Transylvania Holidays Dracula Tours

Get all the information on Transylvania you need now, so when you get here simply sit back and enjoy your holiday.
We’ve got everything you need on driving, passports and visas, embassies 

How to arrive in Transylvania?

Where should I fly to Transylvania?

This is a list of airports in Transylvania

  • Cluj-Napoca Airport
  • Sibiu Airport
  • Satu Mare Airport
  • Baia Mare Airport
  • Oradea Airport
  • Targu-Mures Airport

The best connected airport in Transylvania with direct flight to UK is Cluj-Napoca.

Airlines with direct flights from UK to Cluj-Napoca

London  Cluj
Wizz Air (Luton)

Liverpool Cluj
Wizz Air

Doncaster Cluj
Wizz Air

The closest connection from Northern Ireland is
Dublin Cluj with
Blue Air

Airlines with direct flights from UK to Sibiu

London  Cluj
Wizz Air (Luton)

The best connected airport in Romania with direct flight to UK is Bucharest.

Airlines with direct flights from UK to Bucharest

London  Bucharest
Blue Air (Luton)
Wizz Air (Luton)
Easyjet (Gatwick)
British Airways (Heathrow)
Air Tarom (Heathrow)
Ryan Air (Stanstead)

Birmingham Bucharest 
Blue Air
Wizz Air

Bristol Bucharest 
Ryanair

Doncaster Bucharest 
Wizz Air

Glasgow Bucharest 
Blue Air

Liverpool Bucharest
Blue Air

How should I come to Transylvania without flying?

You can drive or you can come with train, bus, ferry or a combination of them.

If you choose to drive there are 1361 miles between London and Cluj-Napoca the main city from Transylvania. This should be 23 hours 33 minutes of driving.

With the train it will take 25 hours

The cheapest option is with the bus and it will take 36 hours.

TRANSYLVANIA’S WEATHER & CLIMATE

The climate in Transylvania is continental moderate.

Summers are generally very warm to hot, with average maxima in being around 29 °C (84.2 °F), with temperatures over 35 °C (95 °F) not unknown in the lower-lying areas of the country. Minima are around 18 °C (64.4 °F)

DRIVING IN TRANSYLVANIA

Of course as a UK citizen you might be aware on the fact that we drive on the wrong side of the road here.

Licences and documents


If driving in Romania, make sure you have with you all documentation, including your full, valid driving licence, proof of insurance/green card (third party or above), proof of ID (passport) and proof of ownership (V5C Certificate).
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If there’s no deal, you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in some European countries as a visitor after the UK has left. Check this guidance page for full information. You should also check guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit for information on other additional documents you may need to carry.
If you’re living in Romania, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving regulations


You’ll need to pay a road toll ‘Rovinieta’ to use the national roads. You can buy the vignette (sticker) at border points and at most petrol stations. The minimum cost is 3 euros for 7 days. Failure to display the sticker may lead to a heavy fine. You can find out more about prices by using the website Roviniete.ro.
Observe the speed limit at all times. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy.
It’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. The drink drive limit is zero.
Carry the following equipment: first aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangles and a fluorescent jacket.
If your vehicle is damaged before you arrive in Romania, ask a Romanian customs officer or police officer to write a report on the damage so that you have no problems when leaving. If any damage occurs inside the country, a report must be obtained at the scene of the accident.

Road safety


In 2018 there were 1,867 road deaths in Romania (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 9.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population, (witch is similar with USA) and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2018.
Road conditions are variable and secondary roads can be in a bad state of repair. Driving standards can be poor. Look out for double parked cars, people suddenly braking to avoid a pothole, horse-drawn carts, livestock and stray dogs, particularly in rural areas, running in front of the vehicle.

Equip your car for extreme conditions in winter.

PASSPORTS, VISAS

Passport validity


Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

Visas


If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Romania.

Parental consent when travelling with minors


Some British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship (irrespective of whether they hold citizenship of other countries) are prevented from leaving the country without notarised parental consent from the minor’s non-travelling parent/s. While enforcement of this may vary at borders, British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship should obtain notarised parental consent before departure from Romania.
A list of the public notaries can be found on the website of the National Union of Public Notaries from Romania.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact
the British embassy from Bucharest
24 Jules Michelet,  010463 Bucharest, Romania
General enquiries+40 (21) 201 7200
Consular enquiries+40 (21) 201 7351
British Embasy Bucharest website

Urgent assistance


If you’re in Romania and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +40 (21) 201 7200.
If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Romania, call 020 7008 1500.

