Bucharest is a good base for exploring Romania by car. Within two hours you can be at a lake, in the mountains or by the sea. These are the trips our customers love most, from the shortest to the most ambitious.
1. Snagov Lake: an easy afternoon
About 40 km, 45 minutes each way.
North of the city, past the airport, Snagov Lake is where Bucharest goes to breathe. Walk in the forest, rent a boat, and visit the small monastery on its island, where legend places the grave of Vlad the Impaler. Any car does the job; a Yaris Hybrid will barely use any fuel.
2. Sinaia and Peleș Castle: the classic day trip
About 130 km, 2 to 2.5 hours each way.
Take the A3 and the DN1 into the Prahova Valley. Peleș Castle in Sinaia, the former summer residence of Romania's kings, is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Combine it with a cable car ride up to the Bucegi plateau. Leave early on weekends: the DN1 through the valley gets busy, especially on the way back on Sunday afternoon.
3. Brașov and Bran: a weekend in Transylvania
About 170 km to Brașov, 3 hours.
Continue past Sinaia over the mountains to Brașov, a medieval town with a beautiful old square and a black church. From there, Bran Castle (the "Dracula castle") and the fortress of Râșnov are each half an hour away. Stay a night or two. An SUV such as the Duster 4x4 is handy if you want to explore the smaller valleys.
4. The Transfăgărășan: the road everybody talks about
About 230 km to the southern end, 3.5 to 4 hours; plan a full weekend.
Head west towards Pitești and Curtea de Argeș, then north past the Vidraru dam. The Transfăgărășan climbs over the Făgăraș mountains in a tangle of hairpins to Bâlea Lake at more than 2,000 m. It is one of the most spectacular drives in the world.
Good to know:
- the high section is usually open from July to October only, depending on the snow;
- drive it early in the morning to avoid the queues of summer weekends;
- fill up before you leave the valley, there are no stations on the pass;
- a car with a little power helps; the MX-5 with the roof down is the dream version.
5. The Black Sea coast: Constanța and the beaches
About 225 km, 2.5 hours on the A2 motorway.
The A2 runs straight to the coast. Visit the old town and the casino of Constanța, then pick a beach: lively Mamaia to the north, or quieter Vama Veche near the Bulgarian border. Remember the toll for the Danube bridge at Fetești, which you pay online or by SMS. For a family with luggage, the Octavia Combi or the seven-seat Touran is the comfortable choice.
Before you go
- Every Lindenway car has a valid road vignette, so you are covered on national roads and motorways.
- 300 km a day are included in the price, which covers every trip above. Longer trips? Ask us about unlimited mileage.
- Driving on to Bulgaria or Hungary is allowed: tell us when you book and we prepare the papers.
Choose your car in the fleet and send us your dates.