Travel by Train

Train travel in Romania is relaxing, quite fast, highly reliable, and, for less than four people, cheaper than a car rental!   Plus you'll have the luxury of watching stunning peaks, wide rivers and old fortified Saxon towns roll by -- you can even overnight on some trains with fresh towels and linens provided!

Some Beautiful Views! Travel in Style through Romania with your own First Class Sleeper and some stunning sights, like the Făgăraş mountains all along  the verdant Olt River valley!

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

From Mike Ormsby's new must-read book 'NEVER MIND THE BALKANS, HERE'S ROMANIA!', with a laconic English perspective on life in Romania and the Romanian people Read More Here The Mystery Train I walk through Gara de Nord feeling older and wiser.  The big railway station looks so different today – modern, revamped. Shiny kiosks bulge with glossy mags, rows of chocolate and stacks of snacks.  Men in suits chat on mobile phones.   Glamorous girls laugh and joke, swig Fanta.   Ticket collectors amble in smart uniforms, hats perched at a rakish angle.  I can hardly believe my eyes.  It seems a so modern.  The steel body shines with immaculate paintwork; the windows are wide, slightly convex and made of thick tinted glass.  Rugged steps and chrome handrails gleam invitingly in the early morning sun.  I board the train in Bucharest's main railway station.   Inside, the pale grey vinyl floor is surprisingly free of chewing gum.  I choose a seat by the window.  It feels well-designed, covered in bright blue fabric, firm but comfortable.  I watch passengers walking along the platform outside.  Soon the carriage begins to fill up.   A middle-aged woman sits down opposite me, hair frosted like a cake, fingers dripping gold.  I can almost hear the wheels grinding at her head: he's not Romanian.  It must be my green rubbery skin, bulbous purple eye and furry antennae.  The train pulls out of the Gara de Nord, slowly picking up speed, clickety-clack.  I watch as dilapidated apartment blocks sail pass; a kid leans perilously from a rusty balcony.  A skinny woman in a headscarf pins sagging sheets to a washing line.  It still looks like Romania out there, apart from the snarling yellow diggers and new roads with sleek cars.  But in here, I feel shot forward in time.  I fold my arms and marvel.  It's a bit of a mystery, progress. -- from the tales "Not so Lucky" and "Mystery Train"

High Quality and It's Cheap

The easiest, most comfortable and usually cheapest, fastest and most rewarding way of intercity travel is by train.

Romania's railway network is one of the largest and most dense in Europe, with trains servicing every town and city in the country, and a vast majority of the villages too on the Personal trains.   And it is just gorgeous too -- especially through most of the Transilvanian routes!

Due to the very low ticket prices for all Romanian train services, 1st Class is affordable for most travellers from English-speaking countries. Additionally, second class on both the InterCity (including Blue Arrow) and the Rapid services are comfortable enoguh.

The additional cost for first class is quite small, for example, an extra $10 on an average 6-hour intercity route like Bucharest to Iaşi (the Moldovan de facto capital).

Say "Chay Fay Ray"!

Don't worry, nobody ever calls it by its full name, instead just using the initials which are pronounced "chay-fay-ray".

The name of the national railways is CFR, which stands for Compania Nationala de Cai Ferate Romania, literally the "National Company of Iron Horses Romania".

Reliable and On-Time!

As a visitor to Romania, it's pretty likely at some point you will take a train, and using the train network is an excellent idea for getting round this great country.

Like most ex-Communist nations, the government built a very extensive rail network which even serves small village towns to this day.  So, using the rail network, you really can get to just about anywhere for a very reasonable price.

A Multi-Station System

Be aware that most bigger cities have more than one train station, often with confusing titles. For example "Timisoara Nord" is not actually in the north of the city, but to the west.

Generally speaking though, only one train station handles the inter-city traffic and the lovely woman selling you the ticket will assume you mean the main station if you don't specify which one you want.  

Make Your Own Way

Frankly, as a foreigner, they'll think you know next to nothing and will make some pretty good decisions for you.  Most government workers Romanians are forever vigilant on the right way of doing anything, including the accepted routes of travel. 

With your wits about you, you don't need speak one word of Romanian and you can make it safely to your destination without any problems. Trains are almost always very safe, with a limited risk of pickpockets, more so on the Accelerat and Personal services. It's very rare (and almost always a personal thing) for someone to be robbed by force or assaulted on a train.

Sleep on It!

