bran castle day trip

How to Get From Bucharest to Bran Castle (The Easy Way or the Hard Way)

Bran Castle looms large in many people’s ideal Romania itineraries. Who can blame them? Few castles have such a prominent place in our collective unconscious — even if the Dracula connection is tenuous at best and deceitful marketing at worst.

Still, out of my two weeks traveling around Romania, visiting Bran Castle was an obvious standout. And while I think Bran Castle is best visited while you’re on a larger Transylvania itinerary , including cities such as Sibiu , Brasov , and Targu Mures, I can also understand if you want to do a day trip from Bucharest to Bran Castle if you have limited time in Romania.

Doing a Transylvania day trip from Bucharest is certainly doable, but it’s not easy. The problem is that Romanian transportation is not the most reliable. On my two weeks traversing the country, we slid down one hill due to shoddy brakes before luckily coming to a stop, went on a number of extremely bumpy roads, and ended up delayed for hours due to a shepherd protest.

So, while going from Bucharest to Bran Castle in a day via public transit is definitely doable, you’re going to want to wake up early and pack a bunch of patience with you (also bus snacks, which equal patience in my mind) since things in Romania tend not to ever go quite exactly as planned.

And while generally we are independent travelers who prefer to forge our own way than to take a day tour, due to the distance and logistics of getting from Bucharest to Transylvania, we think that Transylvania tours from Bucharest actually offer great value as a day trip option compared to the cost (and headache) of DIYing it all.

How to Get from Bucharest to Bran Castle by Public Transit (The Hard Way)

There are a few options when it comes to getting from Bucharest to Bran Castle via public transit.

The best and fastest option would be a combination of train + taxi. Get the train at Bucharest North (Gara de Nord) station. You can buy tickets online here , but it must be six hours before departure, or you can buy them at the station.

If buying online, be sure to enter the names in the Romanian (București Nord for Bucharest; Brașov for Brasov) or it won’t work.

The train times vary between 2.5 hours and 3.5 hours, depending on when it departs and what route it takes. I’d recommend taking the 6:05 AM, 7:00 AM, or 8:05 AM train to give yourself enough time. There’s a big gap between the 8:05 AM train and the next one at 9:55 AM, which is not ideal.

However – even though it says 2.5 hours, don’t rest on that! Sometimes, Romanian trains experience a significant delay, so go early to account for any issues.

A ticket should cost 48.6 lei (a little more than $11 USD) as of July 2019, but you’ll get a 5% discount if you book online. I haven’t booked train tickets online before, so I’m not sure if you’d have to print out your ticket or if you could show it on your phone, so keep this in mind when booking.

For a return ticket, you are looking at about $22.50 USD per person for the train plus taxi fare to and from Bran.

I had private transportation between Brasov and Bran so I didn’t need to make this trip myself, but I’ve heard that a taxi between Brasov and Bran costs 80 lei ($19 USD) if you’re a good bargainer. To go back, it should be the same, though if you want the same driver you will also have to pay for his waiting time. Some taxi drivers may refuse to make the trip unless you pay them to wait and use them on the return journey too, so keep this in mind when bargaining with taxis.

Using train + taxi for a solo traveler, all in you’re looking at $60.50 USD to do a DIY day trip from Bucharest to Bran Castle, not counting your transit to & from Gara de Nord, meals, entry tickets, or any price gouging you may experience from taxi drivers.

Theoretically, if you’re on a budget, there is also a public bus from the Brasov bus station which goes to Bran. The bus should take about 45 minutes and leaves once an hour on weekends or once every 30 minutes on weekdays. It costs about 10 lei, ($2.50).

However, the Bus Station (Autogara 2) is quite far from the train station, just over 3 kilometers away (about a 45-minute walk), so you’d need to walk a while or take a taxi between the train station and the bus station, so keep that in mind when deciding between bus and taxi.

If you do it this way, walking between the bus station and the train station, you could go from Bucharest to Bran Castle for as little as $27.50 USD, again excluding your transit to and from Gara de Nord, meals, and entry tickets.

How to Get from Bucharest to Bran Castle by Rental Car (The Medium Way)

Theoretically, Bucharest to Bran Castle is only 187 kilometers – not so bad, right? Well, due to road conditions in Romania (and egregious traffic leaving Bucharest), that’s probably closer to 3 hours.

You could rent a car for the day and do an independent trip to Bran Castle from Bucharest, which would make for an adventure, but with rental prices, insurance, and gas, it probably doesn’t make sense economically unless you can gather up a group of 3 or more adventurers to make the trek with you.

