Trainlink
Brașov, photographed for Wikimedia Commons
Scenic routes

Carpathians and Transylvania

Bucharest · Sinaia · Brasov · Sighișoara · Cluj-Napoca

Timetable-checked:4 trains · 9h 42m on board
8-9 daysSuggested duration
5 stopsIconic cities
ScenicMountains & citadels
Lower CO₂Than flying

“Castles, citadels and mountain passes.”

Suggested
8-9 days
Stops
5
On board
9h 42m

Scenic · Timetable-checked · Lower CO₂ than flying

Overview

This trip climbs from the plains of Bucharest into the Carpathians and crosses the hills of Transylvania. On the way are a royal castle, a Saxon city under the mountains and a medieval citadel that is still lived in.

“Over the Carpathians and into Transylvania.”

The route

  1. Bucharest, photographed for Wikimedia CommonsBucharest · 2 nightsGrand boulevards and a vast palace.
    R-E 1163108:44 → 10:16 · 1h 32mTimetable-checked
    R-E 11631 · SoftransBucurești Nord Gr.A → Sinaia08:44 → 10:16
    1. București Nord Gr.ADep 08:44
    2. Buftea Hm.Arr 08:57 · Dep 08:58
    3. PerișArr 09:05 · Dep 09:06
    4. Ploiești VestArr 09:26 · Dep 09:27
    5. CâmpinaArr 09:49 · Dep 09:50
    6. Breaza hc.Arr 09:55 · Dep 09:55
    7. SinaiaArr 10:16
  2. Sinaia, photographed for Wikimedia CommonsSinaia · 1 nightA royal mountain resort and its castle.
    CFR CălătoriR 302108:08 → 09:21 · 1h 13mTimetable-checked
    R 3021 · CFR CălătoriSinaia Sud h. → Brașov08:08 → 09:21
    1. Sinaia Sud h.Dep 08:08
    2. SinaiaArr 08:11 · Dep 08:12
    3. Poiana Ţapului h.Arr 08:16 · Dep 08:17
    4. Bușteni Hm.Arr 08:21 · Dep 08:22
    5. Azuga Hm.Arr 08:27 · Dep 08:28
    6. PredealArr 08:37 · Dep 08:39
    7. Timișu de Sus Hm.Arr 08:54 · Dep 08:55
    8. Timișu de Jos h.Arr 09:01 · Dep 09:02
    9. Dârste Hm.Arr 09:09 · Dep 09:10
    10. BrașovArr 09:21
  3. Brașov, photographed for Wikimedia CommonsBrasov · 2 nightsA Saxon town below wooded mountains.
    CFR CălătoriIR 173508:59 → 12:59 · 4hTimetable-checked
    IR 1735 · CFR CălătoriBrașov → Sighișoara08:59 → 12:59
    1. BrașovDep 08:59
    2. ApațaArr 09:58 · Dep 10:12
    3. Augustin Hm.Arr 10:33 · Dep 10:44
    4. Racoș Hm.Arr 11:02 · Dep 11:03
    5. RupeaArr 11:24 · Dep 11:25
    6. Beia Hm.Arr 12:00 · Dep 12:05
    7. SighișoaraArr 12:59
  4. Sighișoara, photographed for Wikimedia CommonsSighișoara · 1 nightA medieval citadel that is still lived in.
    IR 1653111:49 → 14:46 · 2h 57mTimetable-checked
    IR 16531 · InterRegional CălătoriSighișoara → Cluj Napoca11:49 → 14:46
    1. SighișoaraDep 11:49
    2. MediașArr 12:09 · Dep 12:10
    3. BlajArr 12:30 · Dep 12:31
    4. TeiușArr 12:50 · Dep 13:00
    5. Aiud Hm.Arr 13:10 · Dep 13:11
    6. RăzboieniArr 13:33 · Dep 13:34
    7. Câmpia TurziiArr 13:51 · Dep 13:52
    8. Cluj NapocaArr 14:46
  5. Cluj-Napoca, photographed for Wikimedia CommonsCluj-Napoca · 2 nightsA lively university city in northern Transylvania.

Timetable-checked on 7 October 2026 for travel on 2026-10-08

Suggested tickets

Suggestions only. Trainlink doesn't sell tickets: check prices, coverage and reservation rules with the seller.

