Bucharest city center (Piata Unirii / Piata Victoriei) is about 16.5 km south of the airport.

About Bucharest City Center

Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city, is a fascinating blend of grand Belle Époque architecture, communist-era brutalism, and modern urban renewal. The city center revolves around Piața Universității and the historic Lipscani district, where cobblestoned streets lined with restored 19th-century buildings house a vibrant mix of bars, restaurants, antique shops, and street art.

The massive Palace of the Parliament — the world's heaviest building and second-largest administrative structure after the Pentagon — dominates the city's southern skyline. Built on the orders of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu in the 1980s, it required the demolition of a quarter of Bucharest's historic center and remains a monument to megalomania. Guided tours reveal lavish marble interiors and chandeliers weighing several tons.

Bucharest's nickname as the 'Little Paris of the East' is visible in the triumphal arch on Kiseleff Avenue, the elegant Ateneul Român concert hall, and tree-lined boulevards with ornate facades. The city's cultural scene thrives in institutions like the National Museum of Art (housed in the former Royal Palace), the Village Museum with its collection of authentic rural dwellings, and a dynamic contemporary art scene emerging in converted industrial spaces.

Nearby Landmarks

Palace of Parliament Lipscani Old Town Ateneul Român Herăstrău Park Revolution Square

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $15-25
Time 25-45 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $10-18
Time 25-45 min

Arrivals level, follow signs to ride-hailing pickup zone

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Exit arrivals and follow signs to bus stop. 2. Buy ticket from kiosk or use contactless payment. 3. Board Bus 783 toward Piata Unirii. 4. Bus stops at Piata Victoriei (central) and terminates at Piata Unirii.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $15-25 25-45 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $10-18 25-45 min Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Express Bus 783 operates 24 hours with reduced night frequency (every 40 min from 11:00 PM-5:00 AM). Taxis are available at the airport but use only the official taxi dispatch system inside the terminal to avoid scams — select a company from the touch-screen terminals. Bolt and Uber are cheaper alternatives at any hour.

Luggage Tips

Express Bus 783 is a standard city bus with limited luggage space — avoid peak hours with large bags. Taxis and rideshares are better for heavy luggage. Bucharest's city center has uneven sidewalks and some streets lack curb cuts, so rolling luggage requires attention.

Accessibility

OTP airport has full accessibility. Express Bus 783 uses low-floor buses with wheelchair ramps. The Bucharest metro system has limited accessibility — only newer stations have elevators. The city center has improving but inconsistent sidewalk accessibility. Bolt and Uber offer accessible vehicle options.