Itinerary Overview

Day 1–2: Bucharest → Day 3: Sinaia → Day 4: Brașov + Bran Castle → Day 5: Sighișoara → Days 6–7: Sibiu (includes a day trip on the Transfăgărășan) → Day 8: Return to Bucharest for departure. Renting a car for self-drive is recommended, but you can also combine trains and FlixBus. The total distance is around 1,100 km.

Days 1–2: Bucharest: Palaces and the Old Town

• Day 1: Arrive at Henri Coandă Airport and head into the city → Visit Revolution Square and the Athenaeum → Explore the Old Town (Lipscani) and have dinner.
• Day 2: Visit the Palace of the Parliament (the second-largest administrative building in the world; guided tours required, full route recommended) → Explore the Village Museum → Walk through Carol Park, then enjoy an affordable concert at the Athenaeum in the evening.

Day 3: Sinaia: Mountain Palace

Take a 1.5-hour train ride to the mountain town of Sinaia. Visit Peleș Castle, a Neo-Renaissance summer residence of the Romanian royal family, known for its exquisite wood carvings, stained glass, and weapons collection. Entry is by timed ticket. In the afternoon, go hiking or relax in the thermal baths. Overnight in Sinaia.

Day 4: Brașov + Bran Castle

Morning visit to Bran Castle (a medieval fortress linked to the Dracula legend; arrive early or book tickets in advance during peak season). Afternoon in Brașov’s Old Town: Council Square, the Black Church, and Rope Street, one of Europe’s narrowest streets. Take the cable car up Mount Tâmpa for panoramic views in the evening.

Day 5: Sighișoara: Birthplace of Dracula

Travel by train or car for about 2 hours to Sighișoara. Highlights include the Clock Tower, the covered wooden staircase, the Church on the Hill, and the legendary house of Vlad III. The medieval citadel can be explored on foot in 3–4 hours. Stay overnight in the town or move on to Sibiu in the evening.

Days 6–7: Sibiu + Transfăgărășan

• Day 6: Explore Sibiu’s Old Town – the Big Square, the “Eyes of the Roof” windows, the Evangelical Cathedral, and the Bridge of Lies. Experience the charm of the 2007 European Capital of Culture. Enjoy a local craft beer at a square-side restaurant in the evening.
• Day 7: Take a day trip on the Transfăgărășan (DN7C) mountain road: stop at Lake Bâlea Outlook, Bâlea Waterfall, and drive the hairpin turns. In winter, when the road is closed, consider the Transalpina road or take a cable car up to Lake Bâlea.

Day 8: Departure

Return your rental car in Sibiu or Bucharest. Optionally add a visit to the Danube Delta (requires 2 extra days) before leaving the country.

Tips

• Castle attractions are very busy in peak season (July–August); arriving before opening offers the best experience.
• The Transfăgărășan road has many sharp turns and steep slopes; rent a manual transmission or high-performance vehicle, and fill up with gas before the drive.
• Intercity trains are relatively slow; compare FlixBus and driving times for longer routes between cities.

Budget and Road Conditions

Total fuel and road toll costs are around 600–900 RON. For 3–4 people, the per-person cost is 150–250 RON, often cheaper than train tickets. The Transfăgărășan is open annually from early July to late October; check the CNAIR road condition updates before departure. Allow an extra hour to exit Bucharest during the morning rush hour (7:30–9:30 AM).