Vicky Romania is a country that is still yet to see a rise in tourism, especially from Brits like me. And I went there quite by accident a few years ago when I was invited for a press trip. Romania offers some of Europe’s most spectacular train journeys, Perfect to capture stunning landscapes and historic architecture with your camera. The country’s railway network takes you through the dramatic Carpathian Mountains, past medieval castles, and through picturesque villages frozen in time. As you travel through Romania, you will fall in love with the country.
Must-Experience Romanian Train Routes
Travelling through Romania is an experience in itself. The trains are busy and often over crowded. But it really is worth the experience. When we travelled from from Brasov to Bucharest, an old lady got on at one station and sold her home grown fruit from a wicker basket. Then she got off at another stop. And the views from the windows are to die for.
The Sighetu Marmatiei Route
This northern route takes you through the historic region of Maramures, famous for its wooden churches and traditional villages. The journey offers perfect photo opportunities of hay stacks, horse-drawn carts, and local farmers working in their fields – exactly the kind of authentic scenes that make a trip worth doing. Sighetu Marmației is situated along the Tisa river on the border with Ukraine. The train travels from Bucharest, then over 9 hours it travels north until you get to Sighetu Marmatiei. You can get tickets as cheap as $16 and the train is run by Romanian railways. There are 2 trains a day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
The Brasov-Sinaia Mountain Route
This is perfect for both summer and winter scenery, this route winds through the Carpathian Mountains. The train takes you from Brasov to Sinaia and then carries on to Bucharest. But the mountain route is beautiful and can easily be done on a day trip from Brasov. In the winter you pass by snow capped mountains. Gaze out of the window at the dense pine forests and find the mountain villages. You might even get a glimpse of Peles Castle, which is where part of the US programme ‘Wednesday’ was filmed. There are 10 connections a day, and the trains are run by Romanian Railways and MAV. A ticket one way will cost you about $7 and the trip takes just over an hour.
The Bucharest to Constanta Line
This route takes you from the capital to the Black Sea coast, offering a different way of life in Romania. It is a great day out from Bucharest and you can use it as a trip to join the Constanta – Istanbul Flix Bus like we did. On the train you will pass rural Romanian landscapes and traditional farming communities. The train stations are old and historic, so make sure you take plenty of videos and photos. Once you reach Constanta, you can take breathtaking photos of the sun setting and rising over the back sea. The train takes just 2 hours and 40 mins to get from Bucharest to Constanta, and it will cost you anything from $8 to $25 depending on your ticket and when you are travelling. The train is run by Romanian railways.
Photography Tips When You Travel Through Romania
You are going to want to capture the images that you see because Romania is such an unspoilt country with so much history and nature to see. So make sure you book yourself some window seats and get your camera ready. Here are a few tips to help you capture the best images.
- Take early morning photos when the light is soft and misty
- Get photos of local people at traditional railway stations, this shows real life in Romania
- Be careful of reflections in train windows, see if the windows open a little.
- Take some awesome motion blur photos of the passing landscape
- Don’t forget to photograph the architecture details of historic stations
Practical Travel Tips For Train Travel In Romania
Firstly, you will need to know that the trains run much slower in Romania than they do in western Europe. So soak up that journey! They are less likely to have food and beverage carriages on the train, so make sure you carry snacks and drinks. Download some maps or carry a real map, just in case you cannot get phone signal. Also learn a few basic Romanian phrases, it will help at stations and with people.
Make note of platform numbers and connection times, as well as train numbers. Two trains might leave at the same time to the same destination. Look for family friendly facilities on the train. Make sure you know where the loo is, especially if you’re travelling with young kids. Lastly, Interact with other travellers, listen to their adventures and maybe it will encourage you to go to them.
Best Times To Travel Through Romania
- Spring (April-May) for wildflowers and green landscapes
- Autumn (September-October) for autumnal colours and backdrops
- Winter for snow-covered mountain scene
The summer gets very busy with people using Romania as an entry point to Istanbul by train. Romania is covered on the Interrail network.
