LOCAL KNOW-HOW · YOUR CITY GUIDE
Getting around
Bucharest, made easy.
Less time figuring out tickets.
More time enjoying the city.
Metro, trams, buses and taxis, explained simply — with prices, payment tips and the right option for each part of your visit.
Compare the faresChecked against operator information · 27 September 2026
CHOOSE YOUR WAY
What works best for your day?
Across the city
Take the metro when your destination is near a station. It avoids road traffic and is a useful starting point for longer journeys.
Between neighbourhoods
Use a bus, tram or trolleybus for places the metro does not reach. Check the route and direction in InfoTB before boarding.
Old Town & nearby streets
Walk between close-by sights. You will notice courtyards, cafés and details that are easy to miss from a car.
Luggage or a late finish
A licensed taxi or app-booked car can be convenient door to door. Compare the price and allow extra time for traffic.
PRICES AT A GLANCE
How much does transport cost?
Prices below are standard adult fares in Romanian lei (RON). Choose the network first, then the ticket. A surface-only ticket does not cover the metro.
Find your route
Metrorex network map
Source: Metrorex. Dashed lines are planned routes, not services you can take. Open the official map ↗
Choose your ticket
Match it to the network
A metro ticket, a surface ticket and an integrated ticket are different products. Ask for the network you need.
Illustration only — actual ticket designs vary.
At the entrance
Look for the marked reader
Use the reader for your chosen payment method and wait for confirmation before entering.
Photo: BCR, 2020. The old fare visible on the screen is not the current fare.
Metro only
Metrorex underground network
- 1 journey
- 5 lei
- 10 journeys
- 40 lei
- 24-hour pass
- 12 lei
- 72-hour pass
- 35 lei
- 7-day pass
- 45 lei
Bus, tram & trolleybus
Bucharest–Ilfov surface network
- 90-minute ticket
- 3 lei
- 10 × 90-minute tickets
- 25 lei
- 24-hour pass
- 8 lei
- 72-hour pass
- 20 lei
- 7-day pass
- 30 lei
Metro + surface
Integrated Metrorex–STB ticket
- 120-minute ticket
- 7 lei
- 10 × 120-minute tickets
- 59 lei
- 24-hour pass
- 18 lei
- 72-hour pass
- 49 lei
- 7-day pass
- 66 lei
An integrated ticket is a specific product, not two ordinary bank-card taps. Ask for “Metrorex–STB” when buying it. These city tickets do not include the airport train. Any separately charged card medium is additional; confirm the total and activation rules at purchase.
BUY · VALIDATE · KEEP YOUR TICKET
How to pay, step by step
At the metro
From buying a ticket to finding your platform.
- 1
Choose how to pay
- Buy your ticket or pass at a station ticket office or vending machine.
- For a single journey, an eligible contactless bank card can be used at a marked entrance gate.
- 2
Validate and wait
Use the appropriate reader and wait for the gate to accept your ticket or payment. Only then go through.
- 3
Follow your line
Check the line number and the terminus on the signs. For a connection, follow interchange signs inside the paid area rather than leaving the station.
On buses, trams & trolleybuses
Choose one payment method — you do not need all three.
- 1
Pick your payment method
- Transport card: load a suitable ticket before travelling.
- Bank card: use an onboard validator displaying Visa/Mastercard.
- Phone: buy in an accepted app such as 24pay before boarding.
- 2
Make sure it is active
- Validate your transport card on boarding. Validate time-based journeys again when changing vehicles.
- With a bank card, check for a successful transaction.
- A confirmed 24pay ticket activates automatically — no onboard scan is needed.
- 3
Keep proof for inspection
- Keep the same bank card or device and any printed receipt.
- For an app ticket, keep the live ticket available and your phone charged.
- If a timed ticket expires during your journey, you need another valid ticket.
A red screen or declined transaction is not a valid ticket. Use another payment method.
DOOR TO DOOR
Taxis, Uber & Bolt
How much is a taxi?
There is no single fare for every taxi. Read the rate displayed on the car, confirm the payment method and ask for the meter to be used.
As one current operator example, Meridian lists 2.89 lei/km for Standard, a 2.89 lei starting fee and 25.90 lei/hour waiting. Its Plus rate is 3.19 lei/km.
Illustration: 5 km at the Standard rate plus the starting fee is 17.34 lei, before waiting or other applicable charges. This is not a fixed quote for a route.
App-booked rides
Uber and Bolt operate in Bucharest. Enter your actual pickup and destination to see the available options and current price before confirming.
Prices and availability vary. Compare the app quote with public transport, particularly during busy periods. Match the driver and number plate to the booking, and choose a pickup point the car can reach.
Operator names are practical examples, not an endorsement or a promise of availability. Extra stops, waiting or route changes can affect the final price.
TAKE THE SCENIC WAY
Walking, bicycles & e-scooters
Explore on foot
For short distances in the historic centre, walking is our first choice. Use a map to check the distance, cross at designated crossings and leave time for uneven pavements and photo stops.
Rent a bicycle
I’Velo offers bicycle rental. Check its current locations, opening hours, eligibility and prices before heading to a station. Choose a route that suits your confidence in city traffic.
Use an e-scooter
Check the operator app for local availability, riding rules and permitted parking. Lime’s pricing guidance describes an unlock fee plus a per-minute rate; use the price shown for the actual vehicle.
Confirm that your ride has ended in the app before walking away. Be especially careful around tram tracks and pedestrians.
FIND YOUR BEARINGS
A little orientation goes a long way.
Explore the centre here — no map download needed.
Activate to pan and zoom. Choose “Done exploring” to return to easy page scrolling.
M2 YOUR CENTRAL METRO LINE
Five useful stops
- AviatorilorHerăstrău / King Michael I Park
- Piața VictorieiAntipa Museum · change for M1
- Piața RomanăCafés & neighbourhood streets
- UniversitateUniversity Square & northern Old Town
- Piața UniriiSouthern Old Town · change for M1 / M3
Selected consecutive M2 stops, not the full network. Schematic, not to scale.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
A few things worth knowing
Plan your journey, not just your ticket
Use InfoTB for surface routes, stops and service information. Use the official metro map (PDF) for line connections. Check notices on your travel day: diversions and station access can change.
Late-night travel
The metro’s general operating window is around 05:00–23:00; last-train times depend on station and direction. Do not assume every station has its final departure at 23:00. Check Metrorex before a late journey, and consult InfoTB for night services or compare a taxi/app ride.
Travelling with luggage or limited mobility?
Check the accessibility of your specific station entrance, interchange and destination before leaving. Allow extra time and ask the operator about lift availability or assistance; a station being on the map does not guarantee step-free access for your whole route.
Arriving at the airport?
Start with our separate guide to the train, bus and car options from Henri Coandă Airport. Airport transport and city transport are related, but their tickets are not always interchangeable.
Read the airport arrival guide