The simplest way to reach Bâlea Waterfall, the Bâlea cable car and — in summer — Bâlea Lake at 2,034 m, without a rental car or a guided tour. Two daily departures from Sibiu, by reservation, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The Waterfall route runs all year. The Lake route runs only when the upper section of the Transfagarasan is open — usually July to October. Same days, slightly different schedule.
Reach the Bâlea Cascada cable car station at the foot of the upper Transfagarasan. From there, ride the cable car up to the lake (separate ticket). Operates all year — accessible even when the high road is closed.
Drives all the way up the Transfagarasan to Bâlea Lake — Romania's most famous alpine lake. Available only when the high road is open: officially July through October, depending on weather.
The bus leaves from the Thalia Hall parking in central Sibiu and drives up through Avrig and Cartisoara to the Bâlea Cascada cable car station. From July to October, a final leg continues all the way up to Bâlea Lake itself.
Reservations close 24 hours before departure — earlier in summer when the Lake program fills up. Be at Parking Thalia Hall no later than 10 minutes before the departure time.
| Program | Departures from Sibiu | Returns from Bâlea | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bâlea Waterfall
Program I · Year-round
|
09:00
14:00
|
11:00
16:00
|
Mon · Wed · Fri |
|
Bâlea Lake
Program II · Jul – Oct
|
09:00
15:30
|
10:30
17:00
|
Mon · Wed · Fri |
Prices are in RON. Round-trip is most popular for the Lake program — payment confirmed at booking, refundable up to 12 hours before departure.
From Bâlea Waterfall up to Bâlea Lake by cable car — useful in winter when the upper road is closed and the bus terminates at Cascada. Tickets sold at the lower station.
Balea Bus is reservation-only — there's no walk-up service at the Sibiu departure point. The bus runs a given day only if at least one booking exists for it.
Balea Bus is operated by Carpathian Travel Center, the parent group based in central Sibiu. Booking is online only — for special requests (group charters, itinerary tweaks) email or call.
The bus only runs for the days that have bookings. Pick a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, choose your program and reserve at least 24 hours ahead — that's it. The driver will be at Thalia Hall.
