Public Transport in Bucharest

IMPORTANT: BUCHAREST SUBWAY WILL RUN ALL NIGHT DURING NEW YEAR'S EVE, ON DECEMBER 31. TRAINS WILL ARRIVE AT STATIONS EVERY 10 MINUTES UP TO 2 O'CLOCK, AND AFTER THAT AT EVERY 20 MINUTES.

Bucharest has the most extensive public transport network in Romania and is among Europe's most significant public transport networks, serving more than 2 million inhabitants. Although there were plans to build a canal to the Danube during the communist regime, they did not materialize, so the city does not benefit from water transport, except for recreational races on the lakes in the parks.

Buses & Trams

Bucharest has hundreds of bus and trolleybus routes, and tens of trams, serving every part of the city as well as a number of suburban villages and outposts.
Buses and trams run at infrequent intervals from very early in the morning (around 04:30) to around 22:50 (earlier at weekends), after which the night buses take over. These serve all areas of the capital throughout the night, with all routes departing from Piata Unirii. Most night bus lines run at hourly intervals.
In Bucharest, surface transport includes an extensive bus system, trolleybuses, trams, and an easy subway line. The transport network is among the densest in Europe, ensuring the transport of millions of travelers by making them available more than 116 bus lines, 20 trolleybus lines and 25 tram lines, including the light rail. Map the routes of surface public transport can be viewed on the site www.stbsa.ro/eng/index

Ticket prices

The ticketing is different for the street transport (buses, trams, and trolleybuses) and the subway system. To use buses, trams, or trolleybuses, you must first purchase an 'Activ' or 'Multiple' magnetic card (EUR 0.80) from any STB street kiosk, which you then load with credit that is discharged as you enter the transport vehicles. Trips cost EUR 0.60 each, and you can travel for 90 minutes between the lines, and the minimum amount of credit you can buy is EUR 1. Children under seven ride free.
One has to validate the card each time one enters the tram or bus. Travelling without a validated card risks a EUR 17 on-the-spot fine. Cards can be topped up as needed at any STB kiosk. More information on ticket prices can be found on the STB website (it also has an English version).

One can plan a route on the STB website or with the help of mobile apps such as Google Maps, Moovit, or Transport Urban.

Subway

The subway network also provides passenger transport in Bucharest, among the most used public transport systems. The network consists of five lines: M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5. The system has a 77 km length and 63 stations, with an average distance of 1.5 km between stations. The route map can be found on metrorex.ro, subway website, but also explanatory maps are conveniently shown in the subway stations and even in the trains themselves. The use of the subway system in Bucharest is based on a magnetic card, which can be purchased from the subway stations, which entitles either a fixed number of trips over a more extended period or to an unlimited number of trips per one fixed period. Magnetic cards for subway access cannot be used for the journey with the means of public transport to the surface. The passengers' access to the subway stations is between 5.00 and 23.30, and trains with a frequency of 5 to 15 minutes depending on the hours. 

Taxis & Ridesharing

Ride-sharing apps like Uber, Bolt, and Yango are well-established in Bucharest and represent a good alternative to taxis. Prices (around EUR 0.50 per kilometre) are about the same as for standard yellow cabs, while standards are far higher. If you do not have either app on your phone, we recommend you to download at least one, in order to spare yourself running after a normal taxi.

Train

If you have to take a train in Romania, always try to get an InterCity (IC - although note these are few and far between) or InterRegio (IR) as they are the fastest and usually have the most modern rolling stock. Regio (R-) trains (which until recently were known as Personal), are slow and often use much older carriages. You will also see trains designated as ICN: these are InterCity trains that stop at more stations than usual and are more like InterRegios. Prices on all types of trains are relatively cheap. For example, An InterRegio adult single from Bucharest to Brasov currently costs EUR 12.
To buy train tickets, visit either the station, a CFR agency or purchase the tickets online at cfrcalatori.ro. Fairly substantial reductions are available for buying online return tickets well in advance. If you choose to buy tickets online, you need to do so at least 12 hours before the train is due to depart. After that, you will need to purchase them from the station or a CFR ticket agency.

