Getting Around Romania: Transport Guide for Travellers

Romania is easy and affordable to get around, with cheap public transport in cities, reliable inter-city trains and buses, widespread ride-hailing, and good roads for confident drivers. Most travellers mix metro/bus plus ride-hailing in cities, and trains or long‑distance buses between regions.

Bucharest’s metro and buses cost from about 3–4 RON (€0.60–0.80) per ride in 2025, making Romania public transport one of the better-value options in Eastern Europe. Inter-city trains from Bucharest to Brașov, for example, start around 70–90 RON (€14–18) in 2025 for a 2.5–3 hour journey on faster services, according to CFR (Romanian Railways) schedules. Taxis and ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, local apps) are common in major cities, with short rides often under 25 RON (€5).

For airport transfers, expect 60–90 RON (€12–18) by taxi or ride-hailing from Bucharest Otopeni to the city centre in 2025, or as low as 5 RON (€1) by train. Driving is feasible if you’re comfortable with assertive traffic and mountain roads, and you generally do not need an International Driving Permit if you hold an EU or widely recognised licence, though some non‑EU travellers find an IDP useful with police checks and rental companies.

Hello’s eSIM for Romania lets you land connected, order ride-hailing safely, and navigate offline-friendly maps from day one, while Hello’s budget tracking tools help you keep all those small transport costs under control.

Romania’s main airports are well connected to city centres with a mix of trains, buses, and reasonably priced taxis or ride-hailing, so you won’t need a private transfer unless you want maximum comfort. Most travellers use a combination of airport trains and apps like Uber or Bolt.

The busiest entry point is Bucharest Henri Coandă (Otopeni) Airport, which handled over 14 million passengers in 2023 according to Bucharest Airports data. Here you have three solid options into the city:

1. Airport train (Bucharest Nord – Otopeni)
   The direct train runs roughly every 20–40 minutes, takes 20–25 minutes, and costs about 5 RON (just over €1) in 2025. Tickets can be bought at machines in the airport passageway or via CFR’s app.

2. Airport buses
   The former 783 express has been replaced by more integrated routes; expect city buses with contactless payment and fares around 3–4 RON (€0.60–0.80) one-way in 2025. This can be slower during rush hour but still good value.

3. Taxi and ride-hailing
   Official taxis and apps like Uber and Bolt are available from the arrivals area. In 2025, a typical ride to central Bucharest (Universitate/Old Town) costs about 60–90 RON (€12–18), depending on traffic and time of day. Use the official ordering kiosks or the app and avoid touts.

In Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași, smaller airports are closer to town; city buses are usually under 6 RON (€1.20) and taxis/ride-hailing often 30–50 RON (€6–10) into the centre. Having an eSIM from Hello means you can order cars safely, check live timetables, and avoid ATM queues by paying contactless.

Romania’s public transport is cheap and extensive, with Bucharest’s metro plus bus/tram networks forming the backbone and other cities relying on buses, trams, and trolleybuses; most visitors spend under €3–5 per day on local transport. This makes public transport central to any Romania transport guide.

Bucharest Metro is the only metro system in Romania and one of the best ways to dodge traffic. With five lines and over 60 stations, it connects key areas like Gara de Nord (main station), Piata Unirii (Old Town access), and Pipera (business district). In 2025, a single metro trip costs around 3 RON (€0.60), with 10-trip packs and day passes offering better value.

Surface transport (buses, trams, trolleybuses) in Bucharest is run by STB. A single STB trip is typically 3 RON, and integrated passes with the metro are available, including:

• 24‑hour urban pass: about 20–25 RON (€4–5)
• Weekly or monthly passes popular with longer-stay travellers and digital nomads

You’ll usually use a contactless card or a rechargeable transport card, tapping when boarding. Machines and validators are increasingly English-friendly, but it helps to know a few words like „urban” (urban), „metrou” (metro), and „validează” (validate).

In cities like Cluj-Napoca, Brașov, Timișoara, and Iași, expect similar pricing: 4–6 RON (€0.80–1.20) for a single ride and discounted day passes. Many systems now support contactless payment directly on board.

To check live departures and plan routes, you’ll want mobile data. A Hello eSIM for Romania keeps your phone online so you can use Google Maps, local transport apps, and translation tools without hunting for Wi‑Fi.

Ride-hailing and taxis are widely available in Romania’s larger cities, making them a convenient and still affordable upgrade from public transport, especially at night or with luggage. Most visitors use Uber or Bolt alongside metro and buses when getting around Romania.

In Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, and Brașov, you’ll commonly find:

• Ride-hailing apps: Uber and Bolt operate legally and are popular with locals, while Free Now aggregates licensed taxis. Prices in 2025 typically start at around 2 RON per kilometre, with a minimum fare of 10–15 RON (€2–3).
• Regular taxis: Still common, especially at train stations and malls. Look for cars with visible company branding and clearly displayed per‑km rates (1.99–3.50 RON/km is typical in 2025). Avoid unmarked taxis or any driver refusing to use the meter.

