Romania · TRANSFAGARASAN TOURS

The 15 Best Transfagarasan Road Trips

29 tours  ·  from $56 a head

The road over the Fagaras mountains is open for a few months each summer and booked solid in them. These 15 trips cross it, from shared minibuses out of Bucharest to small groups from Brasov.

Small-group max 7 - Top Gear Road - Transfăgărăşan Highway - Curtea de Argeș opens the day with royal history
Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Small-group max 7 – Top Gear Road – Transfăgărăşan Highway

1.Small-group max 7 – Top Gear Road – Transfăgărăşan Highway

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 391 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $143Our pick

Spend about 12 hours on a small-group drive from Bucharest to the Transfăgărășan Highway. Your English-speaking guide handles the winding roads while you visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery, view Poenari Citadel from below, stop at Vidraru Dam and Capra Waterfall, and, in season, reach Bâlea Lake. Bear sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“Great trip and Andrei was a brilliant guide - it is a long day at 12 hours but well worth it seeing so many bears and fantastic scenery and Andrei gave us such good information and navigated the windy roads so well while bear spotting”

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Bucharest: Top Gear Road Transfagarasan Day Trip - Vidraru Dam: a bold first stop
1-Day Tours, Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Bucharest: Top Gear Road Transfagarasan Day Trip

2.Top Gear Road Transfagarasan Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 293 reviews · from $56Best value

Take a 12-hour guided road trip from Bucharest into the Făgăraș Mountains. You’ll see Vidraru Dam, Capra Waterfall and Bâlea Lake, with photo stops and a chance to spot roadside bears. Guides such as Pavel, Alex and Bogdan have led this trip, but bear sightings and access to the upper route depend on conditions.

“Great day trip that I would definitely recommend to everyone who'd like to enjoy the beauty of the Carpathians for a day. Paul, our guide, drove us safely along the Transfagaran to the Balea Lake and back and gave us interesting information and insights. Very well organised and the time spent on the different spots was perfect, not too short and not too long.”

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Small group Bears 'Safari' on Transfăgărășan -max 7 tourists - Vidraru Dam and the reservoir below
Bear Sanctuary Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Small group Bears ‘Safari’ on Transfăgărășan -max 7 tourists

3.Small group Bears ‘Safari’ on Transfăgărășan -max 7 tourists

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 159 reviews · from $101

Leave Bucharest for a full-day minivan trip over the Transfăgărășan, stopping at Poenari Fortress, Vidraru Dam, Capra Waterfall, and Bâlea Lake. The group is advertised as up to seven tourists. Guides including Sebastian and Roxana have led trips, but bear sightings are never guaranteed.

“Sebastian was an excellent guide, kept us all entertained and made sure we got to see everything we could! Thoroughly recommend Sebastian and the tour!”

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Brasov Private Tour: Transfagarasan road & Poienari Fortress - The long descent and Vidraru Dam
Brasov Tours, Bucharest Private Tours, Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Transfagarasan Tours

Brasov Private Tour: Transfagarasan road & Poienari Fortress

4.Brasov Private Tour: Transfagarasan road & Poienari Fortress

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $223

Spend about 10 hours on a private drive from Brașov into the Făgăraș Mountains, with stops at Bâlea Waterfall, Bâlea Lake and Vidraru Dam. A guide handles the winding roads and shares local history. Poienari Fortress requires a steep climb of about 1,480 steps, but it is currently closed, so check its status before booking.

“Charlie our guide was friendly , informative and helpful. Scenery was stunning , especially on the 4K cable car ride to the top of the mountain. Took us to lots of optional stops and for coffee and food breaks whenever we wanted. This was the best tour I have ever taken anywhere, and I have taken a lot. It is stunning beautiful, not at all rushed and really delivers.”

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From Bucharest: Top Gear Road - Transfăgărășan Highway Day Trip - The Transfăgărășan takes the spotlight
1-Day Tours, Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

From Bucharest: Top Gear Road – Transfăgărășan Highway Day Trip

5.Top Gear Road – Transfăgărășan Highway Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 68 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $58

Leave Bucharest at 7:30 am for a 12-hour day on the Transfăgărășan Highway, with stops at Vidraru Dam, Capra Waterfall and Bâlea Lake when the road is open. An English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport are included. Bears may appear beside the road, but sightings are never guaranteed. The mountain-top section is seasonal.

