4 Days in Bucharest and Brasov: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for a trip with two wonderfully different moods. Bucharest is big and bold, with a palace so huge it holds world records, belle époque boulevards and an Old Town that stays busy late into the night. Then the train climbs into the Carpathians and drops you in Brașov, a pastel-coloured Saxon town surrounded by forested mountains. Bran, the castle tied to the Dracula legend, is just down the road.

This plan suits first-timers who want the highlights without rushing. The pace is moderate: one or two big sights a day, lots of strolling and one train journey each way. You sleep in Bucharest until Day 2, spend nights two and three in Brașov, and go back to Bucharest on Day 4. Plan less, see more!

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Central Bucharest	Palace of Parliament, Old Town, Stavropoleos, Calea Victoriei, Revolution Square
2	North Bucharest, then train to Brașov	National Village Museum, King Michael I Park, evening in Piața Sfatului
3	Brașov	Black Church, Rope Street, city walls and towers, Mount Tâmpa
4	Bran or Sinaia, then back to Bucharest	Bran Castle, or Peleș Castle (Wednesday to Sunday only)

Day 1: Bucharest’s grand centre

Morning

Start big. The Palace of the Parliament is one of the largest administrative buildings in the world. The city’s own tourism portal says most visitors spend at least two hours here. It is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. A standard tour costs 85 lei for adults, 55 lei for students aged 19 to 26 with a valid student ID, and 40 lei for children aged 7 to 18. Children under 7 go free.

What to pre-book: if you’re a group of 1 to 9 people, you must reserve by phone, one day before. Call Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 16:00 on +40 733 558 102 or +40 733 558 103. For a Monday visit, call on the Friday. You then buy tickets on the day at the information desk inside the “Constantin Brâncuși” Exhibition Hall (Str. Izvor 2-4), by cash or card. The palace says clearly that it does not sell tickets online, so skip third-party sellers.

Bring your original passport or national ID card, because driving licences are not accepted. Arrive 15 minutes early and pack light: there is security screening and liquids are not allowed. The nearest metro station is Izvor, on lines M1 and M3.

Afternoon

From the palace, walk east along the river to the Old Town (Centrul Vechi), roughly 20 to 25 minutes on foot. Have lunch, then wander the lanes around Lipscani Street. Pop into the small, beautifully carved Stavropoleos Monastery church and the much-photographed Cărturești Carusel bookshop. They are a few minutes’ walk apart.

Next, stroll north up Calea Victoriei, Bucharest’s grandest boulevard, to Revolution Square (about 15 minutes), where the events of December 1989 took place. Five minutes further on is the domed Romanian Athenaeum, the city’s most elegant concert hall. We could not verify current tour times, so check the official Athenaeum site for interior visits or concert tickets.

Evening

Head back to the Old Town for dinner and a drink on one of the busy terraces. Keep an eye on your glass (see the Heads-up section below).

Day 2: Village life in the park, then into Transylvania

Morning

This is the day for village charm and mountain views. Take a taxi, a ride-hailing car or an STB bus north to the National Village Museum “Dimitrie Gusti” at Șoseaua Kiseleff 28-30. This open-air museum brings together traditional wooden houses, churches and windmills from all over Romania. It sits under the trees beside the lake in King Michael I Park (formerly Herăstrău). Adult tickets are 40 lei, and you don’t need a reservation. Opening hours change with the season and a winter schedule is now posted, so check the official museum page on the morning of your visit. The museum is closed on the first two days of Easter, at Christmas (25 to 26 December) and at New Year (1 to 2 January).

Allow two hours, plus a walk by the lake if you have time.

Afternoon

Collect your bags and head to București Nord (Gara de Nord) station for the train to Brașov. The line runs through the Prahova Valley, and the scenery gets more dramatic after Sinaia. Bran Castle’s official access guide puts the journey at about 2 hours 30 minutes, with trains roughly every hour. Check exact times and fares on the CFR Călători site and buy your ticket online in advance, especially for Fridays and weekends.

Evening

Check in, then walk to Piața Sfatului (Council Square), Brașov’s lovely main square, for dinner. The mountain above town is Tâmpa, with its giant BRAȘOV sign.

Day 3: Brașov’s medieval heart

Morning

Get ready to fall for Brașov’s medieval heart. Start at the Black Church (Biserica Neagră), the symbol of the city, just off Piața Sfatului. Inside, look out for the Ottoman rugs and the great organ. From 16 October 2026 to April 2027 it opens Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 and Sunday and Monday 12:00 to 18:00. Adults pay 30 RON. Retirees and university students pay 25 RON, school students up to 18 pay 20 RON, and children under seven go free. You can ask for a free guided tour by email (guide@biserica-neagra.ro), depending on guide availability.

From the church it is a short walk through the Schei quarter to Strada Sforii (Rope Street), a famously narrow lane. Carry on to the old Catherine’s Gate and Schei Gate.

