Romania: Bucharest
How to get to and from hundreds of the world's airports by car, bus, train and other forms of public transport. Updates and requests for inclusion in these pages are welcomed. Information is from many sources including personal visits and may no longer be accurate.
Legal Disclaimer Last Update 15-Dec-13Bucharest - Baneasa (BBU):
Location: 8 km/5 Miles N of the city centre.
Airport Overview: One small, crowded terminal building with departures and arrivals sides. This airport is mainly for low cost carriers like My air.com and Blue Air.
By Road: To Bucharest city centre 9 km/6 Miles. During the day, transfer to the city center can take well over an hour due to traffic. To Brasov 150 km/93 Miles, Ploieşti 42 km/26 Miles & Oradea 620 km/388 Miles.
| By Taxi: | |
|---|---|
| Location: | Taxis can be found outside the terminal, and also a short distance away on the main road. |
| Warnings: | Taxi drivers in Bucharest have a reputation for ripping people off. Do not get into any taxi with the phone number 9403. |
| Taxi Meters: | Taxis in Bucharest use meters, so insist on their use. There are 2 kinds of taxis: a slightly smaller car that charges ~RON 1.4 per km, and a larger car at ~RON 3 per km. The meter rates are displayed on the side of the taxi. |
| Typical Costs: | To the city centre RON 40-50/20-50 mins. Note: Traffic in Bucharest city centre can be terrible, with big jams at most intersections. This is worst on Fridays. Allow plenty of time to get to the airport. |
| Taxi Companies: | Apolodor Taxi (RON 1.4 per km) Tel 9499 or 0723 399477. Christaxi Service (RON 1.45 per km) Tel 9461. Cobalcescu 9451, Confort 9455, Domino 9414, Fly Taxi 9441, Grant Taxi (RON 2.99 per km) Tel 9433, Leone 9425, Meridian 9444, Mondial 9423, National 9888, Occident 9413, Perozzi 9641, Prof Taxi 9422, Rodell 9415, Sky Hotel's Taxis (RON 2.99 per km) Tel 9441. Taxi Flamingo (RON 1.4 per km) Tel 9427 & Taxi 2000 9494. If calling from a mobile phone, add 021. |
| Rental Cars: | |
|---|---|
| On-Airport Rental Car Providers: | There are several rental car desks, scattered around the terminal. Some in the arrivals area, but some, starangely are in departures. Most were closed when I last visited, despite being a busy time: AVIS, Prima, Primus +40 21 230 6196, Dollar/Thrifty, Hertz/C & I, Rent a Car Exchange & Rodna Rent a Car +40 721 433 808 or +40 728 301 974. |
| Off-Airport Rental Car Providers: | Alpha Rent-a-Car Tel +40 021 211 9053, Berta Rent-a-Car 0740 039 142, Montreal Rent-a-Car +40 21 619 3030 & Romania Compact Rent-a-Car +40 21 312 9857. |
| By Bus: | |
|---|---|
| General: | Outside the terminal is a large grass roundabout. On the other side of this, before reaching the main road, is a small bus stop. Buses stop here on their way north, away from Bucharest city centre. Buses stopping here go to Baneasa S.A. and Henri Coanda/Otopeni airport. To catch a bus going south, towards the city centre, cross the main road (careful, it is very busy and there is no crossing!) to the small bus station on the other side. There are no timetables or schedules posted at either bus stop. Tickets are a plastic swipe card, which you MUST validate on the bus. Travelling secuity will give you a hard time if you either fail to validate it, or do it wrong! |
| Northbound Buses: | The following buses and minivans run north from the airport: 148, 149, 301 (to Baneasa S.A.), 304, 335, 443, 444, 446, 448, 449, 450, 451, 476 & 783 (to Henri Coanda/Otopeni Airport). |
| Southbound Buses: | The following buses and minivans run south from the airport: 131 (to Piaţa Romana), 148, 149, 301, 304, 335 (to Barajul Dunarii), 443, 444, 446 (to Piata Presei & Gruiu), 448, 449, 450 (to Piata Presei & Spital), 451, 476 & 783 (to Piata Unirii). The most common buses are 131 & 335. |
