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Choose our Romania private tours and travel on your own tems. This 5-days itinerary includes amazing highlights such as Sighisoara Citadel, Dracula's birthplace, Bran Castle or the Royal Peles Castle.

The main advantage of a tailor made tour is the ability to choose your own departure date. Additionally, you will travel with your friends or family members only.

A minimum of 2 people is required for this tour to depart


Romania Private Tours - Highlights:

The medieval citadel of Sighisoara, Vlad the Impaler’s birth place, the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe

Snagov Monastery near Bucharest, where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination

Bran Castle, Peles Castle – legendary castles in Transylvania with plenty of good stories for a Dracula tour.

Rasnov Peasant Citadel – the best preserved peasant fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe, first documented in 13 century


Dracula tour  – Itinerary

Day 1

Begin your Romania private tours at the Bucharest Airport. Our guide collects you and then you will drive to Peles Castle.

Peles Castle from Sinaia, romania private tours
Peles Castle from Sinaia

One of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe, Peles is situated in Sinaia, the pearl of Romanian mountain resorts. Visit the castle and then head for Rasnov Citadel, one of the best preserved peasant refugee fortresses in Transylvania.
Optionally you can enjoy an airplane tour over Rasnov Citadel and Bran Castle

Rasnov Citadel seen in Airplane Dracula tour from Brasov over Bran Castle, private tours in Romania
Rasnov Citadel seen in Airplane Dracula tours from Brasov over Rasnov and Bran Castle

Accommodate in a 3* hotel in Brasov.

Day 2 Romania Private Tours – Discover Vlad the Impaler

Aerial Dracula tour from Brasov over Dracula's Castle-airplane, private tours in Romania
Bran Castle seen from above in  Aerial Dracula tour from Brasov over Dracula's Castle

The next morning, drive to Bran Village and then visit Transylvania’s symbol, Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle.

After that, head for Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace, Sighisoara Medieval Citadel. Explore the old streets and then accommodate at 3* hotel with medieval allure.

Sighisoara medieval citadel-Dracula tour in Romania
Sighisoara

Optionally, you can serve dinner at Casa Vlad Dracul Restaurant, build where Dracula’s house used to be located.

Day 3

Your Dracula tour continues with the Fortified Church of Biertan.
You will find out how the old Saxon community prevent couples from divorcing.

Biertan fortified church seen in private Transylvania Dracula tours
Biertan fortified church seen in private Transylvania Dracula tours

After that, drive to Sibiu and accommodate in a 4* hotel. Get some rest, because your fourth day begins with a physical challenge: you need to climb over 1400 stairs in order to reach Poienari Citadel*, the real Dracula Citadel.

*Please have in mind that Poienari citadel will be closed until the end of 2023 due to some infrastructure works

Poenari fortress seen in Dracula tours from Bucharest
Poenari fortress

Day 4

It’s a long and exhausting climb, but once you reach the top, your effort will be rewarded by the amazing views. Finish exploring Poienari Citadel and then drive back to Bucharest.

Snagov Monastery-Poenari Citadel -escorted tours to Romania
Snagov Monastery-escorted tours to Romania

Day 5

On your last day, our guide will take you to Snagov Monastery.
Cross Snagov Lake and reach the island where the monastery is built.
This is an important highlight in your Romania private tours because Vlad the Impaler was allegedly buried here. Visit Snagov and then return to Bucharest.
We will drop you off at the airport or at your booked hotel.

This is an overview of your tour. For more information, including the complete itinerary, please scroll up and then use the product’s menu to navigate.


Book your tour now!

Book now and then enjoy an amazing Dracula tour 2019. Since it’s a private tour, we can work out the departure date which suits you best.

We accept MasterCard and Visa on our on-line secure internet payment form.

  • MasterCard and Visa via fax and phone.
  • We also accept payments via PayPal and bank transfer.

  • At the moment of booking we require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we issue a Confirmation Letter.
  •  The final payment is due 60 days prior to tour departure. Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking.

