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0845 3000 247 +44 (0)1539 531258 |
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DOMESTIC FLIGHTS |
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Bucharest Otopeni (Tarom) to/from: Timisoara, Cluj, Iasi Târgu Mures, Sibiu, Oradea Arad, Satu Mare, Baia Mare Bucharest Baneasa (AngelAirways ) to/from: Suceava, Iasi Timisoara (Carpatair) to/from: Oradea, Cluj, Sibiu, Iasi, Bacau and Chisinau (Moldova) |
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INTER-CITY (IC) SERVICES |
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Bucharest-Craiova-Timisoara Bucharest-Constanta Bucharest-Bacau-Suceava Bucharest-Brasov-Deva-Arad Bucharest-Brasov-Cluj-Oradea |
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BLUE ARROW (IC) SERVICES |
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Bucharest-Tecuci-Iasi Bucharest-Tulcea Bucharest-Târgoviste Bucharest-Braila-Galati Bucharest-Pitesti-Craiova-Târgu Jiu Cluj-Baia Mare-Satu Mare Cluj-Sibiu Sibiu-Craiova Sibiu-Sighisoara Timisoara-Arad-Oradea-Cluj Timisoara-Sibiu Vatra Dornei - Iasi Look out for new services |
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SLEEPER SERVICES |
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Bucharest Nord to/from: Cluj, Târgu Mures, Bistrita Satu Mare, Sighet, Zalau Oradea, Arad, Hunedoara Timisoara, Resita Sud Suceava, Vatra Dornei, Botosani |
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INTERNATIONAL SLEEPER SERVICES |
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Bucharest Nord to/from: Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Prague Bratislava, Kosice, Krakow Belgrade, Sofia, Thessaloniki, Istanbul Moscow, Kiev, Chisinau |
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Please note: all schedules are subject to change. Please check details on the CFR Website and double check at your station prior to departure  |
Travel Connections
See below for useful transport links for Bulgaria, Austria and Cumbria-Lake District
Bucharest North Station (Gara de Nord)
FLIGHTS
We can offer the best prices on most major airlines flying to Romania, subject to availability. Please note that prices are often lower if travelling midweek. Early booking is strongly recommended for busy periods including Easter, Christmas and weekends during the summer holidays.
British Airways and Tarom both operate a direct, daily return service between London Heathrow and Bucharest Otopeni airports. Times are subject to change but the Tarom schedule is less convenient for those wishing to travel onwards into Transylvania - the outward arrival misses the night sleeper train connections, and the return flight leaves early so a night in Bucharest may be required. However, Tarom offer excellent international connections to and from Timisoara, Cluj and Iasi, and less frequently to Târgu Mures and Sibiu. Other European airlines also provide daily connections to Bucharest, and Timisoara, from the United Kingdom but require a brief change of planes in Europe. Some, such as KLM and Czech Airlines offer excellent connections from many UK regional airports. Carpatair fly between Timisoara and several cities in Germany and Italy, and between Cluj and Budapest
Please refer to Bucharest, Timisoara and Flight pages for further details.
0845 3000 247
+44 (0)1539 531258
We work closely with Europcar, and others, to ensure the best deal on a wide range of vehicles. One way pick-ups or drop-offs are usually possible and we can often organise hire cars locally. All cars are new and well-maintained. We can also acquire special vehicles such as limousines and people carriers, or a car with a driver. Driving in Romania is on the right-hand side, like the rest of continental Europe. Most major trunk roads are in good condition, following an intensive road reconstruction programme. However, traffic on arterial roads can be heavy with large trucks, vans and minibuses jockeying for position while many cities are congested during the day! Secondary roads are variable in condition but traffic is light so it becomes a pleasure to drive if you are not a hurry. It is important to slow down in villages and on country road where encounters with horse-drawn carts, flocks of geese and other livestock are common place. For the same reasons driving at night can be hazardous and is not recommended.
Please refer to our Advice and Car Hire pages for additional information.
Unorthodox transport in Cluj!
We offer a very efficient, inexpensive transfer service through our local ground agents, collecting our customers from Bucharest Otopeni airport and taking them to their hotel, a private address, or to the station for onward rail services. Most of our vehicles in Bucharest are new, air-conditioned Mercedes Vito people carriers with room for several guests and luggage.
Transfers from Timisoara airport and even some railway stations are also possible (see 'Additional Services' below), in addition to a horse and carriage transfer from Lunca Ilvei station up to Hotel Castle Dracula on the Bârgau Pass. Inexpensive transfers by scheduled air-conditioned minibuses can also be arranged from Budapest Airport to Timisoara, Arad, Oradea and Cluj.
We normally build transfers into our tailor-made itineraries. Please call or email us for a quote. Note, that the price will work out more economical for 2 or 3 people or a small group. Minibuses and full-size coaches are also available.
