How to Get Around Romania on a Budget

How to get around Romania on a budget isn’t complicated — but you do need to know your options. From trains to BlaBlaCar, here’s how to do it smart and cheap.. Whether you’re hopping between castles in Transylvania or heading to quiet mountain towns, this guide breaks down the best (and cheapest) ways to move around the country.

Romania isn’t small, but with a little planning you can explore it for less than €10–15 per travel day.

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1. Trains: Cheap, Scenic, and Slow

CFR Călători, Romania’s national train company, covers most of the country — including Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, and the Black Sea coast.

• Pros: Inexpensive, scenic, reliable routes

• Cons: Often slow (and not always clean)

• Tickets: Buy at stations or online at cfrcalatori.ro

Budget Tip:

• Regional trains (Regio) are cheapest, but slower

• Buy tickets in advance to get better InterRegio prices

• 2nd class is fine — upgrades aren’t worth the cost

Sample fares:

• Bucharest → Brasov: ~€6

• Cluj → Sibiu: ~€10

• Brasov → Sighisoara: ~€6

2. Buses and Minibuses: More Frequent, Same Price

For towns not connected by train, buses (especially maxi-taxis) are a solid alternative. Companies like Autogari, Fany, and Normandia operate decent routes.

• Tickets: Usually bought on board or via Autogari.ro

• Price: Often similar to trains

• Note: Don’t expect English signs — confirm with the driver

Common Routes:

• Sibiu → Sighisoara (via Medias)

• Cluj → Alba Iulia

• Brasov → Bran (for the castle)

3. BlaBlaCar: Shared Rides, Big Savings

If you’re flexible and want to meet locals, BlaBlaCar is one of the most budget-friendly and fastest ways to travel between cities.

• Rides are often cheaper and faster than trains

• Use the app or blablacar.com to book

Examples:

• Cluj → Brasov: €9–€12

• Bucharest → Sibiu: €10

Safety Tip: Check ratings before booking. Most Romanian users are friendly and reliable.

4. Pay Like a Local: Use Wise

Avoid ATM fees and poor exchange rates by using the Wise Multi-Currency Card.

I’ve used Wise across Romania for trains, buses, hostels, and even street food — and I’ve saved a ton compared to bank cards.

Check out Wise here

Why it helps:

• No surprise foreign transaction fees

• Pay in RON directly (local currency)

• Withdraw cash from ATMs with better rates

5. Local Transport in Cities

Bucharest:

• Metro: Fast and cheap (~€0.60/ride)

• Buses: Widespread, but trickier to navigate

Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu:

• Buses & trolleys: €0.40–0.60 per ride

• Tickets often sold at kiosks or via apps

Taxi Tips:

• Avoid hailing taxis from tourist spots

• Use Bolt or Uber in bigger cities (much cheaper)

6. Tools to Make It Easier

• Rome2Rio → Compare routes, prices, timing

• Google Maps → Works well in most cities

• Moovit → Useful for local transport in Bucharest and Cluj

• Google Translate → Romanian menus and signs aren’t always translated

Budget Stays Near Stations

To make moving around easier, stay close to transport hubs when possible.

Find hostels and cheap guesthouses on Booking.com — I filter by price and distance to station.
Dorms: ~€10–15/night
Private rooms: ~€25–35/night

Sample Budget: Transport in Romania

Final Thoughts

Getting around Romania isn’t complicated — and it doesn’t cost much either. With trains for slow scenic rides, BlaBlaCar for flexibility, and buses for local routes, you can cross the country affordably and without stress.

Add tools like Rome2Rio and a Wise card, and you’ll save money while traveling like a local.

Related Posts:

• Is Romania Cheap to Travel?

• Romania Itinerary Budget Travel (7–10 Days)

• How to Plan a Budget Trip to Europe