Romania Car Road Trip 2028
Transylvania, Transfăgărășan & Transalpina
3–18 September 2028 | 16 Days
Get ready for an unforgettable driving adventure through the heart of Europe and into one of the most spectacular countries for a proper road trip — Romania.
Over 16 days we’ll travel from Calais through France, Germany, Austria and Hungary before reaching Romania, where the real adventure begins.
This trip has been designed around some of Romania’s most famous driving roads, including the legendary Transalpina and Transfăgărășan, together with time in Transylvania to explore medieval towns, dramatic mountain scenery and some of the country’s best-known landmarks.
We’ll also have time to visit Bran Castle — famously associated with Dracula — and the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, before beginning our journey back through Central Europe.
This is not a convoy.
As with all Inspired Tours road trips, you’ll be free to travel in your own small groups at your own pace, using the routes and daily destinations we provide. We’ll meet up again at the hotels each evening and share the adventure along the way.
Road Trips for People Who Actually Want to Travel.
Trip Highlights
This 16-day adventure includes:
- The legendary Transfăgărășan Highway
- The spectacular Transalpina
- Driving through the Carpathian Mountains
- Two nights in Budapest
- Two nights in Brașov
- Time to explore Transylvania
- Bran Castle / Dracula country
- Opportunity to visit the Libearty Bear Sanctuary
- Historic European towns and cities
- Handpicked hotels throughout the journey
- Incredible mountain roads and scenery
- Small-group style travel without travelling as a convoy
The Route
Day 1 – Sunday 3 September 2028
Calais → Longwy, France
Our Romanian adventure begins in Calais.
After meeting up following the Channel crossing, we’ll head east across northern France towards our first overnight stop in Longwy, close to the Luxembourg and Belgian borders.
This is a relatively straightforward first day designed to get everyone settled into the trip before we begin heading deeper into Europe.
Overnight: B&B Hotel Longwy
Day 2 – Monday 4 September
Longwy → Neu-Ulm, Germany
Today we continue east through France and into Germany.
The journey takes us towards Neu-Ulm, our second overnight stop and a good position for continuing towards Austria the following day.
Overnight: PLAZA Premium Parkhotel Neu-Ulm
Day 3 – Tuesday 5 September
Neu-Ulm → Linz, Austria
We head into Austria today, making our way towards Linz.
The scenery begins to change as we travel further east, with a comfortable overnight stop before continuing into Hungary.
Overnight: Best Western Hotel Spinnerei Linz
Day 4 – Wednesday 6 September
Linz → Budapest, Hungary
Today we leave Austria and cross into Hungary.
Our destination is Budapest, where we’ll stay for two nights.
After several days travelling east, this gives everyone an opportunity to slow down, enjoy the city and recharge before we continue towards Romania.
Overnight: B&B Hotel Budapest
2-night stay
Day 5 – Thursday 7 September
Budapest – Rest & Explore Day
No major driving today.
You’ll have a full day to explore Budapest, relax, enjoy the restaurants and sights or simply have a quiet day before we continue east.
The evening is also a great opportunity for everyone to meet up for food and a drink.
Overnight: B&B Hotel Budapest
Day 6 – Friday 8 September
Budapest → Deva, Romania
Today we finally cross into Romania.
We’ll travel east from Hungary towards Deva, our first overnight stop in Romania and the gateway to the more adventurous part of the trip.
From here, the driving becomes increasingly spectacular.
Overnight: Hotel Wien, Deva
The Romanian Adventure Begins
Day 7 – Saturday 9 September
Deva → Novaci via the Transalpina
Today is one of the big driving days of the trip.
We’ll head towards the Transalpina, one of Romania’s most spectacular mountain roads.
Climbing high into the Carpathians, the road offers sweeping bends, dramatic views and some truly memorable driving.
The Transalpina reaches an altitude of more than 2,000 metres, making it one of the highest paved roads in Romania.
Our overnight stop is in Novaci.
Overnight: Pensiunea Nora, Novaci
Day 8 – Sunday 10 September
Novaci → Brașov via the Transfăgărășan
Another huge highlight today.
We leave Novaci and make our way towards the world-famous Transfăgărășan Highway.
Built through the Făgăraș Mountains, this incredible road twists and climbs through some of Romania’s most dramatic scenery.
Expect hairpins, tunnels, mountain lakes and plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs.
We then continue towards Brașov, where we’ll stay for two nights.
Overnight: Hotel Rainer, Brașov
2-night stay
Day 9 – Monday 11 September
Brașov – Transylvania Rest & Explore Day
Today is yours to explore.
There is plenty to see around Brașov and Transylvania, including:
Bran Castle
Often referred to as Dracula’s Castle and one of Romania’s most famous landmarks.
Libearty Bear Sanctuary
Home to rescued brown bears living in large forested enclosures.
Brașov Old Town
A beautiful medieval city surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.
