Descending over the Carpathian peaks
Look out your window as the plane banks gently over the jagged limestone ridges of the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains. Below, the fertile Bârsa Valley stretches out toward the forested slopes of Mount Tâmpa. In just a few moments, your flight touches down at Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport (IATA code: GHV), Romania’s newest and most modern aviation gateway — and the first completely new greenfield airport built in the country in half a century.
Unlike the overwhelming hustle of crowded mega-hubs, arriving at GHV is a breath of fresh mountain air. Equipped with Eastern Europe’s most advanced virtual remote control tower and a compact, luminous passenger terminal, you can step off the plane, claim your luggage, and walk out into the crisp mountain breeze in less than twenty minutes. But once you exit the terminal, what is the best way to reach the historic Old Town, the ski slopes of Poiana Brașov, or the legendary walls of Bran Castle? Here is your complete local insider guide.
Flight connections and the new Wizz Air base in 2026
Brașov Airport has seen rapid growth, having recently surpassed one million total passengers. The definitive milestone arrives on December 17, 2026, when Wizz Air establishes its 10th operational base in Romania directly at GHV, stationing a brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft and launching four major direct routes:
- New routes debuting in December 2026:
- Barcelona El Prat (Spain) — direct flights starting December 18.
- Madrid Barajas (Spain) — direct connection starting December 20.
- Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden (Germany) — starting December 18, serving southwestern Germany, Strasbourg, and the Black Forest region.
- Chișinău (Moldova) — starting December 17, linking the Moldovan capital straight to Transylvania.
- Existing direct European destinations:
- United Kingdom: London Luton (frequent weekly schedule).
- Germany: Dortmund, Nuremberg, Memmingen (Munich West).
- Italy: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Naples.
- Poland: Warsaw Chopin, Katowice.
- Hungary: Budapest.
With 15 destinations across 7 European countries, Brașov is now reachable in under three hours of direct flight time from major European travel hubs.
RATBV bus line A1: reach the Old Town for just €1
The fastest, cleanest, and most budget-friendly way to travel from the airport to the city center is the dedicated express bus line A1, run by Brașov's municipal transit company (RATBV).
- Route: The bus departs directly from the curb outside the arrivals terminal, stops at Brașov Central Railway Station, and terminates at Livada Poștei (the main transit hub situated right at the threshold of Council Square and the Black Church).
- Travel time: Approximately 20 to 25 minutes to Livada Poștei and 35 minutes to the train station.
- Timetable: Schedules are conveniently synchronized with daily flight arrivals and departures.
- Ticket price & payment: A one-way journey costs just 5 RON (approx. €1).
- Crucial tip: Drivers do not sell tickets and do not accept cash.
- Payment is 100% contactless: simply tap any contactless debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard), smartphone (Apple Pay / Google Pay), or smartwatch against the yellow onboard validators, or purchase via the 24Pay mobile app.
Ride-sharing, taxis, and car rentals
If you carry heavy ski gear, travel with family, or land late at night, comfortable direct transport options await right outside the doors:
- Bolt and Uber: Both rideshare apps operate seamlessly in Brașov. A private ride from GHV Airport to the medieval center generally ranges between 35 and 55 RON (€7–€11) depending on the time of day.
- Licensed taxis: Official cabs wait at the airport rank. Approved rates (roughly 3.5 to 4.5 RON/km) are displayed on the vehicle doors. Expect a typical fare of 50 to 80 RON (€10–€16) to the center. Avoid unofficial drivers soliciting passengers inside the hall, and ensure the meter is running.
- Car rentals: Dedicated desks operate inside the terminal. If you plan to explore the fortified Saxon villages (Viscri, Biertan), medieval strongholds (Râșnov, Rupea), or the breathtaking Transfăgărășan highway, renting a car directly at the airport offers unmatched freedom.
Direct transit to Poiana Brașov & Bran Castle
If your holiday is centered around winter skiing or exploring Transylvania’s castles:
- To Poiana Brașov (Ski Resort):
- Public transit: Ride bus A1 to Livada Poștei. From the exact same platform, board bus line 20, which climbs up the mountain to Poiana Brașov in 20 scenic minutes (also 5 RON).
- Private taxi / Bolt: A direct ride from GHV to your alpine hotel takes 30–35 minutes and costs roughly 130 to 190 RON (€26–€38).
- To Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle):
- Public transit: Take bus A1 to the central station, transfer to local line 23 to Autogara 2 (Bartolomeu bus terminal), where regional coaches to Bran depart every 30 to 60 minutes (approx. 15 RON, paid in cash to the driver).
- Private transfer: A pre-booked private transfer from GHV to Bran takes just 35 minutes and costs around 180 to 250 RON (€36–€50).
Practical travel advice for international visitors
- Card is king: You do not need to exchange large sums of currency at airport exchange counters. Over 98% of restaurants, boutique cafes, museums, and supermarkets across Brașov accept contactless cards without fees.
- Connectivity: Fast, complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport terminal. For travelers outside the EU (UK, USA, Canada), purchasing a digital eSIM before departure provides effortless mobile data upon touchdown.
- Connecting from Bucharest Otopeni (OTP): If your flight arrives in Bucharest instead of GHV, dedicated direct airport shuttles (such as Robus or Direct Aeroport) pick you up at Otopeni and drop you in Brașov in 2.5 to 3 hours (100–140 RON / €20–€28), or you can catch regular direct trains from Bucharest North Station.