Bran Castle at a glance
Bran Castle is in the village of Bran, Brașov County, roughly 30 km from the city of Brașov. The usual road is the DN73/E574, and 35 minutes is a fair planning value, with no promise for busy days. The address is Strada General Traian Moșoiu 24. The Germans call it Törzburg, the Romanians Castelul Bran.
The castle began as a medieval border and customs fortress where Transylvania meets Wallachia. Later it became a royal residence and today it is a museum. This guide covers tickets and opening hours, tours from Bucharest and Brașov, the Dracula legend and Bram Stoker, Vlad the Impaler, the rooms inside, Queen Marie and the castle's history, Halloween and the places around it: Peleș, Râșnov, Brașov, the wider region, the Transfăgărășan road and the bear sanctuary near Zărnești.
Our picks: Bran Castle tours
Entry plus transfer from Brașov, day trips from Bucharest, a bear sanctuary combination and a three-day route.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day medieval Transylvania tour from Bucharest
- Two hotel nights with breakfast
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Air-conditioned car or minibus
A small group of up to 16 on a route via Sibiu, Sighișoara, Brașov, Bran, Peleș and Sinaia. Entry fees are extra.
Check availability →
Dracula route from Cluj: Sighișoara and Bran Castle
- Bran Castle entry
- Sighișoara Clock Tower entry
- Guide and transport
A guide-driver takes you to Sighișoara and on to Bran Castle. Pick-up points vary by option, so check where your trip starts before you book.
Check availability →Bran Castle entry with transfer from Brașov
- Return transport from Brașov
- Bran Castle entry
- Water included
Return transport from Brașov and your Bran Castle ticket come in one booking, with hotel pick-up in Brașov. Ask about group size and language for your option before you book.
Check availability →
Bran, bear sanctuary and Râșnov from Brașov
- Local guide and driver
- Bran, bear sanctuary, Râșnov
- Transport between all stops
A local guide takes a small group of up to eight to Bran Castle, the bear sanctuary in Zărnești and Râșnov Citadel. Entry fees at each stop are extra; Râșnov is under restoration, and bear visits are guided only, with no feeding.
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Castles day tour from Brașov: Bran, Peleș, Sinaia
- Hotel pick-up and return
- Air-conditioned car or van
- Umbrella or poncho
A local guide drives you in an air-conditioned car or van, with hotel pick-up and help buying your tickets. Castle entry fees are extra.
Check availability →
Bucharest day trip: Peleș, Cantacuzino, Bran, Brașov
- Return transport from Bucharest
- Live guide EN, ES or IT
- Free time in Brașov
A live guide plus help with tickets and priority access at the stops. Entry fees for all attractions are extra.
Check availability →Bran Castle tours and day trips
Day trips from Bucharest and Brașov, entry tickets with audio guide and combinations with Peleș, Râșnov and the bear sanctuary, with live prices and availability.
Prices and opening hours in 2026
Standard tickets cover the castle and the Royal Park. The end times are the last admission, not closing time.
| Ticket | Price in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adults | RON 100 |
| Seniors from 65 years | RON 70 |
| Students with proof | RON 60 |
| Children 5 to 17 years | RON 40 |
| Season | Monday | Tuesday to Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| Summer, 1 April to 1 November | 12:00 to 19:00 | 09:00 to 19:00 |
| Winter, 2 November to 31 March | 12:00 to 18:00 | 09:00 to 18:00 |
For most visitors the standard adult ticket and a morning arrival are the simplest plan. Full details, add-ons and free categories are on the Bran Castle tickets page.
Explore the guide
Every page of this site, from planning to the legend.
Tickets and opening hours
Prices in RON, seasonal hours, add-ons and the Fast Pass.
Tours and day trips
Day trips with Peleș, guided visits inside and what to check before booking.
Bran Castle from Bucharest
Tour, train plus bus or car, and why there is no direct train.
Dracula and Bram Stoker
The novel, the tourist name and what is known about the castle.
Vlad the Impaler
The Wallachian ruler and his limited link to Bran.
Inside Bran Castle
Rooms, exhibitions, the Royal Park and the tea house.
History and Queen Marie
From the 1377 privilege to the royal residence and the museum.
Peleș Castle and Sinaia
Hours, prices and how to combine it with Bran.
Râșnov Fortress
Garden access during the restoration and the inclined lift.
Brașov
Old town, the Black Church and day trips to Bran.
Halloween at Bran Castle
Dates, programme and visiting rules for 2026.
Weather and seasons
Planning a visit by season rather than by a single best month.
Where to stay
Brașov or Bran: which area fits your plans.
Bucharest airport to Bran
Train, transfer and car hire from Otopeni.
Transylvania beyond Bran
Sighișoara, Corvin Castle, Salina Turda and fortified churches.
Transfăgărășan Highway
Season, daily hours and Bâlea Lake.
Bear sanctuary near Zărnești
Guided visits, prices and the rules.
A few things to know before you go
Points that change the plan for a visit in autumn 2026.
Halloween programme
In the days around 31 October the castle sells only Halloween tickets instead of the normal ticket, so check the dates for your year. Monday is a regular opening day, and on 7 November 2026 the last entry is at 15:00.
Halloween at Bran →Peleș is closed on two weekdays
Peleș and Pelișor are closed on Monday and Tuesday. Cleaning and conservation closures apply in autumn 2026: Pelișor from 28 September to 3 November, Peleș from 2 November to 1 December.
Peleș Castle →Râșnov is a garden visit
The fortress is being restored. What you can visit is the garden, not the whole castle, so do not plan an interior visit.
Râșnov Fortress →No direct train to Bran
Trains end in Brașov and a bus continues to Bran. The airport of Brașov has the code GHV. The airport train from Otopeni costs RON 6.50 as a base fare, RON 4.50 for an optional seat reservation and RON 13 if you buy from the conductor.
Getting there →Bears
Feeding wild bears is illegal and the fine is RON 10,000 to 30,000. The bear sanctuary near Zărnești does not admit children under 5.
Bear sanctuary →Brașov old town
Strada Sforii has been closed for safety reasons since autumn 2025. Do not plan a walk through it; the Black Church is open to visitors.
Brașov →Two more points help with expectations. Dracula the character is fiction, the legend around Bran is a tourist story, and Vlad III was a real ruler of Wallachia: they are three separate things, explained on the Dracula page. And a majority stake in the company that runs the castle was announced in 2026. That is not the same as a sale of the castle grounds.
Bran Castle: frequently asked questions
How much is a Bran Castle ticket in 2026?
The adult ticket is RON 100. Seniors from 65 pay RON 70, students with proof RON 60 and children from 5 to 17 RON 40. See the tickets page for add-ons and free categories.
When is Bran Castle open?
From 1 April to 1 November it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 19:00 and Monday from 12:00 to 19:00. From 2 November to 31 March the hours are 09:00 to 18:00 and 12:00 to 18:00 on Monday. The end times are the last admission.
Is there a direct train to Bran?
No. You take the train to Brașov and continue by bus. One bus example runs from Brașov Autogara 2 to the castle stop in about 54 minutes for RON 15. See Bran Castle from Bucharest.
Is Bran Castle really Dracula's castle?
It is the castle tourists call by that name. Bram Stoker's novel does not name Bran, and Vlad III was not documented as living there. The Dracula page separates the novel, the legend and the history.
Can I combine Bran with Peleș in one day?
Yes, on days when Peleș is open. Peleș is closed on Monday and Tuesday and has its own ticket. The tours page shows what day trips usually combine.
Is this the official Bran Castle website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the castle, its museum, its owners, any authority or any tour operator.