How to Get from Brașov to Bran Castle: Bus, Car or Tour (My Tips From Visiting)
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Bran Castle is the day trip everyone wants to do from Brașov, but working out how to get there can be confusing.
I visited Bran Castle in winter with snow on the ground, and I found the buses around Romania surprisingly punctual.
The bus station is a little out of the way though, and a few small things can catch you out.
So here’s exactly how to get from Brașov to Bran Castle by bus, car or tour, plus where I’d stay.
Quick Answer
⭐⭐⭐ The bus from Autogara 2 is the cheapest way and takes under an hour, or book this Bran Castle, Bear Sanctuary and Râșnov tour to see it all in one day. Check availability →
⭐⭐ Stay in Brașov at Kronwell Brașov Hotel, my top pick in town. Check prices & availability →
⭐ Hire a car and you’ll be there in under an hour, with time to stop at Râșnov Fortress on the way. Check prices & availability →
Why Visit Bran Castle
Built in the 13th century as a fortress to protect the border between Wallachia and Transylvania, the castle towers over this border, perched almost precariously atop a slender and tall outcrop of rock.
Looking almost as though it grew out of the stone itself, Bran Castle is one of the most delightfully and beautifully gothic buildings in all of Eastern Europe.
Long associated with the Dracula legend, it is often the first place people want to go when they’re ready to take a day trip from Brasov.
While the infamous Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), who inspired the Dracula myth, is thought to have never set foot in the castle, this particular structure best matches the description Bram Stoker gives of Dracula’s castle in the novel meaning you will find no end to the fun Dracula souvenirs and themed events there.
Inside the castle, you can enjoy stunning views over Bran and see some of Queen Marie’s most prized furniture, all in a traditional folk style.
The town of Bran itself is lovely with quaint houses, shops, and plenty of places to find some traditional Romania food and drink.
Exploring Transylvania is one of the best things to do in Romania and Bran Castle is a perfect starting point!
Brasov to Bran Castle by Bus
Getting from Brasov to Bran Castle by public transport is simple, in fact, the hardest part is getting to the bus station since it’s a little outside the city centre.
You can walk it in about forty minutes but the easiest way to get there is by taking an Uber (or the number five bus) from the city centre.
Once you get to Auto Gara 2, you will need to buy a ticket.
To avoid confusion, the bus station is also the Brasov train station but has a separate name.
There are kiosks just in front of the train station entrance, next to where the buses wait and you can buy a ticket from one of the kiosks (they have English signs).
Alternatively, you can wait for the bus to Bran to show up and buy your ticket from the driver; just make sure you have cash for either method.
Buses come twice an hour, on the hour and half past the hour but, of course, they are sometimes late.
Luckily, we didn’t encounter this and found all of the buses in Romania to be punctual!
The tickets cost about 8 lei each way (under two euros).
Once you hop off the bus, you will be able to see the imposing castle looming ahead so you won’t get lost.
Getting from Brasov to Bran Castle by bus couldn’t be easier.
There isn’t a train available so public transport wise, the bus is your best and cheapest option.
Where I’d Stay in Brașov and Bran
(⭐⭐⭐ = my top pick)
⭐⭐⭐ Kronwell Brașov Hotel · Pick this one if you want a little luxury after a day of castle-hopping. It’s a 4-star with a spa and an indoor pool, close to Brașov train station. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Prinz Gregor, Brașov · Pick this one if you want a well-loved hotel in Brașov. It has a 9.3 from almost 2,900 guests. Check prices & availability →
⭐ Rare Forest Retreat & Spa, Bran · Pick this one if you want something a little unique. It’s a forest retreat with a spa near Bran, so you can wake up close to the castle. Check prices & availability →
Brasov to Bran Castle by Car
Hiring a car in Romania is really easy but the traffic can be quite bad so it is best to set out early if you want to avoid the traffic.
Driving in Transylvania is a lot more relaxed than in and around Bucharest so it’s much more suited to people who are less confident on the road but I would still say be wary of sudden lane-changers and people trying to overtake you.
Driving gets quite passionate in Romania.
Make sure you have travel insurance, I highly recommend SafetyWing!
However, it is a gorgeous drive through mountains and fields and there are plenty of villages around Bran Castle if you’d like to make use of the car.
I’d definitely recommend renting if you are able.
As it is only a 30km drive, you will be there in under an hour making this a quick and easy day trip from Brasov.
You essentially follow highway 73 the entire way and it is very easy to pull off to visit the stunning Rasnov Fortress on the way there or back.
You will be pulling off the highway onto road E68 for the final leg.
There are gas stations and services along the way if you need anything.
Once you get there, there is free parking on the streets around the castle but there are also paid carparks within five minutes’ walk of the castle.
These cost less than a euro per hour and you shouldn’t have trouble getting a space.
Tip: If you don’t want to drive in Romania, you can also consider taking a taxi which will work out more cost-effective than a tour if you are travelling as a group.
This will also give you a degree of flexibility.
It costs about 20€ each way and you can use Uber, the Bratax Taxi App or ask your accommodation to book one for you.
My Number One Tip: Hire a Car for Full Flexibility
If you’re staying a few nights, Transylvania is much easier with your own wheels, and you can stop at Râșnov Fortress and the villages around Bran.
Check here for the best car rental companies and prices for your Brașov trip →
Useful Information About Bran Castle
Bran Castle opens at 9am from Tuesday to Sunday and at noon on Mondays, and it closes earlier in the colder months, so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time.
You will need a couple of hours to explore the castle properly.
Adult tickets are around 70 to 90 lei, and they hold plenty of extra events and festivals throughout the year (particularly at Halloween), so check their website for the latest prices.
They have a restaurant at the base of the castle which serves wonderful soups and coffee at standard prices if you want somewhere to sit down, otherwise, there are plenty of delicious street food kiosks surrounding the castle.
You can even take a picnic since the ground are free to walk and sit in.
The walk up and down from the castle is quite steep and a bit slippery in Winter so make sure you wear decent shoes!
Top tip: If you have time, walk over to the resting place of Queen Marie’s heart at Inima Regina Maria.
You can carefully climb the hill leading from the tomb and get an amazing view over Bran Castle.
3 Bran Castle Experiences I’d Book Right Away
⭐⭐⭐ Bran Castle, Bear Sanctuary and Râșnov Citadel Tour · Pick this one if you want Dracula’s castle and Râșnov, the one I’d never skip, in a single day. Check availability →
⭐⭐ Peleș Castle, Bran Castle and Râșnov Fortress Day Tour · Pick this one if you want to see all three castles near Brașov in one day. Check availability →
⭐ Free Walking Tour of Brașov · Pick this one if you have a spare morning in Brașov. It’s a great way to get your bearings before heading to Bran. Check availability →
