Transfagarasan Road: Day Trips and Tours from Bucharest

The most famous mountain pass in Romania, Transfăgărășan Road is a scenic wonderland, surrounded by staggering peaks, and its winding path provides visitors with an exciting driving experience.

Transfăgărășan Road day trips from Bucharest are easy to arrange and a bucket list experience for anyone who wants to see the spectacular natural beauty that can be found throughout Romania, once you leave the buzzing streets of its capital city.

Here's all you need to know about visiting Transfăgărășan Road, one of the most mesmerizing day trips from Bucharest.

How to get to Transfăgărășan Road from Bucharest?

Transfăgărășan Road links both sides of the Făgăraș Mountains and runs for 150 kilometers between Biscov, and Sibiu. The highway is just over 200 kilometers from Bucharest.

From Bucharest to Transfăgărășan Road by car

The journey to Transfăgărășan Road by car takes around 3.5 hours and begins by heading northwest out of Bucharest along the E81. You’ll follow this road as far as Pitești where you’ll merge onto Route 70, which leads you directly to Transfăgărășan.

Guided tour to Transfăgărășan Road from Bucharest

As public transportation options are limited in this area, the best way for those without access to a car to make the jaunt to Transfăgărășan Road is via an organized day tour.

These guided tours typically last between 10 and 12 hours, although some multi-day trips from Bucharest are available for those wishing to gain a deeper insight into the region.

On some Transfăgărășan Road excursions, you’ll meet your guide at an easy-to-reach spot in Bucharest. However, many tours offer a complimentary accommodation pickup service.

To benefit from this, you’ll simply select your hotel from a dropdown menu and, on the day of your trip, await collection from your friendly guide in the lobby. Once your adventure is over, you’ll be dropped back to the same spot to continue with your vacation.

What is the typical itinerary?

While each Transfăgărășan Road day trip is unique, all excursions share similarities. After meeting your guide, either in the lobby of your hotel or at a central spot in Bucharest, you’ll board your comfortable vehicle and set off toward your first destination.

You’ll typically drive for a couple of hours before reaching your first attraction. In most cases, this is Vidraru Dam, where you’ll enjoy a few minutes to wander the waterway and snap a photo before returning to your vehicle, and continuing on.

You’ll pass by several historic or natural landmarks before reaching Transfăgărășan Road, which you’ll journey along for around an hour, keeping an eye out for the wildlife that lives in the region and enjoying the lofty mountain scenery on either side.

From here, you may return to Bucharest, where your Transfăgărășan Road day tour ends. However, you can instead choose a multi-day experience, which hops between a number of sites, educating you on Romania’s extensive history and enabling you to explore the country beyond its energetic cities.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Transfăgărășan Road?

There are numerous Transfăgărășan Road day tours to choose from depending on your travel style and how much time you have to spare.

Guided tour to Transfăgărășan Road from Bucharest

You’ll begin this day trip to Transfăgărășan Road by driving out of the bustling city and into Romania’s dazzling countryside.

You’ll pass by numerous attractions throughout the day, stopping to enjoy a guided tour or simply pausing for a quick photo. Among these sites are Vidraru Dam, which is among the tallest dams in Europe, as well as Capra Waterfall, located on the southern slopes of the Făgăraș Mountains.

You’ll also enjoy a leisurely drive along Transfăgărășan Road where the impressive scenery continues with possible sightings of brown bears, followed by a trip to the glistening Bâlea Lake, before returning to Bucharest.

Private tour to Transfăgărășan Road from Bucharest

If you’re looking for greater personalization than a group excursion provides, consider booking a private Transfăgărășan Road day tour. You’ll enjoy a more seamless experience with a convenient hotel pickup and enjoy conversing with your guide one-on-one about the landmarks you pass along your route.

Alongside Vidraru Dam and Bâlea Lake, you’ll also explore the grounds of Poenari Castle, which once served as a home to the notorious Vlad the Impaler, and the Curtea de Argeș Monastery, which features a 16th-century Byzantine cathedral.

Two-day trip to Transfăgărășan Road plus Sibiu from Bucharest

You can, instead, extend your adventure by participating in a 2-day tour from Bucharest to Transfăgărășan Road, which includes the charming town of Sibiu. You’ll be part of a private group and, while your guide will pre-plan a fascinating route, you can alter your itinerary to suit your own interests.

After visiting the same attractions as on other Transfăgărășan Road on day 1, you’ll rest overnight in Sibiu.

