Day trips by rail from Cluj Napoca

[route101]

Is there anywhere interesting from Cluj Napoca that I could go involving a train?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I changed at Cluj on my way to Sighisoara 7 years ago, and I see these days there is a day train (0810 from Cluj, 200km) that takes 3h20m and gives you the afternoon there - returns at 1849.
It's a magnificent medieval town of Saxon origin on a hill, little changed for centuries.
My trip* was bedevilled by engineering works on the line, but I think they are now finished, and they have started on the line west to Oradea (and Budapest).
The public areas at stations are nicely modernised, but beware broken platforms, steps and seats, also passengers cheerfully crossing live tracks to reach trains.

*I ended up on a stopper (42 stops) that took 6 hours, consisting of an electric loco and 2 battered coaches.
One of the most interesting train journeys I've ever done!
The line was under serious reconstruction at the time.

 

[route101]

I changed at Cluj on my way to Sighisoara 7 years ago, and I see these days there is a day train (0810 from Cluj, 200km) that takes 3h20m and gives you the afternoon there - returns at 1849.
It's a magnificent medieval town of Saxon origin on a hill, little changed for centuries.
My trip* was bedevilled by engineering works on the line, but I think they are now finished, and they have started on the line west to Oradea (and Budapest).
The public areas at stations are nicely modernised, but beware broken platforms, steps and seats, also passengers cheerfully crossing live tracks to reach trains.

*I ended up on a stopper (42 stops) that took 6 hours, consisting of an electric loco and 2 battered coaches.
One of the most interesting train journeys I've ever done!
The line was under serious reconstruction at the time.

One to consider but may be a bit far for me.

 

[JB_B]

Mediaș might be worth considering. It's a bit nearer to Cluj than Sighișaora ( and much less heavily touristed ) with a compact historic centre near to the station.

 

[dutchflyer]

Passed there-but did not stop, on an overnight train a month or 2 ago.
1.do search very carefully for works-these are a pest on CFR rails and will prohibit many possible trips. And yes, this main line via Cluj (Bucuresti-HUngary) is a major goal-electrifiaction etc.
2.nearby there is not really much of big interest, and broadly speaking even fairly close by places may still be hard to reach due to timetable without much on offer or very slow speeds.
3.on a medium distance (caveat 1+2) are indeed Sighisoara, perhaps also Sibiu or Olomouc (toward HU).
Note that all longer distance trains in RO by CFR also have mandatory seat-Reservation-these come together when you buy the ticket, but you will thus have to specify for which train. Do not fear that trains are ´sold out/full´ weeks ahead-it is very common to simply buy for next departure.

 

[SandsofEss]

I've never been, but Romanian friends speak highly of the Turda salt mine. It includes an underground boating lake and a ferris wheel.

I believe it's technically doable by rail (so fits your brief), but is quicker by bus from Cluj - about 45 minutes away.

 

[route101]

I never did go anywhere in the end. The timetables weren't the most frequent.