Still looking for your next vacation? You are in the right place! Discover the best Transylvania holidays 2023 organized by Transylvania Live. Choose your vampire itinerary or go on an Awarded Halloween Tour and enjoy one two, or even three fun Halloween Parties. Read on and choose the experience which suits you best!
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| Top 5 Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 |
| Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – How much does a trip cost? |
| Is it safe to visit Romania? |
| How many days do you need in Romania? |
| Transylvania Holidays – Videos |
Top 5 Best Transylvania Holidays 2023
5. Halloween 3-Days Short Break from Cluj-Napoca
Meet our experienced English speaking guide in Cluj-Napoca. Travel to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the ruthless ruler also known as Dracula. We offer two optional activities on the first day: visit the unique Turda Salt Mine or enjoy lunch in the house where Dracula was born, now a restaurant named ‘Casa Vlad Dracul’.
On your first evening, have fun at the best Halloween Party! The schedule includes special events such as a breathtaking magic show, Vampiressa Hunting (a special ballet performance) and our Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead, performed according to old customs and traditions.
On your second day, travel to Bran Village and get ready for the ultimate party at Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. Take advantage of our skip the ticket office line service, enjoy a unique night tour of the castle and then party till morning! Your third day includes transfer to Turda, where you can enjoy a farewell dinner at a Dracula themed restaurant. From here, travel to Cluj for your return flight.
4. Halloween Party at Bran Castle, 2-Days experience
This itinerary is designed for people who are mostly interested in the amazing Halloween Party at Bran Castle. Meet our guide in Bucharest and travel to Bran Village. Accommodate in a 3* hotel in the vicinity of the castle and enjoy a delicious dinner.
After dinner, take advantage of our skip the ticket office line service and go on a unique night tour of Bran Castle followed by an unforgettable Halloween Party on the grounds of the castle.
In the next morning, travel to Brasov and visit the popular Black Church, an impressive Gothic edifice. Admire this impressive city and then travel back to Bucharest for your return flight.
3. The 7-Days Vampire Tour in Transylvania
This 7-days itinerary is the top choice in our catalog if you are looking for a fun summer experience. It departs once per week, between May and October. Our experienced English speaking guide collects you from Bucharest. Visit impressive attractions such as Snagov Monastery (Vlad the Impaler’s alleged burial place), Poienari Fortress, the Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu or the amazing Corvinesti Castle.
Besides the unique Transylvanian attractions, this itinerary also includes special events such as the Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead, performed in Turda according to old customs and traditions. While in Turda, you will also visit the popular Salt Mines. Next, travel to Borgo Pass in order to discover Dracula’s Castle Hotel, built where Bram Stoker placed his protagonist’s residence in the novel.
Since this is a Dracula Tour, it is only fitting to explore the Count’s birthplace, Sighisoara Medieval Citadel. Visit attractions such as the Clock Tower History Museum, the Torture Room and the Medieval Weapons Collection. The Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 would not be complete without Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. Other highlights include the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov, the Royal Peles Palace in Sinaia or the ruins of the Royal Court in Targoviste. On the last day of the tour, return to Bucharest – we can drop you off at the airport or at your hotel.
2. Study Trip – Transylvania’s Undying Legend
Besides the regular itineraries, we also organize 11-days study trips designed for groups of students. These tours include both Dracula-related attractions and important cultural and traditional highlights. Depart from Bucharest and visit places such as Snagov Monastery, the ruins of the old Royal Court in Targoviste, Peles Palace or the iconic Bran Castle. In the Bran area, discover a series of impressive caves such as Valley of the Citadel or Bat’s Cave.
Next, discover Poienari Citadel, Dracula’s fortress in the mountains, followed by Curtea de Arges Monastery, the Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu, Sighisoara Citadel and Turda Salt Mines. In Turda, attend our Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead, performed according to old customs and traditions. On day 7, discover more impressive Transylvanian caves such as Bear’s Cave, Meziad Cave or Scarisoara Cave (which hosts one of the largest underground glaciers in the world).
