova to Orșova, where you’ll pass through many small villages.
From Timișoara: while it’s easier to reach the western side of the Danube Gorge from Timișoara, it’s less scenic than the area near the Danube Boilers. It’s better to head for Orșova via the E70 road. The distance is around 200 km, but since it’s a national road, the trip will take about 3 hours. Watch out for aggressive drivers along this route.
From Belgrade: the drive is around 180 km (3 hours) to the Serbian side of the Iron Gates, mainly following the E75 and E771 highways toward Donji Milanovac or Kladovo. You’ll cross through the Iron Gates Customs near Orșova and drive over the Iron Gates I Dam, part of the hydroelectric power plant. Remember that border crossing requirements (passport, visa) vary based on nationality.
The car is the most convenient way to explore the park and its surroundings, as public transportation is limited.
- Read more: Things to do in Orșova and around
Take the train to Orșova
Orșova is connected to Romania’s main cities by railway. Although Romanian trains are often slow and not in the best condition, they cover much of the country, and ticket prices are quite affordable.
From Bucharest North Railway Station
- Train operators: CFR Călători / Astra Trans Carpatic
- Travel time: 6 hours 50 minutes
- Price (adult, InterRegio, second class): 97,5 lei (19,6 euro)
From Timisoara North Railway Station
- Train operators: CFR Călători / Astra Trans Carpatic
- Travel time: 3 hours 55 minutes
- Price (adult, InterRegio, second class): 70 lei (141,1 euro)
From Craiova Railway Station
- Train operators: CFR Călători / Astra Trans Carpatic
- Travel time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Price (adult, InterRegio, second class): 53 lei (10,7 euro)
Before choosing the train, it’s important to know that Orșova doesn’t have public transportation, and the railway station is 4 km from the city centre, so you’ll need to take a taxi from there.
Read more: On the Romanian railways: conditions, tickets, types of trains in Romania
Get to Orșova by bus
Taking the bus to Orșova isn’t the most convenient option. Intercity bus travel in Romania can be complicated, with unreliable connections. However, if you still prefer travelling by coach, check routes on autogari.ro and secure your ticket if advance payment is available.
From Bucharest: the train is a better option, as no direct coach connects Bucharest to Orșova. You can try searching on autogari.ro, but you might end up spending the entire day on buses and in intercity bus stations.
From Craiova: direct coaches depart from Autogara Craiova Nord. A one-way trip costs 50 lei (10 euros) and takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes.
From Timișoara: there are direct coaches to Orșova, with ticket prices around 60 lei and a travel time of 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes.
Drobeta Turnu Severin is the largest city near the Iron Gates National Park. The city serves as a key hub for buses to Orșova. Coaches run hourly from 6 AM to 7 PM. However, operators on this route may not accept bookings, so keep cash to pay the driver.
Ticket prices from Drobeta-Turnu Severin to Orșova range between 9 and 16 RON (2-3,5 euros). The journey takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the route.
Buses depart from several stations in Drobeta-Turnu Severin, including Statie Drobeta Turnu Severin, AGENTIA Drobeta, Generala nr.2, and Autogara Transport Public Urban Drobeta SA.
Organized tours
Many tour companies offer guided trips to the Iron Gates, including transportation, accommodation, and activities. Options range from day trips to multi-day excursions, tailored to various interests such as hiking, historical tours, and watersports.
With a tour, you can get expert guidance to learn about the region’s history, ecology, and attractions from knowledgeable guides. Bonus: all logistics are handled, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip.
- Also read: The Iron Gates, Romania
