The city of Bucharest (Buchuresti) is located in south-eastern Romania, between the Black Sea and Transylvania’s Carpathian Mountains. Most roads in Romania are not well maintained and have plenty of potholes, speed traps and even horse carts. The Drum National (DN) roads are national highways; routes to Europe are classified as E routes, while the Drum Judetean (DJ) roads are classified as county routes. There is a toll charged on the motorway on the Black Sea coast.
Bucharest is easily reached via the Otopeni International Airport and the Gara De Nord Railway station.
You will find our Bucharest Transportation Guide useful for getting to and around Bucharest. Taking one of our Bucharest tours is a great way of getting around, seeing the sights, and learning about their extensive history and culture. We also have some useful travel information for getting to and from Romania in our Romania Transportation Guide.
Bucharest Transportation Guide
Getting to Bucharest
By Air
The Otopeni International Airport (OTP) is located 17 km (10 miles) north of Bucharest on the E60 going toward Ploiesti and Brasov. Facilities at the airport include a bank, ATMs, bureau de change, post office, duty-free shops, internet access, newspaper stands, tour operators, snack bars, mobile phone and care-hire shops, a hairdressing salon and a business lounge.
Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Romania or visit Cheapflights.co.uk for cheap flights to Bucharest!
By Rail
Bucharest’s main railhead is the Gara de Nord, which is well equipped with fast-food restaurants, newspaper stands, a tourist agency, supermarket, pharmacy, florist, hair salon, bars, a 24-hour luggage room as well as a waiting room for passengers travelling first class. There are two other small train stations, Gara Baneasa and Gara Obor, which connect trains going east to the coast during the summer.
The state railway of Romania, SNCFR offers a reliable and scenic way to see the country. Tickets can be purchased in advance for all trains from the SNCFR offices. Train tickets are checked at the entrance to the platform.
There are four main types of trains that run in Romania. The InterCity trains (denoted as IC on train timetables) are the fastest trains and stop only at larger Romanian cities. The rapid trains (shown in green) are the next fastest followed by the accelerat trains (shown in red). The slowest trains are local personal trains. There are direct trains that run to Istanbul and Budapest, which is also where all trains to western European cities connect.
By Road
Bucharest has four main motorways that connect it to the rest of Romania: the E70 from Pitesti, E85 from Giurgiu on Bulgaria’s border, E60 from Brasov that comes via Ploiesti and E60 from Black Sea coast city of Constanta.
Driving after consuming even a small quantity of alcohol is not allowed and seat belts are compulsory. Mobile phones are not permitted while driving. The minimum driving age in Romania is 18. Visitors to Romania must carry their national driving licence (with a photo) that is issued in their home country or an International Driving Permit. EU nationals must have Green Card insurance documents when bringing in their own cars.
Check for reciprocal agreements between the Romanian Automobile Club and international automobile associations, which automatically cover members in breakdowns.
Coach services
Coaches are available between Romania and many international cities, but a train journey is more comfortable and faster too. Eurolines has direct bus services between Paris, Rome, Athens, Paris, Berlin and many other European destinations. Tickets are available from bus drivers; however, it is better to buy tickets in advance, especially for international routes.
Getting Around Bucharest
By Metro
Within Bucharest, the metro is the best way to move about the city centre of Bucharest. The metro service is quite reliable. It is run by Metrorex and has four metro lines, the M1, M2, M3 and M4, which are spread across 45 stations. The downside is that the stations and platforms are rather poorly marked. Magnetic tickets can be purchased inside at the counters with the ‘Casa’ signs. Do remember to get tickets validated and to carry them till the end of the journey.
By Bus, Trolleybus & Tram
Buses (autobuz), trolleybuses (troilebuz) and trams (tramvai) all operate under one system under the RATB. Tickets can be interchanged for all three methods of transport (except the express buses). To go to destinations outside the city centre, use the express bus system. Tickets and transport maps can be bought at yellow kiosks near tram and bus stops.
Remember that tickets need to be validated when boarding the bus. Passes are available for a day, 15 days or a month.
Taxis
Bucharest taxis are known for overcharging passengers. It’s a good idea to call up a reliable taxi company or hire one outside your hotel; it is not advisable to hail a cab on the street. Reliable taxi companies include Fly Taxi, Meridian, Cris Taxi and Cobalcescu.
Driving in the City
Driving in Bucharest can be quite confusing, as many streets are not marked and one has to be wary of the unexpected potholes. Most Romanians are fast drivers and not very cautious either. If you’re keen on driving, then stick to the city’s outskirts, where a car can be useful. Check with the locals about parking zones.
Cars for hire are usually targeted at business visitors and are expensive.
Bicycle Hire
The use of bicycles and scooters is not recommended in Bucharest as the traffic is unpredictable; bad roads and a high crime rate make the situation worse. As a result, these are not available for hire in the city.
Meet your local connection in Bucharest, Romania- Roxana Ionescu & the team of Travel Biz! We are proud to be apart of whl.travel, and are passionate about sharing our destination with travellers. Bucharest is a city rich in history, with unique customs and traditions that are still practiced today. We are fond of working with people, interacting with different cultures and going above and beyond to provide the best service.
