Common Tourist Scams in Brașov (and How to Avoid Them)
Transport, taxis, scams
- Train Bucharest–Brașov: 2.5-3h on InterRegio fast trains, ~70-90 RON. Most scenic Carpathian rail route.
- Brașov bus station (Autogara): well-organised. Buses to Sibiu, Sighișoara, Bucharest.
- Taxis: legitimate Brașov taxis are ~2.50-2.80 RON/km. Always check the rate sticker on the rear window. Don't accept a "no meter" offer.
- Bolt + Uber: both work, generally cheaper than taxis.
- Currency: Romanian leu (RON). 1 EUR ≈ 5 RON. Cards widely accepted; cash for small market stalls.
- ATMs: bank-branch (BRD, BCR, Raiffeisen) only.
- "Don't pay in RON" (DCC): card-reader scam, takes 7-10%. Always pay in RON.
FAQ
- What's the biggest scam to avoid in Brașov?
- Honestly, Brașov has very little scam culture compared to Bucharest. The main patterns: taxi 'no meter' offers (insist on the rate sticker on the back window — legitimate Brașov taxis charge 2.50-2.80 RON/km, anyone refusing is overcharging; Bolt and Uber both work), DCC card-readers asking you to pay in your home currency rather than RON (always pay in RON), inflated 'tourist menu' restaurants right on Council Square (walk one block off for normal prices), and unofficial 'Dracula tour' resellers near the train station selling overpriced Bran Castle bundles you can book direct at bran-castle.com. ATM card-skimming is much less of a problem than in Bucharest, but still use bank-lobby ATMs (BRD, BCR, Raiffeisen) over street machines.
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