Travelling Around Romania by Train and Bus (With a Child)
We travelled around Romania at Christmas hoping for two things: Christmas markets and a white Christmas. We got both.
Our route was Bucharest → Brașov → Sinaia → Bucharest, and we did it all without hiring a car. Instead, we used overnight buses and trains, travelling town to town with a child.
If you’re wondering whether public transport in Romania is doable — especially with kids — here’s what it was actually like.
Getting to Romania by Overnight Bus
We arrived in Bucharest after a 12-hour overnight bus from Istanbul, pulling in around 6am.
One thing that caught me off guard was the bus stations. Unlike Istanbul, where everything runs from one huge terminal, the bus stations we used in Bucharest were small and company-specific.
We used two different bus companies, and each had its own station in a different location. These stations were basic – an office, a waiting room, and the buses. That’s it.
Tip: Always check the exact bus station location when booking. They aren’t centralised, and it matters, especially early in the morning.
Trains in Romania (During Christmas)
Christmas is a busy time to travel in Romania, and we went back and forth about whether to book train tickets online or buy them at the station.
Bucharest to Brașov by Train
We landed in Bucharest and went straight to Gara de Nord to buy tickets. We arrived around 7am, and it was much busier than I expected.
There was a train leaving within 20 minutes, but it was fully booked. The next available train was at 8:04am, so we grabbed that.
Cost: 273.25 RON / $95.78 AUD / $60 USD / 47 GBP / 55 EUR
Tickets: 2 adults + 1 child
Class: First class (economy was sold out)
First class was worth it. The seats were bigger, there was more legroom, and fewer people per cabin. Economy had a lot more kids (school holidays), so first class felt calmer – still family-friendly, just less chaotic.
Brașov to Sinaia by Train
This leg was short – about one hour – and much cheaper.
Cost: 38.50 RON / $13.47 AUD / $8.50 USD / 6.70 GBP / 7.70 EUR
Class: Economy
Tickets: Bought at the station
Seats were smaller and the cabin was fuller, but it was still comfortable. The layout was a 2:1 seating configuration, with seats facing both directions and tables in the middle.
One thing to know:
You don’t scan tickets before boarding. A conductor walks through the train and checks tickets during the journey.
Sinaia to Bucharest (The Train I’d Avoid Next Time)
This was our worst train experience.
We checked ticket availability the night before and saw seats available. Because we were staying close to the station, we waited until the morning to book. By then, the tickets were gone.
We ended up on a train two hours later.
Cost: 157.00 RON / $54.92 AUD / $34.50 USD / 27 GBP / 31 EUR
Tickets: 2 adults + 1 child
Class: Economy class
This train was coming from Vienna, and it showed. The layout was older, with six-person cabins and narrow corridors. The corridor was crowded with people standing, and our cabin already had people sitting in our seats (they moved – no drama).
The floor was sticky and dirty, the seats were uncomfortable, and luggage had to sit at our feet. People boarded without reserved seats and grabbed whatever was free. Fold-down seats in the corridor were first-come, first-served.
There were lots of teenagers and kids, and overall it just wasn’t pleasant. Next time, I’d either book first class or choose a different service.
Important Train Station Tip (Learn From Us)
Romanian stations show both arrivals and departures, and we didn’t realise this at first.
At Brașov, we were told to go to platform 4. A train for Sinaia/Bucharest pulled into platform 6, and we were told it wasn’t ours. We ended up running between platforms and made the train with about a minute to spare.
If you don’t speak the language:
Always check train number, not just destination
Confirm whether you’re looking at arrivals or departures
Assumptions are easy to make when travelling – especially when things usually work a certain way at home.
Another Train Tip Worth Knowing
It’s also important to note that your train ticket will list both a carriage number and a seat number. What caught us out is that the carriage number isn’t always clearly marked on the outside of the train.
On our train from Bucharest to Brașov, we were in carriage 5. I walked along the platform looking for carriage numbers on the outside and could only see carriages 1, 2, 3 and 4. I kept walking towards what I assumed was the last carriage, thinking that must be number 5 (I noticed another foreigner doing exactly the same thing).
We eventually asked a station guard, who explained that for this train, the carriage number was shown on an A4 piece of paper in the window, not printed on the outside of the carriage. Once we knew what to look for, it was obvious – but not before a bit of confusion.
This seemed to be specific to that train, so if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask a station guard or train staff where your carriage is.
Would I Travel Romania by Train With a Child Again?
Yes.
Overall, train travel in Romania was organised and doable, even during the busy Christmas period. Some trains are far better than others, but with a bit of planning, it works – even with kids.
Just book earlier during peak times, double-check platforms, and don’t assume every train will be the same.
Currency conversions were correct at the time this blog was written and are shared as a guide only. Exchange rates change regularly, so always double-check current rates when planning your trip.
If you’re travelling with kids and figuring out public transport as you go, I hope this helped.
Don’t forget to follow along for more family travel, slow living, and life abroad – we’re currently based in Türkiye and sharing our journey as we go.
Instagram: @thereardonfamily