However, if you do this, you can stop at a number of other awesome Transylvania sights along the way like Rasnov Citadel, Peles Castle, and more, which makes the journey more worth it.

Pro Tip: We’ve rented cars dozens of times in the Balkans through various search engines and have settled on Discover Cars as the best car rental search engine – it searches over 500 trusted rental companies to find the cheapest price for your rental! Compare prices for car rental in Romania here.

How to Get from Bucharest to Bran Castle (The Easy Way)

If ultimately, your goal is to visit Bran Castle from Bucharest as a day trip in the most stress-free manner possible, a tour is the way to go.

Taking a Bran Castle tour from Bucharest is pretty inexpensive, especially considering that most Transylvania tours from Bucharest don’t just include Bran Castle but also Peles Castle (arguably even more beautiful than Bran!) and sometimes Rasnov Citadel as well. If you’re traveling solo and would have done the taxi option, it’s about the same price (but a lot less hassle) than DIYing it. For those reasons, I highly recommend an organized day trip to Transylvania from Bucharest.

If you go for a Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip, I strongly recommend this well-reviewed tour run by TravelMaker, which has over 600 positive reviews with an average score of 4.6/5 stars.

It covers both a Peles Castle and a Bran Castle, aka Dracula Castle, tour (including entry fees, but you’re on your own for lunch). You’ll also get some time to walk around Brasov city before returning to Bucharest in the evening. Check reviews, availability, and prices here.

Note: As per the tour website, “Between 16 September and 15 May, Peles castle is open from Wednesday to Sunday only. On Mondays and Tuesdays, Rasnov Citadel will be visited instead”

So if visiting Peles is a major draw for you when considering your tour, and you are traveling in the off-season, be sure to plan your departure day accordingly, avoiding Monday and Tuesday. Rasnov is really cool, but Peles would be my choice if I had to choose.

This tour looks cheaper on paper, but since it does not include entry fees, you will pay a bit more.

Another choice is to take a tour that covers Bucharest to Bran Castle, Peles Castle, and also Rasnov Fortress (which is awesome and worth a visit!). This is the tour that I recommend that covers all three , although please note when visiting that you will pay to pay for your own entry fees, which will be an additional ~100 lei (40 for Bran, 30 for Peles, 28 for Rasnov) or $24 USD.

Ultimately, the choice is yours – whether you want to spend more time in Brasov exploring the Old Town, or to see a third castle (Rasnov) which is in a bit of decay compared to Bran and Peles, but ultimately super cool as well!

Personally, I’d pick the tour covering all three castles since each offer something super unique, but if I wanted more time in Brasov I’d pick the first option .

Bran Castle Cost & Operating Times

Entry to the castle costs 40 lei (about $10 USD), though students are eligible for a discount. From the months of April through September, Bran Castle’s hours are 9 AM to 6 PM. (Mondays throughout the year, it opens at noon, not 9 AM).

In the off-season, from October through the end of March, the hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, so keep this early closing time in mind if doing the public transit choice or personal car rental option from Bucharest.

Organized tours will keep in mind the opening hours and make sure you don’t miss it.

What to Pack for Bucharest & Transylvania

If you’re planning a trip to Romania, you’ll want to pack all the normal essentials, but here are a few things we strongly recommend bringing that may not have crossed your mind.

– A physical guidebook, in paper or on Kindle . We love Lonely Planet Bulgaria & Romania for this region and strongly recommend it to supplement blogs. Blogs are great, but a combination of a blog and a guidebook is key to having the best access to information easily at your fingertips.

– Layers in case of poor weather. We had really bad luck with weather our last trip in Romania – it snowed before Halloween! We always recommend bringing a rainproof jacket like Allison’s personal favorite, the Marmot PreCip , which she has had for years and has held up well to countless abuse over 3+ years of travels. (Here’s a men’s version, too!)

– A water bottle with a filter . While generally, the tap water in big cities in Romania is drinkable, such as in Bucharest and Brasov, we generally recommend using a water bottle with a purifying filter to reduce your plastic consumption and ensure you won’t drink any funny-tasting water on your stomach that could make your trip unpleasant! We recommend the GRAYL water bottle – it filters water perfectly in an instant so that you can even drink from lakes, bad taps, etc.

– Motion sickness pills . Romanian roads are winding and road conditions are not good – not even getting into the drivers, either. If you have a weak stomach like we do, save yourself and bring some non-drowsy motion sickness pills .

– Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, TP & other Balkan transit needs. Bathrooms in the Balkans tend to be… how can we say it?… not so well-stocked. Save yourself the disappointment and bring a mini-rescue pack of wet wipes & hand sanitizer .

