Braşov: know before you go

Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport (GHV) sits about 15 km northwest of the centre, near the town of Ghimbav. There is no rail link into the terminal, so you arrive by bus, taxi, or ride-hail. The A1 bus runs between the terminal, the Livada Poștei stop in the centre, and Gara Brașov, roughly hourly through the day; count on about 20 to 30 minutes to the old town. A taxi or Bolt from the terminal takes 15 to 20 minutes and runs about 50 to 75 RON. If you arrive by train, Gara Brașov is the main station, a short bus or taxi ride from the walled centre.

Brașov's walled centre is compact and mostly pedestrian, so you will see most of it on foot. RATBV buses and trolleybuses cover the rest of the city and the metropolitan area, with electric buses on many routes. A single urban ticket costs 5 lei and is valid for 90 minutes on all city lines, including the route up to Poiana Brașov. If you are staying a few days, the day and multi-day Urban Passes are better value. Pay by tapping a contactless bank card on the reader inside the bus or through the 24Pay app. For the climb up Tâmpa, the cable car reopened in October 2025 and reaches the summit in about two minutes.

Brașov is one of the safest cities in Romania for visitors, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The realistic risks are petty: pickpockets working Council Square, Strada Republicii and the Black Church area in high season, and taxi drivers at the station or airport who quote inflated fares. Use Uber or Bolt or a clearly metered taxi, and keep your phone and wallet in a closed pocket in crowds. On Tâmpa and the forested edges of the city, stay on marked trails and take bear warnings seriously, especially at dusk. In winter the cobbles ice over, so boots with grip matter more than in a flatter city.

Brașov's tap water is safe to drink from the tap, so you can fill a bottle in the old town without buying plastic. Food hygiene in the centre is good, and the seasonal market stalls are inspected. Two local specifics matter more than most health warnings: the city sits at about 600 m, so summer sun is stronger than it feels, and the air around Poiana Brașov runs 4 to 6°C colder than town. Bring layers and shoes with grip for the cobbles.

Staying connected in Brașov is easy for most visitors. EU roaming works well on the four main networks, Orange, Vodafone, Digi.Mobil and Telekom, so most European visitors do not need a local SIM. If you are staying longer than a couple of weeks, a local SIM is cheap and sold at carrier shops and kiosks. Cafes, hotels and much of the old town have Wi-Fi, but do not count on a signal mid-hike on Tâmpa; download maps before you set off.

Romanian is the language of Brașov. In the old town, restaurants, hotels and museum staff almost always have working English, and menus are often bilingual. English thins out at the bus station and on the edges of Șchei, so a few basics help: 'bună ziua' is hello or good day, 'mulțumesc' is thank you, and 'unde este' means where is.

Brașov's historic centre is cobbled and partly pedestrianised, which makes wheels slow even though the old town is flat in places. Expect uneven setts around Piața Sfatului, and note that Strada Sforii is far too narrow for a wheelchair. The cable car is the step-free way up Tâmpa if stairs or steep paths are out. The airport provides assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility.

Two local dates shape Brașov's calendar more than most national holidays. The Junii pageant fills the Șchei quarter in the first week of June, when costumed riders process to St Nicholas Church. The Christmas market takes over Piața Sfatului from late November and keeps the centre busy into December. Both are worth planning around, and both push hotel prices up.

Most of Brașov needs no timed ticket, but a few things reward planning. Book accommodation early for the Christmas market and for summer weekends, when the old town fills. Reserve a table if you want a specific restaurant on a summer Saturday. The Black Church sells entry on the door, but check concert dates ahead if you want to hear the organ. On Tâmpa, the cable car reopened in October 2025, and queues build on clear summer afternoons, so go early in the day.