Travel information
Getting around in Bucharest

Public Transportation

Bucharest's public transportation network includes:
bus (autobuz), tram (tramvai), trolley-bus (troilebuz) and subway (Metrou).

Bucharest Public Transport Tourist Card ("Card Călătorie Turist") is available to visitors and residents.

This 'combo ticket' offers unlimited rides for:

• the train from Bucharest International Airport to Gara de Nord Terminal
• bus 783 from Bucharest International Airport to Downtown
• all urban, above-ground, transport: bus, tram and trolleybus
• Bucharest Metro (subway)

Cost:

• 20 lei / 24-hours card
• 40 lei / 72-hours card

Buses, trams and trolley buses operate - between 5 a.m. and 11:55 p.m.

The subway operates - from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Tickets/cards must be purchased beforehand and validated upon boarding.

Travelers may be asked to show the validated ticket/card during the trip.

Travelers without a validated ticket must pay a 500 Lei ($120.00) penalty (Suprataxa).

Tickets or passes can be purchased at any kiosk displaying the STB logo.

Bucharest above-ground local transportation
(bus / tram / trolley bus) fares and passes:

• magnetic travel card (electronic wallet): 4 Lei (approx. $0.95)
• one-trip ticket (90 minutes): 3 Lei (approx. $0.75)
• 10-trips (90 minutes each trip): 25 Lei (approx. $6.25)
• day-pass: 8 Lei (approx. $1.95)
• three-day pass: 20 Lei (approx. $5.25)
• seven-day pass: 30 Lei (approx. $7.50);
• above-ground month pass: 80 Lei (approx. $19.50)
• one trip with any public transport means (above-ground and subway): 5 Lei (approx. $1.20)
  (one subway ride and 90-minutes trip with any above-ground transport means)
• all public transport month pass: 140 Lei (approx. $33.50)
  (unlimited above-ground transportation and subway rides)

Tickets are interchangeable for the bus, tram and trolley bus, with the exception of express buses.

Express Bus 783

connects Bucharest International Airport with downtown Bucharest (bus 783 operates 24 hours a day).

Two or 10-journey tickets, as well as monthly passes, are available for all express buses.

There is direct train service from the city's main train terminal (Gara de Nord) to Bucharest international airport.

Above-ground & Subway 'combo' fares:

• One-trip (bus/ tramway and metro - unlimited validations within 120 minutes): 5 Lei (approx. $1.25)
• 10-trips (bus/ tramway and metro - unlimited validations within 120 minutes): 34 Lei (approx. $8.50)
• Day Pass unlimited: 14 Lei (approx. $4.00) - unlimited rides for one day
• 3-Day Pass unlimited: 35 Lei (approx. $8.50) - unlimited rides for one day
• 7-Day Pass unlimited: 50 Lei (approx. $12.00) - unlimited rides for one day

Bucharest Subway (Metrou) connects the outskirts of the city with the downtown and the main train terminal (Gara de Nord); subway operates - from 5 am to 11 pm.

There are five subway lines (Metrou) in operation: M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5.

Subway stations are indicated with the letter "M" (blue, on a white board).

Subway fares:

• One-trip metro card: 3 Lei (approx. $0.75)
• Two-trips metro card: 6 Lei (approx. $1.45)
• 10-trip metro card: 25 Lei (approx. $6.00)
• Day Pass unlimited: 8 Lei (approx. $2.00) - unlimited rides for one day
• 3-day pass unlimited: 20 Lei (approx. $5.00)
• 7-day pass unlimited: 30 Lei (approx. $7.50) - unlimited rides for seven days
• Month-pass unlimited: 80 Lei (approx. $20) - unlimited rides / calendar month

Train Transportation

Bucuresti North - main train terminal (Gara de Nord)
Address: Blvd. Garii de Nord 2
Tel: 021 9521
Bucharest's main train terminal, Gara de Nord, is located 2 miles northwest of Bucharest downtown.

The original Orient Express ran from Paris to Istanbul with several stops in Romania.

International trains

There are daily or seasonal direct trains from/to Athens, Budapest, Istanbul, Sofia and Vienna.

Trains from/to Western European cities run via Budapest.

Getting to Romania / By Train

To check international trains schedule to/ from Bucharest please visit:
RomaniaTourism International Transportation section.

To check schedules and fares for domestic trains please check
RomaniaTourism Domestic Transportation section.

Accepting rides from drivers who might approach you at the airport, train station or in the street is not a good idea; the risk of being overcharged is significant.

If you will run into a problem with any taxi in Bucharest – or if you are suspecting that you have met a dishonest driver – ask for a receipt and if possible try to write down the vehicle's license plate #.

To file a Bucharest Taxi complaint please call:

• 021 201 3242 (Transportation Bureau of the Police Department)
• 021 9844 (Bucharest City Hall - Complaints)
• 021 9551 (Consumer Protection Authority).

Shopping

Since the 1990s, brand names and high-end stores have been pushing their way into the Romanian market. From high fashion boutiques to art galleries, shopping in Bucharest can fit any taste or budget. Stroll down Blvd. Magheru from Piata Romana to Piata Universitatii for a shopping extravaganza or hit one of the many shopping malls favored by the local rich & famous.

Handicrafts (Artizanat)

Folk crafts, such as embroidered clothing and linen, painted or beaded eggs, carpets, pottery, woodcarvings and icons, make interesting gifts and souvenirs. Romanian peasants do magnificent embroidery on cotton, wool and leather. Look for blouses, skirts, exotic coats, rugs, tablecloths and lacework. Icons, new and old, painted on glass or wood are outstanding. A good selection can be found at the Romanian Peasant Museum, the Village Museum, most department stores.

Shopping Centers

Art Galleries

Book stores (Librarie)

Libraria Carturesti

Several stores in Romania's main cities
Books (quite a few in English), tea and coffe, CDs, DVDs and Vinyl Records.

Music Stores

Visitors interested in Romanian music can find pop and traditional music recordings as well as musical instruments at Magazinul Muzica

Address: Calea Victoriei 41- 43, Bucharest
Tel: (+4) 0733 108.275

Fresh Produce Markets (Piata)