Sleeper services (on the Rapid type trains) are a great and relaxing way to travel through the rolling hills of the wine country in Moldova, the stunning peaks and river valleys of Transilvania, and the vast fields of sunflowers and sunshine through the Wallachian plains of Muntenia and Moldova. 

Not only will you have some amazing photo opportunities, you'll have a nicely priced overnight bed, and arrive refreshed in Timişoara, Oradea, Cluj, Maramureş or Bucovina.  Transfer to your hotel by a cheap taxi, and you're on your way to a nice afternoon of sightseeing!

For example, there is a daily Rapid sleeper train offering first-class sleeper accommodationto Oradea, which is about 650km from Bucharest on the Hungarian border.  Oradea is a delightful old Habsburg town with super architecture, easily accessible on your very comfortable yet fairly inexpensive night train!

  Read more below on overnight train facilities

classes of travel

A Gaggle of Babas Awaiting their train at Bucahrest's Northern Station

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Hot Coffee, 50 cents! And served on a silver tray!

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Going North to Tulcea Well maintained roadbeds and routine maintenance on this well-used route

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

From Best to Worst:

InterCity (IC)

These are the more modern trains and usually in good condition. They only stop at fairly big cities and are rarely overcrowded except during major holidays (like Easter).

If you can, use InterCity trains, which link all the major cities of the country with Bucharest.  These trains are of a Western European standard and are incredibly clean and modern, with automatic doors, futuristic ecological toilets, air conditioning, ergonomic seats, free newspapers and all the other bells and whistles. Also, they are reasonably cheap and are increasingly used by Romanians (and tourists) on business trips.

Probably the only minor drawback to the Inter-City is that the price is about 15 to 25% higher than the other trains. If getting to your destination quickly is your goal, always take the Inter-City.

Also remember that the difference between first class and second class even for InterCities on long distance is no more than about 15%, so go with first class, because it's usually less crowded.

Note however, that the advantages time-wise of an InterCity can be quite scant.  Going from Bucharest to Iaşi, the IC runs from 6 hours 2 minutes to 6 hours 23 minutes, depending on the departure time.   However a Rapid or Accelerat on this same route runs from 6 hours 23 minutes to 6 hours 49 minutes!  

Blue Arrow (SA)

(Sageata Albastră in Romanian).  These are listed as Inter-City trains on the ticket and scheduling board, but the SA (Blue Arrow in English) is the ultra-modern train in Romania.   There's no way of knowing ahead of time which routes use the SA except by either asking or by looking at the information board on the station's platforms (not in the station itself, for reasons unknown). 

Since the SA is considered an Inter-City for all intents and purposes, the price of the ticket is the same.   Do note that luggage space is a bit less on the Blue Arrows -- if you're lugging alot, take a Rapid instead.   The SA's are more about being a fast commuter type train than a full-service type of train found in Australia, Canada and the US trans-continental.   

If possible try to avoid "Sageata Albastra" if you plan to ride for a longer distance because although very modern it's not quite as comfortable as the "normal" InterCity or Rapid trains.   Anyone over about 160cm tall will not really appreciate the curves of the hard plastic moulded seats of the Blue Arrows.   Built by Seimens, they had the best of intentions, but anything over about 2 hours really does get a bit much for the taller amongst us. 

Rapid (R)

Don't be fooled by the name, Rapid trains aren't all that fast, and get into the station in about the same time the InterCity takes, with maybe a few more stops in between.  First Class on the Rapid trains is almost as good as on the InterCity services, with very similar although older carriages used.   Great for longer journeys however, the seats are more comfortable than those on the newer Blue Arrow carriages for example. 

Additionally, the Rapid train is the only one with Sleeper services with attendants, bed linen, toiletries and fresh towels.

The normal second-class carriages used are older than the InterCity ones, and there are usually 6 seats in First Class per compartment.  On some trains, the compartment's heat is cranked to the point of making it a sauna while the next compartment has no heat at all and is an arctic experience.   Dress flexibly and never assume.

Accelerat (A)

These are probably the most common of Romanian trains, especially if you're travelling between fairly big cities/towns. They do tend to make enough stops for a journey of any distance to be long.   First class on an Accelerat is a bit more like second class on an InterCity service however.

Many of the Accelerat trains also use the older carriages in various stages of delapidation, especially for the second-class carriages.

First class on the Accelerats isn't nearly as good as on an InterCity service, although the juggling of carriages means you might get more of a Rapid version. 

