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Self-Drive: 6 Days Transylvania & Wallachia Road-trip - from Bucharest
Leave the city stress behind and hit the open roads of Romania. This 6-day self-drive adventure takes you from royal castles and medieval towns to winding mountain highways and storybook villages. Explore Bran, Peles and Poenari Castles, cross the iconic Transfagarasan, and unwind in cosy countryside stays – all at your own pace, with your route, car and accommodation arranged for you.
Optional: Add an extra night in Bucharest to explore the city’s cultural scene on foot – driving not recommended due to the heavy traffic.
6 days/5 nights
Start in Bucharest
Europcar rental
Stay in 3-4* guesthouses or hotels
Personalised map with itinerary and local tips
On-call assistance for peace of mind
Leave the city stress behind and hit the open roads of Romania. This 6-day self-drive adventure takes you from royal castles and medieval towns to winding mountain highways and storybook villages. Explore Bran, Peles and Poenari Castles, cross the iconic Transfagarasan, and unwind in cosy countryside stays – all at your own pace, with your route, car and accommodation arranged for you.
Optional: Add an extra night in Bucharest to explore the city’s cultural scene on foot – driving not recommended due to the heavy traffic.
• Enjoy full flexibility while we handle your car rental, route and accommodation
• Discover Bran, Poenari and Targoviste – three sites tied to Dracula’s real and fictional legacy
• Drive the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway – hailed by Top Gear as the “best road in the world”
• Unwind in the countryside landscape of Pestera or Magura and spot rescued bears at Libearty Sanctuary
• Roam colourful old towns like Sibiu and Brasov, and visit lesser-known gems like Curtea de Argeș Monastery and discover its incredible love legend
• Get our digital travel pack: maps, must-see stops, hidden gems, and tips from locals
Stay in 3-4* guesthouses or hotels
Personalised map with itinerary and local tips
On-call assistance for peace of mind
Your self-drive experience begins and ends at Bucharest Otopeni airport, where your rental car and itinerary pack will be ready for you.
The itinerary and travel materials are in English by default. Other languages may be available upon request.
This is a sample itinerary and can be extended with extra nights or additional regions. Discounts may apply for longer stays (10+ nights), off-season travel (Oct–April) and returning guests or multiple tour bookings with us.
For self-drive tours that include accommodation, cancellations are generally refundable up to 30 days before the start date. For shorter trips or those without accommodation, a 72-hour notice may apply. Exact terms, including any applicable fees or non-refundable components, will be confirmed during the booking process.
- 6 nights in handpicked 3-4* guesthouses or hotels with breakfast included
- Car rental with full insurance & unlimited mileage
- Detailed daily itinerary with curated stops and local tips
- Emergency support throughout your journey
- Flights to/from Romania
- Fuel, parking, and optional road tolls
- Meals and attraction entries (traditional dinner/lunch can be arranged on request)
- Personal insurance
- Optional room upgrades or single occupancy supplements
ACTIVITY LEVEL: LIGHT-MODERATE | TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE: 725KM / 450MI
The Transfagarasan Highway is open for driving only from July to October. Outside this period, this driving route is not possbile.
Expect light walking at attractions and some cobbled or uneven terrain in old towns. Comfortable clothing and walking shoes according to season are recommended. Children under 5 are not allowed inside the Libearty Bear Sanctuary for safety and animal welfare reasons - proof of age may be required. Some attractions may not be suitable for people with limited mobility due to climbing stairs and walking on inclined cobbled streets.
Important information:
• You’ll travel independently with full flexibility - all essentials (car, route, accommodation) are pre-arranged
• Driving is generally easy, but some mountain and village roads may be narrow or winding
• A valid EU or international driving license is required (depending on your country of residence)
• Itinerary timings and order may shift slightly depending on weather, road conditions, and seasonal schedules – we will finalise it together prior to your trip
Customisation:
This itinerary is fully customisable. You can adjust the route, extend your stay, swap overnight locations, or add guided experiences in select towns. Let us know your preferences and we’ll tailor the journey to match your travel style.
Itinerary
Arrive in Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov
Bun venit in Romania! Pick you car and travel package at the airport and make your way to the Peles Castle, then end your first day in the medieval city of Brasov
Approx. driving distance: 158km / 98mi
Brasov - Libearty - Bran - Magura/Pestera
Explore Brasov's old town, the Libearty Bear Sanctuary and the legendary Bran Castle. End the day in the mountain village of Pestera or Magura, oferring panoramic views of the Carpathians
Approx. driving distance: 47km / 29mi
Fagaras - Sibiu
Visit Fagaras Fortress and explore Sibiu's old town. Make an optional stop to visit fortified churches, cave monasteries or themed parks. Overnight in Sibiu
Approx. driving distance: 156km / 97mi
Sibiu - Transfagarasan - Arefu
Visit Carta Cistercian Monastery, then get amazed by the Transfagarasan Highway, driving all the way to Poienari Castle – Dracula’s real stronghold. Overnight in Arefu
Approx. driving distance: 140km / 87mi
Arefu - Curtea de Arges - Targoviste - Bucharest
Visit Curtea de Arges Monastery and explore the historic Princely Court in Targoviste, then make your way back to the airport to return the car. Overnight in Bucharest
Approx. driving distance: 224km / 139mi
Depart from Bucharest
Check-out from your accommodation.
Optional: extend your stay in Bucharest for one night to explore the city without a car (recommended due to the heavy traffic)
FAQs
We arrange all the essentials - car rental, accommodation, and a suggested itinerary - so you can explore Romania at your own pace. You'll receive a digital travel pack with navigation tips, destination suggestions, and practical info for a smooth journey.
Yes! Self-drive tours are fully flexible. Before booking, we can adjust the route, add nights, upgrade hotels, or include optional experiences like wine tastings, local guides or hiking routes.
If you're an EU citizen, your local licence is valid. Non-EU travellers may need an international driving permit. Please check your country’s agreement with Romania before booking.
Driving in Romania is generally safe and easy, especially on main routes. Some scenic areas include winding mountain or village roads (though the biggest challenge there might be a pasture crossing). Due to ongoing development, you might also encounter roadworks or heavier traffic near big cities. We’ll flag all these in your itinerary so you can choose what feels right for you.
We provide a modern, comfortable car, with air conditioning, full insurance and manual transmission as the standard option. However, you can upgrade to an automatic, a larger vehicle, or a premium model depending on your preferences.
You’ll have local support available during your journey for road assistance, rebookings, or quick help if plans change. We also try to provide flexible accommodation arrangements where possible.
Absolutely! You can customise your self-drive itinerary with optional add-ons, whether that’s a guided walking tour, attraction tickets at busy spots, or unique local experiences like wine tastings or horse-drawn carriage rides.
You could do it all yourself - but we save you hours of research and make sure everything runs smoothly. We handpick scenic routes, trusted accommodations, and unique local stops most tourists miss. You keep the freedom to travel independently, but with expert support and a lot less guesswork.
All self-drive tours are priced from a base rate that includes a standard manual-transmission rental car, accommodation, and itinerary planning for a minimum of 2 people/booking. The final price may vary depending on the number of travellers, car upgrades, hotel category, extra nights or add-on experiences. Once we understand your preferences, we’ll send you a tailored quote with everything included.