Or simply enjoy a relaxing day after two fantastic mountain-driving days.
Overnight: Hotel Rainer, Brașov
Day 10 – Tuesday 12 September
Brașov → Arad
Today we begin working our way west across Romania.
The route takes us through more of the Romanian countryside towards Arad, close to the Hungarian border.
It’s another chance to enjoy the changing landscape and roads before we leave Romania the following day.
Overnight: Ibis Styles Arad
Day 11 – Wednesday 13 September
Arad → Győr, Hungary
We leave Romania today and head back into Hungary.
Our destination is Győr, a historic city conveniently positioned between Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava.
Overnight: Danubius Hotel Rába, Győr
Day 12 – Thursday 14 September
Győr → Linz, Austria
We continue west through Hungary and back into Austria.
Our overnight stop is once again in Linz, giving us a comfortable staging point for the journey through Germany.
Overnight: Best Western Hotel Spinnerei Linz
Day 13 – Friday 15 September
Linz → Augsburg, Germany
Today we continue west into Germany towards Augsburg.
It’s another enjoyable travelling day as we gradually work our way back towards France.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Express Augsburg
Day 14 – Saturday 16 September
Augsburg → Strasbourg, France
We head across southern Germany and back into France today.
Our destination is Strasbourg, one of France’s most attractive cities and a great place for an evening meal and a wander around the historic centre.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Express Strasbourg
Day 15 – Sunday 17 September
Strasbourg → Sedan, France
Our penultimate driving day takes us north-west across France towards Sedan.
This leaves us with a straightforward final run to Calais the following morning.
Overnight: Kyriad Sedan
Day 16 – Monday 18 September
Sedan → Calais → Home
Our final day.
We’ll make our way from Sedan towards Calais, bringing an incredible 16-day European road trip to an end.
From the Transalpina and Transfăgărășan to Dracula country, bears, Budapest and the Carpathian Mountains, this should be one very memorable adventure.
How We Travel
This is not a convoy tour.
You’ll receive the daily route and destination information and will normally travel in small groups with the people you naturally get on with.
Some people leave early. Others prefer a relaxed breakfast and later start.
You can stop for photographs, coffee, lunch or sightseeing whenever you want.
The important thing is that we all end up at the same hotel at the end of the day.
This gives you the freedom of an independent road trip while still having the organisation, route planning and social side of travelling as part of an Inspired Tours group.
Accommodation
The trip uses a mixture of comfortable hotels across France, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania.
Our current planned hotels include:
B&B Hotel Longwy
PLAZA Premium Parkhotel Neu-Ulm
Best Western Hotel Spinnerei Linz
B&B Hotel Budapest
Hotel Wien, Deva
Pensiunea Nora, Novaci
Hotel Rainer, Brașov
Ibis Styles Arad
Danubius Hotel Rába, Győr
Holiday Inn Express Augsburg
Holiday Inn Express Strasbourg
Kyriad Sedan
Hotels may occasionally change before departure if operational requirements or availability make it necessary, but any replacement will be of a similar suitable standard.
What’s Included
Your tour package is planned to include:
- 15 nights’ accommodation
- Daily route planning
- Full trip itinerary
- Inspired Tours trip organisation
- Dedicated group communication before and during the trip
- Support throughout the tour
- Driver plus one passenger where applicable
- Route information and daily meeting points
- The full organised Romania road-trip experience
What’s Not Included
Unless specifically stated in your final booking package:
- Fuel
- Food and drink
- Hotel Parking costs
- Personal travel insurance
- Vehicle insurance
- Breakdown cover
- Entrance fees for attractions
- Personal spending
- Road tolls, vignettes and local charges where applicable
What Type of Car Can Join?
This trip is suitable for a wide variety of cars.
You don’t need a supercar.
Whether you drive an MX-5, BMW Z4, Porsche, hot hatch, classic car, sports car or simply a car you love driving, the important thing is that it is mechanically sound and capable of completing a long European road trip.
The Romanian mountain roads are much more about the drive and the scenery than outright speed.
Romania Car Road Trip 2028
3–18 September 2028
16 Days
France • Germany • Austria • Hungary • Romania
Transalpina • Transfăgărășan • Transylvania • Dracula • Bears • Carpathian Mountains
Price & Booking
The Romania Car Road Trip 2028 is priced at:
£2,689 per car
This price covers the driver plus one passenger, making it ideal for couples, friends or two people sharing the adventure.
To secure your place, a £389 deposit is required.
Trip price: £2,689 per car
Deposit: £389
Balance remaining: £2,300
The remaining balance will be due 8 weeks before departure.
Places will be limited to keep the group manageable and maintain the relaxed, small-group feel that makes Inspired Tours trips different.
If you’d like to join us for 16 days exploring Romania and some of Europe’s greatest driving roads, please click Book Now to secure your place.