– Travel safety items . We think Romania is very safe to travel, but at the same time, it never hurts to be prepared! Some people like to carry money belts , but neither Stephanie or I use these. Instead, we both carry the same PacSafe anti-theft backpack . It has locking zippers, slash-proof construction with metal mesh hidden in the fabric, and tons of other smart security features — all while being cute and stylish enough to be our everyday bag. We recommend it highly for both male and female travelers, as its neutral enough to be unisex. We also strongly recommend travel insurance! Our recommendation is at the bottom of the post.

Romania Travel Resources

If you’re going to Romania, we have a goldmine of resources for you to take advantage of! First, check out this guide to  planning a trip to Romania . It’s a good starting point for planning your trip.

Next, check out all the  things to do in Transylvania  and  things to do in Bucharest . You can also check out our Instagram guides to  Sibiu ,  Brasov , and  Bucharest  – more are on the way.

You can also read about the best  Romanian castles , the  Romanian food  you should try on your trip, or how to plan some epic  day trips from Bucharest (this is only one of them – we have 6 others!)

Where to Stay in Bucharest

Overnighting in Bucharest and not planning to stay in Brasov? Here are our tips for where to stay in Bucharest.

Budget:  After having a bad experience with the owner of Pura Vida and Little Bucharest, I cannot recommend them to other travelers, especially solo women travelers. Instead, I’d suggest checking out  Funny Hostel (check availability and reviews here)  or  Friends Hostel (check availability and reviews here) .

Mid-range:   Omega House  is a gorgeous boutique hotel (which also has a few dormitory style rooms if you are a solo traveler with a slightly higher budget). The hotel has beautiful design and a spacious co-working space where you can make use of of Bucharest’s speedy, best-in-Europe WiFi. It is near Piata Romana, my favorite part of Bucharest (and where many of the best coffee shops, bars, and restaurants are located). With a 9.0 rating on Booking.com  (read reviews, see photos, and check availability here) , I’d recommend this for travelers who want a step above a standard hostel without paying a ton

Luxury:  I stayed at the  Grand Hotel Continental  during my first Bucharest trip and I can’t recommend it enough if you have the money to spare. The room was elegantly furnished and the bed was ridiculously comfortable – the comforters and sheets were just so lush. The bathroom and room itself were crazy large and spacious (though the bathroom was oddly modern, to the point where the sink was really confusing and barely usable). I loved being a 10-minute walk away from the Old Town. I actually don’t recommend at all staying in the Old Town itself, because it’s super loud with drunks at all hours of the night. It comes highly recommended by me and others agree, considering it  has a 9.0 rating on Booking.com from others (check reviews and availability here) .

Don’t Forget about Travel Insurance!

I’m sure you’re aware that  travel insurance  is a good idea for traveling in Romania (or really, any part of the world)! Stephanie and I have both been paying customers of  World Nomads  for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.

While the Balkans are perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel, so it’s better to play it safe. The saying goes “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel” is true!

>> Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here <<

Originally from California, Allison has been living in Bulgaria for the last two years and is obsessed with traveling around the Balkans. She has been published in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, Matador Network, and the Huffington Post. She loves befriending dogs, drinking coffee, geeking out about wine, and cooking food from around the world.

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How to Visit Bran Castle: Day Trip to Dracula’s Castle

Julia December 19, 2022 Romania Leave a Comment

Learn how to visit Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle, from the surrounding areas.

One of the most renown attractions in Romania is Bran Castle, which is better known as being Dracula’s Castle. Whether you’re just stopping in Romania or spending weeks traveling around, it’s worth planning a day trip to Bran Castle to explore this fascinating piece of history.

Disclosure:  Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

Table of Contents

About Bran Castle

Located less than 30km from Brasov and less than 200 km from Bucharest, you’ll find Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle. First completed in 1388, Bran Castle is nestled into the steep hillside between Magura and Dealul Cetatii.

It was originally built at the border of Transylvania as part of an attempt to stop the Ottoman Empire’s expansion. Despite it’s deep history, it is best known for being the home of Dracula.

How Bran Castle became Dracula’s Castle

Dracula, the fictional Transylvanian Count made famous by author Bram Stoker, is said to have lived in a castle that matches the description of Bran Castle. However, Bram Stoker never truly visited Romania.

He based the castle description off of one that was available to him at the time of his writing. As it is the only castle in Transylvania that fits the description, it was clearly pinpointed ad the castle Stoker wrote about.

In other iterations of Dracula, images of Bran Castle have been used to further solidify its recognition as Dracula’s Castle.

