Duration: 4 days
Approximate distance: 1250 km
Overnight stays abroad: 3 nights
Countries covered by the route: Romania only

Itinerary

Merry Cemetery – Barsana Monastery – Forest Railway – Sighisoara – Covered Staircase – Brasov – Bran Castle – Transfagarasan – Sibiu – Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Turda Salt Mine – Cluj-Napoca

Route on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/tWANNE51NN62CXcL6

Map of the route through Romania, Transylvania, and Transfagarasan

Language

A large percentage of the population understands and speaks English. There were no language issues. At the top of the Transfagarasan pass, we met cyclists from Zaporizhia.

Currency


In Romania, the currency is the Romanian Leu (currency code RON). It's easiest to have a bank card with you. There were no problems with card payments. We traveled the entire route without local currency, using both cards and euros. You can exchange a small amount of money into cash in cities. If you have leftover cash at the end of the route, you can use it for refueling to avoid currency exchange losses.

Border Crossing

The nearest border crossing to the first point of the route is the Solotvyno-Sighetu Marmatiei checkpoint in the Zakarpattia region. The checkpoint is small, and the border crossing takes place over an old bridge with wooden beams and a wooden deck. Romanian border guards may ask to show the cash you have with you.

Border Crossings with Romania:

  • Dyakove-Khalmeyu (Zakarpattia region)
  • Solotvyno-Sighetu Marmatiei (Zakarpattia region)
  • Porubne-Siret (Chernivtsi region)
  • Renі – Moldova – Romania (Odesa region) – it is very far from this border crossing to the first point of the route, so we recommend adjusting the route when entering from this side.

You can view the border crossing points on the map and their congestion on the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine website:
https://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/map

Toll Roads

In Romania, tolls are required for the roads. You need to buy an electronic vignette, which can be done at Rompetrol, Petrom, and OMV gas stations or at post offices. You can also buy it online on the website: https://www.roviniete.ro/ru/

The vignette for 7 days for a passenger car will cost € 3.

For more information about road tolls, mandatory equipment in the car, and other nuances regarding travel through the country, read the article about Romania.

Fuel Prices in Romania

А-95 € 1.457
Diesel € 1.448
LPG € 0.701

Merry Cemetery – Cimitirul Vesel

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/TQ4k3FBWKDFLSEgj7

The cemetery with colorful wooden tombstones, each inscribed with witty texts or verses about the person's life or the reasons for their death. A popular tourist destination. Interesting to visit at least once.

Entrance is paid but not expensive.
30 minutes to 1 hour is enough for a visit.
Parking is not a problem; you can leave your car on the street near the cemetery or on neighboring streets.
Merry Cemetery – Cimitirul Vesel Merry Cemetery – Cimitirul Vesel Merry Cemetery – Cimitirul Vesel

Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/48K79KULAuptgBNPA
Official website: http://manastireabarsana.ro

A monastery built of wood, with the tallest structure being a 57-meter-high church. A very beautiful and picturesque place. You can stroll around as in a small park with lots of greenery and flowers.

Entrance to the monastery is free.
40 minutes to 1.5 hours.
There is free parking right by the main road at the turn to the monastery; you'll see where everyone leaves their cars, so park there.
Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana Bârsana Monastery – Mănăstirea Bârsana

Viseu de Sus Forest Railway (Gara Mocăniței Viseu de Sus - Gara Căii Ferate Forestiere)

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://g.page/mocanitamaramures?share
Official website: https://www.cffviseu.com/en/home/

A narrow-gauge forest railway with a length of 46 km. We arrived just before 3:00 PM and only witnessed the arrival of the train. If you want to ride the train, you need to come before 9:00 AM. All details are available on the official website. I can't say if it's interesting because we didn't get a chance to ride.

Train ride costs € 13-15 depending on the season; there are also more expensive tickets that include food and drinks.
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, check the schedule on the official website.
Free parking on the station premises; drive through the gates and find a spot between the tracks to leave your car. There are many cars, so have a 5-minute buffer to find parking.
Viseu de Sus Forest Railway Viseu de Sus Forest Railway Viseu de Sus Forest Railway Viseu de Sus Forest Railway Viseu de Sus Forest Railway Viseu de Sus Forest Railway

Sighișoara

A quiet and peaceful Romanian town. In the evening, you'll find people mainly in pubs; the streets are almost empty. We stayed overnight here and explored the pleasant old center and the unusual Covered Stairs in the morning light. The old town has a charming atmosphere.