“Pavel was an excellent guide/driver. We saw 31 bears by count and I don’t think we were double counting.😜”

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Small group max 7, Transfăgărășan the Top Gear Road - The Transfăgărășan is the reason to go
Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Small group max 7, Transfăgărășan the Top Gear Road

6.Small group max 7, Transfăgărășan the Top Gear Road

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $130

Spend about 12 hours with an English-speaking guide and no more than six other passengers on a Bucharest day trip to the Carpathians. See Poenari Fortress from below, Vidraru Dam and the Transfăgărășan, then visit Bâlea Lake from June to October. Bear sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Lunch is not included.

“Best part of my trip in Romania. A little pricey but We have a group of 2. I like small group. Mr Sebastian is very knowledgeable. I usually don’t like to listen to guides talking but I enjoyed listening to him. Was hoping to see bears but they are hibernating. And the description on the website is not accurate. I was nervous about the temperature on the mountain as the website says it is 20 degrees lower than Bucharest so I thought -20c.But later when I asked he said that is for summer. Right now it is just a few degree lower than Bucharest. It was a lot of driving…”

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Transfăgărășan Highway & Balea Lake - Private Tour from Bucharest - Vidraru Dam, an engineered stop with big views
Bucharest Private Tours, Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Transfagarasan Tours

Transfăgărășan Highway & Balea Lake – Private Tour from Bucharest

7.Transfăgărășan Highway & Balea Lake – Private Tour from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $215

Head from Bucharest into the Făgăraș Mountains on a private day trip to Vidraru Dam, the Transfăgărășan and high-altitude Bâlea Lake. Your English-speaking guide handles the long drive, hotel pickup and onboard Wi-Fi. Guides have included Alin, Vlad, Octavian and Ionela, though your guide may vary. Poenari Castle is viewed from the roadside, not visited inside.

“A memorable and fun trip. Ionela was our guide for the day. She was kind, a great driver, and very knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed her. We saw 14 brown bears and had a great trip on the transfargarasan highway. It was a beautiful day.”

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Brasov: Transfagarasan Highway, Balea Lake & Carta Monastery - Cârța Monastery makes a thoughtful first stop
Brasov Tours, Bucharest Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Brasov: Transfagarasan Highway, Balea Lake & Carta Monastery

8.Brasov: Transfagarasan Highway, Balea Lake & Carta Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 29 reviews · 8 hours · from $147

Travel from Brașov in a small group of up to seven, stopping at Cârța’s 13th-century Cistercian monastery before heading toward the Transfăgărășan and Bâlea Lake. An English-speaking guide handles the mountain drive. The road is open July 1 to November 1; outside that period, a cable car is needed to reach the lake, at extra cost.

“Great day! The road and the lake was just beautiful. The driver was very experienced and knows the road well, would def recommend this experience if visiting Romania, bring water with you, it said supplied but this was never offered, food is available at the lake but street food stalls only, if you need to snack bring a couple with you x”

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SB09-Transfăgărășan Wonders:Journey through Bâlea Lake,Avrig - Cârța Abbey brings the medieval story down to earth
Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

SB09-Transfăgărășan Wonders:Journey through Bâlea Lake,Avrig

9.SB09-Transfăgărășan Wonders:Journey through Bâlea Lake,Avrig

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 1 day · from $159

Leave Sibiu at 10:00 in a private, air-conditioned vehicle for a full day among the Făgăraș Mountains. The route pairs the high-altitude Transfăgărășan and Bâlea Lake with Cârța’s partly ruined Cistercian abbey and Baroque Avrig Palace. Your guide speaks English or German; Daniel has led this route, though guide assignment can vary.

“Ein super Guide auf einer tollen Tour. Es hat sich wirklich gelohnt.”

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Transfagarasan Road Trip - Poenari Castle: a brief stop with a caveat
Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Transfagarasan Road Trip

10.Transfagarasan Road Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25 reviews · 12 hours · from $152

From Bucharest, join an English-speaking guide and a small group of up to 14 for a 12-hour drive through the Carpathians. The route includes a photo stop near Poenari Castle, Vidraru Dam, the winding Transfagarasan Highway and free time for a short hike at Balea Lake. Bear sightings are possible, not promised.

“Pleasant host, beautiful scenery, great driving, flexible with what the group wanted to do/see. All around, a great day.”