In second class, try to walk up and down to find a compartment in better shape if the train isn't too crowded. The price for Accelerat and Rapid trains is usually quite good.

In second class, the Accelerats usually feature a single long seat in the compartments -- which makes lying down for a sleep quite an attractive option for the backpacker or young traveller.

Some Beautiful Views! Travel in Style through Romania with your own First Class Sleeper and some stunning sights, like the Făgăraş mountains all along  the verdant Olt River valley!

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Crossing the Danube! Rail and Road crossing the Danube on the way to the Black Sea Coast

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Medgidia Station The gateway city to the Dobrogea Region coming from Bucharest.

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

The "Rapid" and "Accelerat" trains should be your second choice (unless you are on a sleeper service, which  - they stop at more stops, but serve more destinations, and, although being a little bit more traditional, are still very comfortable, especially in first class.

Personal (P)

These are a real ride, and actually, quite a bit of fun if you have the time.  These go to the smallest of villages and towns and make a tremendous amount of stops. You don't want to take a Personal train unless you're going to one of those little towns, although the prices are extremely low especially for short trips.

Personals are also quite often crowded, and feature a single class on most (although first is available on a few select routes).  This makes them a kind of adventure and are your only option when travelling to small villages.  Although they do make very original and memorable experiences, they are quite slow and rattle-traps, albeit very cheap.

If you do find first class available at all on your Personal train -- TAKE IT!!!   Some of them can be quite fun, most are at least a bit better than the rest of the train. 

However. some of these trains are very useful for exploring rural backwaters or getting off the beaten track (the train from Oravita to Anina in the Semenic mountains offers provides one of the most scenic trips in the country).

In some areas such as on the branches radiating out from Timisoara and Arad these trains are little more than railbuses or 'Motoare' (some of them dating from the 1940s) with wooden slatted or plastic seats which rattle and roar and shake you to pieces - however, exploring the country at this 'gentle' pace can also be rewarding.

Starting your Train Trip

Tickets Explained

Except for Personal trains, (almost) all tickets are actually in two parts, although you may not even notice it. One is the ticket itself, priced based on the distance you're travelling and type of train.

The other part is the "reservation", which costs extra. Even if you buy the ticket two seconds before the train arrives in the station, generally you'll need to get the "reservation" as well, although you don't have to ask for it specifically. The person selling you the ticket will sell you both parts automatically.

A Wide Variety of Travellers From Peasant Grandmother to sharp businesswoman, Romania's trains cater to all of society

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Usually On-Time Rail services can be largely depended on to run on time, barring winter delays or the odd mechanical problem.

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Moldovan Scenery Along the Track With many destinations just 3 to 6 hours away from Bucharest, a day train is a great way to do some sight-seeing!

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Buying a ticket without a "reservation" is the rough equivalent of flying "standby" on a plane. It just means you're riding the train but don't have an assigned seat. It's impossible to do this on Inter-City trains and most Accelerat/Rapid trains so this really isn't something you can avoid to save money per se.

The ever-elusive discount is available from travel agents, and you should be able to score 10% off a round-trip ticket with a bit of patient smiling and persistence.   Don't pout if you're told it doesn't exist or is not available. 

Knowing Which Train

It sort of doesn't matter what you were told by friends, and what the ticket lady told you.  You really should ask the conductor or attendant ON the platform.   The train number and sometimes destination as well will hang on the side of the train somewhere, most of the time, and in most places. 

But the internet is littered with tales of English-speaking travellers who have found that the train lurched in the wrong direction, only to be told by the conductor that they'd need to buy new tickets on the spots (which can be suspiciously expensive).   So, make sure it's the right train, going to the right city.  Harass fellow passengers for the info if you have to, it's too important to make this mistake, as surprisingly common as it can be!  

"We went to the train station in Bucharest and sat in McDonalds for 4 hours nursing 1 lemonade between us. We waited till the last minute, changed all our money and jumped on the train. We found our cabin but it was filled with someone else's baggage. Ours and the next. It was so full that you couldn't even get in. I had to back into another cabin so that the owners could empty it out and almost took out a girl sitting down. She spoke English so understood our predicament. They were meant to be sitting elsewhere too.

"We finally got in and started chatting. Simon was French and Martina was Swiss and they lived together in Lille. They'd both been to Oz so had no trouble understanding our sense of humour and slang! The train crossed over into Bulgaria and stopped at a place called Ruse. The weather did the turn around and rained heavily. The Romanians with all the bags started freaking and unloading very quickly. They hadn't been able to bribe the border guard so I guess they had to get off. The train started up and appeared to be going backwards. Small moment of panic.

