We recently finished an incredible Romania road trip and discovered that this country has so much to offer. Not only is it stunning, but it’s also extremely affordable. Romania is the perfect destination for an affordable road trip if you want to experience charming towns and cities, unique castles, and breathtaking natural scenery.
If you’re planning a 10-day Romania road trip itinerary and want tips to keep it budget-friendly, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll guide you through our route, share travel tips, and highlight must-see spots.
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Bucharest – the Starting Point
Most trips, including ours, begin in Bucharest, a lively capital packed with things to see and do. If you only have a short time, we recommend saving Bucharest for a proper city break. If your main goal is to explore Romania by car, you’ll want to get out of the city quickly. The real beauty of Romania lies in its castles, small towns, and natural scenery.
That said, Bucharest is worth a stop. We arrived on our wedding anniversary and treated ourselves to a visit to Therme Bucharest, one of Europe’s largest spas! Tickets are very affordable, and you can choose a package that suits your needs. We recommend the ticket that includes all areas – it’s still cheap and lets you enjoy a full range of saunas, pools, and water slides.
Book Your Therme Bucharest Spa Experience Here!
Other things to do in Bucharest include:
- Old Town (Lipscani) – cobbled streets, bars, and historic buildings.
- Palace of Parliament – one of the largest administrative buildings in the world.
- Herăstrău Park – perfect for a stroll or renting a bike.
- Village Museum (Muzeul Satului) – open-air museum showcasing Romania’s rural architecture.
If you’re planning a 10 day trip, we’d suggest spending 2–3 days in Bucharest before heading out to explore the rest of Romania.
Where to Stay in Bucharest
- Airbnb options – perfect for cooking your own meals and saving money
- Podstel Bucharest – budget-friendly and clean.
- Hotel Christina – central location and good value.
Exploring Romania by Car
Now that you’ve ticked off Bucharest, you’ll probably be eager to get out and explore more of Romania. We decided to focus our trip on Transylvania, and honestly, there’s so much to see and do there that you could easily spend weeks.
A quick heads-up if you’re planning to drive: Bucharest traffic is pretty wild. The roads are hectic, drivers are fast, and accidents are fairly common. That’s why we’d strongly recommend hiring a car from a reputable company.
We found budget car hire in Romania for under £200 for a week – which we thought was a great deal. There are lots of cheap options but we decided to hire with Sixt – a reliable company with high-quality cars – and we had no problems. To our surprise, we ended up with a Romanian Dacia Duster, which made the road trip feel even more authentic and added to the adventure.
Book your Romania car hire today and get the best prices here.
Castles in Romania: First Stops on Your Trip
Peles Castle was our first destination outside Bucharest. The castle is stunning from the outside. Sadly, we were too tired to go inside, but we’ve heard it’s even more impressive. Peles is close to Bucharest, making it a perfect first stop. If you prefer a slow start, stay nearby in Predeal. It’s a small town that’s ideally located between Peles Castle and Bran Castle.
Where to Stay Near Peles Castle:
- Hotel Piemonte – affordable, clean, and close to local restaurants.
The next day, we headed to Bran Castle, famous for inspiring Dracula. It’s eerie and beautiful, especially on a misty, rainy day. We expected it to be overrated, but we really enjoyed our time. Wander the courtyards and consider hiring a guide or booking a tour to learn about the history. Arrive early to avoid the day-trip crowds from Bucharest.
Explore Romania’s top activities such as a Bran Castle Guided Tour:
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Brasov – A Must-Visit City
From Bran Castle, it’s a short drive to Brasov, one of Transylvania’s gems. The old town is stunning, with cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and charming squares. You’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to explore. For views, hike up Tampa Mountain or climb the Council Tower. The food and cafe scene is Brasov is also great. We’d recommend heading to a small but unique cafe called News Caffe. You can sit outside (kind of) in their igloo style rooms that are cozy and the coffee is great too!
Where to Stay in Brasov:
- Aro Palace Hotel – central, comfortable, and upscale.
- Casa Wagner Hotel – historic charm in the heart of the old town.
- Airbnb – a great option to save money, cook meals, and experience local life.
Discover more Brasov accommodation here.
We found Airbnbs in Romania invaluable for keeping costs low. Cooking your own food made a huge difference in the overall cost of our road trip and they’re extremely affordable at £30+ per night.
Romania’s Must See City: Sighișoara
Once you’ve explored Brașov, we recommend taking the scenic E60 road towards Sighișoara. If you’re short on time, you can drive directly to Sighișoara, but if you’d like to break up the journey, make a quick stop at Rupea Citadel. For a small entrance fee (around £3.00), you can wander through the restored fortress and enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. From there it’s just a short drive on to Sighișoara – our favourite city in Romania and an absolute highlight of any Transylvania road trip.
Romania is full of hidden gems and picturesque medieval cities that easily rival destinations in France or Germany. What surprised us most was how beautiful and unique these towns are—and the fact that many travellers have never even heard of them before visiting.
