How to Get to Dracula Castle from Bucharest

Bran Castle, a medieval building that went down in history as the site chosen by Bram Stoker to house Dracula in his popular novel, is located on the outskirts of Bucharest and is one of Romania's main attractions, so you won't be able to say you've really experienced this destination until you visit it. That's why there are many ways to get there, and here I'll tell you about each one.

Whether you plan to visit it on an organised tour, or on your own by train, bus, taxi or car, touring Dracula's Castle is one of the best things to do in Bucharest, so here I'll tell you about all the transport options the Romanian capital has to offer.

Visiting the Dracula Castle is one of the best things to do from Bucharest, so an organised tour is the most complete and comfortable alternative you can find during your trip. These options, which last approximately 12 hours, will allow you to discover the medieval building located in Bran with the assistance of an expert local guide, which will maximise your experience.

Bran Castle is a medieval building located in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains and has become world famous as the site that inspired Bran Stoker to create the home of Count Dracula. Also, the collective imagination associated the character in the novel with Vlad the Impaler, one of Transylvania's most cruel princes, who is believed to have inhabited the castle, which raised the interest of tourists in the building.

However, during your tour you will most likely visit not only Bran Castle, but also Sinaia and Brasov, two nearby cities that are characterised by their medieval landscapes and also have castles, Gothic churches and some very particular records, such as the narrowest street in Europe, which is located in the historic centre of Brasov next to the Watchtower.

Guided tours not only allow you to see several sites along the way, but also to delegate the organisation to a local guide, who will allow you to travel through the mysteries of Transylvania while discovering, from the vantage points of the castles, some of the best panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 37 euros per person.
• Journeytime: approximately 12 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to see Dracula's Castle and the surrounding medieval towns in a full day trip where you don't have to think about logistics and transport.
• Disadvantages of this option: Although it is a full-day experience, you will have little time to explore the sites on your own, as it is a very intense tour with many stops.

Bran Castle is located about 180 kilometres from Bucharest and if you plan to rent a car during your trip, you can use it to reach the site on a drive of about 2 hours along the DN1 and E60 routes. This alternative, although not as popular as the full-day tours from the Romanian capital, is usually chosen by tourists who decide to tour the Eastern European countries by car.

On the other hand, visiting Dracula's Castle from Bucharest by car offers a flexible alternative where you can include other nearby and equally interesting cities in your itinerary, such as Brasov, Peles and Sinaia, which is located halfway between the two destinations and offers some of the best wide-open views of the Carpathian Mountains.

Be aware that while the roads are in good condition, the route between Bucharest and Bran Castle winds through mountainous terrain, so be careful with your driving and consider the authorities' recommendations, especially if you plan to visit Bucharest in winter, when roads may remain icy or snowy.

Also, bear in mind that car rental prices often vary according to the age of the driver and if you are under 25 you may have to pay higher rates. However, visiting Bran Castle by car can be an ideal option if you plan to visit Bucharest in 3 days or a shorter stay and need to save time and maximise your tour.

Interesting details

• Price: renting a car in Bucharest has an initial cost of approximately 39 euros per day, to which you will have to add the cost of fuel and tolls.
• Travel time: about 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: You can set your own itinerary and explore nearby cities at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of this option: Driving on the mountainous roads of the Carpathian Mountains can be difficult on snowy or icy days.

If you're planning to visit Bucharest on a budget or want to save money, one of the best ways to visit Dracula Castle is by train. This is the cheapest option available and will take you from Bucharest Central Station to Busteni, where you will continue your journey in a taxi to Bran Castle.

There are many companies providing this service, including CFR, Regio Calatori and Astra Trans Carpatic. All of them offer tickets for an initial price of approximately 4 euros and the taxi fare to Bran Castle is around 14 euros, so you can get to your destination for less than 20 euros each way. The frequency of trains is also very good, and you'll find options at all hours.

Bucharest Central Station is located in the city centre, so you can combine these experiences with other activities in the city, such as the best guided tours of the Romanian capital. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the mountainous circuit along which the train tracks run, giving you panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 18 euros per person per leg, including train ticket and taxi ride.
• Journeytime: about 2.5 hours.
• Advantages of this option: it is the cheapest alternative and the trains have a very good frequency.
• Disadvantages of this option: the route is not direct and you will have to combine with a taxi when you arrive in Busteni.

