The fastest way out of Brasov-Ghimbav (GHV) is a taxi or rideshare — figure 20 to 30 minutes and around 50 to 75 RON to reach central Brașov. If you’ve booked a private transfer it’ll meet you in arrivals; otherwise the taxi rank is the next door over. Public bus and rental cars exist too, but unless you’re on a tight budget or plan to drive day-trips, a taxi is the right default.

The fastest answer

If your flight has just touched down and you want a one-line answer, here it is: walk out of arrivals, take a taxi or open Bolt or Uber, and you’ll be at your hotel in about 25 minutes for around 60 RON. That covers most visitors most of the time. The rest of this guide is what you’d want to know if your situation is different — large group, after-hours arrival, mobility needs, you’d rather drive yourself, or you’re on a backpacker budget and have time to wait for a bus.

You can confirm your flight is on schedule before deciding whether to pre-book on our live arrivals board — it pulls direct from the airport’s operational data and updates as gates change.

Taxi and rideshare

GHV’s taxi rank is just outside the arrivals exit. Local cooperatives serve the rank; meters are mandatory and a posted fare card is in every car. Pay in cash (RON) or by card — most local taxis now take contactless, though it’s worth confirming when you sit down.

Rideshare apps Bolt and Uber both operate at GHV. Bolt has the larger driver pool in Brașov; Uber’s coverage is patchier but improving. Apps tend to be 10 to 20% cheaper than the rank, with the upside of an upfront fare quote and no language friction. Wait times in daylight hours are usually two to five minutes; at peak arrivals they can stretch to ten.

Typical fares from GHV, daytime, no surge:

  • Central Brașov / Old Town — around 50 to 75 RON
  • Poiana Brașov (mountain resort) — around 100 to 140 RON
  • Bran village — around 180 to 240 RON

Surge pricing on rideshare can lift these by 30 to 50% on Friday evenings, during festivals, and after the last few flights of the night land together. If the surge looks ugly, the taxi rank is metered and not surge-priced — walk back to it.

Pre-booked private transfer

A private transfer is worth booking ahead in three situations: a group of four-plus with luggage that won’t fit in a sedan, a late-night arrival when the rank thins out, or any trip that involves a child seat or mobility needs. Local operators advertise on the airport website and on the major hotel-booking platforms. Expect prices roughly 30 to 50% above a standard rideshare for the convenience of a guaranteed pickup.

The booking window is usually 24 hours; same-day requests are sometimes accepted but you lose the price advantage. The driver waits in arrivals holding a name card, so you skip the rank queue entirely.

Public transport

If you’re on a backpacker budget and travelling light, RAT Brașov route 51 connects Ghimbav to Autogara 2 in central Brașov, with onward city buses to the Old Town. The fare is a fraction of a taxi — just a few RON. The catch is frequency: the bus runs roughly every 30 to 45 minutes during the day and the last bus typically leaves Ghimbav before 23:00. Confirm the current timetable on the RAT Brașov website on the day you travel — they update routes seasonally.

There is currently no scheduled rail link between GHV and Brașov city centre. The Brașov main station is on Romania’s national rail network and can be reached from Autogara 2 by city bus, but the door-to-door time favours a taxi unless you specifically need the train onward to Bucharest or Sibiu.

Rental car

Rental car desks are inside the terminal in the arrivals hall. The major international brands and a couple of local operators are represented. As elsewhere in the EU, you’ll need a credit card in the lead driver’s name and a passport or national ID; some agencies also ask for a second piece of photo ID for cross-border drives.

Two practical points if you’re driving in Brașov for the first time:

  • Old Town parking is restrictive. Piața Sfatului and the surrounding streets are partially pedestrianised and access for non-residents is limited to short stays. Park at one of the public garages on the edge of the Old Town and walk in.
  • Mountain roads can be slow in winter. The road to Poiana Brașov and onward to Bran is well maintained but tight, with switchbacks. Allow extra time November through March, and check that your rental has winter tyres for any drive that crosses 1,000 m elevation.

If you arrive after midnight

After roughly 00:30 the taxi rank thins and the rideshare apps can struggle to dispatch. The reliable fallback is to call a night taxi ahead of your flight: the local cooperatives publish a phone number and take advance bookings. Tell them your flight number when you book, and they’ll track the arrival in case of a delay.

Pre-booked private transfers are the other reliable late-night option, and worth the extra cost if you’re tired and just want to be in bed.

FAQ

Is there a train direct from the airport?

No. The nearest mainline station is Brașov city, which you reach by taxi or by RAT Brașov bus route 51 plus a city bus. There is no on-airport rail link.

Can I walk to Brașov from the airport?

Technically yes — it’s about 13 km, which is a 2.5 to 3 hour walk along a mostly flat route — but it’s not a route designed for pedestrians and several stretches lack pavements. Don’t.

Cash or card for taxis?

Most taxis now accept contactless cards. RON cash is always accepted and useful as a backup; small notes are appreciated.

Are child seats easy to find?

Pre-booked private transfers reliably provide them on request. Standard taxis do not carry seats; rideshare apps have a “Family” tier in some markets that does — availability in Brașov varies, so check the app before you fly.

How much should I tip the driver?

Rounding up to the nearest 5 RON is the local norm. A larger tip is appropriate if the driver helps with heavy luggage.

Once you’re in town, our Brasov Old Town walking guide is the quickest orientation to the centre, and the Bran Castle visitor guide covers the most popular day trip from the city. If you haven’t booked a hotel yet, Where to stay in Brașov covers the neighbourhood trade-offs, and skiers should jump straight to the Poiana Brașov resort guide.