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Poiana Brașov is Brașov’s mountain resort, a district of the city at about 1,020 m, roughly 12 km by road above the centre. City bus 20 runs there from Livada Poștei every 20–30 minutes from 06:00 (5 lei a ride); outside the ski season the cable cars carry walkers and cyclists up the Postăvarul massif for 70 lei return. In winter the same lifts serve the ski area, which we cover in our skiing near Brașov guide.
Is it worth it?
In summer and early autumn, yes, if you want a day in the mountains without a long transfer. Poiana sits about 400 m above the city, the lifts get you close to the top of Postăvarul without the climb, and the bus makes it an easy half-day trip from the centre.
In winter it’s the obvious choice for skiing near Brașov, and the busiest time of year.
In between (late autumn and spring), check before you go. When we checked on 10 October 2026, the operator listed only one lift, the Capra Neagră cable car, as running.
Skip it if you only have one day in Brașov: the Old Town and the view from Tâmpa will fill it. Poiana is also not a village in the traditional sense; it’s a resort of hotels, villas and ski infrastructure spread across a large meadow.
Getting there from Brașov
Bus 20 (the easiest way)
Bus 20 starts at Livada Poștei, the bus hub next to the Old Town, and ends at Poiana Brașov. On the way up it stops at Bellevue Residence, Warte, Dealul Spirii, Piscului, După Iniște, Braniște and Poiana Mică (RATBV timetable, valid from 5 June 2026).
| Monday–Friday | Saturday–Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| First bus from Livada Poștei | 06:00 | 06:30 |
| Every 20 minutes | 07:00–18:40 | 07:00–18:40 |
| Every 30 minutes | early morning and 19:00–23:30 | early morning and 19:00–23:30 |
| Last bus from Livada Poștei | 23:30 | 23:30 |
| First bus back from Poiana | 06:30 | 06:55 |
| Last bus back from Poiana | 23:59 | 23:59 |
RATBV adds extra buses when demand is high.
Fare: a standard urban ticket costs 5 lei and is valid for 90 minutes; a 1-day pass costs 20 lei and a 3-day pass 50 lei (RATBV fares, checked 10 October 2026). Line 20 is one of the routes where you can buy a ticket from the driver. You can also tap a contactless bank card on the validator on board, use the 24pay app, or buy from the RATBV kiosks.
By car
The road climbs from the city centre along the same route as the bus, past the Warte and Dealul Spirii stops, about 12 km in all. It is a winding mountain road; in winter it can be snowy or icy, so drive with winter tyres. Poiana can also be reached from the Râșnov side; the resort’s operator puts Râșnov fortress about 11 km away.
Taxi or ride-hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing apps work in Brașov (see our transport guide). Bolt’s app shows the price before you book.
On foot: the old road and the forest trails
The old road to Poiana (Drumul Vechi al Poienii) leaves the city on the Șchei side and passes Pietrele lui Solomon, the limestone outcrops at the top of the district, where the yellow-stripe trail climbs into the forest. Mountain bikers use the old road and the forest tracks above it as a training circuit (Munții Noștri route description). It’s a long uphill walk; if you do walk up, bus 20 is an easy way back down.
Summer and autumn: lifts, hikes and bikes
The cable cars
Three lifts carry walkers and cyclists up Postăvarul outside the ski season: the Postăvarul Express gondola, the Kanzel cable car and the Capra Neagră cable car. All three are run by Ana Teleferic and cost the same (summer price list, checked 10 October 2026):
| Ticket | Adult | Child 6–12 |
|---|---|---|
| Return | 70 lei | 40 lei |
| Up only | 40 lei | 25 lei |
| Down only | 40 lei | 25 lei |
- Children under 6 ride free with a family member.
- Tickets are loaded onto a plastic card that costs 20 lei; it’s reloadable but not refundable.
- With a bike or paraglider: 55 lei a ride (40 lei for children), 180 lei for a day pass, 160 lei from 12:00 or for 4 hours, 110 lei from 14:00.