Accommodation price ranges from €25-35 per room per night.
A few hours are enough to stroll through the town.
Finding parking for your car in the evening is not particularly challenging; we found a spot near the hotel, a simple street parking area. If you plan to explore on foot, you can leave your car where you parked it as everything is close by.
Sighișoara Sighișoara Sighișoara Sighișoara Sighișoara Sighișoara Sighișoara Sighișoara
You can stop somewhere along the way and admire the castle.

Covered Stairs – Scara acoperită (Sighișoara)

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/MV2rbHeJS7kVZ7Jo7
These stairs lead to the church from the town center. There is also a bypass road nearby; I recommend trying both the stairs and the road.

Covered Stairs – Scara acoperită (Sighișoara) Covered Stairs – Scara acoperită (Sighișoara) Covered Stairs – Scara acoperită (Sighișoara)

Brașov

It feels like a touristy town with many restaurants. During the day, the central square is bustling with people. You can have lunch here, and if needed, you can buy supplies at local shops or the shopping center. The city is interesting because it is located right under the mountain, and the streets from the central square lead straight into the mountain, where a large sign "Brașov" stands, reminiscent of the Hollywood sign. It is the nearest city to Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula's Castle.

Brașov Brașov Brașov

Râșnov Citadel – Cetatea Râșnov

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/5moWpJZDNbNQ6558A
We managed to catch a glimpse of the citadel from the car window. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit. If your trip is for 4 days or more, you might have time to explore this place.

Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) – Castelul Bran

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/xpWhpVrXLp7mC7ZUA
Official website: http://www.bran-castle.com/

The castle in Bran is famously known as Dracula's Castle, and it's the most touristy spot on the route. The interior of the castle is not particularly interesting, just rooms with a large flow of people; you move constantly in queues, and if you stop, you'll be pushed from behind, not enjoyable at all. The only things worth attention are the upper terrace and the castle courtyard; these areas are genuinely beautiful. It's also nice to walk around the castle's surroundings, maybe even walk around the castle from the road after exiting its territory for a different perspective. The entrance to the castle's territory is near Primăria Bran (Bran Town Hall).

Entrance ticket: 40 RON (€8.3)
1.5-2 hours should be enough to stroll around the castle and explore the interior.
Paid parking lots are available 100-300 meters from the entrance. Free parking is possible a bit past the entrance to the castle territory by driving around it. However, the parking fee was quite low, so if you want to save time, searching for a free option doesn't make much sense.
Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) – Castelul Bran Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) – Castelul Bran Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) – Castelul Bran Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) – Castelul Bran Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) – Castelul Bran Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) – Castelul Bran

Transfăgărășan

7c is the number of the Transfăgărășan road, as indicated on maps and road signs. Transfăgărășan is a road across a mountain pass with picturesque views. Such roads are commonly referred to as scenic routes.

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://g.page/transfagarasan-ro?share
Official website: https://www.transfagarasan.net/
Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Transfagarasan

Be careful, the road is closed from November to June. Check the exact opening dates on the official website and Facebook. Also, bad weather conditions can lead to road closures. Driving on the road is prohibited at night (from 9 PM).

If you've never driven on a narrow mountain road, Transfăgărășan might be challenging for you. Consider this when planning your trip.

This is an incredibly beautiful road. One of the episodes of the Top Gear show was filmed here. We entered from the south in the evening. A picturesque lake with a huge concrete dam is a stunning sight, showcasing both nature and human craftsmanship. Then, a winding road up the mountain. We reached the pass around 9 PM and saw a sign about the nighttime travel ban, but staying there was not an option. Therefore, we had to drive down, breaking the rules.

The next day, we returned to drive the road during daylight. From a route planning perspective, this was a big mistake. During the day, the road is simply captivating. Scenic views, bridges, tunnels, concrete canopies above the road. The real fun begins when you need to overtake some clunker crawling ahead on the narrow road, but there are places for passing. The principle of movement is simple: drive, find a nice spot, stop. Usually, at all beautiful places, there is space to pull over on the side. The road is scenic, so there isn't much traffic. At the very top, there's a large parking lot and a nearby lake. It's worth stopping here for about 20 minutes.

Free passage on the road
Allocate 4-8 hours to explore and admire the scenery
Free parking on all platforms and roadside areas