"Extra panic when the ticket conductor came round, looked at our tickets and asked where we were going. Veliko Tarnovo, we all replied. Then the words we'd been dreading. 'This train is not going to Veliko. You're on the wrong train. We all stared in disbelief. The lady in Bucharest had assured us the train was direct. The ticket guy was very understanding and stood to make some good cash on the side. We'd have to buy a ticket for this leg as our tickets were not valid. So we negotiated a price for all four of us. He told us that the track to Veliko had been down for two months because of bad weather. We found out we were heading three and a half hours in the wrong direction to a place called Shumen. "

From Lucinate on TravelLog

Knowing When to Detrain

Unless you're on the SA train, there's no indication or announcement inside the train as to when you've arrived at your destination. If it is daytime and you're going to a big city, it's fairly easy look out the window and see the name of the station you're in.

At night-time however, or in a blizzard, or at a smaller station, it's difficult or impossible to see the signs at the platform and know where the heck you are. The easiest way to find out is to ask your neighbour on the train, as most people are regular riders and know where they are.

If you're shy or there are no friendly neighbours, the best thing to do is look on the train schedule ahead of time (on the internet) and see what time you'll get to your destination. You should memorize the scheduled time for the stop beforehand, so you can verify that you're on schedule and that you just got to City X then you know the next stop is City Y, where you want to go.

The schedule will also tell you how many minutes you'll be stopped at any given station, allowing you to calculate if you have enough time to jump off and buy a quick snack.

Amenities Aboard Your Journey

First Class Seating

The best seats for shorter day journeys are the Blue Arrow first class seating, which is very modern, European and rather like airline seats.   For longer journeys, more than 4 hours or so, the Rapid first class seats are a bit more comfortable, again in the familiar single seats.    First class on the Accelerats is not quite as good however, so take an InterCity, Blue Arrow or Rapid if comfort is particularly important -- the price is not much more anyways. 

Second Class Seating

Rapid and InterCity trains have better second class seating, with no more than 6 per compartment.  The seats are proper single location seats, and face each other in each compartment, with a large window and a door.  The degenerate to benches for 8 people in each compartment on Accelerat trains, and that and worse on the Personals. 

Second-Class Accelerat 8 People and their luggage quickly fills up the compartment, here on a train to Tulcea

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Hopping off the Train for Food Hungry riders on the rails detrain for a quick bite.  They'll have to hurry back.

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Accelerat Carriages Not the best, but not the worst either.  With a few creature comforts brought aboard with you, you'll be fine!

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Is That Your Seat?

With second class seats (and maybe first on Accelerats), do remember that your seat location is not fixed in stone. Common courtesy in Romania is to board a train and sit in your assigned seat, especially if it is crowded. If however you can find a space you like better (esp. in the same class), just go ahead and move over there. The conductors won't mind and neither will anyone else in most cases. In fact, most overnight trains do not have an assigned seat at all.

The Bathrooms Aboard

Except for the Blue Arrows and some Rapid services, don't be counting on the use of a clean bathroom or the supply of toilet paper.  If you do forget, you have about 5 or 8 stops out of the station where the train was serviced, as except for overnight trains, there is very little attendant servicing of facilities other than at it's origin.

Bring along some paper of your own if you think you might need it. Using the bathroom on the train is free while you'll almost always have to pay to use a bathroom at the station, which you really don't want to do in most cases.   Seriously, just remember your toilet paper for the train.  You've been warned.

Your Dining Experience

You can eat or drink on the trains without any problem. If you forgot to bring a snack, people will board the trains (except for the SA) to sell everything from magazines to hot coffee to beer. Most larger stations have stores right on the platform so you can hop off and buy a snack while the train is in the station if you like.

Pretzels are the best choice if you are on an Accelerat or Personal train (which stop longer at stations), sold hot and fairly fresh at most of the larger station platforms.  You really must be practiced in getting off the train, and back on again.    Look first to see how long the queues are before detraining and watch the conductors carefully whilst you are in line.

If you are on an InterCity service however, you must be very quick.  Only 2 or 3 minutes sometimes at even larger stations is all you have, so packing some sandwiches, some fruit, and some bottled water is a very good idea if your trip is more than a few hours (as most InterCity services are).

