No train reaches Bran — the village at the foot of Dracula's Castle has no station, so the public bus from Brașov is the workhorse of independent travel here. The Brașov–Bran–Moieciu line leaves from Autogara 2 (Bus Station No. 2), costs a few lei, takes about 45 minutes along the DN73 through the Carpathian foothills, and drops you a short walk from the castle entrance. This page covers the full route, the timetable pattern, the Bucharest train-plus-bus combo and when a tour honestly beats the bus.
| Quick summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Departure point | Brașov Autogara 2 (Bus Station No. 2), north-west of the old town |
| Destination | Bran center — line signed Bran / Moieciu |
| Fare | ~7 lei one way, paid in cash on board (have small lei notes) |
| Frequency | Every ~30 minutes on weekdays, roughly hourly on weekends |
| Journey time | ~45 minutes via DN73, longer in summer weekend traffic |
| Castle entrance | Str. General Traian Moșoiu 24 — a few minutes' walk from the Bran stop |
Where the Bus Leaves From: Brașov Autogara 2
Autogara 2 sits away from Brașov's medieval center — plan roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi or local transport from the Council Square area, and a bit more from the main railway station. It's a functional regional bus station, not a terminal with big departure boards: find the platform signed for Bran / Moieciu, confirm the next departure with the driver or the small posted timetable, and pay on board. Drivers generally take cash in lei only, so break a large note beforehand.
- Line name to look for: Brașov – Râșnov – Bran – Moieciu (Bran is an intermediate stop, not the terminus)
- Buy nothing in advance: there is no online booking or seat reservation — board and pay the driver
- Luggage: these are minibuses/midibuses; a daypack is fine, a large suitcase is a squeeze at busy times
- Arriving by train from Bucharest? The railway station and Autogara 2 are in different parts of town — allow 15–20 minutes to transfer
Timetable Pattern and Frequency
Exact minute-by-minute schedules shift between seasons, so treat the pattern as the reliable part: departures every ~30 minutes on weekdays and roughly hourly on weekends and public holidays, from early morning into the evening. The ride takes about 45 minutes when the DN73 is clear; on summer Saturdays, traffic through Râșnov and into Bran can stretch it noticeably. Photograph the posted timetable at Autogara 2 when you depart — it's the most current source you'll find, better than any third-party app.
Catch a morning departure so you reach Bran before the tour coaches from Bucharest arrive (they cluster 10:30–14:00). Check the opening hours first — the castle opens at 9:00 Tuesday to Sunday but not until 12:00 on Mondays, so an early Monday bus buys you a coffee in the village, not an early entry.
Where to Get Off in Bran
Get off at Bran center, on the main road through the village — the driver announces it, and in practice most of the bus empties there anyway. From the stop, the castle entrance at Str. General Traian Moșoiu 24 is a few minutes on foot, past the souvenir market. You'll see the fortress on its cliff long before you arrive, so orientation is never a problem. Buy your entry online beforehand or at the gate — compare options on the tickets and prices page.
Book Bran Castle Tickets Before You Board
Returning to Brașov: Don't Miss the Last Bus
Return buses use the same main road through Bran — wait on the opposite side from where you arrived, flag the bus signed Brașov, and pay on board again. Services thin out in the evening, and the last departure varies by season and day of week.
There is no reliable published "last bus" time you should trust from memory or old blog posts. Ask the driver on the way out, or check the posted schedule at the Bran stop as soon as you arrive. If you miss the final bus, your fallback is a taxi at roughly 100–150 lei to Brașov — bookable through your guesthouse or a local dispatcher, not always waiting at the curb.
From Bucharest: Train to Brașov + Bus to Bran
There's no direct public transport from Bucharest to Bran (~170 km, 2.5–3 hours by road). The classic DIY combo is the train to Brașov — a scenic run through the Carpathian Mountains via Sinaia — then the Autogara 2 bus described above. Doable as a long day trip if you take an early train, but it makes for a rushed visit. Two better patterns: overnight in Brașov and do Bran as a relaxed half day, or take an organized day tour from Bucharest that pairs Bran with Peleș Castle. All the options are compared on trips to Bran Castle.