The following morning, you’ll head out to explore the town’s main squares, surrounded by architectural wonders, before visiting the 14th-century Cozia Monastery, commissioned by Mircea the Elder, as well as Călimănești where you’ll find a myriad of thermal springs.

Four-day tour to Transfăgărășan Road plus Transylvania from Bucharest

Those with ample time to spare on their vacation can discover many of Romania’s highlights on this 4-day tour from Bucharest to Transfăgărășan Road.

On the first day, you’ll journey into Transylvania, commonly associated with vampires, and discover a plethora of exciting landmarks, including Bran Castle, which inspired the 19th-century novel, “Dracula,” as well as Rasnov Citadel.

You’ll stay overnight in Brasov before continuing your adventure the following morning, visiting Viscri’s UNESCO-listed World Heritage site alongside Sighișoara — famed for its beautifully-preserved Old Town.

On day 3, you’ll travel along Transfăgărășan Road, explore the roots of the Făgăraș Fortress and learn about the history of milling in Ohaba.

The final day of your tour includes a visit to a brown bear sanctuary, which cares for 100 of the remarkable animals, as well as Snagov Monastery, where it is believed Vlad the Impaler was buried.

How much does a day trip to Transfăgărășan Road from Bucharest cost?

Transfăgărășan Road day trips operate in parties of up to eight guests and cost US$70 per adult. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 qualify for a reduced rate of between US$50, and US$60 each.

If you select a private tour, you can expect to pay US$700 as a solo traveler. However, the price per head decreases with each member added to your party and, with the maximum group size of eight, you’ll each pay approximately US$120.

Those who participate in a private 2-day trip to Transfăgărășan Road will pay US$840 as a solo traveler. This type of excursion can accommodate up to 15 travelers and once again, the price per person decreases with additional members added to your party. With 15 guests, you’ll each pay US$180. While entrance fees and private transportation are both included in this excursion, accommodation, and all meals are at your own expense.

A 4-day guided tour that explores Transylvania costs US$1,580 as a solo traveler. You can book for up to eight guests and with this number of travelers, you’ll each pay just US$890. Accommodation and some meals are included, alongside the services of a private guide.

What will you see and do?

Transfăgărășan Road was built after the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union, to ensure the military could quickly gain access through the mountains in the likely event of another attack. The highway took 6 years to construct and, at an elevation of over 2,000 meters, is the second-highest mountain pass in Romania.

While its origins may be unfortunate, Transfăgărășan Road serves as a major tourist attraction today. The road was named the “best driving road in the world” by the presenters of the British automobile program, “Top Gear,” placing it firmly on the tourist trail.

The road is typically only accessible during the summer season, from June to October, because of heavy snowfall during the winter months. While you may see a variety of fauna on a day trip to Transfăgărășan Road, most visitors are on high alert for brown bear sightings, which are common in the mountains.

When is the best time to visit Transfăgărășan Road?

The most popular time to visit Transfăgărășan is during the summer (June to August) as the road is typically fully open, and the weather is pleasant. The road offers stunning views of lush green landscapes, as well as great opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Early autumn (September to early October) also offers a beautiful landscape, and the road is still open, but should be less crowded than during the peak summer months. The scenery is breathtaking, especially if you enjoy the vibrant colors of fall.

Transfăgărășan is typically closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall and treacherous driving conditions. Late spring (May to early June) and late autumn (late October to November) can also be challenging for visiting as the road may still be closed.

Travel tips

• Begin your day trip as early as possible to make the most of your time on the Transfăgărășan Road and to avoid crowds.
• Before setting out, check the current road conditions and if there are any closures.
• Bring essentials like a first aid kit, a flashlight, extra water, and snacks.
• Have a paper map or a GPS device with you as mobile phone reception can be limited in some areas.
• Dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly, even in the summer.
• Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas before starting the journey.
• Plan your stops along the way to admire the stunning views and take photos.
• Drive cautiously and obey speed limits, especially on the narrow and winding sections of the road.
• If you're not used to higher altitudes, take it easy and allow your body to acclimate as you ascend.
• Be mindful of the environment and wildlife.
• Don't litter, and stay on designated paths when exploring.
• Some small businesses along the route may not accept credit cards, so it's a good idea to carry some cash for purchases.
• There are limited dining options along the road, so consider packing a picnic or plan to eat at one of the few restaurants available.
• The Transfăgărășan Road can be busy during the summer months, so be patient, especially when passing other vehicles on the narrow road.
• Keep in mind that the drive from Bucharest to Transfăgărășan and back can take several hours, so plan your return accordingly.