Bro, pour a coffee and sit down, because I've got news that'll make you realize summer vacation is like a scam, but we Romanians still go, 'cause we're not staying home to melt! Romanians going on holiday this summer, in 2026, have to choose between several means of transport, each with financial or comfort pros and cons. According to market data, the most sought-after foreign destinations remain Turkey, Greece, and Spain. So, if you've got patience, let's see how much it costs us to get to the sea, because I did the math and I got sick!
For those who want to get there fast, the plane is the preferred option, but costs can be significant. A family of two adults and two kids can pay over 1,000 euros just for plane tickets to Antalya, without preferred seats or transfer. One tourist explained: "Tough experiences, tough with driving, boredom, fatigue, the plane is best. With a small kid it's harder to travel." Well, bro, 1,000 euros for four tickets? For that money, I can fill up my BMW about three times and still have some change for snacks on the road! But if you've got a small kid, like that guy said, you think twice, because Mioara will kill me if I take Brian to the check-in line.
The personal car remains a frequent choice, especially for families or groups sharing costs. For a round trip Bucharest - Bulgaria, fuel costs about 450 lei, plus road taxes. For Halkidiki, fuel reaches around 1,000 lei, and for Antalya it exceeds 2,500 lei. Advantages include no luggage or transfer issues, but there's a risk of breakdowns, malfunctions, or border congestion. You know how it is, bro, me with my 2008 BMW, if I manage to go to Halkidiki and come back, I'll still have money for a shawarma. But hold on, 2,500 lei for Antalya? For that money, I'd rather go to Costinesti with a tent and have a barbecue with the boys! Although, Mioara says the tent is "trash and filth," so we'll probably go with the bus option, 'cause it's cheaper and you see the scenery.
The bus is an intermediate option, with lower prices than the plane but longer travel times. A ticket to Bulgaria or Greece starts at about 350 lei. For example, the Bucharest - Thassos route takes at least 12 hours. Marius Berca, manager of a travel agency, stated: "The packages are Bulgaria, 250 euros per person, Riviera Olimpului, 175 euros per person, and last but not least Halkidiki, 265 euros per person. There are people who don't fly or people who want to see more because, going by bus, you see more until you reach the destination." 350 lei per ticket, bro? That means for my family, four people, it's about 1,400 lei, plus you sit 12 hours in the bus with Brian screaming at TikTok and Ioana asking for juice every hour. I'd rather take the car and stop at a tavern on the way, 'cause it still comes out cheaper!
The train remains the choice for those not pressed for time. CFR resumes daily routes to Sofia and Istanbul from mid-month. To the Bulgarian capital the journey takes about 10 hours, and to Istanbul around 24 hours. One traveler said: "If there were sleeping conditions and dining conditions, I think it would be an interesting experience, I think we could also see many landscapes." 24 hours to Istanbul? Well, bro, in that time I can get to Antalya by plane, come back, and still catch a barbecue on the beach! But if you've got time and nerves, the train is an option, especially since you see landscapes and don't wreck your car. My mother-in-law, Aunt Veta, says the train is "like in Ceausescu's time," but I don't really believe her, 'cause she watches Antena 3 and thinks everything was better.
Last year, the car was first in Romanians' preferences for vacations, followed by plane, train, and bus. So, if you want to go to the sea and don't want to spend all your money on transport, take your car and load it with care, 'cause the road is long, but at least you're in control. Me, after seeing the prices, I think I'll stay home and have a barbecue in front of the building, 'cause it's the same thing. But you, bro, what do you choose?
