Choosing between a taxi and a private transfer at Henri Coanda Airport depends on your priorities. Both get you to the city, but the experience differs in meaningful ways.
The taxi experience at OTP
Bucharest improved its airport taxi system with automated dispatch terminals outside the arrivals hall. You select a company on a touchscreen, get assigned a car and license plate number, then find that car in the taxi area. This system reduced the scam problem significantly, though it has not eliminated it entirely.
Reputable companies include Speed Taxi, Meridian, and Pelican. The meter rate is around 3.50 RON per kilometer. A trip to the center costs 80-120 RON (16-25 EUR). You pay at the end based on the meter reading. Most taxis are decent sedans, though comfort varies. Not all drivers speak English, which can make communicating your destination harder if it is not a well-known hotel or address.
The main risk is getting a driver who takes a longer route, especially if you are visibly a tourist. This is less common than it used to be, but it still happens.
The private transfer experience
With a pre-booked transfer, you know the price before you land. A driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. There is no queue, no fumbling with dispatch terminals, and no meter to watch. The vehicle is typically newer and cleaner than an average taxi.
Prices range from 25-40 EUR for a sedan. You can request specific vehicle types, child seats, or extra luggage capacity when booking. The driver tracks your flight, so if you land early or late, they adjust. Payment is usually handled online, so no cash needed on arrival.
Where taxis win
If you arrive with minimal luggage, speak some Romanian or are confident with navigation apps, and want to save a few euros, a taxi from the automated queue is perfectly fine. The system works reasonably well and you avoid pre-booking. Spontaneity is the taxi's advantage.
Where transfers win
For first-time visitors, families, late-night arrivals, or anyone who simply does not want to deal with logistics after a flight, a pre-booked transfer removes every variable. You know the cost, the car, and the process before you even board your plane. If your flight is delayed at 2 AM, the driver still shows up.
Price comparison
A taxi on the meter to the center averages around 100 RON (about 20 EUR). A pre-booked sedan transfer averages around 30 EUR. The difference is roughly 10 EUR, which buys you certainty, comfort, and a driver holding your name at arrivals. For some travelers that premium is worth every cent. For others who enjoy navigating new cities independently, the taxi works fine.
The honest recommendation
If you are comfortable with a bit of unpredictability and want to keep costs down, the taxi dispatch system at OTP is workable. If you would rather eliminate uncertainty, a pre-booked transfer is the calmer choice. Neither option is wrong. It comes down to what kind of arrival experience you want after your flight.