Transport Tips for Bucharest

Complete Airport Transfer Route: Take express bus 783 from Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) directly to Gara de Nord station (45 minutes, 8.60 RON). From Gara de Nord, board M4 metro line for instant access to central Bucharest. Total cost: 14.60 RON vs minimum 60 RON taxi fare.

M4 Line Specifications: 14.5km route with 12 stations running northwest-southeast through city core. Key destinations: Gara de Nord (northern terminus), Basarab (financial district), 1 Mai (residential), Parc Bazilescu (southern terminus). Operating hours: 5:00am-midnight daily, trains every 4-6 minutes peak hours.

Strategic Transfer Points: At Gara de Nord, connect to M1 (red line) for airport express bus continuation or M2/M3 access. For Old Town: ride M4 to Universitate then transfer to M2 yellow line (2 stops to Piața Universității). Ticket machines accept contactless payment — Buy 2-journey tickets (12 RON) to cover both bus and metro legs.

Critical Update: M4 airport extension remains under construction through 2025 despite appearing on some tourist maps. Current terminus is Gara de Nord only — Plan the bus connection accordingly. Download Metrorex official app for real-time delays and service updates.

This completely saved my sanity as a solo traveler who barely speaks Romanian. While the new M4 metro line to Henri Coandă Airport sounds perfect on paper, it doesn't run 24/7 like the rest of Bucharest's metro system. For late-night arrivals after 11pm or early departures before 5am, Bolt app becomes essential. You see the exact price upfront (usually 45-65 RON from Otopeni to Calea Victoriei area) and can track your route in real-time.

The airport taxi situation at Henri Coandă gets really uncomfortable, especially if you're traveling alone. Some drivers quote 150+ RON for a ride that should cost 60 RON, or they'll claim the meter is broken. The touch-screen taxi dispatch system in arrivals works, but as a tourist, you're still not sure if 80 RON is fair. With Bolt, everything is transparent — No awkward negotiations in broken Romanian.

Same strategy works perfectly at Gara de Nord train station when you're connecting between international trains and the city center. The M1/M4 metro interchange can be confusing with heavy luggage, and those aggressive taxi drivers outside the main entrance will quote ridiculous prices. Just book through Bolt from inside the station instead.

Pro tip: Screenshot your driver's license plate and keep the ride receipt. If anything goes wrong, Romanian Consumer Protection Authority (Str. Transilvaniei 2) handles taxi complaints, but honestly, I've used Bolt dozens of times between Henri Coandă and neighborhoods like Amzei or Universitate and never had issues — The system just works when STB night buses don't fit your schedule.

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.

Elevator access to most areas but you must specify wheelchair needs when booking. Standard tour has several steps.

Staff helpful but building is confusing. Accessible entrance north side. Allow extra navigation time.

Skip expensive tourist transport passes. STB cards at any metro station: 8 RON gets unlimited daily transit including M4 airport line. Orange shops everywhere for longer stays — 15 RON gets 10GB EU-wide, but STB card better value for Bucharest-focused trips under one week.

Bring passport for Orange registration. STB cards work immediately, contactless payment accepted. Better than expensive airport shuttle services to Henri Coandă.