The experience

View by
Bucharest, photographed for Wikimedia Commons Bucharest - The little Paris of the eastBucharest
Stay 2 nights in BucharestBooking.com

The little Paris

In the late nineteenth century Bucharest was nicknamed the little Paris, for its boulevards and grand buildings. The domed Romanian Athenaeum concert hall is a fine example.

The Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of the Parliament, built under the communist regime, is one of the largest buildings in the world. Around it, much of the old city was cleared.

Mici and sarmaleFood

Mici are grilled skinless sausages, eaten with mustard. Sarmale are cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice.

MărțișorTraditions

On the first of March Romanians give each other small charms on red and white string to welcome spring.

Bucharest → Sinaia08:09 → 10:402h 31mdirectTimetable-checked

Into the Prahova valley

The line crosses the plain north of Bucharest, then climbs the Prahova valley under the steep cliffs of the Bucegi mountains. It is one of the most dramatic stretches in the country.

Sinaia, photographed for Wikimedia Commons Sinaia - The pearl of the CarpathiansSinaia
Stay 1 night in SinaiaBooking.com

Peleș Castle

Romania's first king built Peleș Castle as his summer residence in the late nineteenth century. Its carved wooden halls are among the most richly decorated in Europe.

The monastery

The town takes its name from Sinaia Monastery, founded in the seventeenth century and named after Mount Sinai.

Sinaia → Brasov08:01 → 09:241h 23mdirectTimetable-checked

Over the pass

The line climbs to the pass at Predeal, the highest point of the route. It then descends through forests into the wide basin around Brașov.

Brașov, photographed for Wikimedia Commons Brasov - The Saxon cityBrasov
Stay 2 nights in BrasovBooking.com

A Saxon town

German settlers founded Brașov in the Middle Ages, and its walls and towers still ring the old town. The Black Church, the largest Gothic church in the region, was named after a great fire blackened its walls.

Around Brașov

A cable car climbs Tâmpa hill above the town. Bran Castle, linked in legend with Dracula, is a short trip away.

PapanașiFood

Papanași are fried doughnuts topped with sour cream and jam.

The Junii paradeTraditions

Every spring, after Easter, the horsemen of the Junii ride through the town in traditional dress.

Brasov → Sighișoara08:56 → 12:594h 3mdirectTimetable-checked

Across the Saxon lands

The line crosses rolling hills and Saxon villages with fortified churches. It follows river valleys to Sighișoara.

Sighișoara, photographed for Wikimedia Commons Sighișoara - The living citadelSighișoara
Stay 1 night in SighișoaraBooking.com

The citadel

Sighișoara's walled hilltop citadel is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and is still lived in. A tall clock tower guards its main gate.

Vlad's birthplace

Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the legend of Dracula, was born here. A covered wooden stairway climbs to the church on the hill.

The medieval festivalTraditions

Every July the citadel fills with music, crafts and costumed performers for a medieval festival.

Sighișoara → Cluj-Napoca11:49 → 15:033h 14mdirectTimetable-checked

To Cluj

The line crosses the Transylvanian plateau through the valleys of the Târnava and Mureș rivers. Farmland and small towns line the route to Cluj.

Cluj-Napoca, photographed for Wikimedia Commons Cluj-Napoca - The student capitalCluj-Napoca
Stay 2 nights in Cluj-NapocaBooking.com

A royal birthplace

Cluj was the birthplace of Matthias Corvinus, one of the great kings of Hungary. His statue stands before the Gothic Saint Michael's Church in the main square.

Students and salt

Cluj is a university city with a lively café culture. The vast underground halls of the Turda salt mine are a short trip away.

Cluj cabbageFood

Varză à la Cluj is layered cabbage baked with minced meat and sour cream.

Film in JuneTraditions

Every June an international film festival fills the city's cinemas and squares.

Practical info

Booking

Trainlink doesn't sell tickets. Check each leg with the operator or a retailer before you travel.

Reservations

Long-distance trains need a seat reservation, including for pass holders.

Travel time

Trains here are slow, so treat the journeys as part of the trip.

Best time to travel

Late spring and early autumn are ideal; the mountains are snowy in winter.

Trainlink plans journeys; operators and retailers sell the tickets.