| City bus #131 to the city centre: | Route: Baneasa Airport - Piata Presei Libere - Piata Victoriei (where the subway links to the North Railway Station) - Piata Romana. Timings: Buses run frequently throughout the day. Cost: RON 5 for 2 trips. Tickets can be bought on a magnetic card which carries 2 trips. The cards can be bought from kiosks, or paid directly to the driver. Cards must be validated in the green machine on the bus. |
| City bus #301 to the city centre & Baneasa S.A.: | Route: Piata Romana - Piata Victoriei (where the subway links to the North Railway Station) - Piata Presei Libere - Baneasa Airport - Baneasa S.A. Timings: Buses run frequently throughout the day. Cost: RON 5 for 2 trips. Tickets can be bought on a magnetic card which carries 2 trips. The cards can be bought from kiosks, or paid directly to the driver. Cards must be validated in the green machine on the bus. |
| City bus #335 to the city centre: | Route: Baneasa Airport - Piata Presei Libere - Barajul Dunarii. Timings: Buses run frequently throughout the day. Cost: RON 5 for 2 trips. Tickets can be bought on a magnetic card which carries 2 trips. The cards can be bought from kiosks, or paid directly to the driver. Cards must be validated in the green machine on the bus. |
| City bus #780 to Basarab station: | Route: Henri Coanda Airport - Primaria Otopeni - Baneasa airport - Piata Presei - Clabucet - Nord metro/railway station - Basarab metro/railway station. Timings: Buses run daily once or twice an hour 0500-2300. Travel Time: ~45 mins to to Basarab station. Cost: RON 3.5 Must buy a plastic card from a RATB center inside the airport. Tickets are a plastic swipe card, which you MUST validate on the bus. Travelling security will give you a hard time if you either fail to validate it, or do it wrong! |
| City bus #783 to the city centre (Piata Unirii): | Route: Henri Coanda Airport (in front of arrivals & departures terminals) - Baneasa Airport - Piata Presei Libere - Arcul de Triumf - Piata Victoriei (where the subway links to the North Railway Station) - Piata Romana - Piaţa Universitatii - Piaţa Unirii (Tarom Headquarters). The bus drops and picks up on the west side of Piata Unirii, outside the offices of Banca Transilvania. At the Intl departures building, exit from the lower level and turn right to find the bus stop. Timings: Buses run Mondays-Sundays every 15-30 mins 0010-2330. Travel Time: Takes about 20-45 mins to the city. Cost: RON 3.5 Must buy a plastic card from a RATB center inside the airport. Tickets are a plastic swipe card, which you MUST validate on the bus. Travelling security will give you a hard time if you either fail to validate it, or do it wrong! |
By Train: There is no train station at or near the airport. The Metro system has a stop at Aviatorilor, 3 km/2 Miles South and connected by several buses. Probably the better Metro station is Piata Victorei (5 km/3 Miles S and connected by most of the buses passing the airport). Take the Metro from here to the main train station for trains all over Romania and beyond.
Car Parking: The Car Park is right outside the terminal, turn left. Cost: 1 hour RON 3, each extra 30 mins RON 1.5. 1 week RON 150, 2 weeks RON 200. 1 month RON 350.
Airport to Airport: Bus#783 (above) runs to Otopeni/Henri Coanda Intl Airport. Travel time to Henri Coanda 10-15 mins.
Airport Hotels: None at the airport itself, but as the airport is in the Northern suburbs of the city, there are several nearby.
Notes: ATMs/Cash machines in departures. Bureau de Change/Money change in the terminal. There is a small information desk in arrivals, but on my last visit it was not staffed, despite being a busy time.
Updated Dec13 ADV. Last Visit Aug07.
Bucharest - Otopeni/Henri Coanda (OTP):
Location: Near Otopeni town, 16 km/10 Miles N of the City centre.
Website: www.airport-bucharest.com
Airport Overview: 2 buildings, one for international departures only, the other for all arrivals and domestic departures. The 2 buildings are connected by a corridor, and it takes 5 mins to walk between the 2. Buses and taxis stop on the lower levels of each building.