Light 'Em If You Have 'Em

All trains have smoking compartments or areas, more or less loosely observed, except for the SA. If other people smoking bothers you, take the SA train or else be prepared to suffer a little. Most compartments are non-smoking while smoking is allowed in the hallways. Ironically in Hungary it is the reverse.

It Truly Beggars Belief

The larger stations will see a few derelicts hop on board and do their well-practiced routines.  Some are rather horrific to be honest, so just steel yourself for some circus-like shenanigans. 
 

Getting the ticket

Get the Ticket

It used to be that you could only buy a ticket at the train stations an hour or less before the train departed. Now in most bigger cities, you can buy a ticket at the station up to 24 hours before it leaves.

With a little persuasion, you can even buy a ticket a day or two beforehand as well.  Of course, such requests against policy may entail a little persuasion.  That means "keep the change".

The easiest way to determine if you can buy tickets ahead of time is to peek into the window at the train station. If you see a computer and/or people carrying around blue, printed tickets, then that means the new system is installed and you can buy tickets up to a day in advance. If you don't see a computer and/or people are issued little brown cardboard stubs, then they're still on the old system.

 Tickets in Advance and Rail Passes

If you would like to buy tickets ahead of time, or for a group of people, or simply want to check on availability you have to go the CFR office. For whatever mysterious reason, the CFR office is never anywhere near the train station.

In fact, it is usually on the other side of town and usually there's just one CFR office. You can buy a ticket for any train up to 30 days in advance at the CFR office, which is a good idea especially if you're going to travel during a holiday period.

Train tickets may be also purchased within 10 days of departure at the CFR ticket window at the train station, and return travel must be within 10 days of departure for return tickets.  Please note that no Romanian train tickets are refundable.   The advance booking fee is just under 2 RON, about 80 U.S. cents.

Passes for North Americans and Australians/New Zealanders

Eurail Romania Pass (Singles) 5 days, $156.00 10 days, $273.00

Eurail Romania Saverpass (2 or More) 5 days, $133.00 10 days, $232.00

Youth Pass (Under 26) 5 days, $125.00 10 days, $219.00

Senior Pass (Over 60) 5 days, $125.00 10 days, $219.00

Balkan FlexiPass 5 Days, $197.00 10 Days, $344.00 15 Days, $413.00

InterRail Pass Zone Map

Prices correct when published, subject to change.  Conditions apply, see the Eurail website for terms and more information

If you live in the UK or Ireland, you can also buy the EuroDomino or InterRail passes, which allow travel to Romania from England (although not on cross-channel services), from about €300 -  €550, depending on the number of zones (there are 7) and the number of days you are travelling.  These are only open to European residents (proof is required) and there are slight discounts for youth and seniors. 

You can also get a BalkanPass for around $132 which can be economical if you plan on travelling around Romania by rail and other countries (good for 5 days).  The BalkanPass gives you unlimited travel on CFR and through neighbouring Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and all the way to Turkey too. Discounts are available for children.

Buy In Advance at a CFR Office in Romania

Romanians rarely bother to get tickets in advance, mostly because availability is usually wide open for all classes.   However, during peak summer and winter holiday times on some routes, a trip to the station or the CFR office in town is definitely recommended. 

Where to buy tickets at either the CFR office or in the train station is fairly obvious. Even if you don't speak Romanian, just say the name of the town you want to go to. If there are multiple trains heading to your destination, say the time of the train's departure, which you can find on the big schedule board. Romanian trains usually have the same schedule 7 days a week so the 2pm to Bucharest on Tuesday is also leaving at 2pm on Sunday.

Get a Travel Card

CFR Offices also have Travel Cards which are based per kilometre if you plan on travelling around Romania.    You can, for example, have up to 300km of first class travel on the Rapid trains on any route for up to 30 days for 1320 RON ($485 USD/€375 EUR).

Rail in Style

Overnight Sleeper Services

You will be delighted with the choices of quality sleeper trains in Romania.   With both domestic and international destinations served, the couchette and sleepers are quite comfortable and enjoyable, with an attendant serving your compartment.

First and Second Class Sleepers The additional cost for the first class sleeper (left) is rather slight, and well worth the gain in space over second class (right).
First Class Sleeper on the  TransBalkan and Ister Services Running between Budapest and Bucharest, first class sleeper cabins are comfortable, carpeted bedrooms.
Photos:  Wasteel's Seat 61

Sleeper services on the Rapid trains are a great and relaxing way to travel through the rolling hills of the wine country in Moldova, the stunning peaks and river valleys of Transilvania, and the vast fields of sunflowers and sunshine through the Wallachian plains of Muntenia and Moldova. 

