Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport

Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), commonly known as Bucharest Otopeni, is Romania's busiest airport and the main gateway to the country's capital. Located approximately 16.5 km north of Bucharest city center, the airport handles over 14 million passengers annually and serves as the hub for TAROM (Romanian Air Transport) and a major base for Wizz Air.

The airport has one main terminal divided into two connected sections:

• Departures Terminal: Upper level with check-in, security, and departure gates
• Arrivals Terminal: Lower level with baggage claim, customs, and ground transportation

The terminal building is relatively compact with a linear layout, making navigation straightforward. All gates are accessible from a single airside area after security, with gates organized into Finger A (Schengen flights) and Finger B (non-Schengen flights). Romania joined the Schengen Area for air travel in 2024, which has simplified connections with EU destinations.

A notable feature is the modern terminal expansion completed in 2021, which added new boarding gates and improved passenger flow significantly.

Henri Coanda Airport is located 16.5 km north of Bucharest city center, with express bus and taxi/rideshare being the most common transport options.

Typical travel times:

• Bucharest city center by taxi/rideshare: 25-45 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Bucharest North Railway Station (Gara de Nord): 40 minutes by express bus
• Bucharest Old Town (Centru Vechi): 30-50 minutes by car
• Brasov (Transylvania): 2.5-3 hours by car

The airport has dedicated taxi ranks and rideshare pickup points at the arrivals level.

Bolt

Bolt is the dominant rideshare app in Romania and offers the best combination of price and reliability.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to "Rideshare" outside arrivals, dedicated waiting area at P1 parking
• Services available: Standard, Comfort, XL
• Fares to city center: RON 50-80 (EUR 10-16 / USD 11-17) depending on destination and traffic

Uber

Uber operates at Bucharest Airport, though Bolt is more widely used.

• Pickup location: Same rideshare area as Bolt
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Black
• Fares to city center: RON 55-90 (EUR 11-18 / USD 12-20)

Taxi

Licensed taxis are available from the official taxi terminal outside arrivals. Use the automated taxi ordering system (touchscreen terminals) to avoid unofficial drivers.

Destination	Fare	Time
Bucharest city center	RON 80-120 (EUR 16-24)	25-40 min
Bucharest North Railway Station	RON 70-100 (EUR 14-20)	30-45 min
Pipera (business district)	RON 40-60 (EUR 8-12)	15-25 min
Ploiesti	RON 200-250 (EUR 40-50)	45-60 min

Important: Always use the official taxi ordering terminals inside the arrivals hall. Avoid drivers who approach you directly - taxi scams have historically been an issue at OTP. Official taxi rates are displayed at approximately RON 3.50/km.

Express Bus 783

The Express Bus 783 connects the airport directly to Bucharest city center and is the most affordable option.

Route: Airport - Bucharest North Railway Station (Gara de Nord) - Piata Unirii (city center)

To Piata Unirii (City Center):

1. Exit arrivals and find the bus stop on the right side of the terminal
2. Purchase a ticket from the RATB kiosk or validate an existing Bucharest transport card
3. Take bus 783 direction "Piata Unirii"
4. Journey time: 40-50 minutes to Piata Unirii

Ticket Type	Price
Single journey	RON 3.50 (EUR 0.70 / USD 0.75)
Day pass	RON 8 (EUR 1.60)
Transport card (rechargeable)	RON 3.70 per journey

Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes (peak) / Every 25-40 minutes (off-peak) Operating hours: 05:30-23:30 daily

Night Bus N783

When express bus 783 stops running, the N783 night bus provides service.

• Operating hours: 23:30-05:30
• Frequency: Every 40-60 minutes
• Same route as 783

Train (Future)

A direct rail link between Henri Coanda Airport and Bucharest North Railway Station is under construction, expected to open in 2026. This will reduce journey time to approximately 20 minutes.

Henri Coanda Airport offers several parking facilities with varying rates.