The operator’s lift status page lists hours of 09:00–16:00 for all three. On 10 October 2026 it showed only the Capra Neagră cable car as open; it is 2,809 m long and climbs 737 m to a top station at 1,775 m. Check that page on the morning you go.
Hiking on Postăvarul
The Postăvarul massif rises to about 1,800 m above Poiana and has around 35 officially approved trails (Wikipedia). The operator describes the walk from Poiana to the Postăvarul cabin as relatively easy, at about 3 hours (Discover Poiana). With a lift ticket you can skip most of the climb and walk along the upper slopes instead.
Before you set off:
- Stick to marked trails and take a map or offline map app; weather changes quickly at this height.
- Carry water, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a hot day in town.
- In an emergency, call 112, which also dispatches the Salvamont mountain rescue service.
Cycling and other activities
Bikes travel on the lifts outside the ski season with the cyclist ticket above, and the operator points riders to routes on Postăvarul and a descent back down to Brașov. There’s no current official page for a marked bike park, so check locally before planning around one. The operator’s activities page also lists a horse-riding centre open every day and the spa and pools at Ana Hotels Sport.
Winter: skiing
In the ski season, snow permitting, the lifts switch to ski passes and the slopes under Postăvarul become Brașov’s ski area. Prices, opening dates and slope details are in our skiing near Brașov guide, so we don’t repeat them here.
For non-skiers, winter in Poiana is about the snow itself: walking around the resort, a lift ride for the view if pedestrian tickets are sold that season, and sledging where it’s allowed. For ideas back in town, see Brașov in winter.
Where to eat
Check opening hours before you rely on a particular place, especially in the quiet months between seasons (late autumn and spring), when it’s worth taking food and water with you in case kitchens are closed.
What a day in Poiana costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus 20, one way | 5 lei |
| RATBV 1-day pass (covers the return trip and city buses) | 20 lei |
| Cable car return, adult | 70 lei + 20 lei card |
| Cable car return, child 6–12 | 40 lei |
| Lift ride with a bike | 55 lei |
Prices checked on 10 October 2026 against RATBV and Ana Teleferic. For buses, the airport and trains, see our plan your trip hub.
Combine it with
- Râșnov fortress, about 11 km from Poiana by road, and Bran Castle further along the same valley.
- The Old Town in the evening: the last bus 20 leaves Poiana at 23:59, so you can stay up there for dinner or come back down for it.
- Walks closer to town, such as the promenade under Tâmpa, in our walks in Brașov guide.
FAQ
How do I get from Brașov to Poiana Brașov?
Take city bus 20 from Livada Poștei. It runs from 06:00 on weekdays (06:30 at weekends) until 23:30, every 20 minutes for most of the day and every 30 minutes in the evening.
How much is the bus to Poiana Brașov?
A standard RATBV ticket costs 5 lei and is valid for 90 minutes. You can buy it from the driver on line 20, pay by contactless card on board or use the 24pay app.
Are the Poiana Brașov cable cars open in summer?
Yes. Outside the ski season the gondola and the Kanzel and Capra Neagră cable cars carry walkers and cyclists for 70 lei return (adults). Not every lift runs every day in the shoulder seasons; on 10 October 2026 only Capra Neagră was running.
Can you walk from Brașov to Poiana Brașov?
Yes, on the old road and marked forest paths from the Șchei side, but it is a long uphill walk. Bus 20 is an easy way back down.
Is Poiana Brașov worth visiting if you don’t ski?
In summer and early autumn, yes: the lifts take you up Postăvarul for walks and views, and it’s an easy half day from the centre by bus. In the quiet months between seasons, check which lifts and restaurants are open first.
Sources
- RATBV: line 20 timetable, fares, where to buy tickets, checked 10 October 2026
- Ana Teleferic / Discover Poiana: summer lift prices, lift status and hours, activities, attractions, checked 10 October 2026
- Munții Noștri: Brașov – Șaua Tâmpei cycling circuit (old Poiana road)
- Wikipedia: Poiana Brașov (altitude), Munții Postăvarul (summit height)
