When Romania first popped up on our radar during our Europe trip planning, our eyes immediately zeroed in on Transylvania. And right away, we knew Brasov would be our home base. It just made sense — it’s close to a lot of the attractions we wanted to visit, it’s fairly easy to get to, and let’s be honest, its Old Town is straight-up stunning. One look and it’s really hard to say no.
If you’re flying into Romania, you’ll likely land in Bucharest, which is the capital city and is served by two airports. The smaller and older one is Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (BBU), also known as Băneasa or Bucharest City Airport. Not a lot of flights land here, and most of the ones that do are seasonal.
The main airport — and the one most travelers use — is Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP). It’s also commonly called Otopeni Airport because it’s located in the town of Otopeni, just north of Bucharest. But since it’s the biggest and busiest in the country, most booking sites simply refer to it as Bucharest Airport. So, just a heads-up: when we say “Bucharest Airport” in this post, we mean Henri Coandă (OTP).
Now, while Bucharest itself has plenty of cool things to see and do, if you’re like us and want to head straight to Brasov, no worries — it’s super doable. There are two main ways to get there from Otopeni Airport: by bus or by train. Easy options, depending on your travel style and schedule.
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Bucharest Airport to Brasov By Mini-Bus
The easiest way to get from the airport to Brasov? Definitely by bus. There are direct trips that go all the way from Bucharest Otopeni Airport straight to Brasov’s Bus Terminal, which, conveniently, is not too far from the Old Town — perfect if that’s where you’re staying.
One of the most popular options is a company called Direct Aeroport. They use smaller vehicles like mini-buses or mini-vans, which makes for a more relaxed and less crowded ride. We booked with them, which was pretty straightforward. We even managed to reserve seats online ahead of time.
Henri Coanda International Airport
How to Book a Seat
- Head over to Direct Aeroport website. Switch the language to English (there’s a toggle at the top). Most of the booking process is in English, although there’s one part that still shows up in Romanian. It’s not too hard to navigate though — Google Translate will get you through.
- Enter your origin and destination. Choose “Otopeni Aeroport” as your origin and “Brasov” as your destination, and you’ll see a list of available departure times. The buses run 24 hours a day, with intervals ranging from 1.5 to four hours. The trip takes around three hours and costs 100 RON per person — not bad for a comfy ride straight to the heart of Brasov.
- Pay for your bus ticket. You can choose to either pay for your Direct Aeroport bus ticket online or simply reserve a seat without making a payment right away. For our trip, we initially opted for the latter. We made a reservation first, thinking it would be the most convenient option. But we decided to cancel our reservation and take the scenic route instead — by train.
Direct Aeroport Mini-Bus
Availability: 24 hours at 1.5- to 4-hour intervals
Travel time: 3 hours
Fare: 100 lei (RON) per person
Bucharest Airport to Brasov By Train
Getting from Bucharest Airport to Brasov by train is a two-part journey, but it’s fairly straightforward and comes with the bonus of scenic views along the way.
The first leg takes you from Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) to Bucharest Nord Station. From there, you’ll hop on another train that will take you all the way to Brasov. Multiple companies operate this route, and while it’s possible to buy tickets at the station, booking online in advance is highly recommended — not only to secure a seat, but also to enjoy discounted fares.
Aeroport Henri Coandă T1 Train Station
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get to Brasov from Aeroport Henri Coanda by train:
1. Buy tickets online.
From Bucharest Airport to Bucharest Nord
- Head over to the official CFR website. CFR is Romania’s national railway operator.
- Once you’re on the homepage, switch the language to English from the top menu. The translation isn’t perfect across the site, but it’s good enough to guide you through the process.
- For your origin, enter Aeroport Henri Coanda, and for your destination, type in Brasov. Select your travel date, and the site will show you available journeys, most of which involve a quick transfer at Bucharest Nord Station.
Bucharest Airport to Bucharest Nord
Availability: Hourly train departure
Travel time: 25 minutes
Fare: 6.75 RON lei (RON) per person
From Bucharest Nord to Brasov
- Choose the train that best suit your budget and itinerary. For the second leg — the train ride from Bucharest Nord to Brasov — get ready for a long list of options. When picking your train, pay close attention not just to the departure time, but also to the train type and duration. Sometimes paying a bit more for a quicker, more comfortable ride is totally worth it. More about this later.
- Select the coach and your seat. Once you’ve selected your train, you’ll also be able to choose the specific coach and exact seat, which is super handy if you’re traveling with someone or just want to secure a window spot.
- Create an account on the CFR website. After that, you’ll need to create an account and verify your email. Then, enter all passenger details, including full names — exactly as they appear on your passport. This is important because they do check names on board against the ticket.
- Proceed to the payment section. Once everything looks good, go ahead and pay using a credit card. When the payment goes through, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code on the upper left corner. Save a digital copy on your phone and print one out just in case.
Reminders
Now, here are the things to consider when choosing the train:
- Not all trains are created equal. Some are quick and efficient, while others take much longer. The faster trains can get you to Brasov in as little as two hours and 14 minutes, while slower ones may take up to 4.5 hours.
