Public Transport

       

Public Transportation

How to get to the city from the airport

Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) is located approximately 20 km away from Bucharest’s main points of interest, such as Piața Universității or the Old Town area. Unfortunately, Bucharest doesn’t have a direct train or subway line to connect the airport to the city center, so there are only 2 ways to get there:

1. Taxi and ridesharing

I. Taxi

Once you exit the international arrivals gate (after baggage claim), you can find on both sides some yellow machines. You can order there a taxi from a pre-authorized company and you’ll get a printed ticket with the details of your car. Please hold onto it.

 

PAY ATTENTION!

  • Always check if the taxis are authorized and what it is written on their door. The licensed cars are yellow with the name of the company on the hood. 
  • The usual price is between 2.5 and 4 lei/km, depending on the company and car category.
  • Refuse anyone who approaches you in the airport offering taxi services.
  • Refuse anyone who tries to negotiate the fare and make sure that the driver sets the meter before leaving.

 

II. Ridesharing options

Uber, Bolt and Yango are the most popular ridesharing options in Bucharest.

They are generally considered safer and more reliable than taxis. Prices depend on demand and traffic, but the average cost for a ride from the airport to the city center is usually 40–80 lei (8–16 €).

We recommend using one of these apps if possible.

 

Uber, Bolt, Yango

These are the most popular choices that have the most range and cars available. They offer several services at different price points, but the average price per km is 1,45 lei (0.32 euro) with a minimum fare of 8 lei (1.77 euro). Even though the price might appear more expensive, they are more reliable and safer than taxis in Bucharest. We encourage that you use one of these should the need be.

 

2. Bus

This option is the cheapest one, but it is less convenient if you are in a hurry. It should take about 45 minutes to arrive at the city center or the train station, depending on traffic.

Please buy your ticket before entering the bus.

Once you exit the terminal building, go right and you will find ticket vending machines. The bus station is located outside the arrivals terminal.

Express Bus 780 - Airport Arrivals Terminal – Basarab Train Station. Schedule: Daily 5.30 am – 11 pm.  Bus Stops & Timetable: https://info.stbsa.ro/traseu/188

Epress Bus 783 - Airport Arrivals Terminal – Piața Unirii.  Schedule: Non-stop. Bus Stops & Timetable: https://info.stbsa.ro/traseu/182

 

Public transportation in the city

1. Subway (Metrorex)

Official English website: http://www.metrorex.ro/first_page_p1352-2
Map of the subway stations and some tourist sights: https://www.metrorex.ro/storage/documents/1746817266HartaMtx%202024%20en.pdf
The subway trains run between 5:00-23:00 on working days.

Ticket prices 

1 trip – 5 lei
2 trips – 10 lei
10 trips – 40 lei
24-hour pass – 12 lei
72-hour pass – 35 lei
Weekly pass – 45 lei
Monthly pass – 100 lei 

Tickets can be purchased at any metro station from ticket offices or vending machines.

You can also pay directly at the gates using contactless bank cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Student discounts

Students enrolled in Romanian universities benefit from up to 90% discount for public transport subscriptions, depending on eligibility. 

To obtain discounted subscriptions, students must present:

• Student ID from the host university
• ID card / passport / residence permit

These can be issued at special Metrorex ticket offices located in major stations such as:
• St. Gara de Nord 1
• St. Grozăvesti
• St. Piata Romana (also open during school breaks) – here you can
also buy the other types of discounted tickets
• St. Piata Unirii 1 (also open during school breaks)
• St. Piata Unirii 2 (also open during school breaks)
• St. Eroilor
• St. Universitatii
• St. Piata Victoriei 2
• St. Politehnica
• St. Nicolae Grigorescu 1
• St. Aparatorii Patriei

2. Overground transportation (STB - Societatea de Transport Bucuresti)

Official English website: http://stbsa.ro/eng/index
For more information about the routes and timetable, you can download the “Info Transport București” app from App Store and Google Play. It is available in English and it also gives you details about ticket offices and payment methods, as well as some information about the subway.
Buses, trams and trolleybuses cover the entire city and operate day and night.

Price

3 lei per trip (valid for 90 minutes)

Tickets can be purchased through:

  • Ticket vending machines
  • STB ticket offices
  • The BPay mobile app 
  • The 24pay mobile app
  • SMS payment
  • Contactless bank cards

 

Types of tickets

a. ACTIV CARD

I. NOMINAL

  • free of charge the first time it is issued (ID needed)
  • if stolen, lost or damaged by owner’s fault, it is possible to recover the remaining credit in the electronic wallet and a new card can be issued for 4,7 lei
  • can be issued only at STB centers for issuing and reloading cards, but can be reloaded at any STB point of sale
  • without adding a subscription: minimum that can be loaded on the electronic wallet: 15 lei; maximum: 50 lei
  • with subscription (except for STB/ METROREX subscription): minimum: 6 lei; maximum: 50 lei

II. NON-NOMINAL

  • can be obtained at any STB point of sale
  • can be reloaded
  • transferable
  • if stolen, lost or damaged by owner’s fault, the remaining credit in the electronic wallet can’t be recovered
  • minimum value for the electronic wallet: 6 lei; maximum value: 50 lei​

 

MULTIPLU CARD

  • can’t be reloaded
  • transport tickets that can be loaded on it:
  • General urban daily subscription = 8 lei 
  • Minimum 2 journeys/maximum 10 journeys

 

STB student card

  • students get a 90% discount for the monthly pass, so it costs 10 lei
  • you have to top it up on a nominal ACTIV card
  • documents needed:
  1. Student ID for public transportation discount with the specification “day school” or “school with attendance”, certified with hallmark and signature from the respective school
  2. I.D./passport/ resident card.
  • Payment methods:
  1. card issuing and recharging centers
  • types:
  1. offline offices (CRC) – they issue only non-nominal ACTIV cards and reload all types of cards (except for discounted passes)
  2. online offices (CERC) – they issue and reload all types of cards
  3. vending machines - Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1xhvgByAcuzYrENs7M8fRyGesCO...
  4. online recharge
  5. mobile ticketing app (Bpay app)
  6. SMS payment