How to Take a Day Trip to Bran Castle

Visiting Bran Castle is easy and a very popular option for visitors to Romania due to its reputation as Dracula’s Castle. In fact, it’s one of the best day trips from Brasov, or, you can be reach it from Bucharest.

Bran Castle by Bus from Brasov

Sitting just 45 minutes by bus from Brasov, the buses run regularly from bus terminal No. 2 in Brasov to Bran – Moeciu and back. Departures are every 30min on week days and every hour on weekends. A ticket will set you back only 7 Lei (€1.5) per ride.

Bran Castle by Tour from Brasov

The most convenient way to visit Bran Castle from Brasov is to take a tour. As it is a popular destination, there are a lot of tour options – and you can get a lot of bang for your buck with the tours! Here are some of the best options.

• Day Tour from Brasov to Castles and Surrounding Areas
• Full Day Tour to Peles Castle, Bran, and Cantacuzino Castle
• Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress Tour with Optional Peles Castle Visit
• Tour of Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress, and Sinaia Monastery

Bran Castle by Tour from Bucharest

• Full Day Tour to Peles, Bran Castle, and Old Town Brasov Tour
• Private Day Tour to the Castles of Transylvania
• Full Day Tour to Peles and Bran Castle
• Transylvania and Dracula Castle Full Day Tour
• Full Day Tour to Bran and Peles Castles and Rasnov Citidel

Details of Visiting Dracula’s Castle

Before planning our trip to Bran Castle, there are some details to know. We’ll go through them one by one to ensure you’re well prepared for your day trip to Dracula’s Castle.

Hours of Operation

High season (april 1- september 30).

• Monday: 12pm – 6pm
• Tuesday – Sunday: 9am – 6pm
• Last Admission: 6pm

Low Season (October 1 – March 31)

• Monday: 12pm – 4pm
• Tuesday – Sunday: 9am – 4pm
• Last Admission: 4pm

Ticket Prices

Low Season Tickets (January 1 – June 30 and September 1 – December 31)

• Adults: 55 Lei (11€)
• Seniors (65+): 40 Lei (8€) – Must have ID
• Students: 30 Lei (6€) – Student ID required
• Children 7+: 15 Lei (3€)
• Children under 7: Free
• Free access for disabled and/or institutionalized guests

High Season Tickets (July 1 – August 31)

• Adults: 60 Lei (12€)
• Seniors (65+): 45 Lei (9€) – Must have ID
• Students: 35 Lei (7€) – Student ID required

Ticket prices include amateur photo and video. Professional photography and filming requires a contract.

Find the latest details on the official Bran Castle website .

What to Expect of Bran Castle

Bran castle is quite grand from the outside as it sits up on a hill. However, it is not ornate in any way. Being as it is Dracula’s Castle, there are dozens of tourist shops set up throughout Bran so you can get your fill of Dracula, vampire, and Transylvania hats, t-shirts, vampire teeth, magnets, and whatever else your heart could possibly desire.

To add to the fun, the ticket line can be over an hour-long, with the wait completely in the sun. Just saying, Dracula would not have survived in that line… I recommend buying your ticket ahead online to avoid the long wait. That or pack sunscreen!

Once you enter the Bran Castle gates, you’re greeted by a hill leading up to the castle. This is probably the best view of the castle and a brief relief with some shade and the crowd is moderated by how fast they can sell tickets.

The Inside of Bran Castle

Once inside the castle, all bets are off. There are few to no signs directing you where to go, and there are people everywhere with some being very pushy and others taking photos of everything in sight.  

The castle tour winds up and down and around with absolutely no logic. There are a few rooms that address Bran and how the Dracula tie came to be. But, it’s important to remember that Dracula is fictional.

Some indications even try to make the relation between Dracula and Vlad the Impaler. However, Vlad the Impaler, or Vlad Tepes / Vlad Dracul, was a Walachian Prince with a castle that is now in ruins. Not the same person or character as Dracula.

Anyway, the castle is beautiful but overcrowded, and in a way over touristy. That said, I had heard that before I went, but I still wanted to visit Dracula. I completely understand if you do too!

Pro Tip: If you want to visit other castles in the area, Peles Castle or Peles Palace, is a stunning castle nearby in Sinaia. It’s a great addition to your Romania itinerary.

Tips for Taking a Day Trip to Bran Castle

As such a popular destination in Romania, you’ll want to plan your trip to Dracula’s Castle carefully to avoid the crowds. Here are some tips to help make your Bran Castle day trip go off without a hitch.