Your group of students will also be able to explore one of the most spectacular caves in Apuseni Mountains: Huda lui Papara. Accommodate at Dracula’s Castle Hotel in Borgo Pass and, on day 9, travel to Sacel to meet a talented wood craftsman. Learn to carve the perfect wooden stake in Sacel. Optionally, you can also visit the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, a unique place in the world. This itinerary includes a unique special event: a Steam Train ride on Vaser Valley. The train travels slowly, so you will have time to admire the picturesque scenery and take photos. On the last day of your tour, travel back to Cluj-Napoca for your return flight.
1. The Awarded 7-Days Halloween Tour
The 7-days Halloween itinerary is our flagship tour. Fodor’s Travel Guide included this trip in its Top 10 Must-Do Adventures list, while Tour Radar named it the Tour of the Year 2019.
Besides the Dracula related highlights, this itinerary includes three unforgettable Halloween Parties: in Sighisoara Citadel, at Bran Castle and at a venue we will reveal soon.
Our guide collects you from Moxa Boutique Hotel in Bucharest. Visit Snagov Monastery (Dracula’s alleged burial place), followed by Poienari Fortress, the Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu, Corvinesti Castle or Turda Salt Mines. From Turda, travel to Cluj-Napoca and admire the impressive city center before heading to Dracula’s Castle Hotel in Borgo Pass.
On Day 5, travel to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Discover this impressive fortress, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and, in the evening, join us for an amazing party! The program includes a delicious buffet dinner, a breathtaking magic show, an impressive ballet performance and our Ritual of Kiling of The Living Dead, performed according to old customs and traditions.
If one party is not enough, the next day you will travel to Bran Village. Accommodate at a 3* hotel located in the vicinity of Bran Castle and, in the evening, join us for the most popular Halloween Party in Transylvania. Take advantage of our skip the ticket office line service, go on a special night tour of the castle and then party with us till morning in the tents mounted in the courtyard. On your last day, visit Pelisor Casle in Sinaia and then return to Bucharest to conclude your itinerary.
Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – How much does a trip cost?
When looking for a vacation, most people set the price as their most important criteria. Some people are not concerned about how much they will spend, but, in general, vacations are planned according to a set budget. For this reason, knowing how much our tours cost is very helpful both in the planning stage of a trip and when you have to make the final decision.
Before getting into specifics, keep in mind that prices may vary depending on your options. For instance, if you prefer a five-star accommodation instead of the hotels included in the tour, you will most likely have to pay extra.
Tours have different prices depending on their length and on the highlights and special events included. Apart from regular itineraries, we also organize private tours, which cost more for several reasons. First of all, we offer departure on a date which suits you best, which means the tour is organized for you and your group only. The second reason is actually tied to the first one. Since the tour only includes your group, the same services usually performed for larger groups are performed for you and your friends/family only, at the same high standards.
Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – Average Prices
A seven-days itinerary costs around €1200, while 3-days short breaks revolve around €600-700. Keep in mind that these are just average, rounded prices. The exact amounts are displayed for every tour on their respective pages. Prices are usually conceived for 2 people sharing a double room. If you require a single room, you will also have to pay the ‘Single Supplement’ fee. Specific costs can be consulted on respective tour pages.
Prices for Study Trips and the 10-days Halloween Tour
We organize two distinct study trips available for large groups of students. The ‘Transylvania’s Undying Legend’ 11-days tour costs €1287 or €1576 for single rooms. Meanwhile, the other study trip, named ‘Dracula Tours for Schools’ costs €1557 or €1837 for single rooms.
Besides the Awarded 7-Days Halloween Tour, our catalog also includes a 10-days itinerary departing from Budapest. This tour is scheduled to include the same parties as the 7-days experience. If you want to book this Halloween itinerary departing from the capital of Hungary, the price is €1790 or €1999 for single travelers.
