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
Taxis are metered, so the fare depends on the company, your destination and traffic - confirm the rate before you set off. Have your destination address saved on your phone.
Fixed-price private transfer
OTP Bucharest City Center
From€37for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €62 per vehicle, about €16 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
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, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking. There is no meter to watch. The price is fixed and quoted at booking; see the live From price on this page. You can request child seats or extra luggage capacity when booking, and giving your flight number helps the driver know your arrival time.
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 is perfectly fine. You avoid pre-booking. Spontaneity is the taxi's advantage.
Where transfers win
For first-time visitors, families, late-night arrivals, or anyone who does not want to deal with logistics after a flight, a pre-booked transfer settles the cost and the process before you board your plane.
Price comparison
The exact taxi fare is not knowable in advance: it depends on the company and the traffic. A pre-booked sedan transfer has a fixed price quoted at booking (see the live From price on this page).
If cost is the deciding factor, express bus line 100 runs 24 hours a day for 3 lei, and the train to Gara de Nord is 6.50 lei.
The honest recommendation
If you are comfortable with a bit of unpredictability and want to keep costs down, a taxi 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.
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- Line 100 24 hours: https://www2.pmb.ro/pmb/comunicate/comunicat_presa.php?msj=1410
- 90-minute metropolitan ticket 3 lei: https://stb.ro/tarife
- Airport train 6.50 lei: https://www.cfrcalatori.ro/en/bucuresti-nord-railway-station-henri-coanda-airport/
When a private transfer from OTP is the right choice
- You want the price settled before you land: fixed, confirmed in writing, no meter, no night or luggage surcharge at the kerb.
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Bucharest City Center is from €62, about €16 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Flight delays: the driver follows your flight number; 60 minutes of waiting are included, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
OTP → Bucharest City Center from €37Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.