• Arrive early in the morning for shorter ticket lines.
• Pre-purchase your tickets online to skip the long lines.
• The whole trip is about half of a day from Brasov with a 45 minute bus there, ~1 hour in line, ~1.5 hours to tour the castle, and another 45 minutes back.  It can easily be added to another side-trip or to exploring Brasov in the same day.  
• Check bus times back to Brasov when you arrive because they sometimes run less regularly.
• The town of Bran is mostly focused around Bran Castle and their Dracula tie. There is not a lot else there.

Plan Your Trip to Romania

Visiting Bran Castle is a right of passage when traveling to Romania. I mean, Transylvania, Romania is best known because of Dracula! If you’re headed to Romania, here are some additional resources to help you plan your time there and in nearby Bulgaria.

• How to Spend One Day in Veliko Tarnovo
• How to Spend One Day in Plovdiv
• Backpacking through Sofia: Things to Do and Places to See
• How to Visit the UFO in Bulgaria: The Buzludzha Monument Tour

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The founder of The Cure for Curiosity, Julia is a North Carolina based, travel addict who has followed her curiosity to 90+ countries. Whether it’s crawling through the Pyramids of Egypt, climbing to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, or diving the Blue Hole in Belize, she’s always on the go, and she wants to help you travel more and travel better by sharing what she’s learned along the way, from travel tips  and packing lists to destination specific details.

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Visiting Bran Castle: Day trip from Braşov, Part 1

We stayed two nights in Braşov, so we had a whole day to explore the sights around Braşov.

The most famous tourist attraction near Braşov is Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. We visited Bran Castle in the morning and the fortress church in the village of Hărman in the afternoon. This post summarises Bran Castle and its surroundings.

Day trips from Braşov

Getting to bran castle, bran castle (castelul bran), bran castle view and hiking trails, bran village museum, how to return from bran castle to braşov.

Braşov is dotted with many historical buildings and has a well-developed pedestrianised area, which makes it easy to visit. Not only that, but there are several attractions in and around Braşov that can be visited on day trips from Braşov.

The day-trips we were considering from Bran Castle, Hărman Fortified Church and Prejmer Fortified Church as day-trips from Braşov. Of these, we decided to visit Bran Castle in the morning and Hărman Fortified Church in the afternoon of the same day.

As the villages of Hărman and Prejmer are in the same direction, it is possible to visit them together. However, as public transport such as trains and buses are infrequent, we decided that it would be tough to visit both in half a day. There are also many fortified churches dotted in Romania where we will visit after leaving Braşov, so we will spend more time there this time.

Buses to Bran leave from Autogara 2 Transbus Codreanu bus station in the northern part of Braşov. We walked there from our guesthouse.

There is a ticket office at the bus station, but we were told to buy tickets for the bus to Bran directly from the driver on board. Buses to Bran leave every hour between 7am and 9pm. The leftmost column in the image above shows the departure times of the buses to Bran.

We took the 10am bus. Fares are listed on the bus.

13 lei per person from Brasov to Bran. The bus departed on time at 10am.

The distance from the bus station to Bran Castle is approximately 28 km; the bus arrived at Bran Castle in approximately 50 minutes. The entrance to Bran Castle is a short walk from the bus station.

Bran Castle is a historical castle located in the mountains of southern Braşov in Transylvania. A wooden fortress is said to have originally stood on the site in the 13th century, but the stone castle is thought to have been built in the 14th century. It also served as a defence against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.

Bran Castle is often referred to as Dracula’s Castle. It’s because Bran Castle is considered as the model for Dracula’s Castle in Irish writer Bram Stoker’s “Dracula the Vampire.” However, it has never been proven that Bram Stoker knew of the castle at the time, and its association with Dracula’s Castle is only a claim by the tourist industry and has no basis in fact. It is said that there is no evidence for this.

As is the aim of that tourism industry, Bran Castle, which is tied to Dracula Castle, is now a super popular tourist attraction.

The entrance fee to Bran Castle is 60 lei per person. At this time, many tourists were already in the process of purchasing tickets from the vending machine. We were fed up with the crowds, which reminded us of Disneyland. As we had visited Peleş Castle in Sinaia the day before, we decided not to enter this time. We would save the inside of Bran Castle until next time.

Walking along the main road towards the south-west of Bran Castle, you will see a small wooden bridge on your right. From the field across this you can see the whole of Bran Castle and it seems to be a good spot for taking photographs of the exterior.

It is also the entrance to a hiking trail, from which you can walk up the hill to enjoy the natural beauty of Bran village.

The Bran Village Museum was built in the north-east of the Bran Castle site and was free to visit. Several traditional houses are on display, where visitors can take photos and picnic.

We also had lunch here, which we brought with us.

