I really want to get to Brasov in a couple of weeks, but due to other travel plans it looks like I will either need to fly into Odessa or Chernovtsy, Ukraine.
I have been reading a lot of confusing information about getting between Ukraine and Romania and was wondering if anyone could set the record straight for me of the best way to get to Brasov, and which the best place to fly into would be.
Much appreciated.
I agree with Ilja that your best option if your heart is set on Brasov is to fly into Bucharest from where it is a 3 hr journey (train) to Brasov.
If however, your constraints are to fly into either Chernivtsi or Odessa, then your options are not very good (assuming you want to get to Brasov by train/bus/mini-bus and not fly into Bucharest. Caveat - I am no expert at this - I've just looked at a lot of the crossings into Ukraine (we are headed there in August) to figure out the ones with the least hassles.
Here is what I think your options are (you need to do further research to confirm this) - try the LP thorntree forum and post there or try tripadvisor's forums.
From Chernivtsi - cross the border to Sucavea in Romania using marshrutky or the one daily (morning) scheduled bus (per LP). From Sucavea take a train or bus towards Bucharest and figure out an appropriate place to switch in order to get to Brasov (try Deutsche Bahn). If you have to go all the way to Bucharest, LP indicates this will take 7 hrs.
From Odessa, your best bet is probably as follows Odessa-Chisinau (Moldova) 6 hrs - Bucharest (13 hrs) - Brasov (3 hrs) or from Chisinau head to Iasi (2 hrs) and from there try to get to Brasov.
Either way, this is not going to be an easy journey.
Do let us know if you find an alternate route.
I don't know if Brasov has it's own airport but even if it does it would probably be quite expensive to fly there. Fly to Bucurest and then by train. It is scenic ride.
I would check Lonely Planet's thorntree forum out. Brasov is very beautiful and is one of my favorite places in Europe.
It's better to fly into Chernivtsi. After you get there, take one of the minibuses mentioned above by Arnold across the border to Suceava and then you'll have several options:
-taking the direct train Suceava-Brasov (leaves at 11.54AM and gets there in about 8-9 hours);
-taking a long-distance train heading south and changing at some point with a bus to Brasov (you can do that in Bacau, Focsani or Buzau) or going as far as Ploiesti and taking one of the hourly trains to Brasov;
The fastest option out of these is to go by train from Suceava to Bacau (there are 8-10 trains per day; the trip takes about 2 hours) and then the bus from Bacau to Brasov (3-4 hours).
In any case (even if you come from Odessa) you don't actually have to go through Bucharest, that would only take you away from the direct route to Brasov.
You can check Romanian train timetables on http://infofer.ro/ and bus timetables on http://www.autogari.ro/
Thank you very, very much. I was getting worried that I would have to alter my plans but it looks like I'll be able to pull this off.
This is extremely helpful.
Thanks again,
Rich