How much does the Awarded 7-Days Halloween Tour cost?
We organize several 7-days itineraries throughout the year. The most popular is our Awarded Halloween tour which includes up to 3 fun parties. Book this tour for €1299 or €1419 if you require a single room. Meanwhile, the Vampire tour of the same length costs €1159.
Besides the regular edition of our 7-Days Vampire tour, we also organize special editions such as our ‘Best of Romania’ itinerary with 4 special dinners and accommodation in a castle hotel. This specific trip costs €1181. Last, but not least, we organize another special edition of our 7-days tour in July. This tour includes a Royal Dinner at Bran Castle and a fun Masquerade Party. It departs once per year and it costs €1159.
Costs for 3-Days Short Breaks in Transylvania
If you are looking for a short break in Transylvania, including only the most important highlights related to Dracula, we recommend our 3-days tours. The Vampire edition departs throughout the year, on customer request, and costs €569 or €666 for single travelers. Meanwhile, we organize special editions of this tour on Halloween, departing from Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest. These specific tours include two fun parties – in Sighisoara and at Bran Castle and cost €599 or €666 for single travelers.
Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – 1 and 2-days Short Breaks
The shortest itineraries in our catalog are the 1-day City Breaks or the 2-days Halloween tours focusing on one of our unforgettable parties. To start with the shortest option, you can purchase a Halloween City Break which includes accommodation and access to our party in Sighisoara Citadel for €249. Next, the 1-day City Break with Halloween Party at Bran costs €259 or €288 for single travelers. The price includes accommodation, dinner and access to the party.
We organize a 2-days Halloween tour with party in Sighisoara Citadel, departing from Sibiu, Cluj, Brasov or Bucharest. These tours include transfer, accommodation, dinner and access to our party. These itineraries cost €439 or €479 for single travelers. Alternatively, you can go on a 2-days tour with Halloween Party at Bran Castle, departing from Bucharest. This itinerary costs €369 or €399 for single travelers. The price includes transfer, accommodation in Bran and access to the Halloween Party (with skip the ticket office line service).
Additional Costs for the Best Transylvania Holidays 2023
Although our tours usually include transportation and meals, it’s always helpful to know how much these cost. You might want to have lunch (we include breakfasts and dinners in our itineraries) or you might want to explore a certain area outside the tour itinerary and you need to take a bus or taxi. For these situations, knowing at least average costs can help you avoid a lot of trouble.
To discover average prices (based on different criteria like costs for people travelling economically or for people who want to enjoy luxury services), check out Budget Your Trip. According to this website, the average cost of food in Romania is about 104 lei / day. The same source reveals that people spend about 31 lei / day on alcoholic beverages in this country.
While meal prices in Romania can vary, the average cost of food in Romania is lei104 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Romania should cost around lei41 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Romania is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Budget Your Trip
Travel Costs in Romania
Our tours include transportation between the attractions you will visit. Depending on the size of your group, you will travel either in a car, minibus or even a coach. These transfers are included in the tour price. However, should you decide to set off on your own, you can take the bus or a taxi. If you are looking for an economic solution, the bus is your answer. A taxi is significantly more expensive then public transportation, but it takes you exactly where you need to get.
When traveling in a taxi, beware of shady drivers. They will take advantage of the fact that you are foreign and drive you around in circles to increase the sum on the meter. Others will talk you into letting them keep the meter off and pay a pre-established amount. Do not trust these drivers, as they are trying to scam you into paying a lot more than the ride is worth. Ridesharing apps like Uber and Taxify avoid these problems because the amount you need to pay is determined the moment you order the car, so you can be certain you won’t be overcharged.
According to Budget Your Trip, travelers spend around 79 lei / person / day on local transportation. This sum can be a lot lower if you choose the bus instead of a taxi. Before deciding, take into account that buses are very crowded especially around rush hours.
Is it safe to visit Romania?
