BRASOV FAQ'S

How do I get to Brasov?

The Brasov-Ghimbav International Airport should be complete by summer 2021. The airport is located in Ghimbav, near Brasov. To reach Brasov you will need to either hire a car and make the 2.5-3 hour drive to the city or combine a train and bus ride.

Henri Coanda International Airport is located in Otopeni, 11 miles north of Bucharest, and 100 miles south of Brasov. It is the main airport and the busiest in Romania and trains, buses or rental cars are available to connect to Brasov.

Sibiu International Airport is 85 miles west of Brasov. Renting a car and taking the 2.5 to Brasov or taking the train is an option from this airport.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options at the airport to reach your destination including rental cars, trains, and buses.

There are 18 daily trains from/to Bucharest that connect to Brasov. The daily InterCity (Express) service from Bucharest to Brasov takes around 2.5 hours. The InterCity (IC) trains are offered three times per day from Bucharest and are very comfortable, and modern.

Regio trains are the cheapest way to travel with three trains per day to Brasov, however, they take nearly twice the amount of time to get there as they stop at every minor station. The cost of a ticket is approximately RON 59 from Bucharest, RON 49 from Sibiu.

Trains leave from Bucharest North Station. Tickets are available online from the official Romanian Railways official website or automated ticket machines in all the main train stations. They stop selling tickets 45 minutes before the departure time.

Other options to get from Bucharest to Brasov is by bus, the journey can be long and very windy and curvy in the mountains. It's very hard to find information about bus timetables online especially in English, tickets cost about 50 RON. The bus station is located by the Bucharest North train station.

How do I get around by train in Brasov?

The main train station in Brasov is located 2 miles outside of downtown, there are plenty of taxis available outside the station to connect to the city.

Some minibusses also connect to the downtown area including Minibus #51, and #4.

How do I get from the bus station to my hotel?

There are two main bus stations in the city of Brasov, Autogara 1 by the train station, and Autogara 2, on Avram Iancu Street located by the football stadium. Also taxis and minibusses are available to connect to your hotel.

How do I get around the city using public transportation?

The main forms of transportation in Brasov are buses with a single ticket costing around RON 2 per person or RON 6 for a day pass, a week-long pass will cost you about RON 30. There are 44 urban buses and trolleybuses along with 10 metropolitan buses. There is a regular bus that services the nearby winter resort town of Poiana Brasov.

There is a double-decker sightseeing bus tour of the city, the bus leaves on Thursday and Friday from 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 am, 12:00 noon, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm from the Tiberiu Brediceanu St. Tickets cost around 5 LEI and the bus requires 10 passengers to depart; the route is as follows: from Tampa Alley is: Lunga St - St. Bartholomew Church - Belvedere - Piata Unirii (Union Square) - St. Nicholas Church - Muresenilor St - Tampa Alley.

Should I rent a car in Brasov?

Renting a car while visiting Romania is a great idea and allows you to travel through the country at your own pace. Renting a car at the airports or in the main cities is easily done with many international named companies available. E60 is the main road that travels in and out of Brasov and links to Bucharest in the south, as well as Cluj-Napoca, Oradea, Budapest, and Hungary in the west. E68 will take you to and from Sibiu.

Parking in the city center can be difficult due to limited parking spots, parking can be paid for through ticket machines found in the vicinity of the parking lots and only accept coins. There was a multistory parking lot recently opened near Spitalul Militar with many signs around the city leading you to it.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are plentiful in the city and one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to get around the city. Taxis can be relatively cheap and most run on meters and can be found outside of the stations, hotels, shops, sightseeing spots, or called and ordered over the phone. Taxis must display their price/km in a visible place (usually on the doors) with green license plaques on the rear doors, and the company name. You can always agree on a fixed amount for the ride or ask for an estimate before taking the ride. Some of the recommended taxi companies in town including Bratax, Martax, Tod Taxi, Ro Taxi, ATI Taxi, and Rey Taxi. Fares are normally around 2 LEI per km during the day and 2.30 LEI at night, with a 2-3 LEI starting fee. There are rideshare companies in Brasov such as UBER, that you can order and pay for from an app on your smartphone.

Is Brasov a walking city?

Yes, walking around Brasov is one of the best ways to explore the city. The city’s attractions are within walking distance from the city center and the cobblestone streets in the historical center of the Old city are very compact with plenty of historical attractions and the old ruins of the city to see including the 1420 Council House, topped by Trumpeter’s Tower. Walking tours are popular in Brasov allowing visitors to get a feel for the city and see the historical and cultural attractions. There are many free guided walking tours and paid tours to be found, booking in advance is sometimes necessary.

The beautiful long tree-lined Tampa Promenade in Brasov offers a beautiful walk, nestled at the bottom of Mount Tampa. Brasov is surrounded by towering mountains, thick forests, and rolling fields making it a popular destination for hiking and trekking, heads up Tampa Mountain, and continues to Poiana Brasov about 3 hours in total. Canionul is another popular spot about an hour's hike from the Dambul Morii Chalet on the DN1 national road to the entrance into the small canyon.

Be sure to seek out Strada Sforii or Rope Street, one of the narrowest streets in Europe, it connects Strada Cerbului with Strada Poarta Schei.

Can I ride a bike in Brasov?

Cycling in Brasov is very popular and provides visitors a great way to explore the city with many parts being compact. Visitors can find rentals for around RON 57 per day. The center of the city is pedestrianized and there are no bike lanes outside of the center. There is a bicycle tour through the countryside around Brasov visiting nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Harman, Prejmer, and Christian.