Departures: on request, for a group of minimum 2 persons

Departure date Price per person (2 persons to one double room) Single traveler Availability
5 day tour. Departure from Bucharest Airport
Departs on request for a group of minimum 2 persons € 1299 € 1430

limited spaces


Why to choose a private escorted tour

  • It is more comfortable
  • Flexible
  • Time saving
  • You can decide the pace of the tour
  • Having a tour guide helps you to have a more genuine experience


Available for free if:

  • You don’t have a reflection in the mirror,
  • You decompose when sunlight strikes you,
  • You’re over 200 years old,
  • Can use your wings to fly to Transylvania,

Well, this holiday is free for you! Come join your fellow vampires in Transylvania:-)
Blood treats not included!

Other mentions

  • Once you realize the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
  • People speak plenty of English in Romania and you will find the locals and the other tourists are friendly and open.
  • No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania

Map of the best Romania private tours

private draculat tour in transylvania from bucharest


Media Mentions

We’re pleased to say that Transylvania Live's  Romania private tours  have recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts
more details here

Romania private tours on the national news

Please activate Caption button to see the news with English subtitles.

Video presentation of our Vampire and Romania private tours


Advice for US citizens traveling in Romania

U.S.-Romania relations

The United States established diplomatic relations with Romania in 1880, following Romania’s independence. The two countries severed diplomatic ties after Romania declared war on the United States in 1941; and re-established them in 1947. Relations remained strained during the Cold War era while Romania was under communist leadership. After the 1989 revolution ended communist rule, however, Romania’s policies became unequivocally pro-Western.

Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004 and has established itself as a steadfast ally of both the United States and NATO.

U.S. Assistance to Romania

U.S. security assistance supports Romania in completing its military modernization, improving its interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces, and increasing its expeditionary deployment capabilities in support of NATO’s collective defense and coalition operations with the United States. Other programs include U.S. Department of Justice assistance to strengthen the rule of law, including combatting corruption and human trafficking, and strengthening intellectual property rights and cyber-security. The United States also assists in preserving Romania’s unique cultural heritage. For example, in 2019, Romania received the largest Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation grant in the world, $500,000, for the restoration of a 14th Century fortified Saxon church in the village of Alma Vii.

Entry and visa information. 

  • You must have a U.S. passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your departure date from Romania.
  • U.S. citizens may enter and remain in Romania without a visa for up to 90 days total in any 180-day period. Departing Romania and attempting to re-enter Romania does not “restart the clock”. U.S. citizens who depart Romania and return after spending less than 90 days in the 180-day period prior to their return will be admitted for the remainder of the 90 days. U.S. citizens attempting to re-enter Romania after having already spent 90 days in Romania in the 180-day period prior to return may be denied re-entry to Romania.
  • U.S. citizens who wish to stay longer than 90 days must obtain an extension from Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • U.S.-Romanian dual nationals should consult the Romanian Border Police website for information on exit requirements.
  • If you have a temporary or permanent Romanian residence permit, be ready to present it upon request from local competent authorities.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Romania.

Safety

Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Europe. All European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules [with regards to best practices and safety inspections] are regularly enforced, though some tourism-related activities (such as rock climbing and extreme sports) are less regulated than in the U.S. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available in near major cities. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. Medical treatment in Romania is not up to western standards. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.

Crime

Reported types of crime include:

  • Robbery, pick pocketing, internet scams, and credit card fraud are the most commonly reported crimes.
  • Organized groups of criminals, sometimes including minors, operate in train stations, trains, subways, and busses.
  • Money exchange schemes often involve individuals posing as plainclothes policemen who approach you, flash a badge, and ask for your passport and wallet. Insist on the presence of a uniformed police officer and request that any issues be resolved at the police station.
  • If traveling on an overnight train, travel with a companion and in the highest class available.
  • Do not leave your personal belongings unattended; stow them securely out of sight.
  • Use ATMs located inside banks. You should check ATM machines for any evidence of tampering before use.
  • Be extra cautious of your surroundings if using an internet café.
  • Use cash wherever possible in lieu of credit cards.

Victims of Crime: 

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy. Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (40) 21 200-3300.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

U.S. Embassy can:

  • help you find appropriate medical care
  • assist you in reporting a crime to the police
  • contact relatives or friends (with your written consent)
  • explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
  • provide a list of local attorneys
  • provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
  • provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
  • help you find accommodation and help you arrange flights home
  • replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced, though some tourism-related activities (such as rock climbing and extreme sports) are less regulated than in the United States.  Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available in major cities. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. Medical treatment in Romania does not meet U.S. standards. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.