If you are looking for an exclusive and comfortable alternative by car but don't want to drive, then you can opt to use a taxi to travel from Bucharest to Bran Castle. Although the distance between the two destinations is approximately 180 kilometres, this option is widely used due to the fact that the mountainous roads along the route can be difficult.

Also, if you plan to visit Bucharest during the winter, you may encounter snowy or icy roads along the way, complicating your driving experience. Taxis, then, are the perfect option for those who want to take advantage of the convenience of a car without the risks of driving or the costs associated with renting a car.

A taxi ride can also be ideal for tourists who plan to visit the city with family or small children, or for those who need to carry a lot of luggage. Please note, however, that a taxi may not be an economical alternative, as you will have to pay for the full journey and also for the waiting time while you are touring Bran Castle.

However, the taxi alternative will also be useful if you want to visit some of the villages near Bran, especially if you plan to visit Bucharest during Christmas, when Brasov or Siania show their best side with Christmas markets and Christmas Eve decorations.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 110 euros for the round trip.
• Travel time: about 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: it is an exclusive alternative where you can create your own itinerary and choose your own timetable.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is an expensive alternative, as you will have to pay for both legs of the tour and also for the wait during the tour of Bran Castle.

While there is no direct alternative to visit Bran Castle from Bucharest by bus, you will find a combined option that includes a train journey from Bucharest Central Station to Brasov, and from there a bus ride to the medieval building located in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains.

This alternative, due to the inconvenience of transferring between the two modes of transport, is not usually chosen by tourists, except for those who decide to also visit Brasov, a medieval town famous for its historic centre, its Gothic church and for having the narrowest street in Europe. If you plan to visit Bucharest at Christmas time, you will find one of the best Christmas markets in the region.

There are many companies offering both modes of transport, but the most flexible alternative with the most flexible timetables and best value for money is the CFR train service and the Transbus Codreanu buses.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 22 euros per person per leg, including both transfer services.
• Journeytime: about 4 hours for the full journey.
• Advantages of this option: it is the ideal alternative if you want to visit Brasov as well and want to do it at an affordable price.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to change trains and, although both services have good frequency, you may experience delays during your journey.

The best time to visit Bran Castle will depend largely on the individual preferences and desired experiences of each traveller. However, a popular choice is during autumn, when the vibrant colours of the surrounding forests create a perfect backdrop for some of the best photographs of your trip. In addition, temperatures are usually pleasant and the crowds are moderate.

On the other hand, some choose to visit Dracula's Castle during the winter, when the region is covered in snow and takes on a magical atmosphere. The towers of the castle stand out against the winter landscape, providing a unique experience. Also, during the low season, it is possible to enjoy a quieter atmosphere with fewer visitors.

Spring also has its charm, as the gardens surrounding the castle bloom with an explosion of colours. The longer days and pleasant temperatures offer the opportunity to explore both inside and outside the castle in greater comfort. Finally, summer attracts those looking to make the most of outdoor activities, although the crowds can be very annoying and can cause delays.

The answer, as usual in these cases, will depend on the conditions of each traveller and the expectations that each one has during the tour. If you are looking for a pleasant and comfortable option, you can opt for the organised excursion, which is part of the best tours to do from Bucharest. This alternative will allow you to relax and delegate the logistics to the service providers.

However, if you're looking for an economical option and you don't mind organising the tour yourself, you can choose to travel by train, which will not only save you money and your budget, but will also allow you to see a different circuit from the road and contemplate the panoramic views from the train's cabin. Moreover, these alternatives are flexible and have a good frequency.

On the other hand, you can also opt for the individual alternatives, either by renting a car or hiring a taxi tour. Neither are cheap, but both allow you to set your own itinerary, manage the pace of the journey and include stops in between. Taxis are also ideal if you plan to visit Bucharest in winter and don't want to drive through snowy mountain trails.

The best of each of the alternatives