Getting Around Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in central Romania, in the historical region of Transylvania, and it straddles the Cibin River. Its geographical position makes it one of the most important transportation hubs in Romania, with important roads and railway lines passing through it. For a visitor, though, the practical picture is simpler: the historic centre is compact and best explored on foot, and a handful of other options cover everything else.
On Foot
Walking is the default way to get around Sibiu. Almost all the sights of interest are within the compact old centre, much of it pedestrianised, and wandering at random among the cobbled alleys is half the fun. The main pedestrian area covers the Grand Square (Piața Mare), the Small Square (Piața Mică), and the connecting cobblestone streets, with landmarks such as the Council Tower and the Bridge of Lies all within walking distance of one another. Most hotels, restaurants, museums, and shops are within walking distance of the Old Town.
A few practical cautions: the cobblestones are uneven and some sections are steep, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and the stones can be slippery in winter. Street signs in tourist areas include English translations. If you would like context rather than just a stroll, guided walking tours are available, and you can hire a guide via the tourist information centre or main hotels. The city centre to the train station is about a 20-minute walk.
Buses and Public Transport
Sibiu's local public transport is a bus network operated by Tursib, connecting the city centre with residential areas, the train station, the airport, and nearby villages. It is a budget-friendly option for anywhere beyond the centre, and it is the practical way to reach the ASTRA outdoor folk museum, which sits outside the central area.
- Tickets: Buy from kiosks marked "Casa de bilete" near bus stops, from the driver (often at a slightly higher price), or via a transport card. Multi-trip cards are available, and mobile app payment has been mentioned.
- On board: Sibiu is one of the few cities in Romania where card payment is accepted for public buses — just tap a contactless-enabled credit or debit card on the card reader on board and it will print you a ticket. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. If you buy a ticket another way, validate it on boarding.
- Planning: Route maps and schedules are available via the Tursib website, at bus stops, through hotels, and on Google Maps. A route planner for public transport is available online.
- Language: Bus routes can be difficult to navigate without Romanian language skills, and bus stops display limited English information, so it is worth checking your route in advance.
- Hours: Service runs from early morning to late evening.
Note that Sibiu's network of trams and trolley-buses was ripped out in the 2010s, just as other cities were expensively re-installing theirs. There is no metro in Sibiu. The main bus station, Autogara Transmixt, sits next to the train station, about a 15-minute walk from the Old Town.
Trains
Sibiu Central station (Gara Mare) is about 500 m north-east of the city centre and next to the bus station. For current timetables, the easiest website is DB. The train is worth considering for one excursion in particular: Sighișoara, roughly 2½ hours away. It is an infrequent service, but the bus connections there are worse. Beyond that, the city's rail links are mainly useful for arriving and departing rather than for getting around town.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis and rideshares provide door-to-door service and are useful late at night, with luggage, or for attractions outside the centre. Taxis are widely available and can be hailed on the street, picked up at designated stands, or booked by phone. Sibiu taxi drivers are generally decent and switch on the meter without being nagged — but do make sure the meter is running, or agree on a fare beforehand. Cash is generally accepted, so small RON notes are handy, though cards are widely accepted in the city more broadly.
Bolt is the ride-sharing app that operates in Sibiu and shows a fare estimate upfront; Uber is not widely available. Ride-hailing costs more than public transport but less than the hassle of navigating an unfamiliar city with bags.
Bicycle
Cycling is an increasingly popular option, with new bike lanes and rental services. Bike rentals are available from several Old Town shops and some hotels, by the hour or by the full day, and some hotels offer shuttle services or complimentary bike rentals. E-bikes are available for the hills, and helmets and locks are available on request.
Be realistic about where you ride: cycling is limited in the historic centre because of cobblestones and pedestrian zones, but it works well for parks and suburbs. Routes include Sub Arini Park and along the Cibin River, and Dumbrava Forest has bike paths a short distance from downtown, with some rental shops providing route maps. Bike parking can be difficult in the historic centre during peak tourist season. The fascinating Transylvanian villages, such as Biertan, are within cycling range, but the main roads are busy and not much fun by bike — though taking a bike on the train to Mediaș is an option.
Car Rental and Parking
International rental car companies such as Hertz, Avis, and Europcar operate from Sibiu Airport and downtown, and the Romanian company Autonom also offers rentals. Booking in advance is advised. An International Driving Permit is required alongside a US or Canadian licence. A rental car is useful for day trips to Brașov, Sighișoara, Corvin Castle, the Carpathian Mountains, the Transfăgărășan Highway, and the fortified churches, and for reaching the Transylvanian villages generally.
Driving in the historic centre is difficult because of pedestrian zones and narrow streets, and parking in the Old Town is restricted, with paid zones and time limits. Several parking garages and paid lots serve the historic centre and the periphery, but spaces are limited, especially in peak season — check local parking regulations to avoid fines. Roads outside major cities can be less well maintained, so observe speed limits. If you are driving in, your main difficulty will be finding your way through the old town one-way system to your hotel, so ask ahead for precise directions.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Sibiu International Airport (SBZ) lies west of the city centre on the main highway, and it is small and easy to use, with a café, currency exchange, and car hire desks. There are no domestic flights; arrivals are international, including services from Dortmund, Karlsruhe/Baden Baden, London-Luton, and Nuremberg (Wizz Air), Munich (Lufthansa, and from Memmingen by Wizz Air), and Vienna (Austrian Airlines).
- By bus: Five bus routes pick up at the airport gate. Route 11 (pink line) is the best choice for the centre.
- By taxi: A taxi to the centre costs around 25 lei in the daytime and around 30 lei late at night.
- By rental car: Car hire desks are in the airport terminal if you would rather drive yourself.
Practical Notes
- The currency is the Romanian Leu (RON). Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small purchases and traditional taxi fares.
- A local SIM or eSIM is useful for maps and ride-sharing apps.
- A Sibiu tourist pass may offer benefits for museum entry and transport.
- Summer brings more tourists, which affects transport and parking availability; winter makes the cobblestones slippery.
- For regional travel onward, intercity buses and trains connect Sibiu to other major Romanian cities, and the city functions as a regional hub.