Local Laws

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.

Special Circumstances:

  • Romania is situated in a seismically active region and has a history of devastating earthquakes, with the greatest risk occurring in Bucharest.
  • Mountainous areas of the country can be subject to torrential rains and flash floods, especially in the spring and summer months.
  • Streets and sidewalks are often icy and hazardous during winter.
  • Avoid contact with stray dogs.
  • Travelers’ checks are of limited use, but ATMs (“bancomats” in Romanian) are widely available.

LGBT Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Romania. However, the annual gay pride parades in Bucharest have been the scene of violent protests in past years.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Romanian laws and regulations require public places, the outdoor environment, transportation, and housing to be accessible for persons with mobility issues. Although there has been progress, accessibility varies greatly. While large cultural institutions and supermarkets are generally properly equipped for persons with mobility issues, accessibility on sidewalks, hotels, and public transportation remains problematic.

  • Sidewalks and streets are uneven, even in major cities.
  • Small hotels and tourist sites often do not have elevators or ramps.
  • Access to public transportation is not adequately marked for people with visual impairments and other disabilities.
  • Platforms at subway stations may be narrow, steep and slippery.

Health

US Embassy  do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our web page for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Romania and with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the medication is legal in Romania. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

  • Basic medical supplies are limited in Romania, especially outside of major cities.
  • Hospitals often lack nursing care and assistance for the elderly.
  • Most prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications are available in Romania but are often sold under different names.
  • Response times for emergency services vary widely depending on the region of the country and nature of emergency.

US Embassy strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Before you begin your travels

Write down contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to carry with you in case of emergency while traveling.

US Embassy in Romania
4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd.
District 1, Bucharest
015118 Romania
Telephone: (+40) 21 200-3300
https://ro.usembassy.gov/

Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel, and check exchange rates.
Some banks are blocking your credit card payment when a transaction occurs from abroad.

Safeguard Your Documents!

Make two copies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your original documents. To help prevent theft, do not carry your passport in your back pocket, and keep it separate from your money.

For more information https://travel.state.gov/

No details found.

Itineraries

Day 1

Thursday, Bucharest - Sinaia - Rasnov - Brasov (180 km, 3h driving)

Our English speaking guide picks you up from the Bucharest Airport and leads you to Peles Castle in Sinaia - one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe which served as retreat residence for most of Romania’s monarchs. Next stop is Rasnov Peasant Citadel, built on a calcareous rock. The citadel is one of the best preserved peasant refugee fortresses in Transylvania. Accommodation in 3* hotel centrally located in Brasov.

Day 2

Friday, Brasov – Bran- Sighisoara (165 km, 2h 57 min driving)

You start the day with Bran Castle, Vlad Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, the place where Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula, was arrested and imprisoned. Spend the night in Sighisoara, the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. 3* hotel for accommodation in the heart of the medieval citadel. For dinner we recommend Casa Vlad Dracul Restaurant, the very place where Vlad the Impaler was borne, turned today into a cosy restaurant.

Day 3, Saturday

Sighisoara - Biertan - Sibiu (112 km, 2h driving)

You are now in the heart of the medieval citadel of Sighisoara. Stroll around the medieval streets of the citadel and visit the Clock Tower, the Medieval Weapon Collection and the Torture Room. Next stop is the Saxon Fortified Church of Biertan, one of the best preserved fortified churches in Romania. Spend the night in Sibiu, the European Cultural Capital of 2007. Accommodate in a 4* hotel.

Day 4

Sunday, Sibiu - Poienari – Arefu- Bucharest (310 km, 5h 25 min driving)

Morning drive to Poienari Citadel* to visit the ruins of the old citadel. Built on a cliff top near Arges River, Poienari Citadel used to be Dracula's refugee place.
*Please have in mind that Poienari citadel will be closed until the end of 2023 due to some infrastructure works

Travel across Arefu Village and listen to the legends about Vlad the Impaler kept alive to this day by the villagers. Next stop is Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. You'll accommodate in a 4* central located hotel.

