Find out about options for transportation in Bucharest – Public transport, tourist tours, subway and taxis, all in today’s post. (Photos courtesy of Dan Mihai Balanescu )
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN BUCHAREST
There is a big public transport network in Bucharest that will take you wherever you want around the city.
However, if you are a tourist you should keep in mind that the public network of transportation in Bucharest was designed for utility and not sightseeing, and at rush hour it can get pretty crowded , no matter the destination or the type of transport.
We advise you to use Bucharest City Tour – a hop on / hop off tour that helps you explore the main tourist attractions in Bucharest!
Bucharest City Tour – history, culture and tradition in a single trip. The map for the Bucharest city Tour Open Buses can be accessed here.
Public transport in Bucharest includes:
- Buses operated by R.A.T.B (the public transportation in Bucharest company)
- Trams operated by R.A.T.B (the public transportation in Bucharest company)
- Trolleys operated by R.A.T.B (the public transportation in Bucharest company)
- Subway (called “metrou” in Romanian) operated by Metrorex.
Buses, trams and trolley buses operate – between 5:00am and 11:59pm.
Beyond these operating hours there are the the so called “Night Lines”. The map for the night lines can be accessed here.
Be advised that succession times of the Night Line buses are:
- between 23.00 – 01.00 1 bus each 40 minutes
- between the hours of 01.00 – 03.00 1 bus each 120 minutes
- between the hours of 03.00 – 04.30 1 bus each 40 minutes
TRANSPORT CARDS
Transportation Guide for Travelers in Bucharest
- Tourist Travel Cards: Available for 24 or 72 hours, allowing unlimited metro, surface transportation, and rail between Gara de Nord and Henri Coandă Airport. A 15-minute restriction applies between metro validations.
- Where to Get Cards: Rechargeable contactless cards can be bought/recharged at designated metro stations. In case of loss, replacements are available for 10 lei.
- Usage: Cards valid for 120 minutes or more allow last-minute validation and travel until the card’s expiration. Metropolitan subscriptions allow unlimited trips within their validity period.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES:
One day pass – 20 Lei
3-day pass – 40 Lei
Tickets are interchangeable for the bus, tram and trolley bus, with the exception of express buses.
SUBWAY
Subway is a fast way to travel around the city , there are 51 stations on 4 subway lines. Average time to wait for a train is 4 min.
The metro lines of Bucharest Are:
M1 Dristor – Pantelimon
M2 Berceni – Pipera
M3 Preciziei – Anghel Saligny
M4 Gara de Nord – Parc Bazilescu
M5 Currently under construction Drumul Taberei – Pantelimon
M6 Currently under construction Gara de Nord – Buchurest International Airport
The map of these lines can be accesed here.
Open hours : 5:00am to 11:00pm
Tickets for the metro can be purchased at all metro stations.
TAXI
There are many taxi companies in Bucharest with prices ranging from 1.39 Lei/km to 3.50 Lei/km . We recommend to look carefully on the price mentioned on the taxi in order to avoid unwanted situations. We advise you to take only taxis called by order or through a taxi app – that is the safest way.
TIPS: Taxis display their rates per kilometer on the side of the car, however there may still be some haggling required. Always make sure that the taximeter is turned on and if in any doubt just get out and find another taxi. Usually a tip of 10% or more is expected by the driver. If you are asked to pay more than you think the tri is worth than you should ask the driver for the receipt. At nighttime, if you don’t order by phone or app, ask the price prior to your trip.
If you have a problem with a taxi driver take the license number or the car’s plate number and call at one of this numbers:
021 201 3242 (Transportation Bureau of the Police Department) and/or 021 9844 (Bucharest City Hall – Complaints) 021 9551 (Consumer Protection Authority)
UBER – Alternative transportation in Bucharest
As an other option to standard taxi, Uber is now present in Bucharest. If you have a Uber account and the application on your telephone you can utilize it while in the city. Fares are usually similar to taxi fare, but the cars and drivers are nicer. If you are new to Uber , sign up using the invite code “claudiub34ue” and you will get your first ride for free!
