Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
Sinaia is on the Bucharest-Braşov rail line - 126km from the former and 45km from the
latter - s o jumping on a train to Bucharest (38 lei, 1½ hours) or Braşov (13 lei, one hour)
is a cinch.
The train station is downhill and a couple of blocks north from the centre of town. From
the station climb up the stairway across the street to busy B-dul Carol I, which leads left
past hotels, banks, travel agencies and the cable car.
Buses and maxitaxis run every 45 minutes between roughly 6am and 10pm from the
train station to Azuga (4 lei) and Buşteni (3 lei, 10 minutes); some go all the way to
Bucharest (25 lei, 1½ hours) or Braşov (16 lei, one hour). Rates are cheaper than the train;
pay the driver when you board or seek out the bored guy wandering by the taxis with a
laminated ID.
Bucegi Mountains
These sandstone and limestone mountains rising 2505m are hugely popular with Romani-
ans (and a healthy population of bears). While some trails are poorly marked, there is a
decent selection of cabanas and shelters should you lose your way, go trekking for a few
days, or the weather turns inclement. Winter is severe, avalanches close wild-skiing op-
tions during the thaw and summer thunderstorms are common.
An added bonus is the hiker-friendly plateau above the horseshoe-shaped range, that
stands between Bran and Sinaia. The best walking map is Dimap's fold-out
Five Moun-
tains from the Carpathian's Bend
(34 lei;
www.dimap.hu
) covering the Piatra Craiului,
Bucegi, Postăvarul, Piatra Mare and Ciucaş ranges, plus a Braşov city map. A visit to the
Tourist Information Centre in Sinaia is essential before setting off on ambitious hikes.
