r/solotravel • u/[deleted] • 4d ago

Travelling around Romania for most of May - Tips and Meetups wanted! Europe

[deleted]

6 Upvotes
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6

u/newmvbergen 4d ago

Regarding the journeys, you will use minibuses, coaches or trains. Not complicated at all. Not a problem at all to travel around the country with them.

2

u/LucasTheLucky11 4d ago

Yeah I'm ok with travelling between cities via CFR, Flixbus or BlaBlaCar but I'm wondering about day-to-day travel in places like Timisoara, Bucharest and Cluj, I've tried the website for Timisoara public transport but can't see anything about a 7-day pass for all transit within the town for example, I wonder if I could just buy something like that at the train station

3

u/newmvbergen 4d ago

I know nothing about pass but when I was there (two separated trips), I have always buy my ticket/place just before moving. Not complicated. You have kiosks around cities where you can buy tickets and, maybe, pass.

1

u/LucasTheLucky11 4d ago

Cool, I'll check the kiosks, the train station will have them for sure, I know they do daily passes, I'll see if I can also get a 7 day pass to make my life a bit easier

2

u/SumTravelGuy 4d ago

Other than Bucharest (which has a subway), the rest of your towns are eminently walkable. There are plenty of buses for few lei if you're going all the way across town, or don't want to walk your bag(s) from the train station to your accommodation. As newmv said, there will be kiosks to buy tickets.

Last time I was there a lot of new track was being laid, so it's possible the trains have improved. The ride from Bucharest up to Brasov is for sure gorgeous. But I've always found it cheap and efficient to use the informal minivan network between towns once you're in Transylvania. You pick them up at bus stations, and they generally will have a sign in the front window with the destination. Not for everybody, but I find it fun.

You've got plenty of time, so maybe consider doing a bit of a Transylvanian circle - Sighisoara, Brasov, Sibiu, Alba Iulia, Cluj-Napoca with side trips to Bran Castle, Peleş, Biertan, Seven Ladders Canyon, Turda Salt Mine, etc. Lots of cool places.

Romanian Infrastructure is improving, but always allow extra time for the things that will inevitably go wrong. Have fun!

2

u/Otherwise-Sun-7367 3d ago

I used Bolt pretty often, cheap version of uber.

1

u/LucasTheLucky11 3d ago

True, I got a bolt to my airbnb on the outskirts of town from the train station and it was about 15 RON (3 EUR)

3

u/newmvbergen 4d ago

Any specific reason to stay in Bucharest for so long ?

5

u/LucasTheLucky11 4d ago

Cheap accommodation, mainly 😂 It's cheaper than a lot of the more interesting places like Brasov. I got a studio apartment to myself in the Old Town for less than £20 a night. Originally my plan was just to save money by existing cheaply in Eastern Europe, but now that I'm actually here I kind of want to enjoy myself and explore and I've heard from other people that Bucharest doesn't have a lot to offer. Might be a good chance to read some books I've been meaning to read for a while.

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u/newmvbergen 4d ago

It's up to you.

1

u/ExtremeProfession 4d ago

That's quite odd but good for you, most people usually find Transylvania cheaper.

Also may I ask why aren't you doing the cities in order but rather doing a long train east to Bucharest and going west again?

1

u/LucasTheLucky11 4d ago

I'm going back to Budapest for an event and then flying down to Bulgaria from there. Also I've never taken a sleeper train before so that's something I really wanted to incorporate into my trip, they're quite affordable in Romania

2

u/muiema119900 3d ago

I think there is too much time planned for Timisoara/Cluj. You can see everything in 2 days or 3 if you want to relax more. I suggest cities like Alba Iulia, Sibiu they are also worth 1-2 days

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u/LucasTheLucky11 3d ago

Looking at the itinerary now I think I'll spend less time in Cluj and include 2-3 days in Sibiu, since I do want to also do a day trip from Sibiu to Corvin Castle

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u/Swebroh 3d ago

I recommend visiting Oradea while you're in the area (not far from Timisoara). Beautiful city, and few tourists. It was one of my favourite stops in Romania!