A calm, practical guide to landing at Henri Coandă International Airport and getting smoothly on your way.
After a long flight, the last thing anyone wants is to stand in an unfamiliar arrivals hall wondering what happens next. So let us walk through it calmly, the way we would explain it to a friend who is landing in Romania for the first time.
Where you land
Most international flights arrive at Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), in the town of Otopeni, roughly 16–20 kilometres north of central Bucharest. It is a modern, manageable airport by European standards — not overwhelming, but busy enough at peak times that it helps to know roughly what to expect.
After you land
Once you have collected your luggage, you will pass through a fairly standard arrivals area with the usual currency exchange points, a few cafés, and signage in both Romanian and English. Border checks are generally straightforward for most travellers, though it is always worth checking current entry requirements for your nationality before you fly, since rules can change.
Getting into the city
There are several ways to reach central Bucharest from the airport:
- A pre-arranged transfer. This is what we always recommend, particularly after a long flight or for families and groups with luggage. A driver waits for you at arrivals, holding a sign with your name, and takes you directly to your accommodation — no queuing, no negotiating, no guesswork.
- Taxis. Available at the airport, though it is worth using only the official, clearly marked taxi ranks rather than anyone approaching you inside the terminal.
- Public transport. There is a train link from the airport to Gara de Nord, Bucharest’s main railway station, as well as bus connections into the city. These suit confident independent travellers more than those arriving tired with heavy luggage, and we would suggest checking current routes and services directly with the airport or transport operator before relying on them.
Why we suggest arranging a transfer in advance
When you are travelling as a couple, a family, or a small group — especially with grandparents or young children in tow — the calmest way to start a trip is knowing exactly who is picking you up and where. It removes one layer of stress from a day that already involves time zones, luggage and jet lag, and it means your Romanian holiday effectively begins the moment you land, rather than after you have found your way into the city.
A gentle first impression
Bucharest itself is a city of contrasts — grand early-twentieth-century boulevards sitting alongside communist-era architecture and a genuinely lively café culture. It is not usually the headline of a Romania trip, but a night or two here on arrival, before heading into Transylvania or the mountains, tends to ease the transition nicely and lets you get your bearings before the real adventure starts.
How we help from the moment you land
Every private trip we organise for Romania Soul Tours includes careful thought about that very first hour on the ground — who meets you, how you get to your accommodation, and how the rest of the itinerary flows on from there. It is a small detail, but it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Want your arrival sorted before you even board the plane? Build your trip and tell us your flight details, or explore our tours to see how a Romania itinerary typically begins.