By Road: To Bucharest city centre 16 km/10 Miles, Ploieşti 35 km/24 Miles, Braşov 143 km/89 Miles & Oradea 613 km/383 Miles.
| By Taxi: | |
|---|---|
| Location: | Taxis can be found outside the arrivals area, and also at Intl departures. |
| Taxi Meters: | Taxis in Bucharest use meters, so insist on their use. There are 2 kinds of taxis: a slightly smaller car that charges ~RON 1.4 per km, and a larger car at ~RON 3 per km. The meter rates are displayed on the side of the taxi. |
| Typical Costs: | To the city centre RON 60-80/40-60 mins. Note: Traffic in Bucharest city centre can be terrible, with big jams at most intersections. This is worst on Fridays. Allow plenty of time to get to the airport. |
| Taxi Companies: | Apolodor Taxi (RON 1.4 per km) Tel 9499 or 0723 399477. Christaxi Service (RON 1.45 per km) Tel 9461. Grant Taxi (RON 2.99 per km) Tel 9433. Sky Hotel's Taxis (RON 2.99 per km) Tel 9441. Taxi Flamingo (RON 1.4 per km) Tel 9427. FlyTaxi have a desk in Intl arrivals or tel 9440. |
| By Bus: | |
|---|---|
| City bus #783 to the city centre (Piata Unirii): | Route: Henri Coanda Airport (in front of arrivals & departures terminals, on the lower levels) - Otopeni town - ICSITMUA - Meteorological Institute - Baneasa Airport - Piata Presei Libere - Arcul de Triumf - Piata Victoriei (where the subway links to the North Railway Station) - Piata Romana - Piata Universitatii - Piata Unirii (Tarom Headquarters). The bus drops and picks up on the west side of Piata Unirii, outside the offices of Banca Transilvania. At the Intl departures building, exit from the lower level and turn right to find the bus stop. Timings: Buses run Mon-Fri every 15 mins 0530-2340. Weekends & Holidays every 30 mins 0530-2330. Travel Time: Takes about 30-60 mins to the city. Cost: RON 5 one way. Tickets can be bought on a magnetic card which carries 2 trips. The cards can be bought from the kiosk in front of the Arrivals Terminal, and is open daily 0600-2030. Tickets are a plastic swipe card, which you MUST validate on the bus. Travelling security will give you a hard time if you either fail to validate it, or do it wrong! |
| City bus #780 to Basarab station: | Route: Henri Coanda Airport - Primaria Otopeni - Baneasa airport - Piata Presei - Clabucet - Nord metro/railway station - Basarab metro/railway station. Timings: Buses run daily once or twice an hour 0500-2300. Travel Time: ~45 mins to to Basarab station. Cost: RON 8.60 for two people. Tickets are a plastic swipe card, which you MUST validate on the bus. Travelling security will give you a hard time if you either fail to validate it, or do it wrong! |
| Rental Cars: | |
|---|---|
| On-Airport Rental Car Providers: | AVIS +40 (0)21 204 1957, Bavaria Rent-a-Car, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, EUROPCAR, Hertz, Rodna +40 745 636 063 & eSixT all have desks in the corridor linking the upper levels of the 2 terminal buildings. |
By Train: There is no train station at the airport, however one will be built soon. The train station is currently 900m from the airport terminal and connected by a shuttle bus. Trains run to Nord metro/railway station in Bucharest.
Car Parking: There is a multi-storey car park opposite the arrivals building. Cost: 1 hour RON 4, each extra 30 mins RON 2.
Airport to Airport: Bus#783 or 780 (above) stop at Baneasa Airport. Travel time to Baneasa 10-15 mins.
Notes: ATMs/Cash Machines in international arrivals.
Baggage Storage: Left luggage facilities reported to be available, but not found in August 2007.
Airport Hotels: None at the airport itself, but several in nearby Otopeni town. Golden Tulip Hotel is 0.6 km/0.3 miles from the terminals. Hotel Confort is 1 km/0.5 Miles from the terminal.
Airport Website: www.otp-airport.ro
Airport Tel No: +40 21 201 3331.
Updated Dec13 ADV. Last Visit Aug07