Get an emergency travel document


You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.
You can apply online for an emergency travel document.
If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

FAQS ABOUT TRANSYLVANIA

  • Where is Transylvania? 
    Transylvania is a province situated in the North-Western part of Romania, in Eastern Europe .
  • How many people live in Transylvania? We have a population of about 6.789 million (a population similar as number with countries like Libya, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Kyrgyzstan or El Salvador, bigger than Scotland and 10% compare to UK population)
  • What is Transylvania’s capital city? There is no official capital of the province. In the past while the province use to be part of Hungary or an independent principality Cluj use to be Transylvania’s capital. During the time in which Transylvania use to be part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire the capital was in Sibiu.
  • Which are the most important Transylvanian cities with tourist attractions?  Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Sibiu, Satu Mare, Baia Mare, Oradea, Targu-Mures, Sighisoara, Turda.
  • When is the best time to visit Transylvania? All Transylvania’s seasons offer something different:
    • Spring (March, April, May) – seeing leaves and plants bursting into life, watching newborn animals playing, sitting by a tranquil river bed at the start of the fishing season, celebrating Easter.
    • Summer (June, July, August) – strolling in the sunshine, enjoying a luxurious ice cream, having a blast at a festival, cycling through a leafy forest
    • Autumn (September, October, November) – walking on carpets of golden leaves, seeing migrating birds flying overhead, celebrating Halloween in Transylvania.
    • Winter (December, January, February) – learning to ski in Transylvania, shopping at Christmas fairs, celebrating Christmas or spending New Year Eve break.
  • What language is spoken in Transylvania? Romanian is the main language. Hungarian, German and Rromani are also spoken by the local ethnic minorities. Basic English is also spoken as a foreign language by a vast majority of the population especially young people and those working in the hospitality industry.

FAQS FOR BEFORE YOU VISIT TRANSYLVANIA

  • Do I need any vaccinations to visit Transylvania? No.
  • I need non-emergency medical and healthcare advice. What number should I call? Dial 112 .
  • What is the electricity supply like in Transylvania? Transylvania enjoys a constant electricity supply throughout the country . Power cuts are rare and are usually fixed very quickly. 
  • Is it safe to drink Transylvania tap water? Yes, Transylvania boasts exceptionally clean tap water that is perfectly safe to drink
  • Will I be able to access the internet? Most accommodation providers offer WiFi (check before you book though!) as well as many cafés Tourist Information Centers and visitor attractions. You should also be able to access roaming data from your phone (charges vary though so please check with your provider before you visit us).
  • Can I use my mobile phone? Your mobile should switch onto a local network while you’re here, though charges for calls and data vary. Check with your own provider before your holiday.
  • What are the common shopping hours? Most shops are open from 9am – 5pm, but some may stay open later and there are many that open at the weekend too.
  • How late are bars, pubs and nightclubs open? Most bars and pubs stay open till midnight while nightclubs will be open longer.
  • What is the legal drinking age in Transylvania? 18.
  • How many passengers can a taxi take? Taxis you see in the street will usually accommodate 4, 5 or 6 people, depending on the size of the tax.

FAQS FOR WHEN YOU’RE IN TRANSYLVANIA

  • What side of the road should I drive on? Right.
  • What is the emergency number? 112.
  • What is the international dialing code for the Transylvania? This is Romania’s dialing code +40.
  • What type of electrical adapter will I need? For Romania there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Romania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
  • What type of currency can I use? Romanian Lei.
  • Do I need to tip? Although there isn’t a big tipping culture in Transylvania, it is quite common to tip in restaurants or taxis when you receive good service.
  • How much should I tip? 10 percent is a good rule of thumb though most people will be delighted with any amount of tip.

FAQS TYPED ON GOOGLE BY PEOPLE FROM UK

Is there a place called Transylvania?

Yes it is. And the place is situated in Eastern Europe.

Is Transylvania a country?

No it isn’t. It is a province.

Where is Transylvania in Europe?

In Europe Transylvania is located in the East part of the continent.
It is surrounded in North by Ukraine, in West by Hungary, in South by the Romania’s province of Wallachia and in East by the Romanian province of Moldavia (different from Republic of Moldavia). Transylvania is nowadays part of Romania.
In the past the land use to be part of Dacia, Roman empire, Hungarian kingdom, Austro-Hungarian empire and once an independent principality.

Transylvania is located in what country?

Transylvania is located in Romania, a country situated in Eastern Europe, placed between Hungary, Ukraine, Republic of Moldavia, Bulgaria and Serbia

Where is Transylvania located in Romania?

In Romania Transylvania is located in North-West, having Moldavia province at East and Wallachia province at South

What is Transylvania known for?

For those who never visited Transylvania it is maybe known for Count Dracula’s country.

