Bus 100 to Piața Unirii (direct)
The simplest public option for Old Town and central bases.
- ✦Runs day and night with different frequencies.
- ✦Ticket: STB 90-minute ticket (3 lei).
- ✦Traffic can change the travel time dramatically.
Tickets & Day Passes
Bucharest Public Transport
Metro + STB made simple: what to buy, when to use it, and how to get around without stress.
Reviewed June 2026 · Love Bucharest editorial team
Photo: Jaimrsilva · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The easiest strategy: metro for distance, walking for the center
Bucharest is friendly for visitors: the central areas reward walking, while the metro makes longer distances fast and predictable. Use STB (buses, trams, trolleybuses) when the metro does not fit the route, and save ride-share for late nights or heavy luggage. The one thing to remember is that the metro and the surface network are separate ticketing systems.
Transport systems (what each one is best at)
Metrorex (metro)
Fast, reliable, and the easiest way to cross the city without traffic. Great for museums, parks, and getting back to your base after a long day.
STB (buses, trams, trolleybuses)
Excellent for shorter hops, scenic rides, and routes the metro does not cover. Traffic can slow buses during peak hours.
Ride-share (Uber/Bolt)
Best for late-night returns, heavy luggage, or when you want door-to-door convenience.
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Tickets and passes (quick reference)
Prices below are a snapshot as of June 2026 (after the 1 May 2026 metro fare increase). Always confirm current tariffs on your travel date.
Metrorex (metro)
- Metro single journey~7 lei
- Metro 24-hour pass~18 lei
- Metro weekly pass~60 lei
- Metro monthly pass~140 lei
STB (surface)
- Card Activ (the rechargeable card)~3.70 lei
- STB 90-minute single trip~3 lei
- STB 24-hour pass~8 lei
- Multi-day STB passesavailable — check STB
Integrated
- Metropolitan (surface + metro) passfrom ~20 lei / 24h
- Combined passesmulti-day options exist
- Where to confirmSTB & Metrorex (live tariffs)
Airport to the center (fast decisions)
Airport train to Gara de Nord + metro
More predictable when road traffic is heavy.
- ✦Train to București Nord (Gara de Nord), then metro to your area.
- ✦Best if you value predictable timing over door-to-door convenience.
Ride-share / official taxi
Door-to-door comfort, especially with luggage or late arrivals.
- ✦Old Town streets can be pedestrian-only; expect a short final walk.
- ✦Avoid unsolicited taxi offers—use official channels or apps.
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How to use it (without confusion)
Buying metro tickets
Use machines or ticket offices in metro stations. Keep the card/ticket for exiting gates when required.
Buying STB tickets
Use ticket vending points where available, contactless options where supported, or SMS/app methods depending on the route and device.
Validation
For STB, validate at the start of the ride (tap/validate as required). For the metro, use gates to enter.
Best tourist strategy
If doing a lot in 1–3 days, a day pass (or integrated pass) keeps the city friction-free. If walking most of the center, pay-per-ride is fine.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
→Assuming the metro covers everything (some great neighborhoods are STB or ride-share territory).
→Not validating on STB routes (rules vary by payment method; confirm on boarding).
→Trying to do airport-to-Old Town during peak traffic without buffer time.
→Over-optimizing for the “cheapest” option when comfort and timing matter more.
Pass suggestions (by trip style)
First-timers (3 days)
- ✦Integrated 72-hour pass if you plan parks + museums + multiple neighborhoods
- ✦Metro for cross-city moves, STB for short hops
- ✦Ride-share late at night
Old Town weekend
- ✦Walk most of the center
- ✦STB 24-hour pass for flexibility
- ✦Ride-share for late returns
Rainy / winter trip
- ✦Metro + STB pass to reduce walking in bad weather
- ✦Plan indoor attractions in clusters
- ✦Use ride-share for the final 1–2 km when it is cold
Frequently asked questions
Are the metro and buses the same ticket in Bucharest?
No. The metro (Metrorex) and the surface network of buses, trams and trolleybuses (STB) are separate ticketing systems. An STB ticket does not work on the metro, and a metro fare does not cover an STB bus. There are combined metropolitan passes if you plan to use both heavily.
How much is a single ticket in Bucharest?
On the surface (STB), a single 90-minute trip with unlimited transfers is about 3 lei, loaded onto a rechargeable Card Activ (the card itself is about 3.70 lei). On the metro, a single journey is about 7 lei after the May 2026 fare increase, or you can tap a contactless bank card at the turnstile.
Is a day pass worth it?
If you are making several trips a day, yes. An STB 24-hour pass is about 8 lei and a metro 24-hour pass about 18 lei; metropolitan (combined surface + metro) passes start around 20 lei for 24 hours. If you mostly walk the centre and take just one or two rides, pay-per-ride is fine.
How do I get the rechargeable transport card?
Buy the STB Card Activ at ticket points and machines (about 3.70 lei), then load trips or a pass onto it and validate on board. For the metro, buy a Metrorex card and load journeys, or simply tap a contactless bank card at the turnstile.
Do I need to validate my ticket?
Yes — on STB buses, trams and trolleybuses, validate at the start of every ride (tap the card on the validator). On the metro you pass through turnstiles to enter. Keep your card for the whole journey in case of an inspection.
What is the cheapest way from the airport to the centre?
Express bus 100 to Piața Unirii — about 3 lei on an STB 90-minute ticket. The airport train to Gara de Nord (about 6 lei) is similarly cheap and beats heavy traffic. A taxi or ride-share is roughly 60–130 lei but is easiest late at night or with luggage.
Did Bucharest transport prices change in 2026?
The metro did: from 1 May 2026 the single fare rose to around 7 lei, the 24-hour pass to around 18 lei, and the monthly pass to around 140 lei. STB surface fares stayed lower (single ~3 lei, 24-hour ~8 lei). Always confirm the live tariffs on the STB and Metrorex sites, as they can change again.
Plug transport into your plan
The best itinerary is the one that is effortless to move through. Pair walking routes with metro hops and a calm late-night plan.