On the way back from Bran Castle, we walked to the bus stop about 1km north along the main road. From here you should be able to catch a bus to Braşov, but there is only one bus every hour to Braşov. There was no bus timetable, so we decided to try hitchhiking.

There was a lot of traffic and after about five minutes, a friendly local stopped for us. She was a woman called Anna who lives in Bran and was going to Braşov. After this we planned to go to Hărman village by train, so she gave us a lift to Braşov railway station.

We thanked Ana for her kindness and headed for Hărman. The rest of this story is in a separate post.

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One day trip to Bran Castle

The history of Dracula's Castle began in 1377 ; at that time, it was  just a new stone-built fortress in the village of Bran. This place was known at that time because of the Teutonic Order called Dietrichstein. The Teutonic knights remained in this region until 1226. They built this fortified wooden settlement called Bran to defend Transylvania.

The imposing construction, originally built as a fortress at the former border between Wallachia and Transylvania, looks out over a valley from its strategic position. The function of this medieval landmark is evident through its grandiose towers as well as its winding narrow staircases and passages.

The Bran Castle is where you will discover the myth and facts of the fortress also known as Dracula's Castle. Admiring the breathtaking views of the mountains will be available if the weather is kind to the visitors of the castle. Once you get there, you have the exciting opportunity of uncovering the truth and the legends surrounding this legendary castle nestled in the epic Carpathian Mountains.

Learn about Vlad the Impaler — the often-misunderstood leader that inspired Stoker’s fictional Count Dracula. Judge for yourself the line between fact and fiction, find out the truth behind all the myths.

Queen Marie of Romania and the Bran Castle

Bran Castle was one of the most beloved residences of Queen Marie , who struggled to transform the imposing fortress into a modern and comfortable summer home. Built originally in the 1300's to guard the narrow pass across the border (and collect the tolls), it was given to Queen Marie of Romania (one of Queen Victoria of England's granddaughters) by the population of Brasov in 1920. ‘ And the unbelievable truly happened: two years after the war, the authorities of Braşov came to me in a solemn mission and offered Bran Castle to me, as an absolute gift, to be entirely mine. ’ (Queen Marie of Romania)

The Queen's favorite area was the decoration of the interiors, the salons from Pelișor and Cotroceni bearing the imprint of the style imposed by the sovereign. Although Bran had a rigid architecture, which did not allow major transformations, Queen Maria managed to change the austere air of the Bran Castle.

The wife of King Ferdinand I, who reigned from 1914 to 1927 , wanted her heart to be laid to rest in a specially built chapel in Balcic, a town on the Black Sea which at the time belonged to Romania. The royal family had a castle in Balcic which was the Queen’s favorite summer residence. But that region was returned to Bulgaria in 1940 and the royal family was forced to move the heart to a temporary location in Bran castle in Romania’s Carpathian mountains.

The chapel at Bran, however, “ was desecrated during the communist regime ” and the heart was moved again to the National History Museum , the family said. They then requested it be taken to a place with some royal connection, and Pelisor “ is the place where her heartbeat for the last time ”.

Bran Village Museum

The Bran Village Museum was established in 1962 , in the park next to Bran Castle and is subordinated to the Medieval Customs Museum . The Bran Village Museum, located right next to the entrance to the castle offers an insightful exhibition for anybody interested in local culture and folklore. For a minimal sum of 1.5 euros, you can enter the open-air expo and admire 16 traditional houses that were brought in from various villages surrounding Bran and Brasov. Inside these houses, furniture pieces can be admired as well as functional objects, elements of decor, and national vestments that highlight the different stages of the evolution of society.

The Bran Village Museum is located in the park within the vicinity of Bran Castle, on General Traian Moșoiu Street no. 28 , commune Bran .

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Brasov Day Trips has been around for more than 10 years. Our experience and dedication strive to bring you the best visiting experiences ever and our professionalism is being recognized on very well-known platforms, such as TripAdvisor:

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Day trip to bran castle.

From 10 € / person 

Day Trip to Real Dracula's Castle

From 40 € / person 

Wild Bear Watching

Horse Riding

From 50 € / person 

Paragliding

From 60 € / person 

Day Trip to Gypsy Village

From 30 € / person

Day trip to Sibiu & Sighisoara

From 55 € / person

Bran Castle:

Tour Details

• 1, 2  persons – 30 euros
• 3 -6 persons – 15 euros / person
• +6 persons – 10 euros / person
• Transport by modern private car/minivan
• English speaking tour guide

Not Included

• Lunch and Entrance fees at the Castle

Similar trips: Bran Castle & Rasnov Fortress  •  Bran Castle & Poiana Brasov  •  Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress & Poiana Brasov •  Bran Castle, Harman & Prejmer Saxon Fortress • Day Tour to Bran & Countryside

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Brasov, Romania

+40 740 049 043

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Bran Castle: This unique castle was built by the Teuton knights in the 13th Century as a defense fortress to protect the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. In the 15th Century, Dracula, (“Vlad the Impaler”) was imprisoned here. For Centuries people have been looking for the truth behind Dracula. On this trip you’ll hear the legend, the truth and true stories of the locals. You’ll taste the local produce and most importantly you’ll have fun.

