All transport fares and daily budgets benchmarked for 2026.
Core Planning
Eastern Balkans • 8 Days
Prices verified: Aug 2026 Source: Train fare

8-Day Romania & Bulgaria: Bucharest, Brașov, Veliko Tarnovo & Sofia

Cross between two fascinating EU destinations with rich Orthodox, Roman, and Ottoman heritage. From Bucharest, journey into Transylvania to Brașov, cross south across the Danube Bridge to Veliko Tarnovo, and finish in Sofia.

Trip Duration 8 Days
Estimated Total €310
Daily Average ~€39/day
Travel Style backpacker
Itinerary route

Swipe to follow the full route.

  1. 1
    Bucharest 2 days
  2. 2
    Brașov 2 days
  3. 4
    Sofia 2 days

Intercity route legs

Bucharest → Brașov train • Approx 2h 20m 💡 Book via CFR Călători for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€10.00
Brașov → Bucharest train • Approx 2h 20m 💡 Book via CFR Călători for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€10.00
Bucharest → Veliko Tarnovo bus • Approx 3h 45m 💡 Book via Pegasus Bus for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€16.00
Veliko Tarnovo → Sofia bus • Approx 3h 00m 💡 Book via Biomet for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€11.00

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Bucharest Old Town & Cafes

Bucharest

Arrive in Bucharest. Explore Lipscani, Calea Victoriei, and the National Village Museum.

Estimated day spending: €35.00
Day 2

Train to Brașov & Council Square

Brașov

Take CFR train into the Carpathian mountains to Brașov (€10). Walk through Council Square and Black Church.

Estimated day spending: €40.00
Day 3

Bran Castle & Mountain Trails

Brașov

Day trip to Bran Castle (€12) and take the Gabony steps up Mount Tâmpa for sunset.

Estimated day spending: €42.00
Day 4

Return Train to Bucharest

Bucharest

Return to Bucharest by morning train (€10). Visit Herăstrău Park and Romanian Athenaeum.

Estimated day spending: €38.00
Day 5

Cross Danube Bridge to Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo

Take international coach across the Danube at Ruse into Veliko Tarnovo (€16). Check into a river gorge guesthouse.

Estimated day spending: €38.00
Day 6

Tsarevets Fortress & Medieval Alleys

Veliko Tarnovo

Tour the royal Tsarevets Citadel (€5) and stroll Gurko Street.

Estimated day spending: €35.00
Day 7

Coach to Sofia & Alexander Nevsky

Sofia

Take express coach to Sofia (€11). See Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Saint George Rotunda.

Estimated day spending: €38.00
Day 8

Vitosha Boulevard & Departure

Sofia

Morning coffee along Vitosha Boulevard with Mount Vitosha views and airport metro ride.

Estimated day spending: €34.00

✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time

Skip Brașov and head directly south from Bucharest across the Danube to Veliko Tarnovo.

Make this trip cheaper

These options use the current typical minimum fare in our route records. They are not guaranteed quotes, and prices can change before booking.

Bucharest to Brașov by Train
Typical minimum €7.00, about €3.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
Brașov to Bucharest by Train
Typical minimum €7.00, about €3.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo by Bus
Typical minimum €15.00, about €1.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source

Make the itinerary fit your trip

Change the days in each city, leave out stops, and update the estimate without changing the published itinerary.