Is Brasov a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?

Brasov is a very safe destination for tourists with crimes against visitors being very rare. There are few other cities anywhere in the world that feel safer, there is plenty of police presence around town, especially in frequently visited tourist sights and attractions. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas and onboard public transport, don’t exchange money in the Change Bureaus, always use Banks. Keep your valuables close, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t wander around alone at night. If you rent a car be sure to take extra precautions and lock your vehicle and remove any valuables.

What are some popular areas for shopping?

There are quite a few shopping opportunities to experience in Brasov, many of the locations concentrated around the Citadel and Republic Street. The popular Galeria Hora gift shop is found on this street offering modest gifts at moderate prices. There are a few shopping malls also including Unirea Shopping Center, Eliana Mall, and the massive Coresi Shopping Resort in the Tractorul neighborhood which includes brand-name clothing stores, a multiplex cinema, swimming pool, a supermarket, and a food court. There are hypermarkets in the Eliana Mall and the Coresi Shopping Resort.

Astra Market “Piata Astra” is a highly recommended market offering natural, healthy food which includes imported and produced items by peasants from the countryside. Orizont 3000 consists of some small shops, selling all kinds of different goods including fresh fruits and vegetables.

Shop for folk crafts, such as embroidered linens and clothing, painted and beaded eggs, pottery, carpets, wood carvings, ceramics, and other interesting gifts and souvenirs. Look for unusual handmade clothing items and accessories authentically handmade with patterns, cloth bags, and aprons.

Pebs Jewelry store is filled with lovely unusual items made from natural minerals and plants, along with original hand-painted ceramics. The Himalayan Boutique is a great location for gifts and original clothing made in Indian style.

What is the language spoken in Brasov?

The official language spoken in Brasov is Romanian, the closest currently spoken relative to ancient Latin. Many people will also be able to speak French, Spanish, and Italian, and the Roma people will speak the native Romany. Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants, and many locals speak Italian. We recommend you get a good English-Romanian guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

What is the best time to visit Brasov?

The best time to visit Brasov is during the summer months from June through August when temperatures will be hot and dry. Average daily temperatures during the summer are around 86 degrees and will also be the busiest time of the year. The winters in Brasov can be quite cold with temperatures dropping down into the 30s, snow is common and the city looks charming in the wintertime. The shoulder seasons of late April to May and September to October are good times to visit when the city is less crowded and temperatures are milder, a great time to explore the surrounding mountains and forests and sightsee the famous castles in the region.

What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Romania is the Romania Leu (RON or lei). You will need to exchange your currency for the Romanian Leu, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus.

What is the food like?

The cuisine in Brasov is very much authentic Romanian cuisine with various soups, meats, and vegetables actively used in dishes. Sour soups are a thing in Romania, soups contain various fresh vegetables and meat and almost all of them include wheat bran. The menus in Brasov offer a great variety of stuffed peppers, eggplant, and marrows. Vegetable ragouts are popular items with hundreds of different recipes. Meats cooked on an open fire grill are very popular in this region, skewers of delicious meat such as lamb, beef, and chicken accompanied with delectable vegetables are a delicious dish to try.

The city of Brasov is full of great quality restaurants (expensive compared to other Romanian cities). There are some unique foods to choose from in the city and unusual restaurants to visit. Butoiul Sasului is one of the most famous eateries in the city, the dining complex includes two cafes, an elegant bar, and a winery. Found in the historic district, offering a wide choice of authentic Romanian dishes and vintage wines. There is a wonderful outdoor terrace to enjoy in the summer months and the complex turns into an open-air coffee shop with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

There are some fantastic restaurant locations found in Brasov some with views of the historic towers and walls of the old city, others dotted along hidden streets, and many found in the charming squares offering a relaxed ambiance and magnificent views.

One of the most romantic dining establishments in Brasov is said to be Casa Ungureasca, a charming restaurant decorated with antique solid wood furniture and walls filled with photographs depicting the old Brasov. Enjoy the remarkable homemade cuisine and ambiance this restaurant offers with an outdoor terrace overlooking the mountains. Casa Tudo restaurant is another popular establishment specializing in fish dishes with a menu offering excellent seafood dishes including mussels, squid, fish, oysters, and fresh salads and vegetables.

What is the nightlife like?

Visitors will not be disappointed with the options for a fun night out in Brasov, the city is brimming with traditional pubs, clubs, and restaurants. There are several different locations for some good nightlife options in the city so most visitors will be able to find something to suit their style. The Hockey Pub is nestled in the historical center of the city and hosts many different sporting events accompanied by great beer. Kronstadt Taverna is a popular hangout spot featuring a lovely terrace for drinks in the summertime. The tavern features a great selection of beverages, and the building is an old medieval tavern offering a great experience and laid-back atmosphere with music. The Gott Pub is a Scottish-themed pub with a great authentic atmosphere, there are darts and TVs playing all the soccer games. Dean’s Irish pub is found on the main drag of pedestrianized Republic Street owned by Hayden Dean from Holywood, Co. Down, Northern Ireland serving up some decent pints of Guinness as well as Irish coffees. Groove Garden is a great Karaoke bar found in a cellar on Republic Street.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

In case of Emergency dial 112 for the Police, Ambulance, or Fire services.

Hospitals:

Railway General Hospital Brasov tel. 40-268-475-949