How do you get to Cluj-Napoca?
Getting There8.4/10Easier to reach than about 80% of cities
- Main airport
- Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: airportcluj.ro, lot.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Cluj Airport is modern and compact, making it quick to navigate—usually no more than 15–20 minutes from entrance to gate.
- Bus Line 5 from the airport is cheapest but not available after 10 pm; plan accordingly for late arrivals.
- Taxi fares spike significantly at night (3 RON/km vs. 2.25 RON/km daytime).
- Cluj Central Railway Station is walkable to the city center but is about 2 km away; trams and buses stop directly outside.
- Train travel within Romania is popular for longer journeys; book tickets online via CFR or at the station.
- For day trips, organized tours often bundle transport + entrance fees and are less hassle than independent travel via public transport.
- Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda) is the most popular half/full-day excursion and requires only 45 minutes travel time.
- Car rental is available at the airport and highly recommended for multi-day Transylvania exploration; public transport to outlying attractions is limited.
- No ferries or boat connections exist from Cluj-Napoca; the city is landlocked.
Rail
- Location
- 2 km north of city center (25-minute walk to Union Square)
- Overview
- Main railway hub connecting Transylvania to Romania and Central Europe, operated by CFR Călători and regional operators.
- Facilities
- Ticket counters, vending machines, ATMs, restrooms, luggage storage, waiting room, cafes, supermarket, pharmacy, post office
- Station Name
- Cluj-Napoca Central Railway Station (Gara Cluj-Napoca)
- Accessibility
- Well-served by public transport (trams, buses, trolleybuses); taxi stand in front (Piața Gării). Limited accessibility for people with reduced mobility (some ramps but no elevators to platforms).
Key Routes
CFR Călători
- Frequency
- 4 daily trains
- Destination
- Bucharest North
- Travel time
- 9–13
CFR Călători / International Lines
- Destination
- Budapest
- Travel time
- 11
CFR Călători / International Lines
- Destination
- Vienna
- Travel time
- 14–15
CFR Călatori, Transferoviar Călători, InterRegional Călători
- Destination
- Timișoara, Oradea, Brașov, Sibiu
- Notes
- Regional and InterCity services available daily
Airport
- Code
- CLJ
- Name
- Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport
- Summary
- Romania's second-largest airport with 56 direct destinations across 21 countries and 12 operating airlines including Wizz Air, Ryanair, LOT, Lufthansa, and TAROM.
- Location
- 12 km northeast of city center
Ground Transport
Piața Unirii (City Center)
- Cost
- RON 6.00
- Frequency
- Every 20–30 minutes (daily)
- Duration Minutes
- 30–40
- Availability Notes
- Not available after 10 pm on weekdays; limited weekend evening service
City Center
- Cost Range
- RON 30
- Cost Range Night
- RON 50
- Duration Minutes
- 15–25
- Notes
- Day rate ~2.25 RON/km; night rate ~3 RON/km. Use established companies with visible meters.
Any City Address
- Notes
- Available but may have surge pricing during peak hours
Sample Routes
Cluj → Bucharest
- Operators
- Dacos, ALIS, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar
- Cost Range EUR
- €16.90–€21.26
- Travel time
- 8.5–9
ALIS
- Route
- Cluj → Turda (for Salina Turda day trip)
- Frequency
- Every 20–30 minutes
- Duration Minutes
- ~30
- Notes
- 5:30 AM–10:30 PM weekdays; 9:30 AM–8:30 PM Sundays
Long Distance Operators
FlixBus
- Features
- Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, extra legroom; overnight bus options available
- Destinations
- 49 cities from Cluj-Napoca (Bucharest, Budapest, Oradea, and European network)
- Terminal Address
- Strada Bruno Giordano nr. 1-3, 400248 Cluj-Napoca
ALIS, Dacos, Eurolines, Infobus
- Notes
- Regional and international coverage; various comfort levels
Day Trip Access
- Tour Operators
- Numerous day-trip operators available through GetYourGuide, Viator, and local agencies; include transport, guides, and entrance fees
Nearby Attractions
Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda)
- Access
- Bus line or organized tour; also accessible by car rental
- Distance Km
- 30
- Drive Time Minutes
- 45–50
Turda Gorges (Cheile Turzii)
- Access
- Often combined with Turda Salt Mine on day tours
- Distance Km
- 30
- Drive Time Minutes
- 45
Alba Iulia Citadel
- Access
- Organized day tours available; car rental option
- Distance Km
- 50
- Drive Time Minutes
- 1–1.5 hours
Corvin Castle
- Access
- Often combined with Alba Iulia in full-day tours
- Distance Km
- ~100
- Drive Time Minutes
- 1.5–2 hours
Rimetea Village (Szekler Region)
- Access
- Hiking and cultural tours available
- Distance Km
- ~25
- Drive Time Minutes
- 45–60
Apuseni Mountains
- Access
- Multiple hiking trails; guided tours and car rental recommended
Multiple intercity and international bus networks connect Cluj to Romanian cities and neighboring countries.
Local Public Transport
- Stops
- 346
- Routes
- 57
- Operator
- CTP Cluj
- Single Ticket
- RON 3.00
- Payment Methods
- Cash at kiosks, SMS, contactless card in vehicle, 24Pay mobile app
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Cluj-Napoca
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.