Transfers are only availble in conjunction with flight, rail or accommodation bookings
TRANSYLVANIA EXPRESS 2008
We are introducing a varied range of tours for 2008 which will offer you the unique opportunity of touring one of the least explored regions of Europe from the comfort and security of your private train. Each day will be spent at a different location with a programme of all-inclusive off-train excursions. Some of the tours will use the luxurious Romanian Royal Train which was built in 1926 in Italy. Other trains will include regular 1st Class rolling stock and some will include nights at specially selected tours. Many of the programmes are themed - for example Royal Romania, the Dracula Myth,or Highlights of Transylvania. For further information please click on the following link: www.transylvaniaexpress.com
We are introducing a varied range of tours for 2008 which will offer you the unique opportunity of touring one of the least explored regions of Europe from the comfort and security of your private train. Each day will be spent at a different location with a programme of all-inclusive off-train excursions. Some of the tours will use the luxurious Romanian Royal Train which was built in 1926 in Italy. Other trains will include regular 1st Class rolling stock and some will include nights at specially selected tours. Many of the programmes are themed - for example Royal Romania, the Dracula Myth,or Highlights of Transylvania. For further information please click on the following link: www.transylvaniaexpress.com
The rail network in Romania, operated in the main by the state railway company "Compania Nationala de Cai Ferate" (CFR), is convenient with most lines radiating out of Bucharest. However, there are a few useful cross-country schedules, for example the four daily accelerat services which ply from Timisoara via Oradea and Cluj (or Alba Iulia) to Salva (connections to Maramures), the Bucovina (Painted Monasteries - Vatra Dornei, Vama and Suceava) and Iasi. Another convenient train works its way through the eastern Carpathians from Suceava via Miercurea Ciuc and Sfântu Gheorghe to Brasov. Local branch lines fan out from several cities into the surrounding regions. The network is still dense and far reaching though local branch line trains may operate to schedules which are more convenient to local people travelling to work or market rather than to the traveller.
Click here for CFR Railway Network Map.
There has been much investment over the last few years in new trains, stock and infrastructure including the complete upgrading of the line from Bucharest to Brasov and ongoing work to the main international corridor routes. On account of its mountainous nature, Romania is ideal for anybody looking for a rail holiday with several scenic routes cossing the Carpathians. Of special note are the route over Predeal Pass into Transylvania, the line along the Danube from Craiova to Caransebes, the line from Salva to Sighet and that from Suceava to Ilva Mica. You are likely to be pleasantly surprised by the reliability and frequency of most Romanian trains, though journey times can be long on account of the terrain and distances covered, and the condition of some of the stock used on Accelerat or local stopping services is poor (see below).
Romania or Bulgaria as part of a tailormade booking
with Transylvania uncovered.
We can book rail tickets in advance including overnight sleeper trains. There are several grades of trains ranging from Inter-City (IC), through Rapid (R), to Accelerat (A) and local Persoane (P). IC trains are more expensive, but faster and with better stock. However, in some cases they have less space for luggage. We normally use IC or R trains in preference. Fares are still good value for travellers though we have seen four separate proice increases in 2007 alone. We recommend you travel 1st Class or on Inter-City services where possible as the additional cost is relative small. Train tickets are purchased within 10 days of departure; return travel must be within 10 days of departure for return tickets.
IMPORTANT NOTES
A £ 25.00 per person booking fee will be levied for all rail ticket reservations unless flights or accommodation are also booked through Transylvania Uncovered,
Where city transfers are not requested a £ 12.00 delivery charge is levied per booking.
Tickets are then delivered to your hotel or a guide will present them to you at the appropriate station prior to departure.
All ticket prices include local VAT charges.
Train tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE once purchased.
We are not responsible for cancellation of trains, diversions or engineering work which might create delays. However, we provide emergency contact numbers and will always endeavour to assist if there are any delays or associated problems. We strongly recommend not taking the last scheduled departure if connecting with a flight. Always double check train times locally in case of any changes to schedules.
GO GREEN
Travel by Train
The current surge in air travel is one of the biggest causes of climate change contributing
up to 15% of greenhouse gases each year. Greenhouse gas emissions caused by UK air travel
have doubled in the past 13 years from 20.1m tonnes in 1990 to 39.5m tons in 2004.
In addition aircraft emissions which go directly into the stratosphere have 2.7 tmes
the environmental impact of those on the ground.
Air travel produces 19 times the greenhouse gas emissions of trains, in other words a trip to
Vienna, Prague, Budapest or Bucharest by train would emit 95% less carbon dioxide
than the equivalent flight.
Train travel is no solution for a short trip to eastern Europe but it is certainly worth considering
for a longer holiday where stopovers and spectacular scenery can be incorporated
into the overall experience.
