Bucharest has an extensive and heavily used metro network — one of the largest in south-eastern Europe — supplemented by a sprawling surface network of buses, trams and trolleybuses. For visitors, the Metrorex system is the backbone of getting around efficiently, while the surface STB (Societatea de Transport București) network fills in the gaps and provides connections the metro doesn't cover, including some airport routes.
Metrorex Lines M1–M5
The Bucharest Metro opened in 1979 and has since grown to five lines covering the city's main axes. The network is simple to understand once you have a map in front of you, and stations are labelled in Romanian with some English signage at major interchanges.
Line M1 is a roughly circular route serving the north, west and south of the city, linking Dristor 2 in the east through Eroilor (a major southern interchange) and around to Pantelimon in the north-east. It does not pass through the city centre directly but creates a useful ring for cross-city journeys.
Line M2 is the main north–south spine, running from Berceni in the south through the central station Piața Victoriei and continuing to IMGB. Key stations for visitors on M2 include Universitate (near the old centre and main university), Piața Unirii (the central interchange) and Izvor (near the Palace of Parliament).
Line M3 runs east–west across the city, passing through Piața Unirii, Eroilor and out to the Preciziei area in the west. This line also serves Gara de Nord, Bucharest's main railway station, making it the primary connection for rail travellers arriving in the city.
Line M4 connects Gara de Nord (the main station) northward towards Parc Bazilescu. It is primarily useful for the northern residential districts and is less relevant to most tourist itineraries.
Line M5 is the newest addition, running west from Eroilor to Râul Doamnei in the western suburbs. It opened in stages over the late 2010s and early 2020s and extends the network to previously poorly served western areas.
The two key interchange stations are:
- Piața Unirii: the central hub where M1, M2 and M3 all meet. Above ground, Unirii Square is the geographic heart of modern Bucharest.
- Eroilor: interchange for M1, M3 and M5 — the most useful station for reaching the Palace of Parliament (the second-largest administrative building in the world by floor area) and the surrounding Civic Centre area.
Getting from Henri Coandă Airport to the City
Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) is located about 17 km north of the city centre. The airport is not directly on the metro network, but connections to the metro are straightforward:
Express Bus 783 runs from the airport to Piața Victoriei (on Line M2) and continues to the city centre, with a journey of around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. This bus runs frequently and uses the STB ticketing system. It is the most direct bus-to-metro connection.
Train connection: A rail shuttle connects the airport with Gara de Nord (main station, on Lines M3 and M4) at regular intervals. The journey takes around 20–25 minutes and uses standard CFR train tickets, available at the airport rail terminal. This is the fastest connection if you are already planning to use the metro from Gara de Nord.
Taxis are available but Bucharest airport taxis have a mixed reputation for inflated fares. Use the Bolt or Free Now apps for price certainty, or the official airport taxi system where fixed rates apply.
Surface Buses, Trams and Trolleybuses (STB)
The STB surface network is vast — hundreds of bus routes, plus tram and trolleybus lines covering the full city. For visitors, the surface network is useful for:
- The airport connection via bus 783.
- Reaching areas between metro stations, particularly in the historic old town (Centrul Vechi) near Piața Unirii.
- Night travel — surface buses continue running overnight on selected routes after the metro closes at 23:00.
Trams in Bucharest serve inner-city corridors and some outer routes. The tram network is older and slower than the metro but connects neighbourhoods like Floreasca, Colentina and the areas around Piața Romană that benefit from the surface coverage. Trolleybuses serve several main boulevards.
Tickets and Passes
Metrorex and STB use separate ticketing systems — a single integrated card exists (Activ card), but the two networks charge separately and you need to pay per journey on each.
Metrorex:
- Single trip: valid for one metro journey regardless of distance or number of stops.
- 2-trip card: two single journeys — the most practical option for irregular users.
- Day pass (24 hours): unlimited metro travel for 24 hours.
- Weekly and monthly passes: available for longer stays, loaded onto the Activ card.
Metro tickets are sold at counters and machines at every station. The Activ card (a reloadable smart card) can hold multiple trip types and avoids queuing for tickets on each visit.
STB (surface): Tickets are sold at kiosks near tram stops, from the driver on buses (small surcharge), or via the STB app. Validate by stamping at the machines on board.
Walking in Bucharest
Bucharest is a large, sprawling city not especially designed for walking — the wide Stalinist-era boulevards and large block developments make distances deceptive on a map. That said, the Centrul Vechi (old town, near Piața Unirii) is pleasant and walkable once you are there, and the parks around Herăstrău (now King Michael I Park) in the north are excellent on foot.
The area around Piața Unirii metro station puts you within a 10–15 minute walk of the main old town attractions. The Palace of Parliament is close to Eroilor station — a short but unremarkable walk along wide boulevards.
Tips for getting around Bucharest
- Piața Unirii is the heart of the network — start here for the old town, the Civic Centre and the main shopping areas.
- Eroilor is the station closest to the Palace of Parliament and the Civic Centre boulevard.
- For the airport, combine bus 783 with a metro leg from Piața Victoriei (M2) or use the airport train to Gara de Nord.
- The Activ card saves queuing at ticket windows — pick one up at the airport or at Gara de Nord on arrival.
- Metro trains run from around 05:00 to 23:00; surface STB buses run all night on reduced frequency.
Frequently asked questions
How many metro lines does Bucharest have?
Bucharest operates five Metrorex lines — M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 — covering the main axes of the city. The two main interchange hubs are Piața Unirii (M1/M2/M3) and Eroilor (M1/M3/M5).
Is there a metro from Bucharest Airport to the city?
Not directly. The best options are: bus 783 to Piața Victoriei (then onto Line M2), or the airport rail shuttle to Gara de Nord (then Lines M3/M4). The train is faster in theory; the bus is more frequent and connects directly to the metro at Piața Victoriei.
Can I use the same ticket on the metro and buses?
Not interchangeably — Metrorex and STB (surface buses/trams/trolleybuses) use separate tickets and fare systems, though both can be loaded onto the Activ smart card. Buy metro tickets for the metro, STB tickets for surface transport.
Is Bucharest safe to get around using public transport?
Yes. The metro is safe and well-used by locals at all hours until its last service. Standard city precautions apply (keep valuables secure in crowded vehicles), but the system is not unusual for a major European capital. Buses and trams are similarly safe during the day; late nights on quiet routes require the same common sense you would apply anywhere.
Sources and further reading:
- Metrorex — metro map, timetables and tickets at metrorex.ro
- STB (Societatea de Transport București) — surface bus, tram and trolleybus information at stbsa.ro
- Henri Coandă Airport — ground transport at bucharest-airports.ro
- For onward rail travel from Bucharest, see the Eastern Europe by train guide.
- For Romania's entry requirements and Schengen context: Schengen 90/180-day rule explained.