Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
The bus station is 50m north of the train station. Microbuses and maxitaxis go along Str 1
Decembrie 1918 (stops are marked); some finish at a stand north of the market. Frequent
services go to Miercurea Ciuc (20 lei), Piatra Neamţ (30 lei) and Târgu Neamţ.
Buy advance train tickets at the
Agenţia de Voiaj CFR
( 0267-311 680; Str Petrofi
Sandor, opposite the Sugas building; 8am-3pm Mon-Fri)
. While the train station is be-
ing renovated there's a blue portacabin next door selling tickets. From Sfântu Gheorghe
three trains daily go to Covasna (4 lei, one hour) and 16 go to Braşov (5 lei, 30 to 45
minutes), with eight stopping in Hărman (4.50 lei, 30 minutes).
Spa Towns
COVASNA
The curative powers of mineral waters in the area around Sfântu Gheorghe - such as the
'Fairy Queen Valley' (Valea Zânelor) in Covasna (Kovászna in Hungarian), 28km east -
draw a steady crew of older visitors seeking cures for what ails them. Up towards the hills
in Covasna,
Hotel Montana
( 0267-340 290; Str Toth 23; r from 68 lei)
feels like step-
ping into a faded
National Geographic
article from 1979, with lots of old-timers in robes
awaiting treatments.
BĂILE TUŞNAD
About 40km north of Sfântu Gheorghe (en route to Miercurea Ciuc) is the more peaceful
Băile Tuşnad, in the volcano-made Harghita Mountains, featuring pools and springs in a
lush valley. An
InfoTur stand
( 0266-335 114; 10am-10pm)
has listings of 15
pensiunes
in town (ranging from 90 to 180 lei for a double room); the nearby
Centrul de
Informare Eco-Turistica
( 0723-357 650; 9am-2pm Mon, Wed & Fri)
, 100m north
of the bus station, offers accommodation information too. Across the street is a
pool
(
Jun-Sep)
.
It's possible to hike 40 minutes up the path behind the train tracks to clifftop
Stânca
Soimilor
for a valley view.
About 24km southeast, St Anne's Lake is a pretty spot with boats and picnic grounds
(no accommodation). An annual pilgrimage is held there on 26 July. One hotel is
Sara
Pension
( 0266-335 110; r 100 lei)
, with pleasant rooms, a pool and sauna and plenty
