Boat on Delta waters
Travel Information

Visiting Chilia Veche.

This is not a destination for conventional tourism. It is a place that requires patience, respect, and curiosity — and careful planning before departure.

Note on information currency: Transport schedules, prices, and RBDD regulations change periodically. Where the date of information is known, it is indicated explicitly. Always verify with official sources before departing.
Destination 01

About Chilia Veche

Chilia Veche is a commune situated at the north-western tip of the Danube Delta, on the right bank of the Chilia arm, at the border with Ukraine. It is one of the few settlements in the Delta accessible by car as well as by water, making it a unique destination for those seeking authenticity and remoteness.

The Chilia arm, along which the commune sits, is the youngest and largest of the three Danube branches — carrying approximately 60% of the river's flow and stretching nearly 120 km along the border with Ukraine. In Herodotus' time, Chilia Veche was a port on the Black Sea; today, alluvial deposits have pushed the shoreline more than 40 km away.

Beyond Chilia Veche, on the same arm, lies Periprava — the last accessible village, the departure point for Letea Forest with its wild horse herds and trees over 500 years old.

By Boat 02

Getting There: By Boat (Navrom Delta)

♫ Regular Ferry Service

Navrom Delta is the only regular passenger and freight operator serving the isolated communities of the Delta. The relevant route is:

Tulcea → Ceatalchioi → Plaur → Pardina → Chilia Veche → Periprava
Departures from Tulcea Port (Str. Portului nr. 26). Tickets can be purchased at Navrom counters or online at navromdelta.ro.

Seasonal schedule

Period Dates Frequency
High season ~20 June – ~7 September Frequent departures (check online)
Shoulder season ~8 September – 30 September Reduced frequency
Off season October – April ~3 departures/week

Approximate fares (updated 2024–2025)

Category Fare (approx.)
Full-price ticket Tulcea–Periprava (via Chilia Veche) ~54 RON
Local Delta residents (subsidised) ~20 RON
Children, pupils, pensioners, veterans Discount / free
⚠️ Important: The exact timetable (departure times, operating days) and fares change every year. Always check at navromdelta.ro/schedule-prices or call 0240.511.553 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00).
Private Boats 03

Private Fast Boats

► Fast Craft

TRC Trans

Daily fast service on the Chilia Veche – Pardina – Tulcea route and back, operating boats for 6, 8, or 12 passengers with Webasto heating.

Direction Departure Days
Chilia Veche → Tulcea 08:00 Monday – Saturday
Chilia Veche → Tulcea 11:00 Sunday
Tulcea → Chilia Veche 15:00 Monday – Sunday
Boarding in Tulcea Pontoon at Casa Sindicatelor, Danube Promenade
Boarding in Chilia Veche Peco Star 2000 Pontoon
Reservations 0755.648.937
Website trctrans.ro
ℹ️ Schedule verified from available sources, 2024. Times may vary — confirm by phone.

Corsarul and on-demand boats

Private operators also offer on-demand trips and excursions on the Tulcea – Chilia Veche / Periprava route, including boats known as "Corsarul". These are typically fast craft (Corsar 730/850, capacity 1–12 persons, 200 hp engines). Rates vary with the number of passengers — the fuller the boat, the lower the per-person cost. You can find these operators along the Tulcea waterfront or through guesthouses in Chilia Veche.

By Car 04

Getting There: By Car

■ Road Access

This is the only road route from Romania. There is no direct paved road — the journey requires crossing the Danube by ferry followed by an unpaved county road of approximately 66–80 km.

The Tulcea – Tudor Vladimirescu Ferry

The first step is crossing the Danube by ferry from Tulcea to the suburb of Tudor Vladimirescu. The crossing takes ~5–10 minutes; no reservation is needed for standard cars.

OperatorContactFare
Transport Public S.A. Tulcea Str. Energiei nr. 14 · 0240/534278 · stp-tulcea.ro Check online

Ferry timetable (updated 2023)

Tulcea → Tudor Vladimirescu
06:00 · 06:30 · 07:00 · 07:20 · 08:00 · 08:30 · 09:00 · 09:30 · 10:00 · 10:30 · 11:30 · 12:00 · 12:30 · 13:00 · 13:50
⏸ Break 14:00–15:00
15:00 · 15:30 · 16:00 · 16:30 · 17:30 · 18:30 · 19:00 · 19:30 · 20:30 · 21:30 · 22:30 · 24:00

Tudor Vladimirescu → Tulcea
06:05 · 06:35 · 07:05 · 07:25 · 08:05 · 08:35 · 09:05 · 09:35 · 10:05 · 10:35 · 11:35 · 12:05 · 12:35 · 13:05 · 13:55
⏸ Break 14:00–15:00
15:05 · 15:35 · 16:05 · 16:35 · 17:35 · 18:35 · 19:05 · 19:35 · 20:35 · 21:35 · 22:35 · 24:05
ℹ️ Schedule above is from 2023. Summer season may include additional evening crossings. Verify at stp-tulcea.ro or call 0240/534278.

Road DJ222N: route and conditions

Total distance: ~66–80 km · Estimated time: 4–5 hours in dry conditions · Road type: gravel, dirt, partly concrete — unpaved for the most part

↓
Tulcea Ferry Port
Str. Portului — cross by ferry
↓
Tudor Vladimirescu Ferry Port
Start of DJ222N
↓
Pătlăgeanca
↓
Ceatalchioi
Western edge of Sireasa Canal
↓
Plauru
Bridges over Mila 36 Canal, Stipoc Canal, Iacob Canal
↓
Pardina
DJ222N variant northward, crossing Gotca Canal
↓
Levee on the right bank of the Tătaru arm
↓
Chilia Veche Bridge
★
Chilia Veche
🚗 Road conditions: DJ222N is one of the most challenging roads in Romania. It can become impassable even for four-wheel-drive vehicles in heavy rain. Check road conditions before departing — call local guesthouses or Chilia Veche Town Hall. Higher ground clearance is an advantage.
RBDD Permits 05

RBDD Permits & Fees

Every visitor to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (RBDD) must hold a tourist access permit, regardless of transport method.

