Is Driving the Transfagarasan in the Evening Worth It? My Honest Experience

Unlike my previous experiences driving the Transfagarasan, this trip was completely different.

The road had only reopened a couple of days earlier after the winter closure, and instead of driving it during the day like most tourists do, I reached the northern entrance near Cartisoara at around 8 PM.

At first, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea.

It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made on the Transfagarasan.

A Completely Different Experience

If you've only seen the Transfagarasan during a busy summer weekend, it's hard to imagine how peaceful it becomes later in the evening.

Instead of endless traffic, I found almost empty roads.

During the entire climb to Balea Lake, I probably passed only a handful of cars.

Every viewpoint was empty.

Every parking area was available.

For the first time, I could stop wherever I wanted, take photos without waiting for people to move aside, and simply enjoy the silence.

The mountains felt completely different.

The Best Time for Photography

One thing I didn't expect was how beautiful the light became.

The harsh midday sun was gone, replaced by soft evening light that made the mountains look even more dramatic.

If you enjoy landscape photography, late afternoon and early evening are probably among the best moments to drive the Transfagarasan.

You'll avoid both the crowds and the strong shadows that appear during the middle of the day.

Bring Warm Clothes

This is something many visitors underestimate.

Even if it's still hot down in the valley, temperatures near Balea Lake drop quickly once the sun disappears behind the mountains.

During my visit, the difference was huge.

A simple hoodie or windproof jacket is more than enough, but you'll definitely appreciate having one.

Don't Rush the Journey

Without traffic, you'll probably reach the top much faster than expected.

Don't.

One of the biggest advantages of driving in the evening is having time to enjoy the scenery.

Stop at viewpoints.

Take photos.

Listen to the silence.

Unlike daytime, you won't feel pressured by dozens of cars waiting behind you.

Be More Careful After Dark

Driving becomes more enjoyable in the evening, but it also requires more attention.

Visibility decreases quickly in the mountains, especially inside forests and around tighter bends.

Wildlife also becomes more active.

On one of my evening drives, shortly after passing Vidraru Dam, a young bear suddenly ran across the road just a few meters in front of my car.

Fortunately, I wasn't driving fast enough to hit it.

Since then, I always slow down whenever I enter forested sections after sunset.

If you encounter wildlife:

• reduce your speed;

• stay inside your vehicle;

• never feed wild animals;

• give them enough space to leave on their own.

Is It Better Than Driving During the Day?

In my opinion, yes.

Not because the scenery changes, but because the entire atmosphere does.

Instead of traffic jams, constant engine noise and crowded viewpoints, you get quiet roads, fresh mountain air and enough time to actually enjoy where you are.

The only downside is that you shouldn't start too late.

You still want enough daylight to fully appreciate the views before darkness takes over.

Final Thoughts

If you've already driven the Transfagarasan during the day, I highly recommend experiencing it again in the evening.

For me, it felt like discovering a completely different road.

The mountains were the same, but everything else had changed: fewer cars, almost no tourists, peaceful viewpoints and an atmosphere that simply can't be experienced during peak hours.

Sometimes, changing the time of your visit is enough to completely change the journey.