Other might know its position on Europe’s map

For those who visited Transylvania the place is known also for beautiful landscapes, mountain passes, charming old Saxon cities, cozy villages, good food and Palinca, the Transylvanian plum brandy.

For motorcyclists and drivers that love riding and driving Transylvania is known for Transfagarasan, Trasalpina and Transursoaia spectacular roads.

Does Transylvania still exist?

At the moment we write this answer Transylvania do still exist-for shore. We write this words from Transylvania where our head office is located. And we have a strong belief the Transylvania will still exist in the near future as people from Transylvania are good neighbors and well educated persons and we are getting well with everybody.

However for distant future we don’t know what to say so please come visit rather in the near future than in a distant future.

Was Dracula real?

Vlad III The Impaler, Dracula was a real person in the history of Wallachia, and was born in Transylvania, nowadays Romania.

Dracula, the Count, the main character of Bram Stoker novel was a fictional character.

Where is Dracula from?

Dracula is from Transylvania, Romania, Eastern Europe.

Where did Dracula live?

Actually he did live in several places:
Transylvania: Vlad the Impaler aka Dracula was born in Transylvania and lived his childhood here.

Istanbul: As a teenager he lived in Istanbul, the Ottoman empire as the “guest” of the sultan; so that the Sultan is sure that his father, the Wallachian ruler, will be faithful to the empire.

Wallachia: Dracula lived most of his adult live in Wallachia as a ruler; he ruled 3 times

Budapest: Dracula was kept prisoner by King Mathiash of Hungary even he was married with one of the king’s relatives. After the end of captivity the king helps him to regain the ruler ship of Wallachia for his third time as a ruler.

Where did count Dracula live?

According to Bram Stoker novel, Dracula count Dracula live in a castle situated in Carpathian Mountains in Borgo Pass, near Bistrita. Nowadays in this very place a Dracula Castle Hotel was built and a statue of Bram Stoker was erected in front of the hotel. In the 7 day tours both Vampire in Transylvania summer Dracula tours and Halloween in Transylvania tours one night of accommodation is provided in this Dracula Castle Hotel.

Where is Dracula’s castle located? Where is Dracula’s home in Transylvania?

Several places in Transylvania and Romania are disputing the title of Dracula’s Castle.
Bran Castle aka Dracula Castle – the structure itself fits the description of Dracula’s Castle in Bram Stoker’s writings: high above a valley atop a rock with a flowing river below. Each year the biggest Halloween party in Romania that take place here: Dracula’s Castle Halloween Party.

Dracula Castle hotel from Borgo Pass, Bistrita – built in a very same place Bram Stoker’s imagination places Dracula’s Castle in his novel Dracula. Situated in a very spectacular setting in Carpathian mountains the hotel hosts one of the 3 of the best Halloween parties in Transylvania that can be reached in a 7 day Halloween in Transylvania tour with 3 parties.

Dracula The Hunter Prince hotel from Turda – a medieval fantasy with beds and a Dracula saloon with a Vlad the Impaler Dracula statue in real live size and murals decorated with impaled tartars as the ambiance made the food taste better. The atmosphere of this Dracula themed hotel and restaurant can be experienced in a 7 day Halloween in Transylvania tour with 3 parties.

Dracula hotel from Poiana Brasov – a British investment in Transylvania, the only restaurant with its own full of facilities torture room – so nobody will leave without paying the bill

Poenari Fortress branded by some travel agencies the real Dracula Castle a fortress built under the ruler Vlad the Impaler on top of a mountain. There are more than 1400 steps until the top of the mountains where the ruin can be seen but the view from the top is rewarding

Sighisoara Citadel from Mures county Vlad the Impaler, Dracula’s birthplace is the most wonderful medieval citadels in Transylvania and hosts the best Halloween party in Transylvania, organized by Transylvania Live. The party includes the Ritual Killing of a Living Dead, magicians show, Vampire Hunting show, contests and an open bar.

Corvinesti Castle from Hunedoara, is the most wonderful Gothic castle in Eastern Europe and some are trying to brand it as Dracula Castle. It is so impressive that maybe it don’t need a forced re-branding

Dracula Castle from Budapest -built in Hungary as a replica of the above Corvinesti Castle from Transylvania because the Hungarians very much liked the Transylvanian castle

When was Dracula born? What year was Dracula born?

Vlad the Impaler, Dracula was born in  1431 in a house situated in the center of the citadel of  Sighișoara

Do vampires live in Transylvania?

Yes they do.
The kind of vampire that we have scientific prove that live in Transylvania are Transylvanian bats.

Usually they live in caves but nowadays you can spot it also in the cities. We have a small colony right near by our office so if you come and visit us we can prove with examples ad oculos that vampires do live in Transylvania.


