Transportation Information
Getting to Cluj-Napoca
We are excited to welcome you to the Intelligent Vehicles Conference 2025 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, a vibrant hub of innovation and culture in the heart of Transylvania. Whether you’re traveling, Cluj-Napoca is accessible by air, train, car or bus. Below, we’ve outlined some transportation options to help you plan your journey. As schedules and routes for 2025 may evolve, we recommend making your travel arrangements as soon as possible.
By air
The primary gateway to Cluj-Napoca is Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport (CLJ), located approximately 9 km (5.9 miles) from the city center. The airport offers travelers 52 routes in 21 countries direct flights to major European hubs, with common one-stop routes via Bucharest, Munich (Lufthansa), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), and Warsaw (LOT Polish Airlines). For a complete list of destinations and airlines, visit the airport’s official website: Cluj Airport Destinations.
Layovers & Flight Duration
Flights from major intercontinental locations typically require a layover in Europe or the Middle East, with total travel times ranging from 12 to 20 hours, depending on the departure city and stopover duration.
Alternative Airports
If direct flights to Cluj (CLJ) are unavailable, travelers can consider nearby airports:
- Sibiu International Airport (SBZ) – Approx. 2h away by car
- Târgu Mureș (TGM) – Approx. 1.5h away by car
Transportation from the Airport to the City Center
1. By Bus
- Bus Lines A1E connects Cluj Airport to the city center in approx. 30 min.
- Monday–Friday: 04:30 – 24:00 (every 10 min)
- Saturday & Sunday: 04:30 – 24:00 (every 20 min)
- Bus Lines 5 and 8 also serve the airport with limited operating hours.
For more details on schedules and fares, visit Cluj Public Transport (CTP).
2. By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Services
- Taxi: a fare of around 50 RON (~10€) and takes approx 20 minutes to the city center
- Ride-sharing (Bolt, Uber): Fares range from 30 to 60 RON (6-12€) depending on demand and time of day.
By train
Cluj-Napoca serves as a key railway hub in Romania, with its main station (Gara Cluj-Napoca) located approximately 2 km from the city center. The station is well-connected to the entire city via public transport (for fare details see Local Transportation).
Train Routes & Booking
International tickets: bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro
Domestic routes: cfrcalatori.ro
Additional booking options: bahn.de, oebb.at, infofer.ro
Important Notice. Due to ongoing railway renovations between Oradea and Cluj-Napoca, travel times may be longer than usual for travelers coming from Western Europe via Budapest.
Transportation from the Main Station to the City Center
1. By Public Transport
- Bus Lines 5, 31, 35
- Tram Lines 101, 102
For more details on routes and fares, visit Cluj Public Transport (CTP).
2. By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Services
- ~20 RON (~4€) and takes approx 5-10 minutes to the city center
By car
Cluj-Napoca, located in northwestern Romania along the Someșul Mic River valley. The city is accessible by road via Romania’s national, european and an expanding highway network.
Romania requires an electronic vignette (Rovinieta) for all national roads and highways. This can be purchased online here or at most gas stations (17.6 RON/€3.3 for 10 days). Travelers from the European Union no longer need to undergo passport checks at the border, as Romania has joined the Schengen Zone.
Once in Cluj, several public and private parking facilities are available, including city-operated parking lots near the airport and a Park & Ride at the airport. Many hotels provide guest parking, while public garages and metered parking are available downtown.
By bus
Long-distance buses offer an affordable way to reach Cluj-Napoca, with extensive routes across Europe. Modern coach services are reasonably comfortable (with Wi-Fi and rest stops), though travel times are long. This option can make sense for budget-conscious travelers coming from neighboring European countries. Buses to Cluj-Napoca typically arrive at Autogara Beta, the city’s main bus terminal, located at 2km from city centers.
Tickets can be booked online through:
- FlixBus: flixbus.com
- Omio: omio.com
- Busbud: busbud.com
For the best fares and schedules, advanced booking is recommended.
Transportation from the Autogara Beta to the City Center
1. By Public Transport
- Bus Lines 5, 31, 35
- Tram Lines 101, 102
For more details on routes and fares, visit Cluj Public Transport (CTP).
2. By Taxi or Ride-Sharing Services
- ~20 RON (~4€) and takes approx 5-10 minutes to the city center