We offer a wide selection of rail tickets from the UK via Paris and Brussels to
Austria, Hungary and Romania in addition to Eurodomino and Balkan Rail Passes
for unlimited rail travel. Click below for details:
International Rail Tickets
INTERCITY (IC) - fast inter-city trains with limited stops; suppliment payable/ seat reservations compulsory. These trains have been considerably upgraded recently with fully-refurbished or new, comfortable, open plan carriages and dining or buffet cars. They include the best services on the system, such as the "Timisoara '89" which operates Timisoara - Bucharest - Timisoara. All of these services are indicated in the table above to the right. Please note that due to the layout of the carriages there is less luggage space than in the older, compartment carriage trains of other trains.
BLUE-ARROW ("Sageata Albastra"/ IC) - these are brand new, rather slick, streamlined two-car units sometimes operating in pairs which are increasingly being introduced as limited stop, quick express services; suppliment payable/ seat reservations compulsory. The trains are spotlessly clean, air-conditioned and offer a very good service and are efficient (the pride of Romanian Railways) but the design is that of a fast commuter train so they offer relatively little luggage space. Someof them are not as comfortable as normal Intercity or Rapid trains over long distances, though this has been addressed on newer deliveries with more comfortable seating. They also have large panormaic windows which makes them ideal for sightseeing! Current Blue Arrow services are shown in the table at the top right of this page. Please note that new services are being added as extra stock is leased.
PERSOANE (P) - slow, local stopping trains; these are the trains that carry the workers to and from the towns stopping at every wayside halt. Most are second class only though certain longer services carry 1st class carriages (the double-deck 1st class cars on the Bistrita - Cluj service are actually quite sumptuous). They can also become very crowded. You may find there are times when you have to use them, for example if you are travelling south over the Setref pass from Maramures during the day, but generally if there is an alternative faster service we would always recommend taking that. However. some of these trains are veru useful for exploring rural backwaters or getting off the beaten track (the train from Oravita to Anina in the Semenic mountains offers provides one of the most scenic trips in the country). In some areas such as on the branches radiating out from Timisoara and Arad these trains are little more than railbuses or 'Motoare' (some of them dating from the 1940s) with wooden slatted or plastic seats which rattle and roar and shake you to pieces - however, exploring the country at this 'gentle' pace can also be rewarding.
Branch line train at Liebling (Banat)
- a vintage 1940s railbus (9 /2003)
- a vintage 1940s railbus (9 /2003)
CFR WEBSITE - AUTOMATIC TIMETABLE
Romanian railway timetables are like gold dust - they seem to be sold out within weeks of being published in the winter. However, they can also be confusing.
Click above to connect to the CFR website and a very useful automatic train timetable for instant access to up-to-the-minute train times and schedules.
You can press "English Version" on the first page for the website in English. The timetable is also available in French and German.
Once in the site click onto the timetable "Mersul Trenurilor" and you will be prompted to enter a minimum of date of travel, departure point and destination.
You can also choose the route, train number and narrow the search to certain times.
Take care with station names - for example "Cluj" may default to "Cluj Est" - use the scroll down menu to select the correct station, in this case the main station is
"Cluj-Napoca". Clicking on the train number in the options shown will provide a full schedule and information about that particular train.
Please note: all schedules are subject to change. Please double check departure times at your station prior to departure
The site also includes and interactive system map (Flash Version) and detailed information including railway history and photo galleries.
USEFUL ADVISE FOR TRAVELLING IN ROMANIA
Seat reservations are often compulsory for rail journeys and you may often find yourself in a crowded compartment in an otherwise empty carriage. This is because entire compartments are allocated to stations along the route of the train so be wary if you decide to move to another compartment - it might fill up at the next station! Tickets may be purchased at any stations on the day of departure, or at the CFR Agency in most towns and cities. Some tickets are preprinted (e.g. from Bucharest Nord) but very often you will receive several small cardboard tickets which will include your seat reservations and supplements for the type of train. Your seat reservation ticket will indicate train number ("Trenul ..."). Carriage number ("Vagoane ...") and Seat number ("Loc ...").
Departure boards in all stations indicate departure ("Plecare") and Arrivals ("Sosire"). Trains are listed by time of departure/ arrival and indicate schedule and the platform from which the train will depart. In the case of the terminus at Bucharest Nord each platform has an indicator - please take care as there can be late platform changes. Most platforms are low, often no more than a gap between the tracks so you may need to clamber up onto the trains itself. Platforms are numbered from the station building - simply count the number of tracks! Carriages clearly indicate 1 or 2 for first or second class at each end. First class carriages have a yellow stripe just below the roof. There will also be a white enamel board at one end of each carriage which will indicate th destination, train number and name (where applicable), and the carriage number (on trains where reservations are required). Carriages are usually numbered from the locomotive. Larger stations often have plans indicating the make-up of each train with zones indicated so that you can quickly find. Each compartment door carries a plaque which indicates seat numbers.