Terminal Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
P1 (Short-term)	Adjacent to terminal	RON 12/hour, max RON 80/day
P2 (Long-term covered)	3-min walk	From RON 45/day
P Exterior (Economy)	5-min walk, shuttle available	From RON 30/day
VIP Parking	Terminal entrance	RON 150/day

Tips:

• Book online at bucharestairports.ro for discounts up to 20%
• P1 is most convenient for short stays; P2 or P Exterior for trips over 3 days
• Electric vehicle charging available in P1
• First 15 minutes free in P1 for drop-off/pickup

Bucharest Airport offers a growing selection of dining options, with Romanian and international cuisine available.

Landside (Before Security)

• Upper House: Traditional Romanian dishes and international menu
• Coffee Republic: Coffee and light snacks
• La Croissanterie: French-style pastries and sandwiches
• McDonald's: Fast food

Airside (After Security)

• Vino & Tapas: Wine bar with Romanian wines and Mediterranean tapas
• Relay Cafe: Coffee, sandwiches, light meals
• Burger King: Fast food option
• Culto Coffee: Premium coffee and snacks
• Duty Free Cafe: Basic refreshments near gates

Budget tip: Prices are 30-50% higher than city center rates. Grab food before arriving or use the Express Bus 783 stop at Gara de Nord for cheaper options. Profi supermarket is located on the arrivals level for snacks and drinks.

Free WiFi is available throughout Henri Coanda Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	OTP-Free-WiFi
Registration	Phone number or email required
Time limit	2 hours free, then requires re-registration
Speed	Adequate for browsing and email; streaming may buffer

Faster connections are available in the Business Lounge.

SIM cards are readily available at the airport from major Romanian carriers.

Airport Locations

• Vodafone Store (Arrivals hall): Full-service store with prepaid SIM cards
• Orange Store (Arrivals hall): Romania's largest carrier
• Digi Store (Landside): Budget-friendly option

Pricing

Provider	Price	Data
Orange	From RON 25 (EUR 5)	10 GB
Vodafone	From RON 25 (EUR 5)	10 GB
Digi	From RON 15 (EUR 3)	50 GB

Tip: Digi offers the best value with excellent coverage and the lowest prices. EU roaming is included on all Romanian SIM cards. For longer stays, consider prepaid plans from Digi (digi.ro) with up to 100 GB for RON 25.

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in both arrivals and departures areas. Major Romanian banks (Banca Transilvania, BRD, BCR, ING) have machines available.

Currency

• Romania: Romanian Leu (RON), also written as "lei"
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 EUR = 4.97 RON, 1 USD = 4.60 RON

Currency Exchange

Exchange offices (casa de schimb) are located in the arrivals hall and airside. However, airport rates include significant markups of 5-10%.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw RON from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Romania remains cash-friendly, but card acceptance is growing in Bucharest
• Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Exchange at city center banks or exchange offices for better rates

Tip: Always choose to be charged in RON rather than your home currency when using cards (avoid dynamic currency conversion). Many restaurants and shops accept EUR, but change is given in RON at poor rates.

Bucharest Airport offers duty-free shopping and a selection of local products.

Duty-Free

• Heinemann Duty Free (Airside): Main duty-free operator with spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, and confectionery
• Tax-free savings: Competitive prices on alcohol and tobacco for non-EU travelers

Romanian Products

• Carturesti: Romanian bookstore with local literature and souvenirs
• Romanian Traditional Products: Handicrafts, pottery, embroidered textiles
• Wine shops: Romanian wines (look for Feteasca Neagra and Feteasca Alba varieties)
• Sweet shops: Romanian chocolates, cozonac (sweet bread), and local sweets

Other Retail

• Relay: Books, magazines, travel essentials
• Tech Zone: Electronics and accessories
• Fashion stores: Basic clothing and accessories

Tips

• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds (19% Romanian VAT) on purchases over RON 250
• Romanian wines and spirits are excellent value and make good gifts
• Best shopping selection is airside after security

Bucharest Airport has limited lounge options compared to major European hubs.

