Getting from Bucharest airport to the city centre

The most common question arriving passengers ask at Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) is: how do I actually get into the city without getting ripped off? The answer is straightforward once you know which options exist.

Your four realistic options from OTP

Bucharest’s main international airport is 17 km north of the city centre in Otopeni. There is no metro connection. Your options are: the airport express train, public bus 783, Bolt or Uber, and private transfer. Here is what each costs and how each works in practice.

Option 1: Henri Coandă Express train (cheapest, fastest)

The airport express rail link opened in 2012 and runs from a station directly underneath the Departures/Arrivals building. It is the fastest and cheapest way into the city for solo travellers or couples.

Timetable: Every 40 minutes, approximately 05:30–23:00 (check the CFR Călători board for the current schedule, as the last train can shift seasonally).

Journey time: 25 minutes to Gara de Nord (Bucharest North Station).

Cost: Around 4 RON (~€0.80). Buy at the counter in the airport station (cash or card), or from the CFR app. No booking required — just turn up.

From Gara de Nord: The station is in the north of the city. From here, metro Line M1 connects to Piața Victoriei (one stop) and further into the network. A Bolt from the station to Lipscani Old Town costs roughly 20–35 RON (€4–7).

What to watch for: The platform is signed from the arrivals hall — follow signs for “Trenul aeroportuar” or “CFR” once you clear baggage claim. Some travellers miss it and take a taxi unnecessarily.

Option 2: Bus 783 (cheapest, slowest)

Bus 783 runs from OTP to Piața Unirii (the main square adjacent to Old Town) and Piața Victoriei. It operates around the clock, with more frequent service during the day.

Cost: 3.50 RON per trip on an RATB card, loaded before travel. Cash is not accepted on the bus — you need the card. RATB cards can be bought at the airport kiosks near the bus stop.

Journey time: 50–70 minutes to Piața Unirii, longer in rush-hour traffic (17:00–19:00 weekdays).

Useful for: Travellers with light luggage who are already familiar with the city and have a destination near a bus 783 stop.

Not recommended for: Arriving late at night, carrying heavy luggage, or travelling with children. The bus stop is a short walk from the terminal exit and can be hard to find in the dark.

Option 3: Bolt or Uber (most convenient for most travellers)

Both Bolt and Uber operate from OTP and are the most convenient option for the majority of international arrivals.

How to book: Download the Bolt app (available in English, simple interface) before you land. Once you clear arrivals, connect to the airport Wi-Fi, book a ride, and walk to the designated pickup area on the forecourt. The app shows your driver’s licence plate and name.

Price: 70–110 RON (€14–22) to central Bucharest depending on destination and traffic. The app displays the fare before you confirm.

Journey time: 30–50 minutes in normal traffic. Can stretch to 60 minutes or more during weekday rush hours.

Why not a street taxi?: Unmarked or solicited taxis at OTP arrivals have a history of overcharging by 3–5x. If you do want a metered taxi, use the official taxi booking kiosk inside arrivals (look for the yellow “TAXI” kiosk near the exit) — this assigns you a licensed vehicle at the regulated meter rate. Never accept an offer from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall.

More on this in our taxi scams in Bucharest guide.

Option 4: Private transfer (best for groups, late arrivals, large luggage)

Pre-booked private transfers meet you at arrivals with a name board. The driver tracks your flight and adjusts for delays automatically.

Price: Typically €20–35 for a private sedan. Minivans for larger groups run €30–50.

When it makes sense: Groups of 3 or more (split cost makes it cheaper than Bolt), very early morning or late-night arrivals, and travellers carrying significant luggage who want a stress-free option.

Bucharest Airport (OTP) key facts

• Full name: Henri Coandă International Airport (IATA: OTP)
• Location: Otopeni, 17 km north of city centre
• Terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) for Schengen; Terminal 2 (T2) for international/non-Schengen. Both are connected by covered walkway — about 5 minutes on foot.
• Left-luggage: Available at T1 and T2 (staffed counters, ~20–30 RON/24h)
• Currency exchange: Available airside and landside, but rates are poor. Use a Revolut card or draw cash from the ATM in the arrivals hall once you clear (look for Raiffeisen or BCR ATMs; avoid unmarked machines due to skimming risk)
• Wi-Fi: Free throughout both terminals; connect to “Airport Wireless” or “Wizz Air Wi-Fi” — no registration required

Which option is right for you?

Getting to specific destinations from OTP

To Old Town / Lipscani: Train to Gara de Nord + metro to Piața Unirii (M3, blue line), or Bolt directly (~80–100 RON).

To Floreasca / Dorobanți / Herăstrău area (upscale hotels): Bolt is the most practical option (~70–90 RON). The train drops you in the wrong part of the city for these northern neighbourhoods.

To hotels near Piața Victoriei: Train to Gara de Nord then metro M1 one stop to Piața Victoriei, or Bolt (~60–80 RON).

For more on navigating the city once you’ve arrived, see our Bucharest metro guide and where to stay in Bucharest guide.

Arriving late at night

The train runs until approximately 23:00 from OTP. After that, bus 783 still operates (night schedule, less frequent) but Bolt and private transfers are the most reliable options.

If you land after midnight: open Bolt before you clear customs. Availability at 01:00–04:00 is reasonable from OTP but wait times can stretch to 10–15 minutes. A pre-booked private transfer is worth considering for very late arrivals.

Day 2 onward: airport return

The same options apply in reverse. One practical note: the train departure from Gara de Nord to OTP runs every 40 minutes — check the exact timetable the evening before your flight and build in a buffer, as Romanian trains occasionally run 5–10 minutes late. For international flights, leaving Gara de Nord at least 2.5–3 hours before departure is sensible.

For getting around the rest of Romania from Bucharest, see our guide on getting to Brașov from Bucharest and car rental for Bucharest day trips.

Frequently asked questions about getting from Bucharest airport to the city

Is there a metro from OTP airport to the city?

No. There is currently no metro line connecting OTP to the Bucharest metro network. The CFR express train is the rail option — it terminates at Gara de Nord, which connects to the metro (M1 and M4 lines). A metro extension to the airport has been in planning for years but is not operational as of 2026.

How do I avoid taxi scams at OTP arrivals?

Use Bolt or Uber (fare displayed in advance), the official taxi kiosk inside arrivals (assigns a licensed metered vehicle), or a pre-booked private transfer. Never accept unsolicited offers from people approaching you in the arrivals hall or forecourt — this is the single most common scam at OTP.

Can I buy train tickets at the airport station?

Yes. There is a staffed ticket counter at the underground airport station (follow signs for “CFR” from the arrivals hall). Tickets can be purchased with cash or card. No advance booking required — just buy on the day.

How much does Bolt cost from OTP to Old Town?

Expect 80–110 RON (€16–22) depending on time of day and traffic. The Bolt app shows your fare before you confirm, so there are no surprises.

Is the airport express train reliable?

Generally yes. The Henri Coandă Express runs to schedule most days, but delays of 5–15 minutes can occur. For early-morning international flights, factor in a buffer.

Is there an Uber at Bucharest airport?

Yes, Uber operates from OTP. Bolt tends to have shorter wait times in our experience, but both work well. Download both apps before your trip as a backup.

Are there luggage storage options at OTP?

Yes. Staffed left-luggage counters are available in both T1 and T2. Rates are approximately 20–30 RON per 24-hour period per bag. No reservations needed.

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