- Morning train Bucharest Nord → Brașov (check CFR Călători for current times)
- Transfer to Autogara 2 (15–20 minutes across town)
- Bus to Bran center, ~45 minutes
- Visit the castle (1.5–2 hours — see the interior guide)
- Bus back to Brașov mid-afternoon, evening train to Bucharest
Bus vs Taxi vs Tour: Which One Fits Your Trip?
Public bus — for budget and flexibility
A few lei each way and no schedule commitment beyond the timetable. The trade-off: transfer to Autogara 2, standing room on busy runs, and watching the clock for the return.
Taxi or ride-share — for small groups
Roughly 100–150 lei one way from Brașov. Split three or four ways it rivals the tour price and beats the bus on comfort. Agree the fare or confirm the meter before setting off.
Organized tour — for zero logistics
Door-to-door from Brașov or Bucharest, usually bundling Bran with Peleș or Râșnov. Costs more, but the transport headache disappears. Full comparison on from Brașov to Bran.
Rental car — for the wider region
Best if you're touring Transylvania anyway. In August, though, the bus wins: central lots fill by mid-morning — see parking at Bran Castle.
Practical Notes for the Ride
- The route passes below Râșnov Fortress — you can hop off there on the way back if you have energy left; later buses from Râșnov to Brașov are more frequent than from Bran
- Winter services run to the same pattern, but allow extra journey time in snow — the DN73 is a mountain-foothill road (more on visiting in winter)
- Keep small change ready; drivers can rarely break 100-lei notes at busy times
- The bus is genuinely local transport — expect villagers, shopping bags and schoolkids alongside the castle crowd, which is half the charm
Bran Castle Bus — FAQ
How do I get to Bran Castle by bus?
Take the Brașov–Bran–Moieciu bus from Brașov's Autogara 2 (Bus Station No. 2). It runs every ~30 minutes on weekdays, roughly hourly on weekends, takes about 45 minutes and costs around 7 lei, paid to the driver. Get off at Bran center and walk a few minutes to the castle entrance.
How much is the bus from Brașov to Bran Castle?
Approximately 7 lei one way — one of the cheapest castle transfers in Europe. Pay in cash (lei) on board; there's no online ticketing or reservation.
Is there a direct bus from Bucharest to Bran Castle?
No regular direct service exists. Take the train from Bucharest to Brașov (through the Carpathians via Sinaia), then the Autogara 2 bus to Bran. Alternatively, an organized day tour from Bucharest handles the whole ~170 km door to door.
When is the last bus back from Bran to Brașov?
It varies by season and weekday — evening departures exist but thin out. Check the posted timetable at the Bran stop when you arrive, or ask the driver on the way out. If stranded, a taxi to Brașov costs roughly 100–150 lei.
Where exactly does the bus stop in Bran?
On the main road in Bran center, a few minutes' walk from the castle entrance at Str. General Traian Moșoiu 24. Return buses stop across the road, heading back toward Râșnov and Brașov.
Do the buses run on weekends and holidays?
Yes, but less often — expect roughly hourly departures instead of every 30 minutes. Summer Saturday traffic on the DN73 can also stretch the 45-minute ride, so pad your schedule.
Is the bus better than driving to Bran Castle?
In July and August, usually yes: parking in Bran village fills by about 10:00 and the approach road jams, while the bus drops you in the center regardless. Off season, a car gives more flexibility for combining Bran with Râșnov and Moieciu.
Prices, opening hours and visiting rules on this page are based on information published by the official Bran Castle website (bran-castle.com) and are provided for guidance only. They can change without notice — always verify current details on the official site before you travel. This website is an independent guide and is not the official ticket office.