Privacy Overview

Day trip to Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle)

Duration/Distance:

7 – 8 hours / 282 km

please inquire for exact quote

– Pick up / drop off at your hotel

– Comfortable Executive AC car

– Entrance – Photo & Video fees

– Local  fully licensed, English speaking guide

– Interactive participation encouraged

– Overview of Romanian History and Culture

– Countless stops for photos

Detailed Itinerary

If you’re interested in Romanian history and you’re intrigued by the story that’s hiding behind the legend of Vlad Tepes, commonly known as Dracula, you have to visit Bran Castle.

Without any doubt it is one of Top 5 most valuable medieval architectural monuments of Romania, built in 1382 by the inhabitants of Brasov, on a high rock, to allow the surveillance of the whole region. The Fortress had an essential role in protecting the Hungarian Kingdom from the Ottomans and Tatars’ invasion, coming from Wallahia through Rucar Pass and also  to ensure the protection of the Magyar customs centre. During history the Bran Castle possession passed from Hungarians to Brasov merchants, then to Austrians and finally to Romania who donated the Bran Castle to Queen Maria of Great Romania, who lived there with the royal family till 1947.

At the beginning of the XIX century  Bram Stoker wrote a terrifying story about Count Dracula a fictional character associated with Wallahian ruler Vlad Tepes (The Impaler) by legend, while the novel is, of course, a work of fiction it is indescribably awesome to explore the place that has inspired it. The castle is incredibly beautiful, with the original architecture and much of the original furniture still intact, you can actually see the room where “Dracula” slept. With pristine natural surroundings the views from the courtyard and balcony are breathtaking. In 2010  CNN TV Station mentioned Bran Castle among the most beautiful ten castles in the world.

On our way back we will stop for a short walk in the historical center of Brasov and if in schedule a visit of the Black Church, the biggest gothic cathedral between Wien and Istanbul.

In the end I will give you some general and some customized tips as I don’t want you to enjoy just the time we spend together, but your entire stay in Transylvania or Romania.

This day tour can also be used as a transfer to or from Brasov.

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• Bucharest Attractions
• Bran Castle Tickets
• Dracula's Castle

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• Skip the Line Tours

Guided Tours

• Day Trips to Bran Castle
• Palace of Parliament Bucharest Tours
• Therme Bucuresti Tickets
• Peleș Castle Tickets
• Ceausescu Mansion Tickets
• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
• Museum of Senses
• Slanic Salt Mine Tickets
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Bucharest to Bran Castle Day Trip | Tickets, Highlights & Tips

Bucharest to bran castle day trips.

Most people visiting Bran Castle usually arrive at Bucharest first and then head towards Brasov or directly to Bran Castle. While there are multiple ways for tourists to go from Bucharest to Bran Castle by yourself, we encourage you to take a day trip package instead. A well-rounded travel package will not only ensure that you make the most of your trip but also ensures that you’re comfortable and taken care of. Isn’t that what a vacation is all about?

Read on to find out more about what you can get from the Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip packages. 

Book Your Bucharest to Bran Castle Tickets

Why take a day trip from bucharest to bran castle.

• Designated transportation will be provided during your entire trip, which means that you will be picked up from Bucharest and then brought back at the end of your trip. 
• You can also avail hotel and airport transfers on your day trip tickets. 
• An expert guide will be with you at all times to give you detailed insights into Romanian history. 
• Explore many other attractions apart from Bran Castle. 

Bucharest to Bran Castle Tickets - Day Trip vs. General Admission

• You simply need to arrive at the pickup point in Bucharest. Your transportation and transfers will be taken care of for you. 
• A well-rounded day-trip package includes meals, breaks for resting, an expert guide, hotel and airport transfers, and much more. 
• Discover many other attractions that may get missed out on if you’re traveling by yourself. 

General Admission

• Gives you direct entry access into Bran Castle, allowing you to skip the long ticket lines. 
• Allows you to explore Bran Castle at your own pace, giving you the flexibility to plan your vacation your own way. 
• You will have to arrange for your own transportation if you’re leaving from Bucharest. 
• Easy on your pockets as general admission tickets are quite affordable compared to guided tour or day trip tickets. 