Business Lounge (Priority Pass)

Business Lounge Otopeni (Airside, Schengen area):

• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, paid entry (EUR 35)
• Location: Near Gate A6
• Hours: 05:00-22:00
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, drinks, WiFi, workstations
• Quality: Adequate but can get crowded during peak hours

Airline Lounges

TAROM Business Lounge (Airside):

• Access: TAROM Business Class, SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Location: Departures area
• Amenities: Light refreshments, drinks, newspapers

Pay-Per-Entry

The Business Lounge offers day passes for approximately EUR 35. Book online through Priority Pass or at the lounge entrance.

Note: Lounge options at OTP are limited. For long layovers, consider visiting the restaurant options or exploring Bucharest city center.

Several hotels are located near Bucharest Airport.

At the Airport

Henri Coanda Airport lacks an on-site hotel, but several options are within 5-10 minutes.

Near the Airport

Angelo Airporthotel Bucharest

• 5 minutes from terminal (free shuttle)
• 4-star, 177 rooms
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center
• From RON 350/night (EUR 70)

Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Airport

• 7 minutes from terminal (free shuttle)
• 4-star, modern facilities
• Restaurant, fitness center
• From RON 400/night (EUR 80)

Ibis Bucharest Airport

• 10 minutes from terminal (free shuttle)
• 3-star, budget-friendly
• Basic amenities
• From RON 250/night (EUR 50)

Hotel Mariot

• 5 minutes from terminal
• 3-star, affordable option
• From RON 180/night (EUR 36)

Transit/Nap Options

• Quiet areas: Limited seating in the terminal; not ideal for overnight stays
• Airport hotels: Best option for early morning departures or late arrivals

Tip: For layovers under 8 hours, the city center may be worth visiting rather than staying near the airport.

Bucharest is Romania's vibrant capital, blending Communist-era architecture with Belle Epoque elegance, modern development, and a thriving nightlife scene. The Old Town is just 30-40 minutes from the airport.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Old Town (Centru Vechi)	30-45 min	Bus 783 to Piata Unirii
Palace of Parliament	35-50 min	Bus 783 + short walk
Herastrau Park	20-30 min	Taxi/Bolt to northern Bucharest
Village Museum	25-35 min	Taxi/Bolt
Revolution Square	30-40 min	Bus 783 to Piata Romana

Travel Tips

• Transport: Use Bolt or Uber for most trips; public transport is affordable but can be confusing
• Old Town: The heart of Bucharest nightlife and dining; lively every evening
• Palace of Parliament: World's second-largest administrative building; tours available (book in advance)
• Romanian cuisine: Try sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled meat rolls), ciorba (sour soup)
• Tipping is appreciated: 10% at restaurants, round up for taxis

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Visit Herastrau Park and grab a coffee in northern Bucharest
• 6-hour layover: Explore the Old Town, see Revolution Square, have lunch
• 8+ hour layover: Add Palace of Parliament tour, Romanian Athenaeum, dinner in Centru Vechi

Day Trips from Bucharest

• Sinaia: 2 hours by car, Peles Castle (one of Europe's most beautiful castles)
• Brasov: 2.5-3 hours by car, gateway to Transylvania, medieval old town
• Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle): 2.5 hours by car, iconic Transylvanian landmark
• Transfagarasan Highway: 3 hours, spectacular mountain road (open June-October)
• Snagov Monastery: 40 minutes by car, island monastery, alleged burial site of Vlad the Impaler

Bucharest Specialties

• Mici (Mititei): Grilled minced meat rolls, a Romanian street food staple
• Sarmale: Cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice
• Ciorba de burta: Tripe soup (an acquired taste, beloved locally)
• Papanasi: Fried doughnuts with sour cream and jam
• Tuica/Palinca: Traditional Romanian plum brandy
• Romanian wine: Excellent reds from Dealu Mare region, whites from Transylvania