Self-Drive: 7 Days in Transylvania Road-trip - from Brasov
This self-drive adventure through Transylvania gives you the freedom to explore at your rhythm, while we take care of the essentials. From the medieval citadels of Sighisoara, Sibiu and Alba Carolina to the natural wonders of the Transfagarasan Highway and Turda Salt Mine, you’ll uncover Romania’s rich tapestry of history and nature. Along the way, discover UNESCO-listed gems like Biertan, wander through timeless Saxon villages such as Viscri, and trace the real stories behind Dracula at Bran and Corvin Castles. With handpicked accommodations and a curated route, you’ll enjoy both iconic sights and hidden countryside treasures – with the freedom to pause, detour, or linger where curiosity takes you.
This self-drive adventure through Transylvania gives you the freedom to explore at your rhythm, while we take care of the essentials. From the medieval citadels of Sighisoara, Sibiu and Alba Carolina to the natural wonders of the Transfagarasan Highway and Turda Salt Mine, you’ll uncover Romania’s rich tapestry of history and nature. Along the way, discover UNESCO-listed gems like Biertan, wander through timeless Saxon villages such as Viscri, and trace the real stories behind Dracula at Bran and Corvin Castles. With handpicked accommodations and a curated route, you’ll enjoy both iconic sights and hidden countryside treasures – with the freedom to pause, detour, or linger where curiosity takes you.
• Explore at your own pace, with the freedom to pause where the view takes your breath away
• Drive the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway – hailed by Top Gear as the “best road in the world”
• Discover medieval landmarks and folklore-rich towns, from Bran Castle to Sighisoara’s candlelit citadel
• Enjoy immersive moments like meeting rescued bears at Libearty Sanctuary or sipping Palinca in Saxon villages
• Follow our suggested routes – or tweak them – to suit your mood, time and interests
• Rest easy with pre-booked handpicked accommodations and a fully insured rental car
• Get our digital travel pack: maps, must-see stops, hidden gems, and tips from locals
Your self-drive experience begins and ends at Brasov 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.
- 7 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: 1030KM / 640 MI
The Transfagarasan Highway is open for driving only from July to October. Outside this period, you can use the cable car instead of driving (if the weather condititons allow) to reach the highest point of the highway.
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 Brasov
Bun venit in Romania! Pick your car and travel package at the airport and make your way to the accommodation. Overnight in Brasov
Approx. driving distance: 11km / 7mi
Brasov - Libearty - Bran - Magura/Pestera
Explore Brasov's old town, the Libearty Bear Sanctuary and Bran Castle. End the day in the mountain village of Pestera or Magura
Approx. driving distance: 47km / 29mi
Fagaras - Transfagarasan - Sibiu
Visit Fagaras Fortress, get amazed by the incredible Transfagarasan Highway and explore Sibiu's old town. Overnight in Sibiu
Approx. driving distance: 236km / 147mi
Sibiu - Hunedoara - Alba Iulia
Explore the Dacian ruins at Sarmizegetusa Regia, discover Count Orlok's residence at Corvin Castle and end the day in Alba Carolina Citadel
Approx. driving distance: 287km / 178mi
Alba Iulia - Turda - Sighisoara
Discover Turda Salt Mine, visit the Fortified Church in Biertan and enjoy a candlelit tour or cellar drink-tasting session in Sighisoara
Approx. driving distance: 220km / 137mi
Sighisoara - Saschiz - Viscri - Brasov
Explore the well-preserved Saxon architecture and lifestyle from Saschiz and Viscri, then return for the last night in Brasov
Approx. driving distance: 121km/ 75mi
Sinaia - depart from Brasov
Check-out from your accommodation, then visit the majestic Peles Castle, before dropping-off your car back at the airport in accordance with your pick-up time
Approx. driving distance: 106km / 66mi
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.
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