Nestled in the heart of Transylvania, Sighișoara is one of Romania’s most beautiful cities. In this article, I’ll focus on how to visit Sighișoara from Brașov without a car, including my top tips to make the most of your trip.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I have tried and/or find useful and reliable.
Can you visit Sighișoara from Brașov without a car? Short answer: yes. But keep reading for the long answer and my recommendations for exploring the city.
Despite growing up in Brașov, I didn’t visit Sighișoara until well into my 30s. But now that I’ve rectified my mistake, I’m here to share my tips for visiting this beautiful Transylvanian city by train or bus.
Before diving into the best ways to visit Sighișoara, let me just say that basing yourself in Brașov is a great idea if you want to explore more of Transylvania. The city is close to popular tourist destinations like Bran Castle, Sinaia (with Peles Castle), Sibiu, and, of course, Sighișoara. And the good news is you can reach them all by public transportation.
Driving is still the best way to visit Sighișoara, and in general to travel around Romania. Public transportation is a bit slow, so renting a car will save you time. That being said, if you don’t want to drive, you can still visit lots of places. It just may take a little longer.
How to get from Brașov to Sighișoara
Besides driving, you can reach Sighișoara from Brașov by train or bus/minivan. I personally prefer the train, but let’s see them both in detail.
Brașov to Sighișoara by bus
There are several daily bus or minivan rides from Brașov to Sighișoara, with prices ranging from 45 RON to 115 RON for one way (8.50-21.50 EUR or 9.50-24 US$). The ride takes about 2 hours, but timing depends on traffic and any intermediate stops.
Most rides are in the morning, which is ideal if you plan a day trip. However, there are also a few afternoon rides. The same information applies to the return rides, though there are a few more afternoon options from Sighișoara to Brașov.
You can check updated timetables and prices on Autogari.ro.
Note: Some buses go the long way around, passing through Făgăraș and Sibiu before reaching Sighișoara. Just look at the travel time, and if it’s 4 hours or more, avoid it!
Brașov to Sighișoara by train
Now, the train is my favorite way to travel between Brașov and Sighișoara. While the ride may take longer, I just love trains way more. You get to enjoy the landscape, are typically more comfortable, and are less subject to traffic.
The train ride takes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours, but various options are available, so pay attention when you book. Aside from the main state-owned operator, CFR, this route is also served by private companies like Interregional Călători and Transferoviar Călători. The best way to find all the available options is to look at mersultrenurilor.ro.
I know, spending eight hours on a train for a day trip is not ideal, so I definitely don’t recommend this option if you’re only planning a day trip to Sighișoara. However, I also don’t really recommend just a day trip. I think spending a night in Sighișoara is ideal to truly enjoy the city and everything it has to offer.
The price for a one-way train ride in 2nd class is between 28 and 61.50 RON (5.20-11.50 EUR or 5.80-12.80 US$) depending on which train you choose. Faster trains are more expensive, as you would expect. So the train can be cheaper than the bus.
Note: You may be able to choose your seat, but the seat map you see online may be different from the actual thing. There’s no way around this, just something to be aware of. But you can change seats if there are free ones available.
Which option is better?
Based on my very personal opinion, I’d say traveling by train is better. While they are by no means fast, the trains on this route are pretty reliable, and the landscape is just gorgeous.
However, as I’ve already mentioned, the trip duration makes it inconvenient if you don’t have much time, in which case the bus or minivan is your best bet. If you still want to experience the train ride, you can take it one way and opt for the bus for the return.
Tip for your train ride: The landscape is lovely regardless, but if you can, sit on the left-hand side facing the direction of travel on your way from Brașov to Sighișoara and on the right-hand side on your return trip.
Can you visit Sighișoara on a day trip from Brașov?
Yes, it’s possible to visit Sighișoara on a day trip from Brașov, but I don’t think it’s the best option. Like I already mentioned, the trip can take a big chunk of your day, especially by train.
If you don’t have much time and a day trip is the only solution, opt for the bus or minivan (though they are subject to traffic) and book an early departure and late return so you can have a full day in Sighișoara.
The good thing is that the train station in Sighișoara is very close to the citadel, so you can easily walk there or catch an Uber/Bolt. Moreover, the main things to see in the city are concentrated in a small area, so you can walk everywhere.
How to get from Sighișoara station to the citadel
Once you get off the train in Sighișoara, you can either walk to the citadel (aka the old town) or hail a ride. I recommend walking; it’s only 15 minutes, and you can get a lovely view of the citadel from afar.
If you’re in a rush, catch an Uber or Bolt. I used both ride-hailing apps in Romania, and they are affordable and reliable. You can expect to pay around 15 RON (€2.80/$3.10) for the ride.
What to see in Sighișoara if you have one day
So you only have one day in Sighișoara and want to make the most of it. Here are the must-see sights:
- Sighișoara Citadel: Begin by exploring the cobblestone streets of Sighișoara Citadel with its colorful houses and lovely wide squares.
- The Clock Tower: Climb to the top of the clock tower for a spectacular 360° view of the city from above.
- House of Guilds: Learn about the old city guilds, each dedicated to a specific skill, from pottery, carpentry, and blacksmithing to tailoring and shoemaking.
- Biserica din Deal: This small hilltop church is accessed through a wooden covered stairway, which is a sight in itself.
- Medieval towers: Check out the city’s well-preserved medieval towers, including the Ironsmiths’ Tower, the Shoemakers’ Tower, and the Butchers’ Tower.
- Vlad Dracula House: Sighișoara is Dracula’s birthplace. You can visit the very house where Vlad Țepeș, the figure who inspired Dracula, was born in 1431.
- Casa Armelor și Hărților: The House of Weapons and Maps is a small museum housing an impressive display of medieval maps, drawings, weapons, and other historical artifacts.
I’ll soon have a dedicated article with more details on how to spend a day in Sighișoara. Sign up for my newsletter to receive updates when new articles go live!
For more Romania guides and practical information for traveling around the country, head to my Romania travel hub.
Should you spend the night in Sighișoara instead?
Yes, I’ll say that again. I highly recommend spending a night in Sighișoara. You can enjoy the city at a slower pace and visit its cool museums and landmarks. Plus, you can take advantage of the times of day when day trippers are gone, and the city is less crowded.
If you plan to stay overnight in Sighișoara, pick an accommodation within walking distance of the citadel. I always use Booking.com for accommodations across Europe. You can browse hotels and guesthouses on the map below:
Sighișoara FAQs
Pin this for later!
