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How to get from Brasov to Bucharest
The train from Brașov to Bucharest Gara de Nord takes about 2 h 30–3 h 30 through the Prahova Valley and is usually the most predictable option. Driving the DN1 and A3 can take a similar 2 h 30–3 h, but weekend and holiday traffic through the mountain resorts can double that.
Best option: Train. Trains run several times a day, cost little and avoid the notorious DN1 traffic jams through Sinaia and Bușteni.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train CFR Călători InterRegio or Regio trains from Brașov to București Gara de Nord via the Prahova Valley | about 2 h 30–3 h 30 | roughly every 1–2 hours through the day | about 50–90 lei | Track works on this line have added delays in recent years; check current timetables. Book InterRegio seats online. |
| car DN1 through Predeal, Sinaia and Ploiești, then the A3 motorway into Bucharest | about 2 h 30–3 h, much longer on Friday and Sunday evenings | fuel only; you need a Romanian road vignette (rovinieta) | The DN1 mountain section is single-carriageway and often jammed at weekends and on holidays. | |
| bus Minibuses and coaches from Brașov to Bucharest | about 3 h, depending on traffic | frequent through the day | about 50–80 lei | They use the same DN1 as cars, so they suffer the same weekend traffic. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Travel midweek if you can; Friday afternoon towards the mountains and Sunday afternoon towards Bucharest are worst.
- Gara de Nord is on metro lines M1 and M4 for onward travel in Bucharest.
- Sit on the right-hand side of the train going to Bucharest for views of the Bucegi mountains near Bușteni.
- Buy the road vignette online before driving a car that does not already have one.
Common questions
How long is the train from Brașov to Bucharest?
About 2 h 30–3 h 30, depending on the train type and any engineering works on the Prahova Valley line. InterRegio trains are faster than Regio trains. Trains arrive at Gara de Nord, Bucharest's main station, which has a metro connection to the centre. Check current timetables, as track works have caused delays.
Is it faster to drive?
Only on a good day. The drive is about 2 h 30–3 h, but the DN1 is single-carriageway through the mountain resorts and gets badly jammed on weekends, holidays and ski days. On a Friday or Sunday evening the train is usually faster and much less stressful.
What is the cheapest way from Brașov to Bucharest?
The Regio train or a minibus, both at roughly 50–70 lei. InterRegio trains cost a little more but are faster and have seat reservations. Driving costs fuel plus a vignette, and parking in central Bucharest can be hard to find and costly.
Do I need to book ahead?
For InterRegio trains, buying online a day or two ahead is wise on Fridays, Sundays and public holidays, when trains fill up. On other days you can usually buy at the station. Minibuses often sell tickets on the spot, but popular departures can fill at peak times.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.