Day 5

Bucharest - Snagov - Otopeni (62 km, 1h 8min driving)

Travel to Snagov. Visit Snagov Monastery, the place where it is believed Vlad Dracula was buried. It is now time to say good bye to Romania. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Tour leader

English speaking guide services


Accommodation

1 night in 4* hotels, 3 nights in 3* hotels


Transportation

All transfers inside the tour by coach, minibus or car - air conditioned, depending on the number of travelers


Meals

4 breakfasts


Entry fees to

Peles Palace, Rasnov Peasant Citadel, Bran Castle, Clock Tower, Medieval Weapon Collection and Torture Room in Sighisoara, Fortified Church in Biertan, Snagov Monastery.

  • Plane ticket
  • Airport fees
  • Photo & video tax
  • Lunches, dinners and other not mentioned.
    Add-on program with Transylvania Live Choose activities you can perform before or after your tour and then visit our partners’ site. Available experiences include: BUCHAREST
  1. Mike K. Goodman:

    I was going through pictures and just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful tour!!!
    I am just beginning to catch up on things!
    Thank you for the wonderful note you sent I really do have an amazing wife!!
    Also, I saw the pictures on TripAdvisor which are awesome!!
    Thanks again for a wonderful time.
    The moments in the after party in Bran and the kindness you all showed to Ryan and Chase will live with me forever and while I know it is your “job” it was clear that i was all genuinely a part of who you all are, kind, wonderful, fun awesome people!!!
    Thank you!

  2. Gill and Lee Simpson – Derbyshire:

    We want to thank you so much for the amazing Halloween party and for all of the tour.
    It has been a most inspirational, cultural, historical experience for both of us and will definitely recommend your tours to people back home so thank you again

Add a review

Reservations are required. We recommend booking early as tours are often sold out well in advance. You can make a reservations on-line. In case of making reservations by phone please call toll-free: 808 101 6781 (UK); 866 376 6183 (US).
You can also make reservations by fax - download and complete the booking form and send it by fax to: 0040-364-405641 or by e-mail!

We require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. When you make the reservation online you will be required to pay the deposit. You will receive an automatic response with your Holiday Booking Reference. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we proceed with the reservation for the requested services and issue the Confirmation Letter + Paid Invoice (once the amount is registered with our accounts).

The final payment is due 60 days prior departure. ( After the final payment is made we will issue Travel Voucher). Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking. To read Transylvania Live’s Terms and Conditions please visit us on line at: https://dracula-tour.com/terms.html .

The client is at all time entitled to cancel the Travel Contract, but must pay Transylvania Live - Expert in Transylvania a cancellation charge as stipulated below:
89 days or more prior to departure 90 EURO per person / per tour cancellation fee;
88–61 days, loss of deposit.
60–31 days will be subject to 50% of tour price;
30 days or less will be subject to 100% of tour price.

Please check with the airline company. Anyway is good to pack light, some of the hotels – historical buildings do not have elevators.

Our tours include the services of English-speaking guides.
German, French, Hungarian and Hebrew-speaking guide are also available.

We can design an itinerary at a time that suits you, to your own comfort levels and within your own budget. Please send your request by e-mail or by fax.

Yes, most of our tours operate even if there’s only one person.
Due to socialization reasons our special tours for couples require a minimum of five couples.

The tour has a general audience as it targets people interested in history, culture, customs and beliefs. Group size can be between 4-26 people. Transylvania Live is member of the responsible travel network and we are committed to operating a travel policy that is supportive of local economies, cultures and the environment. We operate our tours with small groups in order to minimise the negative impact on the environment and allow our guests to interact more easily with the locals, facilitate the communication with the guide. The average age of group is, most of the time, between 35-45.

We do not provide individual tickets for rail, air, boat or ferry.

A minimum age of 10 years is required on non-family programs, unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour page. A client under 18 years of age and travelling alone during the tour period shall provide Transylvania Live with written consent of his/her guardian. Clients under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. On “for couples” tours a minimum age of 20 years is required.

We only accept VISA and MASTERCARD. Please select only these two types of credit cards for the online payment.

If you pay on-line using our secure internet booking form your credit card can hold any type of currency, the amount of money to be taken will be exchanged in EURO by your bank, at their rates.
We accept USD and EURO for offline credit card payment and wire transfer.

Yes, we do offer discounts provided they travel as a group; Contact us

Yes, depending on the number of your group. Contact us

On-line bookings and payments are processed by Romcard, authorized agent for Mastercard and Visa in Romania and secured by Rapid SSL , the leading secure sockets layer (SSL) Certificate Authority enabling secure e-commerce and communications for Web sites. As a tour operator we are governed by the consumer and financial regulations of Romania and of the European Union. Romania’s legislation compels tour operators to protect tourists in case of insolvency.