For other types of vampires we do not have prove that they exists nor that they not live in Transylvania. So why don’t you come in a Vampire tour of Transylvania and we will search together for them.

Was Dracula a real vampire?

The historic character Dracula wasn’t a real vampire.

But Bram Stoker’s Dracula was a “real” vampire, meaning a creature that feeds herself by sucking the vital fluids from a person.

When was Dracula alive? When did Dracula live?

Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in  1431 in the citadel of  Sighișoara, Transylvania, Romania and he pass away in December 14  1476 in Bucharest, Walachia.

Count Dracula, the hero of Dracula novel has an unspecified birth date but the events portrayed in the novel take place chronologically and largely in England and Transylvania within the same year between 3 May and 6 November.  So 6 November is the date of Dracula’s end. The exact year is not specified in the novel but presumed to be at the end of 19th century.

What was Dracula’s real name?

Prince Vlad III Basarab, or Kazıklı Bey (Vlad the Impaler) as he was called by the Turks because of the penalty of impaling applied to the enemy.
In Romanian this will be Vlad Țepeș.
During his ruler ship people use to call him also Vlad Drăculea, in Romanian (or Dracula, by foreigners) meaning sun of Dracul as his father was a member of The Order of the Dragon, and Dragon sound very similar in Romanian with Dracul, meaning the Devil.

Is Dracula still alive?

We’ve google it. The answer was

Deceased 1431–1476

Why are vampires from Transylvania?

Most people believe that vampires are from Transylvania because Dracula was from Transylvania.

Actually there are also vampires from Egypt where they use to believe that the vampires are a products of sorcery.

There were vampires in the Ancient Greece and they call it Lamia.

China has also is mythological vampires but instead blood they use to drain the energy from people.

Where to find vampire locations in the world

According with an article from CNN Travel originally produced by Lonely Planet, “The world’s best vampire-spotting locations” on the first place to find vampire locations around the world is Bran Castle.

Aka Dracula’s Castle from Transylvania that can be visited in the summer Dracula tours in Transylvania.

On the list you can find also  Santa Rosa National Park from Costa Rica, for bats.

Musée Des Vampires hidden away in the Les Lilas district of Paris, the small town of Forks, Washington, where author Stephanie Meyer set her vampire novel “Twilight”.

 San Francisco where tour guide Mina keeps the Vampire Tour of San Francisco,

London where the Dracula Tour of London, run by Transylvania Live is kept.

Pontianak, Indonesia, said to be named after the undead creature which once terrorized its men,

Whitby, UK where the Whitby Gothic Weekend is held.

The Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Ennis House near Griffith Park in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California where the movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was filmed and

Alex’s Bar from  Long Beach, California, one of the True Blood film locations.

Where to go in Transylvania?

Here is a list with the main cities, citadels and castle to be visited when you go in Transylvania. List of where to go in Transylvania places

What to do in Transylvania?

Beside visiting the landmarks and enjoy the taste of good food and the effect of good wine and beer (by the way when you compare the prices for them with those from UK you will not want to return in your country) you can experience some activities.

There are a plethora of activities available in Transylvania and Romania on this website from flying to riding so please be so kind and check on the What to do button in the upper menu to choose what to do.

Where can I rent a motorcycle in Romania

You can rent a motorcycle in Romania from Transylvania in Turda city from a BMW Motorrad authorized Travel Partner, Adventure Motorcycle Tours. They have a fleet of almost new BMW GS motorcycle for rent.

The garage is in Turda a city with wonderful architecture and a rich past, and the hometown of Turda Salt Mine. Turda is 30 km South from Cluj-Napoca Airport the main hub for flights into Transylvania, situated in center of the province. Check the motorcycle rental website.


You can rent motorcycles in Romania also from Bucharest, the downside being that you will have to ride 3-4 hours on a crowded road and through boring flat landscapes in order to arrive in Transylvania, the province of Romania with mountains and hills and wonderful roads to be ridden on motorcycle…and after a very pleasant ride you will be forced to ride again on the crowded and dangerous road from Transylvania back to Bucharest.

So our strong recommendation is to find a way to fly directly in Transylvania to Cluj-Napoca airport and to pick up a rented motorcycle from here as you are in the middle of Transylvania with plenty of opportunities to enjoy spectacular roads on which traffic is an exception.

How far is Bucharest from Transylvania?

There are only 105 miles (170 km) from Bucharest to Brasov the first city from Transylvania when you come from Bucharest. The problem is that there are no highways and you have to go on the national roads usually crowded. The roads are specially crowded on Fridays when people go on the mountains and Sundays when they arrive back home. For this reason the travel time can take more than expected.