Mocănița Maramureș — Attraction in Vișeu de Sus

Save your time and money and invest them into something else.

This company sells and markets this experience as a premium one, but they have no idea about what a premium product and a premium customer service is. Let me tell you why: they sell tickets with aleatory allocation of the seats (a member of the staff tells you randomly where to sit once you board the train) without being transparent about the fact that, depending on the seat you get, your experience will be totally different: you either experience beautiful views or basically nothing (the wall of the hill with plenty of trees and their leaves).

You are tricked into that, as it is something you discover only when you are on board and you have already paid, basically when it is too late to make any change.

Their T&C say that you must keep the same seats also when you return and the train doesn’t even get turned around to ensure passengers on both sides have the same quality of experience for the same price, so basically you are destined to have shitty views both outbound and inbound if the seat you got allocated is on the bad side.

I complained upon arrival and also via email and they blamed me for not having asked to change my seat on the way back - something forbidden by their T&C, by the way. And there was no member of the personnel to ask help to on the train after departure.

Let alone the fact that they didn’t refund me or had a goodwill gesture and replied to me with the same unbelievable logic described in the next paragraph.

The way they treat you is like if you go to a restaurant and you pay in advance for a set menu which includes steak and potatoes and then at the table next to you (where people paid the same amount of money for the same menu) get steak and potatoes and you get potatoes only. When you ask then why, they tell you that it is aleatory. That they sell the menu not the content of it. And that you knew from the beginning (even if it wasn’t written anywhere) that you might get or not the steak (even if you got charged for it and they don’t refund you).

Their lack of transparency about the possibility of inconsistency in the quality of the service doesn’t allow you to choose beforehand if you are ok with having this experience and risk the inbuilt disappointment.

I am Romanian, I have lived in different countries and I have travelled all over the World (been also a flight attendant for many years) and enjoyed many beautiful travel experiences in countries that are considered less evolved than Romania.

I am deeply sad and ashamed to have experienced this lack of honesty and common sense back in my country of origin, but I am writing this to prevent other potential customers from a fraudulent experience and its consequent...

Embarking on a steam train journey in Romania offers a unique glimpse into the country's rich history and scenic landscapes. However, it's essential to be well-prepared, especially during the winter months.

Arrival and Boarding

Upon arriving at the train station with our pre-purchased online tickets, we found ample free parking spaces. The ticket collection process at the information desk was straightforward, allowing us to board the train promptly.

Onboard Experience

We quickly realized that the steam train's carriages lacked modern heating systems, relying instead on traditional stoves that took considerable time to warm up. For winter travelers, it's advisable to wear ski attire or similarly warm clothing to ensure comfort throughout the journey.

The train's leisurely pace offers plenty of time to appreciate the surrounding scenery. However, this slow progression might lead to restlessness, particularly among younger passengers. Bringing along entertainment options for children and adults can help make the trip more enjoyable.

Destination and Dining

At the final station, a restaurant serves traditional Romanian dishes. Dining outdoors by the warmth of an open fire provides a memorable experience, with the mulled wine being a standout highlight. While the food is flavorful, it leans towards the pricier side. Pre-booking meals with your ticket might offer cost savings, but be prepared for potentially long queues.

Overall Impression

The entire excursion lasts approximately 4.5 hours at a gentle speed. While the journey offers a distinctive and picturesque experience, being equipped for the cold and planning for onboard entertainment are crucial for a comfortable trip.

In summary, while the steam train journey provides a charming and authentic Romanian experience, adequate preparation is key to fully enjoying...

Nice experience! I recommend buying tickets online. On Sunday I checked for Tuesday tickets and it was all sold out. On Wednesday we took the 11am steam train, it returned at 4pm, so round trip this train ride is 5 hrs. You stop 3 times total. I bought the tickets with the meal and it was very convenient, at the first stop (30 min) we just used the coupons to get a placinta (which is like a fried dough with cheese, it’s delicious!). 2nd stop was at the end, there was a 1 hr break with food as well, lots of meat and some traditional Romanian music and traditional dressed dancers to welcome you. While you eat the train turns around to go back. You stop again at the same stop point as the first, for only about 15 min, enough time to grab a drink or use the restroom. Ticket was about $33 USD pp, great value for the cost, for train service and plenty food and drinks were included in the price. They recommend arriving 30 min before your train leaves, to collect your tickets at the ticket office. But we ran into some traffic and almost missed the train! I would recommend planning to arrive 1 hr before to account for the traffic in the area and to get your tickets and good seats. Once you sit, that is your seat for the entire ride.

Overall my group really enjoyed this and...