The small village of Bran is home to one of the most famous castles in Romania. Bran Castle is steeped in myths and legends surrounding Dracula thanks to associations with Vlad “Dracul” Tepes the Impaler. But how to get from Brasov to Bran Castle?
There are three main ways to get from Brasov to Bran Castle. The first is to take the Brasov to Bran Castle bus which runs hourly between Autogara 2 in Brasov and Bran. The second is to take a taxi, which is the quickest way, and the third is to take a tour.
I first visited Bran from Brasov in 2019 and returned in 2023 to film a documentary about dark tourism at the castle. I have travelled between the two using both taxis and buses and will tell you the most up-to-date information from my recent visit.
Boring stuff: I have visited each of the places I recommend and give you my honest opinion, warts and all. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Romania is one of the wildest and most remote parts of Europe where bears and wolves still prowl the ancient forests and villagers till the fields with horse and plow.
It wasn’t hard to see why Bram Stoker set his bestselling horror novel here and it seems that little has changed in the 120 years since it was written.
Ways to Get From Brasov to Bran Castle
If you’re wondering how to get to Castle Bran from Brasov then this guide will help you choose the best option depending on your requirements. You can go by bus, taxi or take a tour and the journey time ranges from just 35 minutes to a full-day tour of the region.
The distance is just 19 miles (30 km) so it’s an easy trip no matter which option you take.
1. Take the Brasov to Bran Castle Bus (Cheapest Option)
Buses run from Brasov to Bran every hour and the journey time is around 45 minutes. The ticket costs just 13 Lei ($2.88) and can be bought directly on the bus. The route follows a new highway but the mountainous scenery is impressive.
I took the bus from Brasov to Bran in 2019 and again in 2023 (though in reverse as I took a taxi there on my most recent visit). The buses are not new, but the ride is comfortable enough and plenty warm (it was snowing outside).
The bus leaves from the Autogara 2 Bus Station on the outskirts of the town. Click here for directions. The buses run hourly between 9am and 7pm. You can find the latest timetable here.
2. Take a Taxi from Brasov to Bran (Quickest Option)
The quickest way to get from Brasov to Bran Castle is to take a taxi, but it’s not cheap. Taxis will want to charge double the fare as they can’t guarantee a return pickup, but personally, I think this is a con). In April 2023 the meter fare was 110 Lei ($24) but I was charged double even though I returned by bus.
Taking a taxi is by far the quickest way to get to the castle as it takes around 35 minutes from Brasov old town. You can try using a ridesharing app like Uber or Bolt to get a better price (I don’t have Uber and was running late so I chose a local cab company).
3. Go on a Bran Castle Tour from Brasov (or Bucharest)
The simplest way to get from Brasov to Bran is to go on one of the many tours. You can start off either in Brasov, or even take a day trip from the capital Bucharest. Click here to check availability.
Tour of Brasov Castles (including Bran)
This tour from the centre of Brasov takes in not only Bran Castle but also Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle as well as a trip through the gorgeous Transylvanian Alps. Click here to book.
Bran Castle from Bucharest
It’s possible to take a full-day tour of Brasov and Bran Castle from Bucharest. You’ll get to explore Brasov’s charming old town and take in Peles Castle too. Click here to book.
Bran Castle from Sibiu
For those in the beautiful Romanian town of Sibiu (which I spent a few hours exploring on my first visit to Romania) there are also tours straight to Bran. Click here to find out more.
More of Brasov
- Check out this list of Fun Things to do in Brasov!
- How to Spend One Day in Brasov.
Bran
The village of Bran itself has little to offer save for the castle, a few restaurants and hundreds of stalls selling kitsch Dracula souvenirs (of which I bought more than my fair share).
The village is pleasant enough and set in beautiful mountain and forest scenery but I would advise coming as a day trip from Brasov rather than spending a night there as there is not a lot to see or do once you have seen the castle.
The Legend of Dracula
The story of Count Dracula was written in 1897 and is a classic gothic horror tale that gave rise to the vampire mythos. Bram Stoker’s Dracula was a fictional Transylvanian Prince (or Voivod) who was loosely based on the real-life Vlad Dracul (also known as Vlad Tepes and Vlad the Impaler).
Although Vlad Dracul never lived at Bran Castle, Stoker drew inspiration from a description of the castle which seemed to fit his idea perfectly.
Dracula Castle
Bran Castle is built on a steep cliff overlooking the Moeciu valley on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia in central Romania. The earliest incarnation of Bran castle can be dated back to 1211 when the Teutonic Knights build a fortress in the village.
Later, in 1377 Hungarian King Louis the Great granted the people of Brasov a castle and ordered the Saxon population to commence building, which was eventually finished in 1388.
You can read more about the history of Bran Castle on the official website.
Looking for more unique places? Check out this guide to some of Europe’s fascinating myths and legends!
The Castle is located in the small village of Bran in Transylvania which lies in the centre of Romania. The easiest way to reach Bran is from the nearby city of Brasov 30km away.
- Trains from Bucharest to Brasov take 3.5 hours and cost 40 lei ($10)
- Bus: You can take a bus from Autogara (Terminal) 2 in Brasov and this takes approximately 45 minutes.
- Taxi: A taxi from Brasov to Bran should cost around 80 lei ($24) and take around 35 minutes.
- Tour: Taking a tour Brasov or Bucharest is the simplest way to get to Bran Castle. Click here to learn more.
Castle Opening Hours:
Low Season (October to March)
- Mon: 12:00 – 16:00
- Tues to Sun: 09:00 – 16:00
High Season (April to September)
- Mon: 12:00 – 18:00
- Tues to Sun: 09:00 – 18:00
Entrance to Bran Castle (Updated April 2023)
- Adult: 55 Lei ($12)
- Student: 30 Lei ($6)
- Seniors (65+): 40 Lei ($9)
- Child: 15 Lei ($3)
See the official Bran Castle website for more information.
Brasov to Bran Castle FAQs
You can take either the bus, a taxi or a tour from Brasov to Bran. Bus is the cheapest option (13 Lei), taxi is the quickest (35 minutes) and taking a tour is the easiest option.
Bran Castle is definitely worth visiting for its stunning 14th Century architecture and for the many Dracula myths and legends surrounding the castle.
The bus from Brasov to Bran costs 13 Lei ($2.88) one way.
A taxi from Brasov to Bran (and vice versa) will cost around 220 Lei ($48). This price may also include one hour waiting time (just about enough time to visit the castle).
Looking for more things to do in Romania? Check out Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and a beautiful town nestled into the Transylvanian countryside, or check out this great guide to other day trips from Brasov.
Final Thoughts
It’s so easy to get from Brasov to Bran by bus, taxi or tour that there is no excuse not to visit this enchanting and creepy castle tucked away in the Transylvanian countryside. So, don’t delay and book your trip today, if you dare…
Check out my other articles about Brasov, Romania:
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲
Thanks Steve, my problem is single traveller and having to pay double for tours. I want to see Peles castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Sinai Monastery. I am based in Brasov and then travel to Bucharest. I don’t like to backtrack but it looks like I see rasnov and bran one day and sinaia on my way to Bucharest. Does that make sense. Enjoy travelling the world. Helen