The condition and comfort of the carriages progressively improves from Persoane to Intercity. In general Intercity and Rapid trains are very good, and many are air-conditioned. The same applies to toilet facilities which are good on these trains but are usually terrible on Persoane and little better on long distance Accelerat services - bring plenty tissue! All trains are cleaned before they enter service but accelerat and persoane trains, with open windows, soon become dusty in hot weather and the floors can become littered with discarded sunflower seed shells. They can also seem gloomy at night. Smoking is permitted in some carriages - however, in non-smoking compartment carriages the corridor is often filled with smokers. You may also receive unwelcome guests (mainly on Accelerat and Persoane) services, in the form of beggars, often gypsies or cripples which tend to climb aboard at one station and get off at the next. They are not aggressive but can be persistent unless you igmore them. Trains are generally very safe and you will find Romanians very keen to talk and make friends. You should be vigilant with regards to luggage and pickpockets, particularly outside Bucharest Nord station.
A morning 'Rapid' train at Baile Herculane
Taxis are normally safe and licenced though there have certainly been cases of overcharging. particularly between Bucharest Otopeni Airport and the city. We have come across several incidents of people being asked for USD 100.00 so we always recommend a prebooked transfer. If you are tking a taxi you should always check the taxi is officially registered with a meter and has company a name and phone number on the side. Fares within towns are inexpensive and taxies can be extremely good value.
Local "Meet & Greet" - we can also arrange for you to be met off your train in local stations in Maramures, Bucovina, Bistrita, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu.
Transfers can be arranged to most hotels from the most suitable stations, eg.
Gura Humorului for Voronet
Vama for Moldovita and Sucevita
Viseu de Jos for Viseu de Sus and Botiza
Sighet for Botiza, Ieud and Vadu Izei
Lunca Ilvei. Târgu Mures or Bistrita for Hotel Castel Dracula
Ilva Mica for the Somes Valley
Sibiu for the Saxon Villages
Arad for Timisoara
Transfer costs may be charged locally and range from US$ 0.20 to US$ 0.30 per km in a private car.
Dracula Trail: at Lunca Ilvei you can be met from the train by horse and carriage and whisked through the wolf-infested forests of the Bârgau Pass up to remote Castle Dracula ... if you dare! Pause en route for a picnic or break the journey at Lunca Ilvei.
Car & Driver: a car and professional english-speaking driver / guide can be organised for a day trip (eg. a tour of Maramures, the Painted Monasteries or Saxon Transylvania for example) or to take you from one place to another, eg from Sibiu to Sighisoara, or from Hotel Castel Dracula to Bistrita, Vatra Dornei or Sighisoara. Costs should be paid locally and range from US$ 0.20 to US$ 0.35 per km - for one way journeys the cost would normally be double as the driver will need to return. Taxis can often work out just as convenient if hired for a half-day, e.g. from Brasov.
Off-the-Beaten Track Tours & Transfers: with Roving Romania you can explore ‘off-the-beaten-track’ by Land Rover specially adapted to carry up to 6 people in comfort. We travel by country lane and forest or mountain track wherever possible, stopping frequently to talk tolocal people and photograph things of interest rarely seen by the foreign visitor. We take you to meet farmerswho still plough by hand, villagers who dress every day in traditional costume and foresters who are more used tomeeting bears than tourists! The Land Rover, with its permanent 4 wheel drive and coil suspension makes light work of Romanian roads and rough tracks, and enables you to get to places other tour operators haven ever heard of! Your British driver, guide and translator has travelled, worked and photographed extensively in Romania, and speaks fluent Romanian. Call us for a quotation and to check availability.
Refer to "Roving Romania" pages for full details
OTHER COUNTRIES: USEFUL TRANSPORT LINKS:
BULGARIA: BDZ Bulgarian Railways
AUSTRIA: ÖBB Austrian Railways
AUSTRIA: ÖBB Austrian Postbus Services
UK (CUMBRIA): Northern Rail (Lake District Rail Services)
UK (CUMBRIA): Virgin Rail (Intercity services conecting with the Lake District)
UK (CUMBRIA): Stagecoach Cumberland (bus services, timetables and travel passes, in the Lake District):
UK (CUMBRIA): Windermere Lake Cruises (scheduled boat services on Lake Windermere):
Transylvania uncovered, Bulgaria uncovered
Austria uncovered & Cumbria uncovered
are Divisions of BCD Meetings & Incentives
1 Atkinson Court, Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, United Kingdom LA12 8NW
Tel. +44 (0)1539 531258 or UK local rate: 0845 3000 247; Email. travel@beyondtheforest.com
ATOL 3319 - IATA 91267691
The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL nrmber is ATOL 3319.
ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.
Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more.
Copyright © 2007 Transylvania Uncovered - the Romania Travel Specialists