🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Romania
✈️ Flying to Romania
Main Airport
Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) - Romania's main international gateway, 16km north of Bucharest. Modern, efficient. Direct train connection to city center.
Other International Airports:
- Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ) - Transylvania's main airport, serves Western Europe flights
- Timișoara Airport (TSR) - Western Romania, near Serbian border
- Iași Airport (IAS) - Eastern Romania, Moldavia region
💡 Insider Tip
Budget airlines (Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet) serve multiple Romanian cities. London to Bucharest can be £60-70 return if booked early. No direct flights from North America—connect via European hubs.
🚆 From Bucharest Airport to City Center
Train (Fastest & Cheapest)
Trains run every 40 minutes, 24 hours daily. Journey time: 20 minutes to Bucharest North Railway Station. Ticket: around 8 RON (€1.60). Check schedules at mersultrenurilor.infofer.ro
Bus
Bus 783 runs to Piața Unirii in city center. Journey time: 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. Ticket: around 7 RON (€1.40).
Taxi / Bolt
Fixed-price taxis available at airport. Journey time: 30-40 minutes. Cost: 60-80 RON (€12-16) to city center. Bolt ride-hailing cheaper and safer than random taxis.
🚗 Other Ways In
Train from Western Europe—connections via Budapest (Hungary). Budapest to Bucharest overnight train runs regularly. Around €40-80 depending on class. Scenic route through countryside.
Bus from neighboring countries—FlixBus connects Romania with Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Moldova. Cheaper than trains but slower. Good budget option.
Land borders—Romania shares borders with Hungary (west), Serbia (southwest), Bulgaria (south), Moldova (east), Ukraine (north). Road crossings open, straightforward.
Driving—Vignette (rovignette) required for national roads and motorways. Buy online or at border crossings. €3 for 7 days, €7 for 30 days, €28 for year. Mandatory.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Romania joined the Schengen Area in 2024 (air and sea borders only, land borders pending). US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many other passport holders can enter visa-free for tourism up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Schengen visa rules apply—your 90 days cover all Schengen countries combined, not per country. Check your specific passport's requirements before booking flights.
Check visa requirements for Romania →🚗 Getting Around Romania
Trains (CFR Călători)
Romania's train network connects major cities. Over 1,150 daily trains operate nationwide. Book in advance for best prices at cfrcalatori.ro
Train types:
- Regio (RE): Slow regional trains, frequent stops, no reservation needed
- InterRegio (IR): Faster trains, longer distances, reservations often required
- Intercity (IC): Fast trains between major cities, reservations required
Night trains with sleepers available on major routes. Bucharest–Brașov–Cluj–Oradea and Bucharest–Timișoara popular routes.
Buses (Long Distance)
FlixBus operates 50+ cities across Romania. Tickets from 9.99 RON. Modern buses with WiFi, power outlets. Essential for areas trains don't reach well—remote Carpathian villages, Maramureș region.
Domestic Flights
Limited domestic flights. TAROM operates Bucharest to Cluj, Timișoara, Iași. Usually not worth it—trains and buses cheaper and more convenient for domestic travel.
🎫 Travel Pass Tip
No national rail pass available. Buy individual tickets. Book InterRegio and Intercity trains in advance for cheaper fares. Regio trains can be booked day-of at station.
🚋 Local Transportation in Bucharest
RATB operates all public transport in Bucharest (metro, buses, trams, trolleybuses).
Tickets & Passes
- Single ticket: 3 RON (around €0.60, valid 90 minutes)
- Day ticket: 10 RON (around €2, unlimited travel 24 hours)
- 24pay app: Buy tickets on your phone - easiest option for tourists
The metro has 4 lines covering the city. Buses and trams supplement. Generally reliable. Rush hour crowded. Signage in Romanian only—use Google Maps for navigation.
🚙 Renting a Car
Highly recommended for exploring Transylvania, Carpathian Mountains, or rural areas at your own pace. Roads good in cities, variable in mountains.
Requirements
- Minimum age 21, maximum age 70 (most rental companies)
- Valid driver's license (international license recommended for non-EU)
- Credit card for deposit
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Zero alcohol tolerance: 0.00% blood alcohol—any amount is criminal offense
- Speed limits: 50 km/h (cities), 100 km/h (national roads), 130 km/h (motorways)
- Vignette mandatory: Buy rovignette online or at border for motorways/national roads
- Winter tires mandatory on snow/ice-covered roads
- Dipped headlights required daytime on motorways and roads outside cities
- Road quality varies—excellent near Bucharest, rough in remote mountains
⚠️ Romanian Driving
Romanian driving can be aggressive in cities. Rural roads may have potholes. Animals (sheep, cows, horse carts) common on mountain roads. Drive defensively. Night driving in rural areas not recommended.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Romania
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Book trains early: CFR offers cheaper fares when booked in advance for IR/IC trains
- Use FlixBus: Budget bus option, much cheaper than trains for some routes
- Buy vignette online: Slightly cheaper than buying at border
- Rent outside airports: Car rental from city locations often cheaper than airport pickup
- Travel off-peak: Avoid July-August and Christmas holidays for lower accommodation and transport prices