Permit type Fee
Tourist access – 1 day5 RON/person
Tourist access – 1 week15 RON/person
Tourist access – 1 year30 RON/person
Vehicle access – 1 day10 RON/vehicle
Vehicle access – 1 year100 RON/vehicle
Own boat access – stay20 RON/vessel
Own boat access – 1 year100 RON/vessel
Overnight permit (slow tourism) – 1 night50 RON/person
Overnight permit (slow tourism) – 6 nights300 RON/person

Free of charge: children, pupils, students, pensioners, war veterans, former political detainees, persons residing in communities adjacent to the RBDD.

Where to get permits: online at ddbra.ro or via the Info Delta app · at ARBDD offices in Tulcea (Str. Portului nr. 34A) and Sulina · at automated kiosks in Tulcea · at tourist information points in the area.

⚠️ Border zone alert: The Chilia arm forms the border with Ukraine. If you plan to navigate with your own vessel, you need a Border Police clearance — free of charge, valid for one year.
ℹ️ Fees are based on Order no. 610/2009 and may be updated. Verify at ddbra.ro.
Camping 06

Camping and Overnight Stays

🚫 Wild camping is prohibited throughout the entire RBDD territory. ARBDD prohibits pitching tents outside authorised camping areas.

Fines: Individuals — 3,000 – 6,000 RON (per OUG 57/2007) · Legal entities — 25,000 – 50,000 RON.

Slow tourism overnight permit (from September 2024)

From September 2024, ARBDD has established 6 overnight stopping points for slow tourism travellers (kayak, non-polluting boat, bicycle, hiking). These allow legal camping on the waterfront against a paid permit.

Authorised locations (Sept. 2024)Cost
Mila 36 · Șontea Nouă · Dranov · Dunăvăț · Sulina · Războinița50 RON/person/night
300 RON/person/6 nights
⚠️ Check whether the Chilia Veche / Chilia arm area is included in the list of authorised locations, as initially the stopping points were concentrated in other parts of the Delta.

Legal accommodation options

Chilia Veche has guesthouses and local guest rooms. Some guesthouses allow tent pitching in their yard or on their grounds, with the host's permission — this is the safest option for those who want to sleep "closer to nature" without the risk of a fine.

Responsibility 07

Responsible Tourism

The Danube Delta is a fragile ecosystem, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar site. Every visitor has a responsibility to leave the place as they found it.

🚫 Prohibited
  • Camping outside authorised areas
  • Open fires outside designated fire areas (fire risk in reed beds)
  • Cutting trees or picking protected plants (including water lilies)
  • Entering bird colonies or disturbing nests
  • Feeding wild animals
  • Littering or leaving packaging in nature
  • High-speed navigation near protected banks
  • Entering strictly protected integral-conservation zones
✓ What to do
  • Take all rubbish with you — plastic, paper, metal, glass packaging
  • Follow approved tourist trails (24 official routes, 9 on land)
  • Navigate at low speed and away from banks
  • Get a free ARBDD permit before fishing, respect quotas and minimum sizes
  • Use non-polluting transport where possible (kayak, rowing boat, bicycle)
  • Buy from local producers and hire local guides
  • Ask permission before photographing people
Slow tourism — a responsible alternative: The Chilia arm area is ideally suited to kayaking, canoeing, rowing, levee hiking, and birdwatching. The months of May–June and September are quieter, without the extreme heat and mosquitoes of midsummer.
Attractions 08

Tourist Attractions in the Area

Chilia Veche

A village with over 2,500 years of history. Large and imposing church visible from a distance. Authentic fishing life along the Chilia arm.

Periprava

The last village on the Chilia arm and the departure point for Letea Forest. Accessible by water or along the levee.

Letea Forest

A subtropical forest unique in Europe, with trees over 500 years old and herds of wild horses. Access to the strictly protected zone is regulated.

Lake Merhei and Lake Babina

Natural areas accessible by water from Chilia Veche — Official RBDD Trail 9: Chilia Veche – Chilia arm – Babina arm – Sulimanca Canal – Lake Merheiu Mic – Lake Merhei – Lake Matita – Lake Babina.

Tătaru Island

A wild area accessible along the levee, frequented by anglers and lovers of undeveloped nature.

Practical Tips 09

Practical Tips

Before You Leave

  • Check DJ222N road conditions if driving (call local guesthouses or Chilia Veche Town Hall)
  • Buy RBDD permits in advance online at ddbra.ro
  • Book Navrom tickets online at navromdelta.ro
  • Reserve guesthouse accommodation early, especially in season

Essential Kit

  • Mosquito repellent (essential May–September)
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Rain gear
  • Sufficient water and food — local supplies are limited

Navigation

  • Don't rely on GPS/mobile signal — it can be weak or absent
  • If travelling by own boat, bring a Delta map
  • Star 2000 petrol station available in Chilia Veche

Safety

  • Do not cross the border by water — the Chilia arm is a state border with Ukraine
  • Life jackets mandatory for every passenger on board
  • Anchor, knife, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit required on board
  • Inform someone of your route and estimated return time
Article compiled from publicly available sources, including navromdelta.ro, trctrans.ro, info-delta.ro, ddbra.ro, ghiduldelteidunarii.ro and others. Transport information and prices may vary from year to year. Last updated: February 2026.