Bucharest Airport to the City: Bus 100 or Gara de Nord Train?
Company-authored guide. Sources and their check date appear below; no independent or first-hand review is claimed.
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For Bucharest's Old Town, compare bus 100 with the complete journey via Gara de Nord. The airport train ends at the railway station, so its short ride is only part of your trip. Start with your hotel's address and decide which arrival point leaves you the simplest final leg.
Bus 100: the airport stop has moved
The airport's current bus notice says lines 100 and 442 stop only at Departures (Plecări) while works continue. They do not currently stop at Arrivals (Sosiri). Follow temporary signs and confirm the stop before taking your bags outside; the lower section of the same page still contains older Arrivals wording.
Line 100 links the airport with central Bucharest. Its STB timetable identifies Piața Unirii 2 and Universitate on the route. Compare the walk from the appropriate stop with your hotel's entrance, rather than automatically riding to the terminus. The airport lists intervals of about 15 minutes by day and 30 at night; road traffic can change the actual wait and ride.
What the 3-lei bus fare includes
STB's metropolitan fare is 3 lei for 90 minutes on surface transport. Validate a transport card in each vehicle you use; bank-card contactless payment is also listed by the airport. Check the validator's confirmation instead of assuming a tap worked. The 3-lei surface ticket does not include the metro: STB lists a separate surface-and-metro ticket at 7 lei for 120 minutes.
For four adults buying standard single surface journeys, 4 × 3 = 12 lei. That is a calculated example, not a group discount. Add any card cost and transport beyond the ticket's coverage. A low bus fare is useful when the stop and walking route suit everyone in your party.
Train: Gara de Nord is the destination, not your hotel
The airport's rail guide says to reach the station via the ground floor of Arrivals during parking works. Follow the current directions. It lists a round-the-clock link to București Nord approximately every 40 minutes. Check your actual departure, especially when connecting to another train.
CFR Călători's current airport fare is 6.50 lei without a reserved seat, for a ride of roughly 20–25 minutes. An optional seat reservation adds 4.50 lei; buying from the conductor costs 13 lei without a reservation. Buy through the operator's normal advance channels to avoid that surcharge. Confirm the operator of your departure: these prices describe CFR's ticket, not every seller's package.
Four standard unreserved CFR tickets total 26 lei before onward transport. If the next departure is 35 minutes away, add that wait to the train ride, your approach to the platform and the trip from Gara de Nord. This planning example shows why a 20-minute rail journey does not mean reaching an Old Town hotel in 20 minutes.
| Your arrival plan | Useful comparison | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel near a central bus stop | 100 + final walk | Departures boarding point and walk with luggage |
| Onward train from București Nord | Airport train | Departure, operator and connection margin |
| Hotel away from the useful stops | Public transport + final leg, or a road pickup | Whole-party cost, bags and arrival time |
When a road pickup is worth comparing
A car may simplify a late arrival or a journey with several bags and an awkward final connection. It still uses the roads, so allow for traffic. For an airport taxi, confirm the pricing method and payment arrangements before setting off; we do not quote a universal fixed fare. For a booked car, confirm the exact terminal meeting point and a vehicle that fits passengers and luggage together.
Get offers to your Bucharest address
To compare a pickup to your actual hotel, get transfer offers on GetTransfer.com. Enter Henri Coandă Airport (OTP), the full destination address, passengers and bags. Include your flight and any child-seat needs. Check the carrier's total price, meeting point and waiting terms before booking; submitting a request alone does not confirm a vehicle.
GetTransfer Editorial · Company-authored guide. Sources checked on 8 October 2026. Airport works affect access to stops; recheck the official notices and departure information before travelling. Group totals are our arithmetic examples using standard adult fares.