Bucharest – Brașov – Bran by rental car: route, driving times and tips

Brașov and Bran Castle are the most popular trip for people landing in Bucharest. With a rental car you get there in about three hours, stop wherever you like on the Prahova Valley and do not depend on trains or coaches. What is more, Henri Coandă Airport (Otopeni) lies right on the north side of Bucharest, on the way to the mountains, so you can set off as soon as you pick up the car.

In short

• Bucharest – Brașov: about 180 km, 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours without traffic.
• Brașov – Bran: about 30 km, roughly 40 minutes, via Râșnov.
• Route: Otopeni – Ploiești – Sinaia – Bușteni – Predeal – Brașov.
• Road vignette (rovinieta): mandatory on national roads; included in the price on Skycar cars.

The classic route: Prahova Valley (DN1)

From Otopeni Airport head north on the DN1 or the A3 motorway to Ploiești (about 60 km). From there continue on the DN1 through Câmpina and Comarnic into the Prahova Valley. The Ploiești – Brașov motorway has not been built yet, so on the mountain section you drive on a national road, with one lane in each direction in many places and lower speed limits through towns.

Where to stop

Sinaia

Peleș Castle and Pelișor Castle are the main attractions. Visits usually run from Wednesday to Sunday, with timed tickets and a daily visitor limit, so check the schedule on the official website before you go.

Bușteni

You get a direct view of the Bucegi Mountains, Cantacuzino Castle and the cable car up to the plateau, weather permitting.

Brașov

The old town, with the Council Square, the Black Church and Rope Street, is easy to explore on foot. Leave the car in a public car park and enjoy the city without worrying about traffic.

Râșnov and Bran

On the road to Bran (DN73) you pass Râșnov Fortress. Bran Castle, known worldwide as “Dracula’s Castle”, is about 30 km from Brașov. Go early in the morning to avoid the queues.

How to avoid the traffic

The Prahova Valley gets crowded on Friday afternoons towards the mountains and on Sunday afternoons towards Bucharest, especially on long weekends and public holidays. Leave early in the morning or travel on weekdays. If the DN1 is jammed, a quieter but longer alternative is the DN1A, via Vălenii de Munte and Cheia.

Winter on the road to Brașov

It often snows between Sinaia and Predeal in winter. In Romania, winter tyres are mandatory on roads covered with snow, ice or frost. Skycar cars have winter tyres included in the cold season, at no extra cost.

To Brașov with a Skycar car

Skycar offers car rental in Bucharest without a deposit, non-stop: you can pick up the car in the Otopeni Airport car park or we deliver it to your address in Bucharest. The rental is deposit-free, with RCA and CASCO insurance, unlimited mileage and the road vignette included, so you only pay the price shown. See the car fleet, read more about car rental at Otopeni or book online.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drive from Otopeni Airport to Brașov?

About 2 hours 30 minutes without traffic. At weekends and on public holidays it can take more than 4 hours because of the Prahova Valley traffic.

Can I do Bucharest – Brașov – Bran and back in one day?

Yes, but it is a long day: about 420 km and 6–7 hours of driving. If you also want to visit Sinaia, we recommend at least one night in Brașov.

Do I need a road vignette to drive to Brașov?

Yes, the road vignette (rovinieta) is mandatory on the DN1. On Skycar rental cars it is already included in the price.

You will find more answers on our FAQ page.