Driving the Transfagarasan: Honest Tips, Common Mistakes & What to Expect (2026)

Driving the Transfagarasan had been on my bucket list for years. Like many people, I had only seen the famous drone shots and endless photos of its winding curves crossing the Făgăraș Mountains. Since then, I've driven this road several times, from both directions, in different seasons, and every trip taught me something new.

If you're planning to drive the Transfăgărășan, don't just focus on the views. The road is spectacular, but your experience will depend much more on when you go, how prepared you are, and what mistakes you avoid.

Is the Transfagarasan Worth Driving?

Absolutely.

In my opinion, the Transfagarasan is one of the most beautiful roads in Europe and easily one of the highlights of any trip through Romania. The combination of mountain scenery, endless hairpin turns, alpine lakes and dramatic landscapes makes the drive unforgettable.

But here's the catch: depending on when you visit, it can either become one of the best road trips of your life or several frustrating hours spent sitting in traffic.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

The Transfagarasan closes every year during the cold season because of snow. There isn't a fixed opening or closing date, as everything depends on weather conditions, so always check the latest official announcements before planning your trip.

I've driven it during summer, autumn and just a couple of days after the seasonal reopening.

If you want my honest opinion:

• Early summer (right after reopening) is probably the most impressive. You'll still find large walls of snow near Balea Lake while the valleys below already feel like summer.

• Autumn offers beautiful colors and noticeably less traffic.

• Summer weekdays are still a great option.

• Summer weekends? I'd avoid them whenever possible.

Don't Make the Same Mistake I Did

The first time I drove the Transfagarasan, it was a hot summer weekend.

As we climbed higher from the northern side, the traffic became heavier and heavier until everything came to a complete stop near Balea Lake.

Thousands of visitors, hundreds of parked cars, souvenir stalls, restaurants and tourists all trying to enjoy the same place created massive traffic jams in both directions.

We spent around 4–5 hours crawling uphill.

If you're unlucky enough to arrive during peak hours, you'll spend more time looking at the rear bumper of the car in front of you than at the mountains.

If your schedule allows it, simply choose a weekday. The experience is completely different.

Prepare Your Car Before You Go

Many people underestimate this road.

The Transfagarasan isn't difficult to drive, but it puts much more stress on your car than a normal highway.

Before you leave, make sure your car is in good mechanical condition.

Pay special attention to:

• brakes

• clutch

• steering

• cooling system

• air conditioning

• tire condition

This becomes even more important if you end up stuck in traffic on steep uphill sections.

Also, fill up your fuel tank before entering the mountain road. There are no convenient fuel stations once you're on the Transfagarasan.

Mountain Weather Can Surprise You

One thing that surprises almost everyone is the temperature difference.

It can easily be 30°C at the foot of the mountain while feeling close to 0°C around Balea Lake.

If you visit shortly after the road reopens, you'll most likely still find snow at the top.

Always bring an extra layer with you.

A hoodie or a lightweight windproof jacket takes almost no space in the car but can make a huge difference once you reach the summit.

Balea Lake Tips

Balea Lake is the busiest point along the Transfgarasan and definitely worth stopping for.

You'll find:

• beautiful mountain views

• restaurants

• local food

• souvenir shops

• plenty of places for photos

Parking, however, can become a problem during busy periods.

Here's a simple trick.

If the main parking area is full, drive through the Balea Tunnel, park on the other side, then simply walk back through the tunnel. It only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of time waiting for a parking space.

You'll also find a cable car here, but if you're already exploring the Transfagarasan by car, I personally don't think it's worth paying for it.

Drive Carefully

This may sound obvious, but it's worth repeating.

The scenery is so spectacular that it's easy to become distracted.

Sharp bends, changing weather, cyclists, motorcycles, pedestrians, and occasional rockfalls all require your attention.

If you want to stop for photos, only do so in designated parking areas or places where you won't block traffic or create dangerous situations.

Bears Are Part of the Experience

As you descend toward the southern side, especially around the forests near Vidraru, bear sightings are relatively common.

If you see one:

• slow down

• stay inside your vehicle

• never feed it

• don't try to get closer for photos

Besides being dangerous, feeding bears creates long-term problems for both animals and visitors.

Respect that you're driving through their habitat.

Don't Skip Vidraru Dam

Once you continue toward Curtea de Argeș, you'll eventually reach Vidraru Dam.

Standing 166.6 meters (547 ft) high, it's one of Romania's tallest dams and one of the country's most impressive engineering projects.

The views over Lake Vidraru are spectacular, and it's well worth stopping for a few minutes before continuing your journey.

Final Thoughts

If you're visiting Romania and enjoy road trips, the Transfagarasan deserves a place on your itinerary.

Just don't make the mistake of treating it like a road you simply drive through.

Plan your visit, avoid busy weekends, prepare your car properly, and allow enough time for spontaneous stops along the way.

Trust me — the best memories won't come from reaching the other side of the mountains.

They'll come from everything you experience in between.