For a simple benchmark in 2025:

Journey Type	Typical Cost (2025)	Notes
3–4 km inner-city ride	15–25 RON (€3–5)	Standard Uber/Bolt or metered taxi
Bucharest Old Town → Herăstrău Park	20–35 RON (€4–7)	Depends on traffic and surge pricing
Late-night cross-city ride	30–50 RON (€6–10)	Check app before confirming

Most rides are paid by card in-app, but cash is still common for street-hailed taxis; small change is appreciated. Tipping is optional yet normal—round up or add about 10% for good service.

Because ride-hailing depends on data and GPS, having a Hello eSIM installed before landing means you can request a safe, trackable ride from the airport, share your live location with friends, and avoid miscommunication in Romanian.

Inter-city travel in Romania is dominated by trains and long-distance buses, with domestic flights useful for crossing the country quickly; most travellers mix trains for scenic routes and buses for flexibility and price. This is where any Romania transport guide really pays off.

Trains (CFR and private operators)
Romanian Railways (CFR) and several private operators connect most major cities and tourist hubs. According to CFR timetables, key routes in 2025 cost roughly:

• Bucharest → Brașov (2.5–3 hours, fast IC/IR trains): from 70–90 RON (€14–18)
• Bucharest → Sibiu (4.5–5.5 hours): around 80–110 RON (€16–22)
• Bucharest → Cluj-Napoca (7–9 hours): 120–170 RON (€24–34), depending on train type

Seats can be reserved online or at stations; summer and weekends get busy, especially to mountain areas.

Long-distance buses & minibuses
Private bus companies link cities and smaller towns not well served by rail. Prices are often slightly cheaper than trains:

• Brașov → Sibiu: from about 40–60 RON (€8–12) in 2025
• Cluj-Napoca → Timișoara: typically 70–100 RON (€14–20)

Buses are usually modern and air-conditioned, but toilet breaks may be infrequent. Buy tickets online where possible; some routes accept cash on board until full.

Domestic flights
For long cross-country hops (for example, Bucharest → Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest → Iași), low-cost carriers and TAROM operate flights. Prices in 2025 often range from 250–450 RON (€50–90) one-way if booked early, with flight times of about an hour.

Romania welcomed over 13 million foreign and domestic tourists in 2023 according to the National Institute of Statistics, so booking ahead around public holidays and July–August is smart. Hello’s trip planning features can help you log tickets, see what you’ve already paid, and track how much you’re spending on transport overall.

Driving in Romania gives you maximum flexibility for villages, castles and mountain passes, but it’s best for confident drivers comfortable with narrow roads, variable surfaces and assertive local driving styles. For many travellers, trains and buses are easier for long distances, with a car for targeted road trips.

Licence & IDP
If you hold an EU or UK licence, you can usually drive in Romania without an International Driving Permit. Travellers from many other countries can also use their national licence, but rental companies sometimes prefer or require an IDP, so it’s wise to carry one if your licence isn’t in Latin characters.

Car rental costs (2025)
Prices fluctuate by season and city, but as a guide:

• Compact car: from 120–180 RON (€24–36) per day in low season, higher in July–August
• Mandatory local insurance usually included; check the excess and consider top‑up coverage
• Fuel: around 7–8 RON per litre (€1.40–1.60) at 2025 averages

Road rules and tips

• Drive on the right; seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.
• Headlights are expected outside cities, even during the day, especially on national roads.
• Watch speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on standard roads, 100 km/h on expressways, 130 km/h on motorways (where signed).
• Winter (Nov–Mar) can bring snow and ice in Transylvania and the Carpathians; winter tyres may be legally required depending on conditions.

Iconic drives like the Transfăgărășan and Transalpina are usually open only from late June to October, depending on weather, so always check current conditions online. Navigation apps work well across the country; with a Hello eSIM you can cache maps, get live traffic data, and avoid surprise road closures without relying on hotel Wi‑Fi.

Most travellers find getting around Romania surprisingly straightforward once they understand the mix of cheap public transport, plentiful ride-hailing, and reasonably priced inter-city trains and buses. These quick answers cover the questions people type into search when planning their trip.

Q1: Is public transport in Romania safe and reliable?
Yes. Metro, buses and trams in major cities are generally safe and run from early morning until around 11pm–midnight. As in any European country, watch your belongings on crowded routes, especially in Bucharest’s Old Town corridor and around big train stations.

Q2: How much should I budget per day for transport?
If you stay mostly in one city, plan on 20–40 RON (€4–8) per day in 2025 using public transport, plus the occasional 20–30 RON (€4–6) ride-hail. If you’re taking inter-city trains or buses, add 70–150 RON (€14–30) on travel days.

Q3: Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
For city transport, you typically buy as you go using contactless cards or local transport cards. For inter-city trains and buses, advance tickets are strongly recommended on weekends, public holidays, and popular routes like Bucharest–Brașov or Bucharest–Cluj, especially in July–August.

Q4: Is English spoken by drivers and staff?
You’ll find decent English in younger staff at ticket counters in big cities and at airports, but less in rural areas. Having Romania saved offline on your map app and quick‑access Romanian phrases helps. Hello’s AI expense tools can even read Romanian receipts automatically.

Q5: How can I keep track of all my transport costs?
Using the Hello app, you can scan paper tickets with AI receipt scanning, import card statements, and see how much you’ve spent on taxis, trains, and buses in multiple currencies. It’s particularly handy if you’re splitting rental car costs or fuel with friends across a longer road trip.