Owais Crawford
Bucharest International Airport (OTP) is the largest and busiest airport in Romania, serving around 15 million passengers annually. If you're stuck at the airport, there are plenty of ways to pass the time. You can grab a bite to eat, visit the shops, or relax in one of the lounges. If you have a long layover, you can even explore downtown Bucharest, which is about 20 km away. To get there, you can take the 780 Express bus or the train to Gara de Nord station, followed by a metro ride to the city centre. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Bolt, although regular taxis have been known to overcharge passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Bucharest International Airport (OTP) / Henri Coandă International Airport |
| Location | Otopeni, 20km north of Bucharest |
| Transport to City Centre | Bus, train, taxi, ridesharing apps, shuttle, metro |
| Bus Options | 442, 783, 780 Express |
| Train Option | Direct train to Gara de Nord (Bucharest's largest train station) |
| Taxi Option | Available 24/7 but long queues and risk of overcharging |
| Ridesharing Apps | Uber, Bolt, Free Now |
| Shuttle Option | Provided by companies like Kron and Direct Aeroport |
| Metro Option | Connects Bucharest North station to various parts of the city |
| Airport Facilities | Free WiFi, luggage wrapping services, luggage trolleys, lounges, shops, eateries, hair salon, tours |
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What You'll Learn
- Getting to the city centre: bus, train, taxi or shuttle
- Where to eat: coffee, sandwiches, pizza or fine dining?
- Airport lounges: WiFi, food, drinks and a quiet environment
- Shopping: newsstands, Duty-Free, convenience stores and local handicrafts
- Tours: view the Palace of Parliament, Stavropoleos Church and Ceausescu Mansion
Getting to the city centre: bus, train, taxi or shuttle?
Bucharest's Henri Coandă International Airport, also known as Otopeni Airport, is located about 20 km north of the city centre. There are several ways to get downtown from the airport: by bus, train, taxi, shuttle, or private transfer.
Bus
The 100 Express Line is the only public transport option available that travels directly between the airport and Bucharest's city centre. Tickets are very affordable, costing only €0.60 (or RON 3), but the journey can take up to twice as long as a taxi or private transfer—between 40 and 60 minutes, not including waiting time. There is also the 783 express bus line, which links the airport to Unirii Square in downtown Bucharest, but this route includes 18 stops and can take up to 40 minutes. If you are travelling during rush hour, the journey could take even longer. Additionally, the 442 bus line connects to Bucharest Băneasa Airport in one direction and Bucharest Therme in the other, but this route only goes to the northern part of the city.
Train
The direct train to Gara de Nord, Bucharest's largest train station, is one of the fastest and cheapest options for getting into the city, with a one-way trip taking about 20-25 minutes. However, Gara de Nord is located in the northern part of the city, so if you're headed to a more central location like the Old Town, you'll need to switch to the subway, bus, or trolleybus.
Taxi
Taking a taxi from the airport to the city centre is the fastest option, with a direct, door-to-door service that can take as little as 30 minutes in light traffic. It is also reasonably priced, with rates falling between 50 and 80 Lei (or 10 and 17 Euros). However, be aware of potential scams; only use official airport taxis from designated ranks outside the terminal, and be sure that the driver resets the meter to the base fare before starting your trip.
Shuttle or Private Transfer
Shuttle companies like Kron and Direct Aeroport provide transfers from the airport to other destinations. Welcome Pickups is another company that provides a convenient alternative with a local English-speaking driver at a competitive fixed fare rate.
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Where to eat: coffee, sandwiches, pizza or fine dining?
Bucharest International Airport (OTP), also known as Henri Coandă International Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in Romania. The airport is located in the town of Otopeni, about 20 km north of Bucharest.
There are about a dozen eating options at Bucharest Airport, with most serving casual food such as coffee, sandwiches, pizza, and baked goods. International chains include Brioche Doree, Gloria Jean’s, Coffee, and Burger King. There is also a Billa Supermarket in the Arrivals Hall, which is a good place to buy snacks and local souvenirs.
If you are looking for a quiet, comfortable spot to eat, you can check into one of the three lounges. For a single fee, you can take advantage of unlimited food and drinks, as well as WiFi, news and TV.
If you have a long layover and don't mind leaving the airport, you can explore the city of Bucharest, which is about a 45-minute bus or train ride away. There, you will find a variety of dining options, including typical Romanian meals.
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Airport lounges: WiFi, food, drinks and a quiet environment
Bucharest International Airport (OTP) is the largest and busiest airport in Romania, serving around 15 million passengers annually. The airport offers several lounges for travellers seeking a quiet environment, WiFi connectivity, food, and drinks.
Lounges
The airport has multiple lounges, including the Mastercard Business Lounge, Airport Business Lounge, and Tarom Business Lounge. These lounges are located in the International Departure Terminal, near or above Gate 9, and are open 24 hours a day. Access to these lounges is available by paying at the door. Additionally, there is a "domestic" lounge, which may be closed at times.
