About Bușteni
Bușteni is a town and mountain resort in the Prahova Valley, at about 850 m, between Sinaia and Azuga, right below the eastern wall of the Bucegi Mountains. The settlement grew at the end of the 19th century around the paper mill and the railway between Bucharest and Brașov, and its villas and guesthouses later made it a year-round holiday place.
Skiing arrived early: around 1907–1908, young people back from studying abroad began skiing on Valea Albă and on Coștila. Today, in winter, the town has its own ski area, the Kalinderu slope, run by a company of the Bușteni Local Council; in summer, Bușteni is one of the most used starting points for the Bucegi plateau.
The Kalinderu slope
The Kalinderu slope runs down through the forest to the north-western edge of the town, where its base is, on Strada Matei Basarab. A chairlift climbs from the base to the top; the area has a main intermediate run and easier variants, a beginners' area and a sledging slope, which is also reached by the chairlift.
What you can see
Above the town rises the Bucegi escarpment, with the Caraiman and Coștila peaks; from the streets you can see the Caraiman Cross.
In summer, waymarked trails lead from Bușteni up to the plateau, and towards the south of the town, on Strada Telecabinei, the cable car to Babele departs. From the end of that same street a forest path leads to the Urlătoarea Waterfall, and Strada Zamorei climbs to Cantacuzino Castle, with its terrace facing the Bucegi.
Good to know
The Bușteni–Babele cable car and the Kalinderu chairlift are different installations, with separate operators and tickets. The opening of the slope depends on snow: in some winters the season starts in December, in others only in January. On winter and summer weekends the DN1 through the Prahova Valley gets congested.
Information verified on 3 November 2026.
- Skiing the Kalinderu slope, which runs down through the forest to the edge of the town.
- The beginners' area and sledging slope at Kalinderu, good for children.
- The view of the Bucegi escarpment, with Caraiman and Coștila, right above the streets.
- The cable car ride from Bușteni up to the Bucegi plateau, at Babele.
- The walk through the forest to the Urlătoarea Waterfall.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Bușteni is on the DN1, between Sinaia and Brașov: ~148 km from Bucharest (~2 hours, longer at weekends), ~74 km from Ploiești (~1 hour 15 minutes), ~37 km from Brașov (~45 minutes) and ~9 km from Sinaia. The base of the Kalinderu slope is on Strada Matei Basarab, ~1 km west of the DN1 (Bulevardul Libertății).
Public transport: trains on the Bucharest–Brașov line stop at Bușteni station, next to the DN1; from there it is ~1.5 km to the base of the Kalinderu slope, about 20 minutes on foot.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the resort is free. On the Kalinderu slope you ski with a ski pass, at the prices set by the slope's operator, which may change from one season to the next. The cable car to Babele has separate tickets.
- Rules
On the slopes, keep to the markings and the skiers' code of conduct. In the mountains, stay on waymarked trails, with warm clothes and suitable footwear, as the weather changes quickly on the Bucegi escarpment; in winter some paths are exposed to avalanches. Bears live in the surrounding forests: do not leave food or rubbish behind and do not feed the animals.
- Facilities
Accommodation, restaurants and shops in town · railway station on the Bucharest–Brașov line · chairlift, beginners' area and sledging slope at Kalinderu · cable car to Babele · mountain rescue (Salvamont)
Frequently asked questions about Bușteni
How much is a ticket to Bușteni?
Admission to Bușteni is free. More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Bușteni?
Opening hours at Bușteni: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Bușteni take?
A visit to Bușteni takes about 4½ – 5 hours (a day's skiing or hiking).
Can you visit Bușteni with kids?
Yes, Bușteni is suitable for children (beginners' area, sledging).
How do I get to Bușteni?
Bușteni is located at Strada Matei Basarab, at the foot of the Kalinderu slope, Bușteni, Prahova County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Bușteni?
The best season for Bușteni: All year round (skiing in winter, hiking in summer).
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