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From Bucharest: Private Transfagarasan Highway Day Tour - Vidraru Dam: a short stop with a big view
Bucharest Private Tours, Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Transfagarasan Tours

From Bucharest: Private Transfagarasan Highway Day Tour

11.Private Transfagarasan Highway Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 23 reviews · 10 hours · from $203

Travel from Bucharest in a private, air-conditioned car or minivan with an English-speaking guide. Stop for views of Poenari Castle and Vidraru Dam, then spend two hours at Bâlea Lake and Chalet before driving the Transfăgărășan. Guides including Andrei, Bogdan and Florin have tailored stops to guests’ interests. Bear sightings are possible, never guaranteed.

“Andrei was amazing ! He was funny, knowledgeable and accommodating. You can talk to him about anything and he will make sure you have answers to all your questions. And yes I saw a lot of bears !”

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Bucharest: Transfagarasan Road - Small Group max 7 Tourists - Poenari Castle and the story of Vlad
Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Bucharest: Transfagarasan Road – Small Group max 7 Tourists

12.Transfagarasan Road – Small Group max 7 Tourists

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $170

Travel from Bucharest in a group of no more than seven to Poenari Castle, Vidraru Dam, Capra Waterfall and Bâlea Lake. The 12-hour trip follows the Transfăgărășan, a high mountain road with wide views and possible brown bear sightings. Guides including Alin and Ionela have led the route. Lunch is not included.

“Alin did an outstanding job with this tour. He took us directly to the mountain to avoid traffic which ended up being an amazing decision. We had plenty of photo stops as he knows the secret spots. Additionally, we saw plenty of Brown bears along the way. He would take his time and ensure we were able to see them up close and safely, and even got some amazing cool photos for us to take home. He made this experience extremely enjoyable. To top it off, he dropped us off at an amazing water fountain show celebrating the Olympics. The whole day from start to finish was perfect. Alin constantly…”

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Transfagarasan Highway Balea Lake and Carta Monastery from Brasov - Carta Monastery brings the day back to earth
Brasov Tours, Bucharest Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Transfagarasan Highway Balea Lake and Carta Monastery from Brasov

13.Transfagarasan Highway Balea Lake and Carta Monastery from Brasov

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $143

Leave Brasov at 8:15 am in a Mercedes van or similar vehicle with a guide and a group of up to seven. See the Transfagarasan mountain road, glacial Balea Lake and Gothic Carta Monastery. In winter, the road closes above 1,460 metres and you continue to the lake by cable car, at extra cost.

“Our driver picked us up in a very comfortable car, with heated seats, which is great for the time of year we were visiting. December is cold, and there was a lot of snow, so make sure you have appropriate clothing! You don’t need hiking or snow boots unless you want to do a little climbing for views and pictures. In December, you won’t see bears lining up at the side of the road like you might at other times of the year and the views are very dependable on the weather. In extreme weather or wind the cable car is unlikely to run. We were very lucky and although…”

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Transfagarasan amazing road trip from Brasov - Weather can change the whole day
Brasov Tours, Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Tours

Transfagarasan amazing road trip from Brasov

14.Transfagarasan amazing road trip from Brasov

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $144

From Brașov, take an approximately seven-hour drive along the Transfăgărășan to Bâlea Lake, high in the Făgăraș Mountains. The tour is offered in English, includes bottled water, and has a maximum group size of eight. Alin has guided this trip, though you should confirm who will lead your date.

“Had an amazing day even though the weather was against us and we did not get the views we were hoping for. Alin was very knowledgeable and made this a lovely day. On a clear day this trip will be out of this world !”

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Transfagarasan Highway and Balea Lake E-Bike Tour - The climb to Balea Lake
Bucharest Bike Tours, Bucharest Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Transfagarasan Tours

Transfagarasan Highway and Balea Lake E-Bike Tour

15.Transfagarasan Highway and Balea Lake E-Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $108

Ride from Brasov with guide Andrei and a group of up to six, climbing the Transfagarasan Highway by e-bike from 497 meters to Balea Lake at 2,034 meters. The six-hour outing includes a stop at Balea Waterfall, time at the lake, private transport, a bike, helmet, and gloves. Bring water and snacks.

“Highest quality bikes and the best guide. Andries very personable and knowledgable and willing to answer our questions. Good time.”

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New in Transfagarasan Tours

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