Essentials & SettlementPublic Transportation
Getting Around Romania
Public Transportation & Intercity Travel
From the airport to the city, around town, and between cities — with real operators and practical tips.
Sources: CFR Călători (national rail) — cfrcalatori.ro, Metrorex (Bucharest metro), Henri Coandă Airport — bucharestairports.ro — Last reviewed: August 2026
Romania has a reasonably extensive public transit network: national rail connects nearly all major cities, every major city runs its own city bus/tram network (Bucharest is the only one with a metro), and private intercity coaches are a cheaper option for shorter routes. For newcomers, knowing the real operator names and how to actually buy a ticket avoids a lot of early confusion.
1Airport to City Center (Bucharest)
- Direct rail link from Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) to Gara de Nord — about 20–25 min, the cheapest option.
- Express bus line 780/783 — about 40–60 min depending on traffic.
- Taxi/Uber/Bolt from the airport — roughly €10–20 to the center; use only the official taxi booth inside the terminal to avoid unofficial/overpriced rides.
2City Public Transit
- Bucharest: the only city with a metro (Metrorex, 5 lines) plus bus/tram/trolleybus (STB).
- Other major cities have their own local operator (e.g. CTP Cluj, STPT in Timișoara, RATBV in Brașov) — tickets are usually bought via the operator's app or an on-board machine.
- Students with a valid student card typically get 50% or more off monthly passes; check the exact figure with your university or the local operator.
3Intercity Train
- National rail operator CFR Călători (cfrcalatori.ro) connects nearly all major cities; tickets can be bought online or at the station counter.
- InterCity (IC) trains are faster and pricier than InterRegio (IR) trains; seat reservation is recommended for IC.
- Private operators also run on some routes and can be cheaper than CFR — worth comparing before booking.
4Intercity & International Coach
- FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus run extensive routes between Romanian cities and neighboring countries (Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Moldova); tickets are booked online.
- Each city also has one or more local "autogara" (intercity coach terminals) used by smaller regional operators — the exact name and address for each city is listed on that city's guide page.
- Departure times and fares change frequently; always check the operator's official site before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Romania have one nationwide transit card?
No; each city has its own operator and ticket card/app. Intercity rail tickets (CFR) are separate and unrelated to any city transit card.
Which is cheaper for travel between nearby cities, train or bus?
For shorter routes, private coaches are often cheaper and sometimes faster than InterRegio trains; for longer routes between major cities, InterCity trains are usually more comfortable and reliable.
This guide is part of the "Essentials & Settlement" collection.
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