By train: The most scenic approach is by rail from Cluj-Napoca to Sighetu Marmației. The journey takes roughly four to five hours and passes through increasingly remote Carpathian terrain as it climbs north. Trains are not fast and the connections are not always convenient, but the ride is worth it. Check CFR Călători (the Romanian national railway) for current schedules.
By bus: Buses from Cluj-Napoca to Sighetu Marmației run several times daily and are somewhat faster than the train. Several companies operate the route; tickets are cheap. Autogara (the bus station) in Cluj is the starting point.
By car: A car gives you real freedom in Maramureș and is strongly recommended if you plan to visit more than one or two villages. The drive from Cluj-Napoca takes about three hours on good roads. From Bucharest allow seven to eight hours. Navigation apps work, though they occasionally suggest roads that are technically driveable but practically challenging in wet weather.
Via Baia Mare: Baia Mare, the largest city in the Maramureș county, is a useful alternative entry point. It has an airport with connections to Bucharest and, seasonally, other Romanian cities. From Baia Mare it is about 90 minutes by road to Sighetu Marmației.