The Romanian transportation situation is complicated. The country is a little behind on this aspect. The visit will still be worth it, especially if you inform yourself ahead. Read this article to find out how to travel in Romania in the most efficient way: what is fast, what is cheap and what is safe.
How to travel in Romania by train
Romania’s railway network is covering most of the country. Still, the train might not be the best option for you.
The main train operator is CFR – The National Railway Transport Company. There are six other private companies: Regiotrans, Regio Călători, Transferoviar Călători, Interregional Călători, Astra Trans Carpatic, and Softrans. Those six operate only on a few certain lines but with superior travel conditions and slightly lower prices than CFR. So, if you can choose between CFR and a private operator, pick the second one.
Given that CFR is still the only train company covering the whole country, I will focus on it further in this article.
Things you need to know
- InterRegio trains: mandatory AC, composting toilets, plug sockets – all both in first and second class.
- Regio Express: mandatory plug sockets in first and second class, composting toilets optional, AC mandatory in first class, optional in second.
- Regio: old trains, slow, with stops in small towns and villages. Don’t expect too much here.
- InterCity: the fastest, the most modern, and the most expensive. They stop only in major cities.
- You might also notice Regio Metropolitan. The only train with this status connects Bucharest with the airport. Unlike the rest of the Regio type, here the trains are new.
- There is not too much of a difference between first and second class, so don’t bother buying a first-class ticket. The first class is usually less crowded, but that’s it.
- Between two trains of the same type, there may still be differences. Some are newer and cleaner than others. Even within the same train and class, there can be variations between compartments. Enjoy the lottery!
- For long distances, especially at night, you can choose a sleeper train.
- During holidays, when the trains get the most traffic, there will be passengers without a seat. They did buy tickets, but there were no seats available anymore. Buy your ticket in advance, especially on the days around Christmas or Easter, or even summer weekends.
Advantages
- You can use the train to go almost everywhere in the country.
- The prices are affordable.
- The Romanian trains are pretty safe (wouldn’t mind keeping your eyes on your luggage, just in case).
- In some situations, trains can be faster than cars, especially on holidays, when roads are congested.
- You can buy tickets online. You don’t have to print them. It’s enough to have them on your phone.
- Great landscape if travelling through mountains.
- This a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the country, as this is the typical way of travelling in Romania for many low- and middle-class locals.
Disadvantages
- Extremely slow! Romanian trains will hit at best 160 km/h. This is mostly because of the poor condition of railways, which need modernization for decades.
- Delays of 5-10 minutes are common in Romania, but it can be even worse in extreme temperatures. Make sure you’ll have enough time to catch your transfer.
- Most of the trains are old and a bit run down.
- As not all the trains offer toilet paper and soap in the toilet, maybe it is better to be prepared with some tissue paper and disinfectant of your own.
- Don’t count too much on the air conditioner. Sometimes it is not working at all, sometimes it is too cold in the summer or too hot in the winter and can’t be adjusted to a moderate temperature.
- Unfortunately, Romanian trains and train stations still have issues in accommodating wheelchairs.
- CFR is poorly administrated and this can be easily seen.
- Most of the train stations are old and unkempt.
- So much trash to be seen around the tracks.
How to travel in Romania by car
Things you need to know
- The legal driving age in Romania is 18. To be able to drive in Romania, you need a valid driving license issued in the European Union or an International Driving Permit.
- To use Romanian roads, you must pay the Vignette (Rovinietă). You can buy it from a gas station (Rompetrol, OMV, Mol, Lukoil, Socar), online, or through SMS.
- Romania is part of the Schengen Area. This means that if you enter the country through Bulgaria or Hungary, you no longer need to go through customs or show your passport or ID card, as all border controls have been removed.
- If you haven’t come to Romania with a car but you want to drive around the country, you can use a rental. To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old and have held your license for at least one year.
- You can also try buses between towns and villages. Don’t expect great conditions, however.
- Hitch-hiking is illegal but still practised. For safety reasons, you might try blablacar.
- In the mountainside, you might spot bears on the roadside. Please don’t stop the car and don’t feed them – bears are very dangerous.
- Travelling with an electric car is doable, but be extra careful: the EV charging network is still developing.

Advantages
- You’ll have the opportunity to drive on two of the most beautiful roads in the world: Transfăgărășan and Transalpina – usually open from July to October.
- The best way to travel in Romania if you’re interested in discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Flexibility, privacy, and comfort to enjoy the journey to its fullest.
Disadvantages
- The root of most transportation issues: The Romanian highway network is underdeveloped – with around 1000 km (about 621.37 mi) of highway.
- Traffic is heavier during weekends or public holidays, as many national roads have exceeded their traffic capacity.
- You might encounter stretches of roads with traffic restrictions because of maintenance work – this usually causes traffic congestion, sometimes even for weeks.
- Especially on the countryside roads (but not limited to) you’ll encounter horse-drawn carts, dogs, flocks of sheep, or other animals on the road. Be careful.
- Some Romanians like aggressive driving, so you’ll notice a lot of accidents on the roads.
Read more: Tips to rent a car in Romania.
How to travel to Romania by plane
Things you need to know
- Most of the big cities of Romania have airports, but because of low profitability, several routes are only seasonal.
- The most connections are with Bucharest: Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Oradea, Sibiu, Suceava, Satu Mare, Targu Mures, Timisoara.
- Constanta isn’t connected to Bucharest, but you can find flights to Cluj-Napoca, Oradea, Suceava, and Timisoara.
Advantages
- As this is the fastest way to cross the country, it is worth checking if there are flights meeting your needs.
Disadvantages
- The prices are not great, around 100 – 150 euros/ticket.