Bucharest metro guide for visitors

Bucharest has a metro network that is genuinely useful for getting around the city — but navigating it requires knowing which stations you actually want. This guide covers the practical information: lines, fares, key stops, and what to expect underground.

Why the metro is worth using

Bucharest traffic is notoriously bad, particularly on the east-west boulevards and in the city centre during weekday mornings and evenings. The metro bypasses this entirely. A Bolt from Gara de Nord to Piața Unirii during rush hour can take 25–40 minutes. The same journey by metro takes 6 minutes.

For tourists, the metro is most useful for moving between the main tourist zones: the Old Town, Piața Unirii, Calea Victoriei, Herăstrău Park, and the main train station (Gara de Nord). For destinations outside these zones — Therme water park, the Village Museum gardens, outlying neighbourhoods — a Bolt is usually more practical.

The four lines at a glance

M1 (blue) — Drumul Taberei ↔ Pantelimon The east-west line, threading through the centre via Gara de Nord. Key stops: Gara de Nord (main train station), Piața Victoriei (government/residential north), Izvor (near Palace of Parliament on foot).

M2 (red) — Pipera ↔ Berceni The main north-south spine and the most useful line for visitors. Key stops: Piața Victoriei, Aviatorilor (near Herăstrău Park and the Triumphal Arch), Universitate (Old Town area), Piața Unirii (Old Town/Lipscani), Tineretului (south residential).

M3 (yellow) — Preciziei ↔ Anghel Saligny Runs east-west and intersects M2 at Piața Unirii. Less frequently useful for tourists but connects if you’re staying near the eastern part of the city.

M4 (green) — Gara de Nord ↔ Parc Bazilescu Short line connecting Gara de Nord northward. Useful mainly for reaching Bazilescu Park area — rarely needed by tourists.

Key stations for tourists

Tip on Piața Unirii: This is the main interchange hub — it can be confusing. M2 and M3 share the station name but have separate platforms. Follow the coloured line indicators on the floor and walls.

Fares and how to buy tickets

All tickets and cards are sold at the automated machines in every station and at staffed kiosks. Machines have an English language option.

Single journey: 3 RON (€0.58) 10-journey card: 25 RON (€4.87) — best value for a multi-day visit 1-day card: 8 RON (€1.56) — unlimited trips from first use until 23:59 2-day card: 15 RON (€2.92) Weekly card: 25 RON (~€4.87, same price as 10-trip — choose based on trip frequency)

The Metrorex card itself costs 3.70 RON to obtain and is reusable — load credit onto it rather than buying new single-use tickets each time.

Payment: Cash and card accepted at machines and staffed kiosks.

Rush hour and crowding

Weekday rush hours (07:30–09:30 and 17:00–19:30) on M2 see significant crowding, particularly between Piața Victoriei and Piața Unirii. Carriages get full; standing room only is normal. For visitors with luggage, rush-hour travel on the metro is manageable but uncomfortable — consider adjusting arrival or departure timing by 30 minutes.

Pickpocketing is a known issue on crowded metro carriages. Keep bags zipped and in front of you, particularly on the M2 during rush periods. The metro is not dangerous, but standard city alertness is appropriate.

Walking distances from key stations

Piața Unirii → Lipscani Old Town: 5 minutes north on Calea Moșilor or Strada Franceză.

Universitate → National Museum of Art / Calea Victoriei: 3 minutes. This station is directly below the junction of Bulevardul Elisabeta and Calea Victoriei.

Izvor → Palace of Parliament: 10–12-minute walk south along Calea Izvorului. The Parliament building is the enormous one you see from the Izvor station exit — you cannot miss it.

Aviatorilor → Triumphal Arch: 5 minutes north on Calea Dorobanților. → Village Museum: 10 minutes north or 3 minutes on a bus.

The metro is not sufficient alone

The metro covers the main zones but misses some important tourist destinations. For these, combine with Bolt:

• Old Town nightlife area: Metro to Piața Unirii works well for arriving; getting back late night after 23:30 requires Bolt.
• Cotroceni neighbourhood / Botanical Garden: No nearby metro stop. Bolt or tram recommended.
• Baneasa area (IKEA, shopping): M4 to Gara de Nord then bus, or Bolt.

For exploring by bike, a guided city bike tour covers more ground than the metro and shows you the neighbourhoods between stations.

Trams and buses: brief note

Bucharest also has an extensive surface transport network (RATB) — trams, buses, and trolleybuses — using the same RATB card (different from the Metrorex card, confusingly). The surface network is denser but much slower due to traffic. Useful tram routes for tourists:

• Tram 21: Through the city centre along Calea Victoriei
• Tram 41: Circular route connecting key northern neighbourhoods

RATB card costs 3.50 RON per trip. Cards from RATB kiosks (not interchangeable with Metrorex cards).

Combined navigation tip

The most efficient approach for most tourist itineraries: use the metro for longer hops (Gara de Nord to Old Town; Old Town to Herăstrău) and Bolt for short cross-town trips or destinations without a convenient metro station. This keeps costs manageable — Bolt rides within the centre are typically 15–30 RON (€3–6) — while avoiding the worst traffic.

For getting out of the city entirely, see our getting to Brașov from Bucharest guide and the Bucharest airport transfer guide. For the full city transport picture, the first-time Bucharest guide covers what to download and what to expect.

Frequently asked questions about the Bucharest metro

Is the Bucharest metro reliable?

Generally yes. The network runs to schedule most of the time, with delays typically under 5 minutes. Longer disruptions are infrequent. The main variability is on surface transport (trams/buses) which is affected by road traffic.

Do I need a separate card for buses and trams?

Yes. The Metrorex smart card only works on the metro. Surface transport (buses, trams, trolleybuses) uses the RATB card — a different system purchased at RATB kiosks above ground. This catches many visitors off guard.

Can I take luggage on the metro?

Yes, there are no restrictions on luggage size. However, large suitcases are inconvenient during rush hour. The carriages have open floor space but no dedicated luggage racks.

Is the metro accessible for wheelchairs?

Partially. Newer stations on M2 have lifts, but coverage is inconsistent and some lifts are intermittently out of service. The Bucharest metro is not fully accessible — check individual station accessibility before relying on it.

Which metro line goes past the Palace of Parliament?

None goes directly past it. The closest station is Izvor on M1, which is about a 10–12-minute walk from the Parliament entrance on Calea 13 Septembrie. Alternatively, Piața Unirii (M2/M3) is a similar distance via a different approach.

What app should I use to navigate the Bucharest metro?

Google Maps shows Metrorex routes and journey times accurately. The official Metrorex app is available but Google Maps is generally more up to date for English-speaking visitors.

Top experiences

Bookable activities with verified prices and instant confirmation on GetYourGuide.

Bucharest: A tale of Bucharest Old Town walking tour

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Bucharest: 2 hour city highlights bike tour

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