Getting from Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport to the City

Henri Coanda International Airport sits about 17 km north of central Bucharest. A pre-booked private transfer takes around 25-40 minutes depending on traffic and costs between 25-40 EUR. The express bus line 100 runs to the city centre for 3 lei - a 90-minute metropolitan journey on STB's tariff, well under 1 EUR - and runs 24 hours a day. (If you have read about bus 783, that line no longer exists: it was replaced by line 100 on 2 December 2023.) The airport train to Gara de Nord is 6.50 lei. Taxis from the official automated queue are metered, with the rate printed on each car - check it before you get in, as occasional scams still happen with unmarked cars.

After clearing passport control (quick for EU citizens, a few minutes longer for others), you walk through a modern arrivals hall. Baggage claim is straightforward with trolleys available. Once through customs, you enter the main arrivals area with ATMs, currency exchange counters, and a few coffee shops. The terminal is clean and well-signed in Romanian and English. Free Wi-Fi is available but can be slow during peak hours. If you need a SIM card, there are small kiosks near the exit, though prices are better in town.

Pre-booked private transfer: A driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. No meter anxiety, no language barriers, fixed price agreed beforehand. Best option if you are tired, traveling with family, or arriving late.

Official taxi queue: There is an automated taxi dispatch system with touchscreen terminals outside the arrivals hall. You select a taxi company and get assigned a car. Stick to well-known companies like Speed Taxi, Meridian, or Pelican. Bucharest taxi companies set their own per-kilometre rates within the city's rules, and the rate must be displayed on the car door - read it on the touchscreen and on the vehicle before you get in, because rates differ between companies at the same rank. Avoid anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a ride.

Express bus line 100: Runs from the airport to Piata Unirii in the centre, stopping only at nine major connection points (Piata Presei, Piata Victoriei, Piata Romana, Universitate and Piata Unirii among them). It operates 24 hours a day, every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes overnight. The fare is a standard STB 90-minute metropolitan journey: 3 lei, which you can pay with a contactless bank card, an STB card, or by SMS. Journey takes 40-60 minutes. This line replaced the old bus 783 on 2 December 2023.

Ride-hailing apps: Bolt and Uber both work at OTP. Pickup is from the designated ride-share area in the parking zone. Prices are set by the app and rise with demand, so check a live quote rather than relying on a published range.

Train: A rail link connects the airport to Gara de Nord (main train station) in about 20-25 minutes. Trains run roughly every 40 minutes during the day. The standard fare is 6.50 lei; buying from the conductor costs more, so get your ticket before boarding.

The cheap options are genuinely cheap. The express bus line 100 costs 3 lei - a standard STB 90-minute metropolitan journey, payable by contactless bank card, STB card or SMS - and runs around the clock. The airport train to Gara de Nord is 6.50 lei (a seat reservation adds 4.50 lei, and buying from the conductor costs 13 lei, so buy before you board).

Taxis are metered, but Bucharest companies set their own per-kilometre rates within the city's rules and the rate is printed on the car door, so the fare depends on which company the dispatch terminal assigns you. Read the rate before you get in rather than trusting a figure from a guide. Ride-hailing apps show you the price before you confirm, which is their main advantage. A pre-booked transfer runs 25-40 EUR for a sedan, more for a minivan, fixed at booking.

Tips are not expected in taxis but rounding up is appreciated. For private transfers, tipping the driver a few euros is a kind gesture but not obligatory.

OTP handles flights around the clock, though arrivals thin out after midnight. The good news for late arrivals: the express bus line 100 runs 24 hours a day, every 30 minutes overnight, for the same 3 lei fare. (This is a change from the old bus 783, which stopped in the evening - line 100 replaced it in December 2023 and runs non-stop.) The train has limited late-night frequency, so check the timetable.

Taxis are available 24/7 from the automated queue, but the selection of companies thins out. Ride-hailing apps work at night but prices climb with demand. A pre-booked transfer is the most reliable option for late arrivals since your driver will track your flight and adjust for delays. The terminal remains open, so if your ride is delayed you have a warm, lit place to wait.

The airport is manageable with children. Trolleys are free in the baggage area. If you are traveling with car seats, a pre-booked transfer lets you request one in advance, which regular taxis cannot guarantee. The bus has limited luggage space and getting a stroller plus suitcases on board during rush hour is difficult. Taxis from the queue can handle 2-3 suitcases in a standard sedan trunk. For larger groups or extra luggage, booking a minivan transfer in advance saves the stress of trying to fit everything.

For pre-booked transfers, drivers typically wait in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. The meeting point is usually just past the customs exit, near the information desk. If the driver is not immediately visible, check your booking confirmation for a phone number. For taxis, head to the automated dispatch terminals outside the arrivals doors. The ride-hailing pickup area is in the short-term parking zone, one level up or a short walk from arrivals depending on current airport signage.

Choose the bus or train if: you are on a tight budget, traveling light, and comfortable navigating public transit in a foreign city.

Choose a taxi from the queue if: you want door-to-door service without pre-booking and are comfortable with meters and local currency.

Choose a ride-hailing app if: you prefer seeing the price upfront and are comfortable with the pickup logistics.

Choose a pre-booked transfer if: you want certainty, especially with kids, heavy luggage, late-night arrivals, or if this is your first time in Bucharest. Having someone waiting for you removes the guesswork.