Our prices include the online secure payment commissions. However depending on your bank some commissions may occur for international money transfer. Please check with your bank!

In case we’ll have a full house situation at one of the hotels, an accommodation of an equal classification or better will be booked for you. In case of closed roads due to bad weather, working situations or dangerous weather conditions the itinerary could suffer changes.

If you follow our recommendation on How to arrive (heading found for any of our holidays at the Special notes and info section at the end of the tour page. Our guide will expect you with a Transylvania Live sign. In the unfortunate case of a flight being lost or delayed and prevent you in this way from getting to your meting point in good time, please call 0040 723 565 255.

Our tour fares are based on two in one hotel room. For occupancy by one person, the "single supplement" cost specified in each itinerary will be required.

If you travel alone you have to book the tour with a single supplement; if you wish to book a double room which you want to share with another traveller, we’ll do our best to make all arrangements, but in case this is not possible, you’ll have to pay the single supplement; however it is our strongest recommendation to book the tour with a single supplement when travelling alone.

A welcoming country house, not necessarily decorated in a peasant like style; you’ll stay under the same roof with your Romanian host! In most cases dinner and breakfast are included, and rates are based on two guests per room.
They offer one bathroom for two rooms; the bathroom can be situated on the hallway.
Staying at a “traditional Maramuresean country-inn” or “a typical Hungarian-Sekler country-inn” will prove to be an unique experience.

Yes, also gluten-free, vegan. When you make the reservation of your tour please do not forget to fill in this information at Dietary Restrictions section.

American citizens do not require a visa for Romania (Romania is a member of the European Union so it shares the same legal legislation – a passport is all you need)

To check the list of the countries that require a visa please see the web site page of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mae.ro.

Romanian currency is Lei (written symbol Ron). All the places in Romania trade lei (pronunciation: lay). You can bring some of the local currency from USA or you can change here the amount of money you need (advisable due to the lower exchange rate). Credit cards are accepted in large hotels, restaurants and malls. ATM machines are available at banks, airports and shopping centers all over the country. (except in remote areas or villages). Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices. International airports and larger hotels also offer currency exchange services. The tour guide is also responsible for helping clients with money exchange; recommend the exchange offices which charge the lowest commission.

Local Costs in a 3* restaurant: Soft Drink: $1.3; Beer: $1.7; Bottle of Wine: $8.7 - $18, 3 course dinner: $13.28 - $18.11. In shops these products can be 50% cheaper.

ATMs are available in all the cities; near by hotels, our guide will come with good advice and recommendations.
MasterCard ATM Locater– Search by address and by airport https://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp atm locator
Visa ATM Locator– Search by airport, city and country https://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp

In Romania electric power in use is of 220 voltages, AC, usually 2 pronged.

Romania enjoys warm summers and cold winters. In summer, cool cottons are best and in the winter a warm jacket or alike is recommended. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing beautifully colored foliage. The weather in October-November is very unpredictable, with daytime temperatures between 6°-17° Celsius (42.80 - 62.60 Fahrenheit), and night time temperatures between 3° - 10°Celsius (37.40 - 50 Fahrenheit); but it is very much possible that you will see some snowfall especially in the mountain areas.

Romanian time is EET (Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of GMT, seven hours ahead of New York and ten hours ahead of Los Angeles. Check right now what time is in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania: https://time.is/Bucharest

Wearing jeans, t-shirts/sweatshirts and athletic shoes is standard casual in Romanian. Plenty of designers’ shops are to be found in major cities: Bucharest, Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu, where people are a bit too pretentious when it comes to their outfits. Dorobanti Boulevard in Bucharest can easily be compared to Chaps Elysees in Paris when it comes to “fashionists” (costs are similar too). The malls are well supplied with designers’ clothes and with respect to the prices, a great deal of our clients found the Romanian costs to be more acceptable then the ones in US.
With regards to the restaurants’ dress code, something casual is sufficient. You can wear whatever you would wear at home.
To satisfy dress codes for churches and monasteries, men and women are requested to cover their arms and legs (no shorts above the knees or sleeveless garments).