Look, while the M4 metro to Gara de Nord is fantastic during regular hours, Bus 100 Express becomes your lifeline for those tricky travel times — After midnight, early morning departures, or when you're staying far from metro stations. Direct shot between Henri Coandă Airport and Piața Unirii in about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Runs every 30 minutes during operational hours (check current schedule on STB's website since they adjust seasonally). Pay 8 lei with contactless card or through the STB app — Still way cheaper than those 80+ lei taxi rides. Decent luggage space, working AC, and drivers who actually know the route.

Boarding tip: At the airport, look for the dedicated bus stop outside Arrivals. In the city, catch it at Piața Unirii near the Dâmbovița River side. The bus displays "Aeroport Henri Coandă" clearly on front.

I've used this dozens of times when the metro timing doesn't work out — Like 5am flights or when staying in Old Town areas. It's reliable enough that I factor it into my departure planning as a solid alternative to the metro route. The path through different neighborhoods gives you a nice preview of how locals actually live too.