Looking for the best way to get from Bucharest to Timisoara on your next trip to Romania? Don’t worry – I gotchu!
When I was planning my latest trip to visit my friend Nikki and her family in Romania, I decided I wanted to have a little solo jaunt before we reunited.
Like most Americans, I didn’t fully appreciate how big of a country Romania is until I started planning my solo adventure. I had a few days to play with before I met my friends in Sibiu for the Christmas market, and I was keen to visit a new part of the country.
During my last visit, Nikki and I road tripped through Transylvania and I had already been to Bucharest. Although I wanted to go north and check out the Maramureș region, it wasn’t going to be possible given my timeline. Then I looked west and learned about Timisoara. Done. That’s where I wanted to go.
Next step – figure out how in the world I get from Bucharest to Timisoara!
Where is Timisoara?
Before I started visiting Romania, I had no idea where Timisoara was, or even the fact that it existed. But since I’ve traveled to eastern Europe quite a bit, I’ve learned about some of the fun, “hidden” gems that are usually only privy to those blessed to live in the vicinity.
In a nutshell, Timisoara is a city in western Romania with the 5th largest populated city. It’s claim-to-fame is that after NYC, it was the next city to receive electricity. It’s a cool town known for its beautifully preserved squares and where the bloody Romanian revolution began in 1989.
It’s authentically Romanian – a place where you can witness Romanians living their lives without the tourist traps that tend to accompany Insta-worthy locations. Basically – it’s a place you should visit if you desire authenticity. Which is something I was on the hunt for.
Coming from the US, flying into the Bucharest airport is the easiest, cheapest, and logical option.
But what next?
I’m a master at researching. I’ve done it for decades for pleasure, work, and school. I know where to find information. Not only good information, but the RIGHT kind of information. So…I started my research.
I learned that I could either take an expensive taxi ride, rent a car and drive, hop back onto a regional airline for a short flight, or…take the overnight train!
I chose the more adventurous way: I took the overnight train.
The overnight train from bucharest to timisoara is the best option for travelers
Was that a bold statement? Yes. Yes it was. And I’m standing by it.
This wasn’t my first overnight train – it was my 3rd. Let me tell you about the first 2.
Train 1: Prague to Auschwitz
Flash back to my first international trip in 2014. There I was, a travel nube. A baby in the world of my travels. It was my first time venturing outside of the US…and I didn’t start small.
In fact, I often think about how epic my first international solo trip was.
I had a few days before I needed to be in northern Germany for my study abroad, and I was in that naive mindset:
Since I’m going to be in Europe, I need to see as much as possible!!!! No sleep, backpack-only, see all the BIG sights so I can say that I “did” city/country XYZ!!!!
Okay, maybe not quite that extreme, but I was definitely trying to save as much money as I possibly could at the beginning of my trip.
I decided to take an overnight train from Prague to Auschwitz. Not only did I save on accommodations, it was a wild adventure. I was experiencing shoe-string travel and booked a 3rd class compartment: 2 3-tier bunks.
Train 2: Krakow to Hamburg
After a whirlwind adventure in Poland, I hopped on another overnight train, this time splurging a little more to be in a 2nd class compartment, so it was only myself and another girl my age.
Although I passed out pretty hard on this particular journey, I have a very distinct memory of waking up somewhere past Berlin and just staring out the window, marveling at the fact that I was able to, yet again, combine transportation with accommodation – something that was so new to me.
So why is an overnight train the best option?
Like I outlined so eloquently above, taking the train is always going to be the more adventurous option. Adding the fact that it’s an overnight train, you will also save on accommodation.
Train travel isn’t something that is as common in the US as in other areas of the world. I grew up knowing about the Amtrak, but never really used it.
As I got older, I learned about light-rail systems that some larger cities have and actually rode the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego, but that was more for the adventure than convenience.
It wasn’t until that first trip abroad to Europe that my eyes were opened to the magic of train travel. And, of course, living in Germany where the rail system is better than I could have ever imagined, I realized how much I would prefer traveling by train instead of driving everywhere.
And I tried living in the US after my study abroad without a car…but that only lasted a year. Definitely not the same as Europe.
So every time I get to Europe, I try to take advantage of the robust public transportation system. And this latest trip to Romania was simply amazing.
my experience riding an overnight train from bucharest to timisoara
If you find yourself needing to get from Bucharest to Timisoara, I hope you’ll find my experience helpful. I was so excited and enjoyed the whole adventure. Here’s what happened.
After landing in Bucharest, I hopped on the local train to the Bucharest North (Bucuresti Nord) train station. There’s a direct train linking the airport and train station, which you can access directly across from the airport. It costs about 7leu.
When I got to the train station, I had about 3 hours to kill…which ended up being a feat. The Bucharest North train station isn’t really conducive for hanging out. There were a few open places to eat, but most of the station was derelict and in desperate need of an upgrade.
When it came time to board my train, I was super excited because I booked a 1st class ticket – meaning I’d only have one bunk mate.
Once I got on the train and found my cabin, I snagged the bottom bunk and rotated the bed so I had my feet at the door, not my head. My cabin also ended up having its own private sink and vanity, for which I was grateful.
I later learned that every other cabin had their own toilet. I was unlucky since my cabin was the “other” in that equation.
The train I ended up on was older but clean, red, and super hot. I was lucky in that my bunkmate either never showed up, or I just didn’t have one to begin with, so I was able to lie down without any pants on! I wished the windows would open.
The bathroom situation wasn’t too bad, either. The floor was dry, there was toilet paper, and it was decent-sized.
My cabin attendant was super helpful, as I’ve noticed a trend on these longer-hauled train rides. She checked in on me, took my drink order for breakfast, and made sure to give me a heads up when we were getting closer to Timisoara so I could have my stuff ready for disembarkation.
When I got to Timisoara, it was early, dark, and rainy…but I was alive with excitement! Nothing is more thrilling than waking up (or arriving) in a new city that you’re unfamiliar with!
Have you considered taking an overnight train anywhere? Have any questions? Drop me a comment!
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