Henri Coandă International Airport — known as Otopeni or OTP — sits about 17–20 km north of central Bucharest. Getting to the city center is straightforward and affordable once you know your options.
Access checked 26 October 2026: During the airport works, Bus 100, taxis and ride-sharing use the Departures (Plecări) side. For the train, follow the marked route from the ground floor of Arrivals (Sosiri). See the airport’s current access notice and follow the signs when you arrive.
| Option | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 100 | 30-60 min | 3 RON | Budget Travelers |
| Train | 20-25 min | 6.50 RON; reservation extra | Speed + Comfort |
| Taxi / Uber / Bolt | 25-45 min | App quote / taxi meter | Door-to-door |
| Private Transfer | 25-45 min | Quote when booking | Families, Groups |
Journey times are estimates after boarding and exclude waiting, walking through the terminal and any onward connection. Road journeys can take longer in heavy traffic. The train time is to Gara de Nord, not directly to the Old Town.
Getting From Bucharest Airport to Downtown
Here are the four ways to get from OTP to the city center, from cheapest to most convenient.
Bus 100 — The Cheapest Option
Bus 100 costs 3 RON for a 90-minute metropolitan journey. You can pay with a contactless bank card on board or use an STB travel card. The airport lists ticket facilities at ground-floor Arrivals. Check its bus information for current payment and service details.
The airport stop is in front of Departures (Plecări). The Arrivals stop is suspended during the works. From Arrivals, follow the signed walking route through the airport to Departures; do not assume the bus will stop outside the Arrivals exit.
The bus runs from the airport all the way to Unirii Square, stopping at Piața Victoriei, Piața Romană, and Universitate along the way. If you want to head somewhere specific, Piața Victoriei is a great place to hop off and connect to the metro.
The service runs day and night; the airport lists departures roughly every 15 minutes by day and 30 minutes at night. Allow around 30–60 minutes into central Bucharest, with extra time in heavy traffic. For the Old Town, Piața Unirii is a useful stop, followed by a walk to your accommodation.
Good to know: Other guides online list this route as bus 783 — that line has been replaced by Bus 100, so don’t get confused if you see the old number mentioned elsewhere.
Train — The Fastest Route to Gara de Nord
The train reaches București Gara de Nord in about 20–25 minutes, avoiding road traffic. The airport describes a roughly 40-minute interval, including overnight services. Check the live train timetable for your arrival time and operator before choosing it.
CFR Călători’s published airport fare, checked on 26 October 2026, is 6.50 RON without a reserved seat. Buy through the operator’s website, app, ticket office or machine before boarding. CFR also lists contactless POS payment on its trains.
- 6.50 RON — CFR ticket without a reserved seat
- 4.50 RON extra — optional seat reservation, bringing the total to 11 RON
During the works, the airport directs train passengers through ground-floor Arrivals. The old first-floor connection is not the route to rely on.
Follow the airport’s temporary signs to the railway station. The Arrivals car park is under construction, so the marked pedestrian route takes priority over an older walking description.
Allow time to reach the platform before departure, particularly with luggage or reduced mobility.
From Gara de Nord, you can connect to the metro lines M1 or M4.
For Universitate or Piața Unirii, take M1 to Piața Victoriei and change to M2. The onward metro journey needs its own valid ticket; the basic CFR airport ticket does not include it.
The airport metro connection
There is no operating metro station at Otopeni Airport yet. The M6 airport connection is still under construction. For now, use the train to Gara de Nord and connect there, or choose Bus 100 or a road transfer.
Taxi, Uber and Bolt — Door-to-Door Convenience
For door-to-door service, you have three solid options: Uber, Bolt, or a metered taxi.
Check both Uber and Bolt for a fresh quote. The screenshots I took on 26 April 2026 show UberX at 50.94 RON and Bolt at 58 RON for the journeys selected in the apps. Both prices include promotions; their undiscounted quotes were 61.94 RON and 72.50 RON respectively. Your destination, demand, vehicle and discounts affect the price.
Download and set up your preferred app before you land. After collecting your luggage, compare the live quotes, select your ride and follow the pickup map in that app. Check the vehicle registration before getting in.
Ride-sharing pickup is currently on the Departures side. Follow the marked airport route and the pickup point shown in your app; the layout can change as the works progress.
Metered taxis are also available through touch-screen kiosks inside the airport. These machines assign you a licensed taxi and print a slip with your car’s plate number — it’s the safest way to take a traditional cab.
The airport lists licensed taxi rates of 2.29–3.50 RON per kilometre. Check the displayed rate, ask about card payment and make sure the meter is started. Keep the kiosk ticket for the vehicle details. Compare the likely metered cost with app quotes, and avoid unsolicited ride offers inside the terminal.
Private Transfers — Best for Families and Groups
If you’re traveling with kids, heavy luggage, or a group, a private transfer is worth the extra cost. Services like Welcome Pickups let you pre-book online.
Check the booking’s meeting point, flight-delay policy and included waiting time. A private transfer can take you directly to your accommodation, but the exact service and meeting arrangements depend on the provider.
Get a quote for your date, party size and luggage before booking. Compare the total price, vehicle capacity and any child-seat charge, and request a child seat in advance if you need one.
Once you have checked in, Cișmigiu Gardens is one option for a walk in central Bucharest.
Carrefour Express at Otopeni Airport
The airport’s shop directory lists Carrefour in the corridor connecting Arrivals and Departures, open 24 hours. It is a useful option for snacks and essentials before security. The photograph below shows the shop during my April 2026 visit.
Leave enough time to return to Departures for security and boarding. Follow current airport signs if temporary works alter the walking route.
