How to get to Dracula Land: from Bucharest, the airport, by train and from around Romania

Dracula Land is located in the commune of Gherghita, in the south-east of Prahova county, right next to the A3 motorway. That makes it one of the easiest parks in Romania to reach: from Bucharest and Otopeni airport it takes about 40 minutes, and from Ploiesti around half an hour. Below you will find every way to get there, with real distances and practical tips.

The Dracula Land project is still in development. The distances below are measured to the centre of Gherghita; once the park opens, we will update this guide with the official entrances and car parks.

At a glance: distances and times

Bucharest (centre): about 47 km, around 40 minutes
Henri Coanda Airport (Otopeni): about 43 km, around 35 minutes
Ploiesti: about 40 km, around 35 minutes
Urziceni: about 41 km, around 45 minutes
Buzau: about 78 km, under an hour, via the A7
Brasov: about 144 km, around 2 hours 20 minutes
Constanta: about 260 km, around 3 hours, via the A2

Times are without traffic. At weekends and at rush hour, allow 15–30 minutes more, especially when leaving Bucharest.

From Bucharest, by car

This is the easiest route. Leave the city heading north, on the DN1 / Bucharest – Ploiesti road or the ring road, and join the A3 motorway towards Ploiesti. Drive about 36 kilometres on the A3, then take the exit towards Gherghita and continue a few kilometres on the DJ100B to the centre of the commune.

A few tips:

on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings the exit from Bucharest towards the north is busy; leave in the morning or after 7 pm;
there is no toll on the A3, but you need a valid rovinieta (road vignette), as on every national road in Romania;
if you are coming from the south or east of Bucharest, it can be faster to join the motorway from the ring road (DNCB) without crossing the city.

From Otopeni airport

Henri Coanda International Airport is the nearest airport, about 43 km away. From the airport you join the A3 towards Ploiesti directly and reach Gherghita in about 35 minutes.

You have three options:

a rental car, picked up at the airport; the most convenient option if you also want to explore the area;
a taxi or ride-hailing app (Uber, Bolt), available at arrivals; ask for the estimated fare before the ride;
a private transfer, arranged in advance; many hosts in the area can recommend a reliable transfer.

From Ploiesti

From Ploiesti it is about 40 kilometres. The fastest option is also the A3, towards Bucharest, with the exit towards Gherghita and then the DJ100B. The drive takes around 35 minutes.

From Brasov and the Prahova Valley

From Brasov drive down the DN1, through Predeal, Sinaia, Busteni and Campina, to Ploiesti, then continue on the A3 towards Bucharest and take the exit towards Gherghita. It is about 144 kilometres, around 2 hours 20 minutes without traffic. At weekends the DN1 is very busy between Brasov and Comarnic, so leave early.

The bonus: on the way you can stop at Peles Castle, Cantacuzino Castle or in Sinaia.

From Moldavia and Buzau

From Buzau and the north-east of the country, the best option is the A7 motorway, which links up with the A3 near Ploiesti. From Buzau it is about 78 kilometres, under an hour's drive. From Moldavia you reach Buzau on the E85 and then continue on the A7.

From Constanta and the seaside

From the seaside take the A2 motorway towards Bucharest, then go around the capital on the ring road (DNCB) heading north and join the A3 towards Ploiesti. It is about 260 kilometres, around 3 hours.

By train

Trains do not go directly to Gherghita. The best option is to take the train to Ploiesti Sud or Ploiesti Vest, served by trains from most large cities. From Ploiesti Sud it is about 37 kilometres to Gherghita, around 35 minutes by taxi or by a transfer arranged in advance.

Check the up-to-date timetable on the CFR Calatori website and book the transfer from the station before you travel, especially in the evening and at weekends.

By bus

Public transport to Gherghita is limited, with few services a day. For visitors, we recommend your own car, a rental car or a taxi from Ploiesti or the airport. Once the park opens, dedicated services are likely to appear; we will add them here as soon as they are officially announced.

Parking and tips for the day of your visit

Leave early: at big events, the access roads get busy in the last few kilometres.
Road vignette: check it before you set off, especially if you are driving a car rented in another country.
Fuel: fill up on the A3 or in Ploiesti; petrol stations are rarer in the villages.
Navigation: set the destination to "Gherghita, Prahova" and follow the local signs; mobile data can be weaker in the last few kilometres, so download the area map in advance.

The easiest option: stay right next to the park

If you are coming from another city or from abroad, the most convenient option is to stay in Gherghita or the surrounding villages. You avoid the morning traffic, arrive first at the park and are back at your accommodation in minutes. Gherghita is also a good base for day trips to the Slanic Salt Mine, Therme Bucharest or the Dealu Mare wine region.

See the accommodation available near Dracula Land and, for all the useful distances, the travel and transport page.