- Fares also vary, depending on two main things: train type and class. For our trip to Brasov, we rode second class, but on our way back to Bucharest, we upgraded to first class just to compare — and we definitely felt the difference.
So, don’t just look at departure times. Make sure to check how long the journey will take and what time you’ll actually arrive in Brasov. This is especially important if you’re trying to catch daylight or if you have hotel check-ins to consider.
First class is roomier, with just three seats per row, compared to second class’s four. That extra bit of space makes a huge difference when you’re sitting for a couple of hours. It’s not just about comfort. It’s also about the atmosphere. First class is noticeably quieter, simply because there are fewer passengers. It’s a big plus if you’re hoping to catch some sleep or just enjoy a peaceful ride. Oh, and the luggage racks? They’re bigger too — ideal if you’re carrying bulkier bags or backpacks.
We paid 81 RON (16.35 EUR) for the first class seats, while the second class seats cost us 56.3 RON (11.35 EUR).
Three Types of Trains from Bucharest to Brasov
Here’s another thing: not all trains are priced the same. Some fares are noticeably higher, while others, especially the slower ones, are significantly cheaper. And that’s mostly because Romania has several types of trains, each catering to a different kind of travel experience.
For the Bucharest to Brasov route, you’ll most likely come across three main types:
- InterCity (IC). IC trains link Bucharest to the smaller cities and towns across Romania. These are the fastest, which means shorter travel times, but they also come with the highest fares. It took us only two hours and 16 minutes to get to Brasov using this train. If you’re after comfort and speed, and don’t mind paying a bit extra, this is your best bet.
- InterRegional (IR). These are long-distance trains that serve regional routes across Romania. They’re not as fast as IC trains, but they’re pretty reliable and strike a good balance between price and efficiency.
- Regio (R). Formerly Personal, these are your local commuter trains and the slowest of the bunch. They stop at almost every single station along the route, which really drags out the travel time. Using this train to Brasov can take up to three hours and 40 minutes. But the upside? They’re super cheap. These are a solid choice if you’re on a tight budget and not in a rush.
2. Board the train to Bucharest Nord Station.
As soon as you step out of the arrivals hall at Otopeni Airport, the train station is hard to miss — it’s just right across the street. Walk a few steps, cross over, and you’ll find yourself at the stunning terminal.
Aeroport Henri Coandă T1 Train Station Platform
Since you’ve already booked your ticket online, you can skip the machines and queues. Just head straight to the platform and wait for your train. But make sure you have your digital ticket and your passport ready. A train inspector will come by to check your booking, and they’ll scan the QR code on your ticket. They’ll also verify if the name matches the one on your passport, so double check everything before the trip.
3. Alight at Bucharest Nord Station.
If your train to Brasov is about to depart, all you need to do is find the right platform and wait. But if you have a bit more time before your train arrives, you can easily pass the time at one of the cafés or fast food spots nearby.
For those needing to use the restroom, you’ll find pay-to-use toilets in the station, but there’s also a free option inside the McDonald’s. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to make a purchase first, and the toilet code is printed on your receipt. It’s a simple system, so grab a quick bite and take care of your business before catching your train!
4. Transfer to your Brasov Train.
Make sure to allow plenty of lead time before your boarding time as finding your assigned car can be a bit tricky. From our experience, train cars are numbered, but the actual number you’re looking for is often written on a piece of white bond paper haphazardly stuck to the window. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask a train staff member for help.
Once you’re on the right car, find your designated seat number. If you have luggage, there are overhead racks or luggage spaces near the doors where you can store your bags. Keep in mind that most trains don’t terminate at Brasov, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the station. It’s a good idea to start preparing to leave as you get closer to Brasov to avoid missing your stop.
5. Take Uber to your Hotel.
Brasov Station is smaller compared to Bucharest Nord, so it’s easy to navigate. As soon as you step out of the terminal, you’ll be greeted by taxi drivers. However, we highly recommend using Uber instead. Some taxi drivers in the area have been known to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists, which is why our host suggested Uber as the safer option. Plus, it’s quite affordable in Brasov.
For instance, our apartment was located right within the Old Town, and we only paid 13.96 RON (around 2.82 EUR) for the ride. Since we were a group of three, that’s just about 1 EUR per person. Definitely a great deal for convenience and peace of mind!
Where to Stay in Brasov
If, like us, you decide to make Brasov your base, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options in the Old Town and the Centrul Nou. These two areas are close to the popular attractions and transportation stations. Here are some of the top-rated hotels according to user reviews online.
Brasov Old Town
Top Hotels in Brasov Old Town
Top Hotels in Centrul Nou
Search for more Brasov Hotels!
How to Get from Brasov to Bucharest
Brasov Train Station
When it’s time to head back to Bucharest or Bucharest Airport, it’s just as important to book your train tickets online in advance. Follow the same process mentioned earlier, then simply retrace your steps:
- Take an Uber to Brasov Station.
- Catch a train to Bucharest Nord.
- Transfer to another train to the airport.
TIP! Always allot plenty of time for your transfers, as delays are not uncommon in Romania. It’s wise to give yourself a few hours of buffer time, especially if you have a flight, bus, or another train to catch. In our case, our train to Bucharest was delayed by over an hour, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
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