Arad Train Station (Gara Arad) is the main passenger railway station in Arad, in Arad County. It is one of the busiest train stations in the west of Romania with over 100 daily departures, including some international trains.
History Of Arad Train Station
The history of Arad Train Station goes back to 1858, when the region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Szolnok-Arad railway was opened. The first train ran on October 25 of that year. Between 1869 and 1871, another railway was built between Arad and Timișoara.
The train station building was designed by the Hungarian architect Ference Pfaff, who also designed the train stations of Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara. During World War II it suffered severe damage by a German bombing in October 1944. Between 2012 and 2016, the building underwent a renovation to modernize the train station. The train station is now a historical monument and in front of the entrance a historic steam locomotive is displayed.
Train Companies And Routes At Arad Train Station
There are multiple railway companies operating trains running to and from Aard Train Station:
- CFR Călători is Romania’s national railway company and the largest operator of train routes at Arad Train Station, including regional lines and long-distance services to Oradea, Timișoara North, Bucharest North, and Budapest (Hungary).
- Regio Călători operates regional trains to nearby towns, including Nădlac and Valcani.
- InterRegional Călători operates regional trains on the route Oradea-Arad-Timișoara North.
- Astra Trans Carpathic operates an overnight sleeper train on the route Arad-Timișoara North–Craiova–Bucharest North.
You can find live departure and arrival information on the website of Căile Ferate Române.
Buying Train Tickets At Arad Train Station
Where you can buy your tickets depends on the rail company you’re traveling with, but in most cases, you can buy them either at the train station or online.
- CFR Călători: Tickets can be bought at one of the ticket counters or vending machines inside the train station, via certified travel agencies, or online via the website of CFR Călători or their mobile app.
- Regio Călători: Tickets can be purchased at their ticket office at the train station or online via their website.
- InterRegional Călători: Tickets can be purchased at their ticket office at the train station or online via their website.
- Astra Trans Carpathic: Tickets can be purchased at their ticket office at the train station or online via their website.
Getting To And From Arad Train Station
The train station is located in the northern part of Arad, which is a 25-minute walk from the City Hall in the center of the city.
You can also get to and from Arad Train Station by public transport. Tram lines 1, 3, and 6, and bus line 21 all connect the train station with the historic center of Arad. The bus and tram stops are on Piața Gării in front of the train station. A single-journey ticket for use within the city on the tram or bus costs 4 lei and can be purchased from the ticket kiosk or machine at the tram stop. More information about the tram and bus routes and schedules can be found on the website of CTP Arad.
There is also a taxi stand in front of the train station and ridesharing app Bolt is also available for rides in Arad.
Facilities At Arad Train Station
The following facilities are available at Arad Train Station: public toilets, money exchange, vending machines, an information point, an indoor waiting area, a bakery, a bar, and a restaurant. Near the train station you can find more shops and ATMs can be found inside the nearby Atrium Mall.
