Cobbled Strada Lipscani in Bucharest's Old Town, lined with Belle-Époque townhouses and café terraces

Fast, Easy Transfers

Otopeni Airport → Old Town

The best ways to reach Lipscani from Henri Coandă Airport — with practical steps and stress-saving tips.

Reviewed June 2026 · Love Bucharest editorial team

Photo: Neoclassicism Enthusiast · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The long fountain axis down Bulevardul Unirii in Bucharest, leading toward the Palace of the Parliament — The fountains of Bulevardul Unirii running toward the Palace of the Parliament.Photo: Jaimrsilva · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The simplest plan: bus to Unirii or train to Gara de Nord

Henri Coandă (Otopeni) Airport sits about 16–18 km north of the centre. For most travelers, the easiest public route is the express bus 100 to Piața Unirii (then a short walk into Lipscani). For a more predictable trip during heavy traffic, the airport train to Gara de Nord can be a great option, while a ride-share or ordered taxi is the simplest door-to-door choice.

Pick the best option for your arrival

Fastest when traffic is heavy

Train to Gara de Nord + metro/ride-share

Easiest with minimal thinking

Bus 100 to Unirii

Best late-night comfort

Ride-share or official taxi

Best with heavy luggage

Ride-share (door-to-door)

✦

Bus 100 (direct to Piața Unirii)

Best for: Most convenient public option (no transfers), straight to the Old Town

~40–50 min (traffic dependent)~3 lei (STB 90-minute ticket)

Steps

✦From the terminal ground floor, head to the public bus stop right outside Arrivals.
✦Buy a ticket at the red STB machine at the stop, or tap a contactless card on board (you can also send SMS "C" to 7458, or use the 24pay app).
✦Take the 100 express toward Piața Unirii — it passes Piața Presei, Piața Victoriei and Piața Romană on the way.
✦Get off at Piața Unirii and walk into Lipscani (about 5–10 minutes), or grab a short ride-share if your luggage is heavy.

Tips

→Runs day and night — every ~15–20 minutes by day, less often late at night.
→A single 90-minute ticket covers transfers to other STB buses/trams, but not the metro (that is a separate system).
→Traffic can stretch the trip in peak hours — build buffer time if you have a tour or onward train.

Train to Gara de Nord + metro/walk

Best for: Fast and predictable when traffic is bad

Train ~22–25 min + transfer time~6 lei single (about 6.5 lei); children ~3 lei

Steps

✦Follow rail signs from the terminal to the airport station, then take the train to București Nord (Gara de Nord).
✦Buy the ticket at the CFR kiosk in International Arrivals or the platform machine before boarding (the conductor adds a surcharge).
✦From Gara de Nord (on metro line M1) take the metro or a short ride-share toward Universitate or Unirii.
✦Walk into Lipscani from Universitate/Unirii depending on where you are staying.

Tips

→Trains run only about every 40 minutes, so check the next departure before queuing.
→Best when traffic is heavy or your base is near Gara de Nord; the airport is under renovation, so confirm the current platform route.

Ride-share (Uber / Bolt)

Best for: Door-to-door convenience

~25–60+ min (traffic dependent)~60–130 lei (varies by demand and time)

Steps

✦Request a ride from the app and follow the airport pick-up instructions to the designated zone.
✦Check the plate and driver before getting in, and confirm the drop-off: Old Town has pedestrian streets, so some addresses need a short final walk.

Tips

→Great late-night option if you arrive tired or with lots of luggage.
→Prices can surge at peak arrival waves; expect a slow approach and drop-off near the Old Town in busy hours.

Official taxi (ordered at the terminal)

Best for: Simple option when apps are not ideal

~25–60+ min (traffic dependent)~60–130 lei via the airport taxi terminals

Steps

✦Use the yellow app-based taxi-order touchscreens in arrivals — they print a slip with the company and fare, then you go to the pickup ramp.
✦Confirm the meter is on and the destination is clear (Old Town / Lipscani area).

Tips

→Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you in the terminal — use the order terminals or the official rank only.
→Keep some cash (lei) as a backup, though many taxis accept cards.

Old Town arrival tips (small details that save frustration)

→Old Town streets can be pedestrian-only. A “perfect” pin is not always a perfect drop-off point, so set the destination to a nearby main street.

→If staying inside Lipscani, plan for a short final walk (cobblestones plus luggage wheels are a real combo).

→Choose accommodation on the Old Town edges, or near a metro entrance, for easier arrivals and calmer nights.

→If arriving Friday or Saturday night, expect slower drop-offs near the centre — walking the last 5–10 minutes can be faster than the car.

→Save your accommodation address offline or screenshot it, so a “dead battery” moment does not become a problem at the drop-off.

→Keep a little cash (lei) on hand for the bus ticket machine or a taxi backup, even though cards are widely accepted.

→Cobbled lanes are hard on small wheels and not ideal for limited mobility — if that matters, pick a base on a paved main street like Calea Victoriei.

Transport schedules and fares can change. For the latest bus/train details, check the official airport and public transport/train websites on your travel date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way from Otopeni to the Old Town?

Express bus 100 is the cheapest direct option — about 3 lei for a 90-minute STB ticket, running straight to Piața Unirii on the edge of the Old Town. From Unirii it is a 5–10 minute walk into Lipscani. The airport train (to Gara de Nord, then metro) is similarly cheap but needs a transfer.

How long does it take to get from the airport to the Old Town?

Plan for roughly 40–50 minutes by bus 100 in normal traffic, or about 22–25 minutes on the train to Gara de Nord plus your onward connection. A taxi or ride-share is 25–60+ minutes depending on traffic. Allow extra time in the weekday rush.

Does bus 100 go directly to Piața Unirii?

Yes. The 100 express runs from the airport terminal to Piața Unirii, passing Piața Presei, Piața Victoriei and Piața Romană on the way. Unirii is right on the southern edge of the Old Town, so most Lipscani accommodation is a short walk from the final stop.

How do I pay for the bus from the airport?

Buy a ticket at the red STB machine at the bus stop, tap a contactless bank card on board, send SMS "C" to 7458, or use the 24pay app. A single 90-minute ticket (about 3 lei) covers transfers to other STB buses and trams — but not the metro, which is a separate ticketing system.

Is it safe to take a taxi from Bucharest airport?

Yes, if you use the official channels. Use the yellow app-based taxi-order touchscreens in arrivals (they print a slip with the company and fare) or a ride-hailing app like Bolt or Uber. Refuse anyone who approaches you offering a ride inside the terminal — that is the one situation to avoid.

What about arriving late at night?

Bus 100 runs through the night at a reduced frequency, and ride-hailing operates 24/7, so you are never stuck. For a tired, late arrival with luggage heading into the pedestrian Old Town lanes, a door-to-door Bolt/Uber or an ordered taxi is usually the most comfortable choice.

Next: plan the first 24 hours

Once the transfer is sorted, everything else is easy: choose the right Old Town base and plug in a simple itinerary.

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Where to Stay in Old Town

Open guide →

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Best Area for First Timers

Old Town Lipscani Guide

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