Visiting Bucharest, Romania.

Peles is an easy do-it-yourself trip from Bucuresti, on the way to Brasov.

Take the Bucuresti Metro to the Gara de Nord stop. Then, take the train from Gara de Nord in Bucuresti and get off in Sinaia. The train gets you to Sinaia station in about 1.5 hours. It's less than 1.5 miles from the Sinaia station to the castle. Walk or take a cab for a couple of bucks. You have to walk part of the way, up hill, even if you take the taxi.

Brasov is the next train stop or 2 or 3 stops after Sinaia, depending on which train you take (trains may stop at Busteni and/or Predeal). Takes about 45 minutes to an hour, again, depending on the stops. There are hourly trains.

Definitely stay in Brasov. Find accommodations in the Poarta Schei district. Take bus line 4 from the main station to Livada Postei or a shuttle to the Black Church for about $1. Then, meander through the old town to the Schei Gate = Poarta Schei. Or, grab a taxi for $2-3. Try Hotel Kolping - it's right up against the mountain, with easy access to old town, the Black Church, Piata Sfatului and Strada Republicii, trails to the Mt. Tampa furnicular, the city walls and bastions, and hiking trails.

Bran Castle is about a 1-hour bus ride from Brasov station. Buses leave hourly. Cost should be $5 or less. A taxi can get you to Bran from Brasov in less than 40 minutes with decent traffic for less than $15 each way. Consider also to visit Rasnov Fortress en route.

Thank you, Bradley;

That was a wealth of info. We are only in Bucharest a few days, after a river boat cruise. Thought we'd do a day tour to Peles and Bran Castles. I suppose we could take the train and do them in one day. I would really like to stay in Brasov, except that we are on limited time.

Thank you again.
Joy

You would be in for a very long day to visit both Peles and Bran whether by public transportation or by car tour. It takes about 1.5 hours one-way to get to Sinaia by train. Almost 2 hours one-way by car. Then, there's no direct route from Sinaia to Bran by train. You have to go to Brasov and then bus. That takes about 2.5 hours one-way. You could take a taxi from Sinaia to Bran, but even that takes another hour one-way. Should cost about $50 round-trip. So you would have at least 5 hours of travel-time in that single day. Likely more. It's doable, but I would recommend that you start early and expect a late return.

Still, I would recommend that you stay in Sinaia or Brasov for one night, if at all possible, if you really want to see both castles.

Personally, I find Bran a little tacky. Loads of in-your-face Dracula souvenirs, trinkets and t-shirts. The castle is fine, but about average for Europe. The overall experience at Bran is extremely touristy. Best viewed mid-week, before lunch, so as to avoid the tourist crowds. Corvin and Peles Castles are the must-see castles in Romania, but Hunedoara is out of reach for a short visit based in Bucuresti.

A better day-trip, in my opinion, is to visit Peles and stay in the Sinaia area. After you visit the main castle, also visit Pelisor and Foisor (the smaller residences on the property - one is now a hotel) and take in the neighboring La Tunuri complex. http://www.caferegalpeles.ro/index.html Eat lunch at Carol Gastro Bierhaus, also on the property and order the gulasch. https://carolpeles.ro/

Walk back to the city center, take in the town and experience Romania's country-side and mountain culture. Consider to visit the Sinaia monastery, if you're into that. Take a gondola into the Bucegi mountains. There's a gondola (telecabina) in Sinaia about a 15-minute walk south of Peles Castle. http://muntii-bucegi.ro/en/cable-transport-sinaia/

Or, consider to hop on one of the local trains that takes you to Busteni (about 8-10 minutes north of Sinaia). Take the Busteni-Babele cable car. This takes you to views of the Heroes Cross - and some incredible mountain views and walking/hiking opportunities, if you're up for that.

This will provide a satisfying excursion and you won't feel like you were sitting in a bus or car most of the day.

Thanks again, Bradley. Lot of good information. The benefits of The Forum.
I like your alternative ideas. We will consider them.
If we do go to Bran and Peles, we are looking into a private driver. Covinnus was highly recommended, but Daniel Gheorghta is not available. Appears to be a very busy man.

Thank you again for great idea.
Joy