ARBDD permits · Navrom · Tulcea · Sulina · Sfântu Gheorghe
How do you legally enter the Delta?
The reserve is visited with a permit, and the villages are linked by boat. Below: the verdict by what you want to do, the permit table with official tariffs, and Navrom timetables.
The quick verdict
Pick by what you want to do in the Delta. Tariffs are from the official ARBDD shop.
| Birdwatching weekend | Mila 23 via Crișan | The Crișan–Mila 23 boat leaves 16:30 daily, back 06:30. Tourist permit 7 days: 15 lei. Reach Crișan by Navrom from Tulcea. |
|---|---|---|
| Beach at Sfântu Gheorghe | Navrom direct from Tulcea | Season: 13:30 daily (except Tuesday); back 07:00. Classic or semi-fast. Tourist permit: 15 lei/7 days. |
| With your own boat | Boat permit | 7 days 20 lei / year 100 — valid only with the tourist access permit. Inner channels only with a permit. |
| Recreational fishing | 0-lei permit + access | The fishing permit is free but requires the tourist access permit (5/15/30 lei). Zones and periods: ask ARBDD. |
| Photo and drone | 50–100 lei permit | Educational 50, commercial 100 (max 3-person crew), drone <500 g 50 lei — all only with the access permit. |
| Kayak with overnights | Per-channel permit, 50 lei | 7 listed channels (Dranov, Dunavăț, Mila 36, Șontea Nouă, Sulina, Dunărea Veche, Războinița); 7 nights 350 lei. Slow tourism only. |
Access, measured by road
All roads to the Delta pass through Tulcea. Beyond it, water only.
Method: OSRM car routes on OpenStreetMap, measured on 17 September 2026. Times are continuous driving, no stops, one way.
| From | To | km | min |
|---|---|---|---|
| București | Tulcea | 296.8 | 239 |
| Constanța | Tulcea | 132.2 | 123 |
| Galați | Tulcea | 97.3 | 101 |
Bucharest–Tulcea is half a day's drive: 296.8 km / about 4 h (measured).
The bases, one by one
The permits, with official tariffs
From the official ARBDD shop (permise.ddbra.ro). Car, boat, fishing and photo permits are valid only together with the tourist access permit.
| Permit | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist access | 5 lei | 1 day |
| Tourist access | 15 lei | 7 days |
| Tourist access | 30 lei | to year-end |
| Car | 10 / 100 lei | 1 day / year |
| Boat | 20 / 100 lei | 7 days / year |
| Recreational fishing | 0 lei | with access permit |
| Photo educational / commercial | 50 / 100 lei | with access permit |
| Drone <500 g | 50 lei | with access permit |
| Slow-tourism overnight | 50 / 350 lei | 1 night / 7 nights |
Free: pupils, students, pensioners, veterans, ex-political prisoners, disabled persons, RBDD residents.
Tulcea gateway
- ARBDD HQ: 34A Portului Street, Tulcea; arbdd@ddbra.ro.
- Navrom terminal: sailings to Sulina, Sfântu Gheorghe and Periprava; tickets online.
- Seasons: extra Oct–Apr; inter 1 May–18 Jun + 15–30 Sep; season 19 Jun–14 Sep.
Getting there: Bucharest–Tulcea 296.8 km; Constanța–Tulcea 132.2; Galați–Tulcea 97.3 (measured).
Sulina 3.5 h / 2.5 h
- Season Tulcea→Sulina: daily 10:00 semi-fast + 13:30 classic; back 07:00 classic + 13:30 semi-fast.
- Durations: classic 3.5 h, semi-fast 2.5 h. Interseason: daily 13:30, alternating.
- Online only classic-boat prices apply, on any boat.
Getting there: Under-7s free; pupils/pensioners/disabled buy at offices, with documents.
Sfântu Gheorghe no Tuesday
- Season Tulcea 13:30: Mon classic, Wed semi, Thu classic, Fri classic, Sat semi, Sun semi — no Tuesday.
- Back 07:00: Mon semi, Tue classic, Thu semi, Fri classic, Sat classic, Sun semi — no Wednesday.
- Check the timetable in the Navrom engine before leaving; sailings cancel in bad weather.
Getting there: Tickets online or at agencies; fares only in the booking engine.
Boat fares are not published statically: timetables yes, prices only in the Navrom booking engine — see Questions.
Practical
Permits
Buy online at permise.ddbra.ro. Pupils, students and pensioners enter free. Car, boat, fishing and photo permits only ride with the access permit.
Speed
Inner-channel navigation needs a permit (HG 538/2015). In June 2026 the Senate adopted a 5 km/h bill — a bill, not law (press report).
Money
A weekend: 15 lei the permit + the boat. Boat fares are not published statically — they live in the Navrom booking engine.
Bases
Tulcea is the gateway (ARBDD + Navrom). Sulina and Sfântu Gheorghe by boat. Mila 23 via Crișan: the 16:30 boat daily.
Questions
Do I need a permit to enter the Delta?
Yes: 5 lei/day, 15 lei/7 days or 30 lei to year-end, from permise.ddbra.ro. Pupils, students and pensioners enter free.
How much is the Tulcea–Sulina boat?
The timetable is public (season: 10:00 semi-fast + 13:30 classic, daily); fares are not: they live only in the Navrom booking engine. Online pays classic-boat prices.
Can I bring my car or own boat?
Yes, with a permit: car 10 lei/day or 100/year; boat 20 lei/7 days or 100/year — both only together with the tourist access permit.
Can I camp anywhere in the Delta?
No. Slow-tourism overnights need a permit: 50 lei/night on 7 listed channels (Dranov, Dunavăț, Mila 36, Șontea Nouă, Sulina, Dunărea Veche, Războinița) or 350 lei/7 nights.
What is the channel speed limit?
Navigation rules are in HG 538/2015 (link under Sources). In June 2026 the Senate adopted a 5 km/h bill — a bill, not law in force.
How far is the drive to Tulcea?
Bucharest–Tulcea 296.8 km / about 4 h; Constanța–Tulcea 132.2; Galați–Tulcea 97.3 (measured). Beyond, water only.