What to Expect on a Bucharest to Bran Castle Day Trip?

Depending on the type of day trip ticket you purchase, the duration of your trip may vary. However, no matter what ticket you purchase, you will be back in your hotel by evening with plenty of time to rest and head out on a new adventure the next day. 

You will be a part of a group containing not more than 16 people. If you take a small group ticket, your tour group will not be more than 8 individuals. 

Also depending on your ticket, you will either be picked up from a hotel or a common pickup point at 7:30 AM or 8 AM. An air-conditioned transport will be available for you throughout the trip. After the completion of your trip, you will be dropped off at the same location you were picked up from. 

A local tour guide fluent in multiple languages will be available at all times during your trip to give you keen insights into Romanian culture and history. Your entry fees to the different attractions included in your day trip may or may not be included in your ticket depending on the ticket type. However, you will still get priority access as a part of a group tour. 

Bucharest to Bran Castle Highlights

Apart from Bran Castle, you can also explore many other attractions in Transylvania on your Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip. 

Peles Castle

Located deep in the Carpathian Mountains near Sinaia is this beautiful castle that formerly served as a residence of the Romanian Royal Family. Peles Castle sits on the ancient route that connected Transylvania and Wallachia and was built in the late 19th century. 

Sinaia Monastery

Founded in 1695 by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino, the Sinaia Monastery is part of the Bucharest archdiocese. You can find the earliest translated Bible in Romanian along with some precious jewelry that belonged to the Cantacuzino family. 

Located in the heart of Romania and surrounded by the Southern Carpathian Mountains, Brasov was once a trading hub between Austria and Turkey. The city has a lot to offer to tourists, along with historical monuments like the Black Church, Casa Hirscher, the Council Square, and much more!

Curtea de Argeș

The name Curtea de Argeș translates to the Court upon Arges and refers to the former status of the court that functioned as the capital of Wallachia. It is home to some of the most beautiful churches like the Curtea de Argeș Cathedral, Biserica Domnească and many more!

Poenari Fortress

The former home to the infamous Wallachian Prince, Vlad Tepes, the Poenari Fortress sits on the top of a mountain that can only be reached by 1480 concrete steps. While the climb may be tedious, it is most definitely worth the effort for panoramic views of the Carpathian mountains enveloping the fortress.

Carpathian Mountains

About 1500 km across, the famous Carpathian mountain range forms an arc across Central and Eastern Europe and is also the third-longest mountain range in Europe. With every other town built around these mountains in Romania, they offer some of the best views of nature and civilization.

Plan Your Bucharest to Bran Castle Day Trip

Bran Castle is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day except Mondays. On Mondays, Bran Castle is open from 12 PM to 6 PM. Last admission is at 6 PM.

Bran Castle is less than 3 hours away from Bucharest. A Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip would be approximately 12 to 14 hours, depending on your ticket type.

Depending on your ticket type, you may either be picked up from your hotel or you will have to meet your tour guide at 8 AM.

Return transfers are included in your ticket depending on your ticket type. If you were picked up from a hotel at the beginning of your trip, you will be dropped back at your hotel at the end of the trip.

You will travel in an air-conditioned coach.

As your day trips may include a lot of walking, we suggest that you wear flat comfortable footwear. We also recommend that you dress according to the weather in Romania.

Yes, photography and videography are allowed inside Bran Castle. For professional photography, you will need to sign a contract.

It is not recommended that you carry your luggage during your day trip due to limited space in your coach. There are no locker facilities and narrow passageways at Bran Castle which may hinder your experience if you have to also carry your luggage around.

FAQs About Bucharest to Bran Castle Day Trips

A. Yes, there are many Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip tickets available online. You can book them here .

A. Your Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip ticket will include an air-conditioned coach that will pick you up and drop you at your hotel or pickup point. There will also be an expert guide fluent in multiple languages who will take you around the Carpathian Mountains covering various landmarks like Peles Castle, Poenari Fortress, Sinaia Monastery and many more along with Bran Castle. 

A. Your Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip may take 12-14 hours, depending on your ticket. 

A. You can cancel your Bran Castle day trip tickets up to 24 hours before schedule and get a full refund.

A. Yes, an expert guide will accompany you to give you keen insights into all the things you will discover on your Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip.

A. Some Bucharest to Bran Castle day trip tickets include hotel transfers as well. If your ticket includes a pickup from the hotel, then you will be dropped back at your hotel at the end of the trip as well.

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