Bucharest City Tour

Starting with this year, the Bucharest City Tour project has an integrated functioning and promotion concept. Given the special character of this line, in addition to the transport service, it offers tourists the opportunity to be informed about the possibilities of spending their free time in Bucharest, through the informative materials made available.

The detailed map of the Bucharest City Tour, with a new and attractive design, in addition to the general data on the route and the operation of the line (schedule, price, stations), also offers information on the possibilities of spending time in Bucharest. The partners' landmarks in the clubs-bars-restaurants category are marked on the map with various symbols to guide tourists to these locations. The map is available, free of charge, inside hotel receptions, at all bus card centers, at tourist information points, at the airport and at the main stations in Bucharest.

Currently, Bucharest City Tour service is temporarily suspended.

 

Tourist in Bucharest?

Tourist travel card - one card & unlimited options

The tourist travel card is valid on buses, trolleys, trams, metro, and train (Otopeni Airport to North Railway Station route).

For 24 hours of availability, you have to pay 20 RON, and for 72 hours, 40 RON.

The card must be validated.

 

How can you buy tickets?

By SMS at 7458 directly from the mobile device. Text C for one metropolitan ticket or AB for a metropolitan pass.

By the free app 24pay that can download in Google Play (there is no need to have a transport card).

By contactless bank card, directly at the validator (be aware that contactless card can be used only this product is currently available on Otokar, hybrid Mercedes Citaro, on night trams (1 and 10) and on tram 41.

At any STB selling point where you can buy a rechargeable card and buy as many trips you need.

 

Transport Program

 

Buses and trams program: at infrequent intervals from very early in the morning (around 04:30) to around 22:50 (earlier at weekends).

 

The subway train schedule: from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with the mention that the last subway trains leave at 11:00 p.m. from the end stations of the subway lines.

Metropolitan tickets and passes

Metropolitan tickets

1 metropolitan ticket – 90 min – 3 RON (approx. 0.60 EUR)

10 metropolitan tickets– 90 min – 25 RON (approx. 5.03 EUR)

 

Metropolitan passes

Metropolitan Pass – 24 h – 8 RON (approx. 1.61 EUR)

Metropolitan Pass – 72 h – 20 RON (approx. 4 EUR)

Metropolitan Pass – 7 days – 30 RON (approx. 6.03 EUR)

Metropolitan Pass – 1 month – 80 RON (approx. 16.09 EUR)

Metropolitan Pass – 6 months – 400 RON (approx. 80.43 EUR)

Metropolitan Pass – 12 months – 700 RON (approx. 140.72 EUR)

 

Penalty fare 80 RON (approx. 16 EUR)

Special fare ticket, gold on the spot by the person using the public transport service without a valid ticket. This penalty fare is valid on the current day, until the end of the day (24:00).

 

Metropolitan integrated with metro tickets and passes

Metro, Bus, Trolley, Tram (Bucharest-Ilfov metropolitan area)

 

Metropolitan integrated tickets

1 Metropolitan and Metro ticket – 120 min – 5 RON (approx. 1.01 EUR)

10 Metropolitan and Metro tickets – 120 min – 45 RON (approx. 9.05 EUR)

 

Metropolitan integrated passes

Metropolitan and Metro Pass – 24 h – 14 RON (approx. 2.81 EUR)

Metropolitan and Metro Pass – 72 h – 35 RON (approx. 7.04 EUR)

Metropolitan and Metro Pass – 7 days – 50 RON (approx. 10.05 EUR)

Metropolitan and Metro Pass – 1 month – 140 RON (approx. 28.15 EUR)

Metropolitan and Metro Pass – 6 months – 700 RON (approx. 140.75 EUR)

Metropolitan and Metro Pass – 12 months – 1200 RON (approx. 241.29 EUR)

Metropolitan integrated with train passes

Metropolitan integrated passes

Metropolitan and Train Pass – 1 month – 140 RON (approx. 28.15 EUR)

Metropolitan and Train Pass – 6 months – 800 RON (approx. 160.81 EUR)

Metropolitan and Train Pass – 12 months – 1400 RON (approx. 281.41 EUR)

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN BUCHAREST

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