Afternoon

After lunch, walk the path beside the old walls at the foot of Tâmpa. The Black Tower and White Tower are on the opposite side of the Old Town and make an easy detour. Then head up Mount Tâmpa, either on a marked forest trail or by the cable car from the edge of the Old Town. We could not verify current cable car fares or hours on an official source, so check locally before you go. Your reward at the top is the view over the red roofs and the mountains beyond.

Evening

Back in the Old Town, take your time over dinner on Strada Republicii, the pedestrian street off the square, or around Piața Sfatului.

Day 4: Choose your castle

Time for a fairy-tale finale! Two famous castles are within reach. Pick one, then head back to Bucharest.

Morning

Option A: Bran Castle. The castle most linked to the Dracula legend is about 30 km from Brașov. Buses leave from Bus Station No. 2 (Autogara 2) in Brașov. According to the castle’s official page, they run every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour at weekends, take about 50 minutes and cost about 13 lei. The same page puts a taxi or ride-hailing car at roughly 150 lei.

Until 1 November the castle opens Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 to 19:00 and Monday 12:00 to 19:00. From 2 November to 31 March it opens Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 to 18:00 and Monday 12:00 to 18:00. The official schedule marks the later time as last entry. A standard tour costs 100 lei for adults, 40 lei for children aged 5 to 17, 60 lei for students and 70 lei for seniors aged 65 and over. Combo tickets with fast-track entry, the Torture Exhibit and the Time Tunnel start at 170 lei. Buy tickets on the official castle website to save time queueing.

Two special dates: Halloween programming runs from 24 October to 1 November, and ticket types may be different then. On 7 November 2026 last entry is at 15:00 because of a private event.

Option B: Peleș Castle in Sinaia. This fairy-tale royal palace is one of Romania’s most visited monuments. Sinaia is on the railway between Brașov and Bucharest, so you can stop on your way back. Peleș is open Wednesday 10:00 to 17:00 and Thursday to Sunday 09:15 to 17:00. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and last entry is at 16:00.

Adult tickets for the ground and first floor cost 100 lei, and the smaller Pelișor Castle is 30 lei. Tickets are sold in hourly time slots with a daily cap, online at bilete.peles.ro or from payment machines on site. They cannot be rescheduled or refunded. English guided tours start at the entrance at no extra charge. Wear comfortable shoes: from the parking area, the last stretch is an 800 m uphill walk of about 10 to 15 minutes.

Important for late 2026: Peleș Castle is closed from 2 November to 1 December 2026, and Pelișor is closed through 3 November 2026, for cleaning and conservation. If your trip falls in that window, choose Bran.

Afternoon

From Bran, take the bus back to Brașov, then the afternoon train to Bucharest. From Sinaia, continue south by train. If you’re flying out, Gara de Nord also has a direct rail link to the airport (see below).

Evening

Celebrate your last night with a traditional Romanian dinner in Bucharest.

Getting there and getting around

Visas and entry. Romania is in the Schengen area, and entry rules depend on your passport. Don’t rely on summaries. Check the official eVisa portal of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://evisa.mae.ro well before you book.

Airport to city. Bucharest’s main airport is Henri Coandă International (OTP) in Otopeni.

• Train: CFR Călători runs direct trains between the airport and București Nord. CFR gives the journey time as around 20 to 25 minutes. Engineering works can change the schedule, so check the current timetable and fare on the CFR Călători site.
• Bus: STB express buses link the airport with central Bucharest. Check stb.ro for the current line, route and fare before you travel.
• Taxi: Irish government advice is to turn down taxi offers in the arrivals area. Use the automated taxi-ordering terminals in the arrivals hall instead.

Getting around Bucharest. STB runs the city’s buses, trams and trolleybuses. Its official fare page lists 3 lei for one 90-minute journey on surface transport, a 24-hour surface pass for 8 lei and a 72-hour pass for 20 lei. You load fares onto a transport card or pay electronically, and you must validate on board. For the metro, check current fares on the official Metrorex site.

Bucharest to Brașov. Trains leave from București Nord. On the CFR Călători ticket site you can search routes and buy tickets right up to departure.

Getting around Brașov. The Old Town is compact and easy to walk. For Bran, use the buses from Autogara 2 described on Day 4. Bran Castle’s guide also mentions local taxi firms and ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Uber.

Where to stay

Bucharest

• Old Town (Centrul Vechi): best if you want restaurants and nightlife on your doorstep. Expect noise late into the night, especially at weekends.
• Calea Victoriei and Piața Romană area: central but calmer, close to the Athenaeum and Revolution Square, with good metro links. A great all-round base for first-timers.
• Aviatorilor and the parks in the north: leafy and quieter, close to the Village Museum and King Michael I Park. Suits families and anyone who likes green space.

