Getting from Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport to the City

Henri Coanda International Airport is north of central Bucharest. A pre-booked private transfer is a fixed price quoted at booking (see the live From price on this page). The express bus line 100 runs to the city centre for 3 lei - a standard STB 90-minute metropolitan ticket - 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.) There is also a train link to Gara de Nord; check CFR Calatori for the current fare and timetable. Taxis are metered - ask for the per-kilometre rate before you get in, and avoid anyone who approaches you inside the terminal.

After passport control and baggage claim you enter the arrivals area. How long both take depends on how many flights land at the same time, so allow extra time if you have a tight onward connection. If you need a SIM card or cash, compare prices in town before buying at the airport.

Pre-booked private transfer: A driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking. The price is fixed and agreed beforehand. A practical option if you are tired, traveling with family, or arriving late.

Taxi: Use a licensed taxi, ask for the per-kilometre rate before you get in, and agree how you will pay. 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 at a handful of main 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 ticket: 3 lei, which you can pay with a contactless bank card, by SMS to 7458 (code C), or in the 24Pay app. This line replaced the old bus 783 on 2 December 2023.

Ride-hailing apps: 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. Check CFR Calatori for the current fare and timetable, and buy your ticket before boarding.

The cheap options are genuinely cheap. The express bus line 100 costs 3 lei - a standard STB 90-minute metropolitan ticket - and runs around the clock. The train fare is set by CFR Calatori; check their site or app for the current price.

Taxis are metered and the fare depends on the per-kilometre rate of the taxi you take, so ask for 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 is a fixed price quoted at booking (see the live From price on this page), higher for a minivan.

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.

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. The train is daily, but check the CFR Calatori timetable for the last departure on your date before counting on it.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the other options at night; with apps, check the live quote before you confirm. A pre-booked transfer gives you a fixed price and a driver expecting you; give your flight number when you book.

If you are traveling with car seats, a pre-booked transfer lets you request one in advance, which regular taxis cannot guarantee. For larger groups or extra luggage, booking a minivan transfer in advance saves the stress of trying to fit everything into one taxi.

For pre-booked transfers, the driver waits in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking. Your booking confirmation gives the exact meeting point and a phone number; call it if the driver is not immediately visible. For a taxi, use a licensed taxi and check the rate before you get in.

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. Booking in advance gives you a fixed price quoted at booking and, if included, meet-and-greet.