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Everyone knows the character Dracula, but did you know that the legend was born in Romania's mysterious Transylvania region? There's even a real-life Dracula's Castle you can visit, and of course, I had to see it for myself!

GROUP TOUR OR PRIVATE TOUR?

Initially, I thought getting to the Transylvania region from Bucharest would be a hassle, but it turns out there are tons of tours that cover all the highlights, including the fairytale-like Peles Castle, the charming medieval city of Brasov, and the legendary Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle).

I was a little hesitant about booking a cheap group bus tour, but it was a great experience that saved a ton of money, and I'm so glad I chose it over the private option. The bus tour itself was a steal at about $25 USD, and you just pay for the castle admission fees (around $40) when you get there.

Bus tour to Transylvania in Romania — **From Bucharest: Dracula Castle, Peles & Brasov Full-Day Trip**

TOUR DETAILS

Once I booked my tour, I received a super helpful email with all the details, including where to meet and what time to arrive.

We got there a little before the requested 6:35 AM arrival time, and it was a bit chaotic with a bunch of different tour buses and people waiting. We were a little confused about which bus to get on since our guide hadn't arrived yet, but he finally showed up around 6:50 AM.

We got on the bus, he took a quick headcount, and we left right on time at 7:00 AM sharp. A friendly word of advice: if you're late, they will leave without you, so definitely get there early!

Meeting point at 6:30 in the morning in Bucharest

Peles Castle

Our first stop was the majestic Peles Castle, about a two-hour ride from Bucharest. Along the way, our guide, Nikolas, shared some fun tidbits about Romania, which I really enjoyed.

When we arrived, the crowds were absolutely insane—it seemed like there were hundreds of people waiting just for the gates to open! The castle itself is a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece, with opulent architecture and lavish interiors that will transport you to a world of royal grandeur. Be warned, though: the tour is a bit fast-paced to handle all the tourists.

After spending about 30-40 minutes inside, we headed back to the bus, which was a long, uphill climb. Trust me, the comfortable shoes they tell you to bring are a must for this tour.

Neo-Renaissance decor inside Peles Castle

Detailed paintings on the exterior of Peles Castle

Brasov

Our next stop was the charming medieval city of Brasov, which was a quick one-hour drive from Peles Castle. Nikolas gave us a quick rundown of the town and pointed out some great restaurants and spots to check out.

We had two hours to explore on our own, which sounded like a lot of time, but we easily lost about an hour grabbing a delicious lunch at La Ceaun. The last hour flew by in a flash as we tried to soak it all in.

Brasov is a beautiful town surrounded by mountains, and it’s so easy to get lost in its maze of colorful buildings and hidden courtyards. We could have easily spent all day there.

Picturesque backdrop in Brasov Romania — Everything in Brasov is picturesque

Delicious lunch at La Ceaun in Brasov — Delicious lunch at La Ceaun

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle)

Our last stop was Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. On our 30-minute drive, Nikolas told us all about the legend and why this particular castle is so famous. Along the way, I was in awe of the beautiful Carpathian Mountains in the distance.

Gorgeous view of Carpathian Mountains in the distance

Standing in front of Dracula’s Castle — In front of Dracula’s Castle

When we arrived, we walked through a little market area and then up a hill to the castle entrance. It was just as crowded as our first stop, but we had about two hours to explore on our own, which was great. The time flew by, of course, as we navigated the castle’s narrow staircases and medieval chambers.

I was surprised to find the courtyard was actually super charming, with colorful flowers and a wishing well in the middle—not exactly what I had imagined for Dracula’s home!

Charming wishing well in the courtyard of Bran Castle

Waving from a cute window at Dracula's Castle — Dracula’s Castle was a lot cuter inside than I had imagined

I also found out that in the 1920s, Queen Marie of Romania received the castle as a gift and lovingly transformed it into her summer residence. As a huge fan of Queen Victoria and the British royal family, this was a super cool fact for me to learn—Queen Marie was actually Queen Victoria's granddaughter! Finding this unexpected connection gave the castle a whole new layer of history.

Finally, it was time to head back to Bucharest, and after a long day of exploring, the three-hour bus ride was the perfect chance to relax and take a much-needed nap. Even though I was exhausted, it was so hard to close my eyes because the views in the Transylvania region were absolutely spectacular. The rolling hills, charming villages, and distant mountains were a sight to behold.

View of Transylvania from the rooftop of Dracula’s Castle

FINAL THOUGHTS

All in all, I'm so glad my friend and I chose this group tour. Our guide, Nikolas, was fantastic—he was witty, entertaining, and incredibly knowledgeable about Romanian history. For everything we got to see, the price of the tour was an absolute bargain.

While a group tour means you can feel a bit rushed at each spot, it was honestly the best way to see three major locations in one day from Bucharest. Yes, I would have loved more time to explore Brasov and Bran Castle, but I was very satisfied with the experience and would highly recommend it!

TIPS FOR GOING ON THE TRANSYLVANIA CASTLE TOUR

Bring cash. You'll need it for the admission fees at the castles and for any tips you want to give your guide. Just remember the currency is the Romanian leu (RON).
Wear comfortable shoes. This is a must! You'll be walking on cobblestones and hiking up hills to the castles, so skip the stylish footwear and go for comfort.
Bring water and snacks. The tour is a full day of exploring, and you'll definitely get hungry and thirsty. You only have one stop for lunch in Brasov, so it’s a good idea to pack some extra snacks just in case.
Don’t forget a charger. This tour is a long, 12-hour day, and your phone will probably be working overtime taking pictures. A portable charger will be your best friend!
Wear layers. The weather in the mountains can be a bit chilly, so a jacket or layers are a great idea, especially in the mornings. We went in March, and it was around 50°F–60°F.
Research Brasov ahead of time. Since you only get a couple of hours there, it helps to have a plan! Look up which shops, restaurants, and attractions you want to see most to make the most of your time.