Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
»Bucharest is the hub for coach travel to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. Given Bucharest's
position in the southeast of Romania, buses are often quicker and cheaper than trains.
»One bus departs daily from Bucharest's Filaret bus station to
Sofia
(€18, seven hours).
»Bucharest-based
Murat Turism & Transport
( 021-316 5520;
www.muratturism.ro
;
Soseaua Viilor 33)
offers a daily bus service from the Romanian capital to
Istanbul
(€40,
14 hours) and to
Athens
(€50, 18 hours).
Car & Motorcycle
»Romania has decent road and car-ferry connections to neighbouring countries, and enter-
ing the country by car or motorcycle will present no unexpected difficulties.
»At all border crossings, drivers should be prepared to show the vehicle's registration,
proof of insurance (a 'green' card) and a valid driver's license. All visiting foreigners, in-
cluding EU nationals, are required to show a valid passport (or EU identity card).
»From Western Europe, the best road crossings are via Hungary at Nădlac (near Arad),
along Hwy E68; and Borş (near Oradea), on Hwy E60. Both are major international trans-
it corridors and are open 24 hours.
»The main road connection to Bulgaria is south of Giurgiu on Hwy E85, across the
Danube River. A second car bridge traverses the Danube at Calafat along Hwy E79, con-
necting to the Bulgarian city of Vidin.
»For road rules and more information see
Click here
.
Train
Romania is integrated into the European rail grid, and there are decent connections to
Western Europe and neighbouring countries. Nearly all of these arrive at and depart from
Bucharest's main station,
Gara de Nord
( 021-319 9539, phone reservations
021-9521/2;
www.cfr.ro
; Piaţa Gara de Nord 1)
.
»Budapest is the main rail gateway in and out of Romania from Western Europe. There
are two daily direct trains between Budapest and Bucharest, with regular onward direct
connections from Budapest to Prague, Munich and Vienna.
»Buy international train tickets at major train stations or at CFR (Romanian State Rail-
ways) in-town ticket offices (identified by an 'Agenţia de Voiaj CFR' sign).
»For longer overnight journeys, book a couchette (
cuşetă
) or a berth in a sleeping car
(
vagon de dormit
). The former are cheaper but less comfortable; they are standard second-
class rail cars with seats that convert to makeshift beds at night. Sleeping cars have dedic-