Not only will you have some amazing photo opportunities, you'll have a nicely priced overnight bed, and arrive refreshed in Timişoara, Cluj, Maramureş or Bucovina.  Transfer to your hotel by a cheap taxi, and you're on your way to a nice afternoon of sightseeing!

First Class Sleeper Compartments

You can count on hot water, and you are given towels, soap and ablution items by your attendant as you board.   The bedding on these services is nicely prepared for you, and there is a shower for first class passengers at the end of each carriage.

The first class comfortable sleeper compartments can be reserved for 1, 2, or 3 persons with proper beds and washbasins.  If you're coming from Vienna or Budapest, the Vienna-Bucharest 'Dacia Express' now has an Austrian sleeping-car as well, a rather prized commodity if you can locate and reserve it!

Second Class Sleeper Compartments

The second class sleeper compartments are on the second-class couchette type compartments with 6 seats by day which convert to 6 bunks for night time use with rug, sheet and pillow supplied.

The triple berths in the 2nd class couchette compartments serve families nicely with up to 6 persons each.    These couchette compartments are fairly basic, and for most English-speaking travellers, a proper bed in the sleeper is much more comfortable and secure, costs very little extra, and is the recommended option.

All compartments are refurbished to a reasonable standard, and you'll have enough room to store your food and drink (which you bring with you). 

Ticketing for Sleepers

Ticketing for for sleeper services is a little more complicated than the normal Rapid ticket.  First you need your normal ticket and then you need to get a special reservation for the sleeping berth itself.  This is how it works on Amtrak in the US on some sectors as well. 

Do make sure that you buy your tickets at least a week in advance if you intend to travel by the first-class sleeper cars because the tickets sell out quickly.   The extra sleeper berth ticket is between $20 and $40 USD, depending on the route, indeed a bargain.

Your Bed Awaits

You can either get a full bed or else a "couchette", which is a regular compartment with regular seats that converts into flip-down beds.

Regardless of which kind of sleeping berth you want, once you're on board the train and it is moving, there will be a carriage attendant stationed at the end of your carriage to provide you with your sheets, blankets and pillows. The top berth in the "couchette" system provides the most privacy, and you should make certain you prepare your bed early -- as doing this after some have begun to sleep is really just rude.

If you are on the top bunk, you have to use a little ladder to get up there. The ladder is "stored" just outside the door to your compartment. Take it off its hooks and attach it to the luggage rack in your compartment, and leave it there until the next morning.  You don't want to lose this to an interloper!

We're waiting on a few photos for this section on premium rail experiences in Romania

From London's Waterloo Station

If you're not completely thrilled about spending 3 1/2 hours in a 737 on your way from Heathrow to Bucharest, why not take a couple of days and go on the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, then on to Munich, Vienna and Bucharest?

You can stop and see the seat of the Habsburg Empire on the way, and continue the journey too if you want, on the path of the original Saxons as they migrated to the south and east into the Balkans.  You'll notice the spread of the architecture and attitudes as you travel through time to the Saxon outposts the Siebenburgen,  or seven fortified towns of Transilvania!

Major Routes

The Thomas Cook European timetable has train, bus and ferry times for every country in Europe (both eastern and western), plus currency and climate information.  It's essential for any serious traveller, and an inspiration for armchair travellers..!  It costs around Ł11.50 from the bureau de change section of any branch of Thomas Cook, or you can buy online at www.thomascooktimetables.com  (click on 'Timetables and maps').

The Thomas Cook Rail Map of Europe is easily the best and most comprehensive map of train routes all over Europe.  High speed and scenic routes are highlighted.  Highly recommended.  Buy online at www.amazon.co.uk.

Recommended Guidebooks

What, our site isn't good enough for you?   But seriously, our website does not condense into a book you can put in your pocket, so it would be dishonest of us not to recommend to you our favourites. 

You should take a good guidebook.  For the independent traveller, this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  Both series are excellent.  The Lonely Planet range offers an in-depth guide for Romania and Moldova or a guide covering all the countries in Eastern Europe.  You won't regret buying one..!  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Click the images to buy at Amazon...

We're putting together our online map now of rail routes in Romania!

The Most Modern For their time, the CFR was often at the cutting edge of technology!

Photo:  Govt of Romania

Photo:  Govt of Romania

Click Here for a Route Map

Information about Trains

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