Romania is generally a safe country. There are several metrics, analyzed by specialists, which back up this claim. Two of these ranks are the most relevant:
- On the Global Terrorist Database, Romania ranks at 138/163 countries. In short, this means that no terrorist attacks have occurred here
- The Global Peace Index, which takes into account factors like militarisation, society and security, as well as domestic and interest conflict, ranks Romania on position 22 out of 163 countries
While statistics show that crime rate in Romania is lower than the European average, you should still pay attention at your surroundings and at people who attempt to interact with you. Please have in mind that corruption is relatively high in Romania and, sometimes, authorities might offer ‘mutually beneficial’ solutions which are obviously illegal. Such arrangements can turn out to be troublesome for you in the long run, so our advice is to refuse them and seek legal justification.
Need to Know before traveling to Romania
- Confirm your passport is valid for 6 months from when you think your trip will end. Don’t get stranded.
- Get comprehensive travel insurance to cover you and your gear. Get insurance that’s right for you and covers your activities in the places you’ll go. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
- Consider your physical and mental health. Get advice from your doctor if you’re unsure.
- See your doctor or travel clinic 8 weeks before you go for a basic health check
- Check if your medication is legal and available in the places you’re going. Take enough of your prescribed medicines to last the whole trip. Carry copies of your prescription and a letter from your doctor.
- Tell your bank you’re travelling and check if your cards will work. Have several payment options.
Driving
If you travel to Transylvania on our tours, you don’t have to worry about driving as we provide a minibus or a coach (depending on group size), as well as an experienced driver. Still, while traveling across the country, you may notice that the infrastructure is in a poor state, a lot of important roads are either under construction or filled with potholes. Furthermore, National Roads which connect cities usually pass through a lot of villages, resulting in heavier traffic and longer driving times.
If you are driving within a city, you will notice that traffic tends to get very crowded in certain areas, especially around rush hours. Another major issue in almost every Romanian city is the lack of parking spots. Outside cities you may encounter carts and animals on the road, especially around villages.
Pickpocketing
While muggings are very rare in Romania, you can encounter people who have more or less creative ways to steal your belongings. Some thieves just grab your purse and run. Others are more subtle and take advantage of crowded areas, usually a bus or subway train. Instead of grabbing your purse, they cut it open, steal your valuables and disappear before you can realize what happened.
The best way to prevent these situations is to leave your valuable belongings somewhere safe instead of carrying them around with you. If you don’t have a safe space to leave your valuables, at least hold your bag in front of you at all times. This way, you never lose eye contact with your belongings and thieves are discouraged from trying anything.
In certain cities, you may encounter people offering to exchange your money on the street. You should avoid these people, as they are only looking to scam you. A quick internet search reveals every exchange house and bank in your area. We recommend exchange houses to banks because they offer better rates. Also, since many people ask this question, you can pay almost everywhere with a credit card, so there’s no need to withdraw large amounts of cash from the bank.
Laws
According to the Romanian laws, you should always carry photo ID. Keep your passport and/or ID Card in a safe place and only carry photocopies with you.
In Romania, you are prohibited from taking photos of airports, military sites or other secure locations.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, you can face up to 20 years in jail.
Travel Insurance
You might think that travel insurance is not that important. Maybe it really isn’t at the moment. But what if you find yourself in a foreign country (in this case Romania) and something unexpected happens?! What if you are in need of urgent medical assistance which can get really expensive if requested outside your country?
Without travel insurance, you and your family can suffer financially. If you purchase insurance, you can rely on your insurer to cover the necessary payments.
How many days do you need in Romania?
An important thing to consider when traveling anywhere is how many days you can spend there and what you can visit during those days. Since we already offer you a well-planned itinerary, you don’t need to worry about creating a daily schedule. Of course, we will refer to the highlights included in our tours. The cities you will pass through or explore have a lot more attractions to offer, all you need is enough time to visit everything.