Brașov

• Old Town (Centrul Istoric): the obvious choice for a short stay. You can walk to the Black Church, Rope Street and the Tâmpa trails.
• Schei: the historic quarter just outside the walls. It is quieter and full of character, and still within walking distance of the square.
• Near the railway station: handy for early trains, but you will need a bus or taxi to reach the Old Town.

Budget

This table shows what the main sights and transport cost, taken from official sources. It leaves out flights, accommodation, meals, drinks, guided tours and the Tâmpa cable car, which we could not verify. Train fares depend on the train type and date, so check the CFR site.

Item	Typical cost
Palace of Parliament, standard tour (adult)	85 lei
National Village Museum (adult)	40 lei
Black Church (adult)	30 RON
Bran Castle, standard tour (adult)	100 lei
Bran Castle combo with fast track	from 170 lei
Peleș Castle (adult) / Pelișor Castle (adult)	100 lei / 30 lei
Bucharest STB surface journey, 90 minutes	3 lei
STB 24-hour / 72-hour surface pass	8 lei / 20 lei
Bus Brașov to Bran, one way	about 13 lei (Bran Castle estimate)
Taxi Brașov to Bran	about 150 lei (Bran Castle estimate)
Train Bucharest to Brașov	check CFR Călători

Added up, sights and transport come to roughly 30 to 200 lei a day. Castle days cost the most.

Heads-up

Romania is a welcoming country, and Australia and the US both advise normal precautions. A few things are worth knowing so nothing spoils the fun:

• Taxis: Irish government advice reports overcharging, especially at airports and major train stations. Some drivers offer a “fixed price” that is far above normal fares. Book through an app or the airport terminals, and don’t hail taxis or accept offers in arrivals.
• Fake police: Thieves sometimes pretend to be plainclothes police and ask for your passport and wallet. Australian advice says real Romanian police won’t stop you at random for this. Insist on going to the nearest police station.
• Drink spiking: Australia’s Smartraveller warns about drink spiking, especially in Bucharest’s Old Town. Watch your drink being made and never leave it unattended. It also advises avoiding homemade alcohol because of the risk of methanol poisoning.
• Pickpockets: Organised groups, sometimes including children, work in stations, on trains and on public transport. Keep bags zipped and in front of you.
• ATMs: The US State Department suggests using ATMs inside banks and checking for signs of tampering.
• Bears and stray dogs: Irish advice notes large bear and wolf populations in the Carpathians. In remote areas, travel in groups and ask local experts for advice. Avoid contact with stray dogs.
• Crossing the road: US advice warns that crosswalks can be poorly marked and that Romania has a high road fatality rate. Cross carefully.
• Closures this autumn: Peleș is closed from 2 November to 1 December 2026, and every Monday and Tuesday. The Black Church closes on 2, 9 and 16 November 2026 for autumn cleaning. It can also close for two hours during concerts or ceremonies.
• No online tickets at the Palace of Parliament: the palace says it is not responsible for tickets bought from third parties. Book by phone and pay on site.

Practical tips

• Dress code: The Palace of Parliament requires “decent attire”. In churches, covering shoulders and knees is a respectful choice.
• Closing days: Peleș is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Black Church and Bran Castle open late (12:00) on Mondays, and the Black Church also opens at 12:00 on Sundays.
• Photography: At Peleș you can take your own photos without flash. However, the museum says posting interior photos or videos online, including on social media, is not allowed.
• Money: The currency is the Romanian leu (RON, plural lei). Irish advice notes that lei can be hard to get before you travel, but ATMs are easy to find when you arrive. The Palace of Parliament and Peleș both accept cash or card.
• SIM and eSIM: If you have an EU SIM, EU roaming rules apply. Otherwise you can buy a local SIM or eSIM from a Romanian mobile operator. Compare current plans on the operators’ official sites.
• Emergencies: Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire.

FAQ

Are four days enough for Bucharest and Brașov?

Yes, for the highlights. You get a full day in each city, a half-day for the Village Museum and a castle day. Add a day if you want to see both Bran and Peleș without rushing.

Do I need to book the Palace of Parliament in advance?

Yes. Groups of up to nine must book by phone one day ahead (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00), then buy tickets on site on the day. There are no official online tickets.

Can I visit Bran and Peleș on the same day?

It is possible but tight. They are in different directions from Brașov, and Peleș sells tickets in timed slots. We suggest picking one, or adding a fifth day.

Which days should I avoid for Peleș Castle?

Mondays and Tuesdays, when it is closed. In 2026 it is also closed from 2 November to 1 December.

How do I get from Bucharest Airport to the city?

The quickest public option is the CFR train to București Nord, which takes around 20 to 25 minutes. STB express buses also run to the centre. If you take a taxi, use the ordering terminals in the arrivals hall.

When is the best time to go?

Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) are lovely for walking and mountain views. Winter brings snow to Brașov but shorter castle hours, so check schedules before you go.