WiFi
Free WiFi is available within the airport terminal and the lounges. To connect, you can use the "AIHCB Free" network or follow the registration process for a secure connection.
Food and Drinks
The airport offers a variety of food and beverage options, both landside and airside. Several eateries operate 24 hours a day, ensuring round-the-clock access to meals and refreshments. Options include Brioche Dorée, Gloria Jean Coffee, Lavazza Espression, and Pizza Vino e Panino. The lounges also provide a range of refreshments, including alcoholic and soft drinks, coffee, tea, juice, and snacks.
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Shopping: newsstands, Duty-Free, convenience stores and local handicrafts
Bucharest Airport has a variety of shops located throughout the terminal, offering a range of products to meet your needs. Here is an overview of the shopping options available:
Newsstands: For travellers who want to stay updated with the latest news or are looking for something to read during their flight, newsstands at the airport provide a selection of newspapers, magazines, and other reading materials. These outlets typically offer a mix of local and international publications to cater to diverse interests and languages.
Duty-Free: The airport's duty-free shops are ideal for those seeking tax-free shopping. Here, you can find a wide range of products, including fragrances, cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, confectionery, and other travel retail exclusives. Duty-free shopping can be a convenient way to save money on gifts or treat yourself to something special.
Convenience stores: For any last-minute essentials or snacks, Bucharest Airport has a Billa Supermarket located in the Arrivals Hall. This supermarket offers a range of snacks, local souvenirs, and other convenience items. It is a convenient option for travellers looking to stock up before their flight or during a layover.
Local handicrafts: While specific information about local handicrafts shops within the airport is scarce, some sources mention the availability of local souvenirs at the Billa Supermarket. Additionally, Bucharest, as a city, is known for its vibrant markets and local crafts, so it is possible that travellers may find small shops or kiosks within the airport selling traditional Romanian handicrafts, such as painted eggs, wood carvings, embroidered textiles, or ceramic products.
Overall, Bucharest Airport provides a mix of shopping options to meet the diverse needs of travellers, whether they are looking for reading materials, duty-free items, snacks, or local souvenirs.
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Tours: view the Palace of Parliament, Stavropoleos Church and Ceausescu Mansion
Bucharest is home to many tourist attractions, including the Palace of Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Ceausescu Mansion.
Palace of Parliament
The Palace of Parliament is one of the main attractions in Bucharest and is located in the heart of the city. It is the second-largest office building in the world, only beaten by the Pentagon. Tickets for students are €6, which includes a one-hour guided tour. However, some tourists have complained that the tour only allows access to a few restricted areas. The tour takes approximately 40 minutes and includes a visit to 5 rooms.
Stavropoleos Church
Stavropoleos Church is another major tourist attraction in Bucharest, located in the heart of the old town. The church is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and entrance is free.
Ceausescu Mansion
The Ceausescu Mansion, also known as the Primaverii Palace, was opened to the public in 2016 to showcase the luxurious and ostentatious lives of Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, two of Romania's main political figures. The mansion is located on one of the wealthiest streets in Bucharest, where many senior communist party members resided. A guided tour of the mansion explores both the political and humane sides of the dictator, showcasing the harmoniously decorated rooms, modern bathrooms, a beautiful interior tropical garden, an impressive cinema room, and a room with a large swimming pool decorated with mosaics. The mansion can be accessed by taking the metro to Aviatorilor (line M2) or by bus to Piata Charles de Gaulle.
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Frequently asked questions
You can take a bus, train, taxi or rideshare. The bus is the cheapest option, but not the fastest. The 783 bus has 18 stops and takes around 40 minutes to reach the city centre. The direct train to Bucharest's Gara de Nord station takes 20-25 minutes, but to reach the city centre from there you'll need to take a metro, bus or walk for 20-30 minutes. A taxi or rideshare is the most expensive option, but it is quick and convenient.
Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport has free, unlimited WiFi, so you can surf the net to your heart's content. There are also plenty of eateries, most of which are casual spots serving coffee, sandwiches, pizza and baked goods. There are also international chains like Burger King. If you're looking for a quiet, comfortable spot, you can pay to enter one of the lounges, where you'll find WiFi, unlimited drinks and food, news and TV.
Bucharest is known as "Little Paris" due to its elegant early 20th-century architecture. Must-see attractions include the Palace of Parliament, the second-largest building in the world, the ornate Stavropoleos Church and the former home of the Romanian dictator, the Ceausescu Mansion. The Old Town, particularly around Lipscani Street, offers a rich mix of historical buildings, bars and restaurants.
Bucharest has four subway lines and a modern bus network. The 783 bus operates round the clock, linking the airport to downtown Bucharest.
