Buses — often the quickest option
Autogari is the most reliable intercity platform with the widest selection of bus and coach routes, and it accepts foreign debit cards. Although the website looks dated, it’s actually very easy to use — simply enter your departure, arrival and travel date. Double check the provided map for your specific selected time to confirm your exact pick-up and drop-off stations, as most towns have multiple options and it varies by bus company. Complete checkout with your name and payment details. You will instantly receive a confirmation email with your unique ticket. Then, arrive at the designated pick-up point at least 20 minutes before departure.
Mobile tickets are accepted, and the driver will already have your name down. I’ve found most routes to be priced between 50 and 120 lei (€8 to €20). Prices depend on the time of departure and bus operator.
I would usually recommend Flixbus but for most routes in Romania it has very limited options (typically very early or very late). The exception is when booking travel to/from Bucharest, the capital city.
Trains — typically slower but cheaper
Another option is to book a train (do this directly on CFR Calatori for mobile tickets). Note that the trains may not be as frequent on most routes and seem to be constantly delayed, plus most train stations are far from city centres or old towns. But it’s worth checking, as for some routes the train is faster and cheaper, such as Bucharest to Brașov. First class carriages are more comfortable and similar to Western European trains, but second class is fine. There are also some private train operators on some routes. Use Treno to compare routes and prices.
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