When it comes to things to do in Sighisoara, our top tip is simple: take your time to wander the cobbled streets, soak up the colourful architecture, and enjoy the slower pace of this small city. For food, you’ll be spoilt for choice. We recommend Gasthaus Altepost, a cosy restaurant serving hearty traditional Romanian dishes in a warm, welcoming setting.
Where to Stay in Sighișoara:
For accommodation, we can’t recommend Casa Adalmo enough. This modern yet homely guesthouse is run by incredibly friendly locals, just a short walk from the old town. With private parking included, it’s a fantastic choice if you’re on a Romania road trip and want both comfort and convenience.
Hiking and a Natural Wonder of Romania
By this stage of our Romania road trip, we realised it was time to slowly start making our way back—meaning we had to skip a couple of spots we’d originally planned. If you have a little more time up your sleeve, though, take note: there are some fantastic places you might want to squeeze in that we, unfortunately, had to miss.
Our next destination was the small town of Turda, best known for its natural landscapes. Just outside the town lies Cheile Turzii (Turda Gorge), a spectacular limestone canyon that’s perfect for hiking. We can’t recommend this walk enough. The trail takes you right through the gorge, with dramatic cliffs on either side. The scenery is breathtaking, and we spent a few hours wandering, constantly stopping to look up and take it all in. The path is straightforward and well-marked, but do keep in mind that the rocks can be slippery in places. We’d recommend bringing some sturdy walking shoes or boots.
Sadly, this was the last major stop we had time for around this area. If you have more time then don’t miss a visit to the Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda). This is one of Romania’s most unique underground attractions. And if you have half a day spare, consider heading to Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of Transylvania. Here you’ll find a mix of historic architecture, buzzing cafes, and a student city vibe.
Where to Stay in Turda:
- Salis Hotel & Medical Spa – modern, comfortable, with spa facilities.
- Airbnb – affordable apartments and homes with self-catering options.
Sibiu: Transylvania’s Hidden Gem
If like us, you’re planning to pick up and drop off your car in Bucharest, we highly recommend heading back via the Transfăgărășan Highway. Famously named one of the best driving roads in the world by Top Gear, it’s an absolute must on any Romanian road trip. Before tackling the twists and turns of the Transfăgărășan, though, there’s another stop you shouldn’t miss—Sibiu.
Often described as one of Europe’s most underrated cities, Sibiu is a beautifully preserved destination known for its colourful squares, cobblestone streets, and distinct Germanic architecture. The city has a lively café culture too, with plenty of patisseries, wine bars, and cosy restaurants to choose from.
Its location also makes it the perfect overnight stop before driving the Transfăgărășan Highway. Spending a night here gives you the chance to explore Sibiu at a relaxed pace before continuing your Romanian adventure.
Where to Stay in Sibiu:
- Airbnb – affordable apartments and homes with self-catering options.
- Blumenhaus Sibiu– charming rooms right in the old town.
The Ultimate Driving Road (That We Couldn’t Drive)
After a week of driving around Romania, we were so excited to finally get onto the Transfăgărășan Highway. It’s been called one of the best driving roads in the world (even Top Gear said so), so it was right at the top of our list. The problem? If you visit outside of summer, like we did in March, most of the road is closed. A bit of a let-down, considering how long it had been on our bucket list.
Still, we decided to drive up as far as we could—and it turned out to be the best decision we made. On a misty day we reached the Bâlea Waterfall Visitor Centre, and to our surprise the cable car was running. We hadn’t seen another car on the way up, so this completely shocked us. We hopped on and headed up to Bâlea Lac, where the frozen lake and snow-covered mountains felt like a proper winter wonderland.
If you come earlier in the season you can even stay in the Ice Hotel, which sits right on the lake. There’s also a lodge at the top if you fancy a night beside the mountains. We stopped at the Bâlea Lac Chalet for a quick drink before heading back down—completely unprepared for snowy weather but glad we’d made the effort.
So yes, the Transfăgărășan is best driven in summer—but even in winter, it’s still well worth the trip.
Discover places to stay near Bâlea Lac here
Tips for Driving the Transfăgărășan Highway
What to pack: Even in summer, bring warm layers—the weather can change quickly in the mountains. In winter, proper boots and a decent coat are a must.
Season: The road is usually open late June to late October, but it depends on the snow. Always check conditions before you go and be careful of the bears. Romania has one of the largest bear populations in Europe (not accounting for Russia). If spotting a bear is on your bucket list then the Transfăgărășan Highway is one of the best places to see them in Summer.
Best time to visit: July and August offer the warmest weather, but September is quieter and still stunning.
Why Driving Through Romania Is the Best!
Romania is one of those destinations that really is perfect for a road trip. Once you escape the hustle and bustle of Bucharest you’ll be greeted with plenty of beautiful destinations. From picturesque towns, to natural wonders like Turda Gorge and even one of the best driving roads in the world. If you’re thinking of heading to Romania then our best advice is to hire a car and get out and explore.
If like us you plan to visit Romania as part of a larger European trip then why not check out our other blogs from Türkiye and Bulgaria. Discover how to visit Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria on a budget or the top things to do in Istanbul.