Throughout the year, we organize 1, 2, 3 or even 7-days itineraries in Transylvania. Alternatively, you can choose a private tour, which you can customize according to your needs.
1-Day City Breaks in Transylvania
You can visit a lot of impressive attractions in one day. However, this tour is designed to satisfy people who are only looking for a fun party. Therefore, we organize two different experiences:
- 1-Day Halloween City Break in Sighisoara, which includes accommodation, meals and access to our fun Halloween Party
- 1-Day Halloween City Break at Bran Castle is similar to the experience in Sighisoara. It includes accommodation for 1 night in Bran Village, a traditional dinner and access to the popular Halloween Party at Dracula’s Castle
Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – 2-Days Halloween Itineraries in Romania
On Halloween, our catalog includes a series of 2-days itineraries designed for participants to our parties. The 2-days tour featuring the popular Bran Castle Halloween Party includes transfer from Bucharest to Bran and the other way around, accommodation in a 3* hotel, one breakfast, one dinner and access to the popular party.
Alternatively, we organize a 2-days itinerary including the Halloween Party in Sighisoara Citadel. This tour departs from Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu or Bucharest and includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner (served during the Halloween Party).
Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – 3-Days Short Breaks
Besides the 1 or 2-days itineraries, we organize 3-days short breaks which are designed to include the most important Dracula-related highlights. On Halloween, the 3-days tours revolve around the best parties in Transylvania.
Our 3-days vampire itinerary departs from Cluj-Napoca on customer request (for groups of at least 2 travelers). On your first day, drive to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Some highlights you can visit here include the Clock Tower History Museum, the Torture Room, and the Medieval Weapons Collection.
From Sighisoara, you will travel to the Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu, followed by Corvinesti Castle in Hunedoara and Turda Salt Mines. While in Turda, enjoy our special event: The Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead (note that this event only takes place if your group includes at least 4 people).
The 3-days Halloween itinerary departs from Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest. On your first day, you will travel to Sighisoara Citadel and enjoy our unforgettable Halloween Party in Transylvania. The following morning, explore Sighisoara before driving to Bran Village. Accommodate here and, in the evening, join us at the popular Halloween Party at Bran Castle. The last day includes transfer back to either Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest.
Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – 7-Days Vampire Itinerary in Transylvania
Arguably the flagships of our catalog, the 7-days itineraries are filled with impressive cultural and historical highlights, as well as impressive special events.
The 7-Days Vampire tour takes place between May and October, on a weekly basis. Highlights include Snagov Monastery, Poienari Fortress or the Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu. On your third day, travel to Corvinesti Castle in Hunedoara, followed by the impressive Turda Salt Mine. While in Turda, attend our unique Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead, performed according to old customs and traditions.
Your next destination is Borgo Pass, where you will spend the night at the popular Dracula’s Castle Hotel, built according to Bram Stoker’s descriptions in the novel. From Borgo Pass, travel to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, followed by the iconic Bran Castle and the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov. On your last day, discover the former summer residence of the Royal Family, Peles Palace and visit the ruins of the old Royal Court in Targoviste.
Best Transylvania Holidays 2023 – Awarded 7-Days Halloween Tour
The 7-days Halloween tour is a Top 10 Must-Do Adventure according to Fodor’s Travel Guide. Meet our experienced English speaking guide in Bucharest. Visit attractions such as Snagov Monastery, Poienari Fortress, The Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu or Corvinesti Castle. On Day 4, travel to Turda and visit the unique Salt Mine. Go on a city tour of Cluj-Napoca and accommodate at Dracula’s Castle Hotel in Borgo Pass.
The next morning, travel to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel and get ready for the best Halloween Party in Transylvania! The program includes a breathtaking magic show, an impressive ballet performance and our Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead. Enjoy a good night’s sleep after partying with us and, the next morning head for Bran Village. In the evening, attend the popular Halloween Party at Dracula’s Castle. On Day 7, visit the royal Peles Place and then return to Bucharest to end your tour.