Travel to Romania
Flying to Romania
Most international visitors arrive in Romania by air. The country has several international airports, with the busiest and most important being Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), located approximately 16km (10 miles) north of Bucharest. The airport serves as the main gateway to the country and handles the majority of long-haul and international traffic.
Romania has an extensive network of international air connections linking Bucharest and regional cities with destinations across Europe and beyond. Airlines operating scheduled services include TAROM, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Wizz Air, Ryanair and many other European carriers. Low-cost airlines play a particularly important role in connecting Romania with Western Europe, given the large Romanian diaspora abroad.
In addition to Bucharest, important airports include Avram Iancu Cluj (CLJ), Timișoara Traian Vuia (TSR), Iași (IAS), Sibiu (SBZ) and Brașov-Ghimbav (GHV). These regional airports are increasingly useful for travellers exploring specific parts of the country without passing through the capital.
Direct long-haul services are relatively limited compared with larger European countries, so many intercontinental travellers connect through major European hubs such as Vienna, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Paris or Istanbul. Turkish Airlines in particular provides extensive onward connections through Istanbul.
Flight times:
From London to Bucharest: 3 hours 15 minutes (direct).
Airport guides
Airport Code: OTP. Location: The airport is located 16.5km (10.5 miles) northwest of central Bucharest. Money: Bureaux de change offices are located in Arrivals and Departures. There are numerous ATMs in... Read more
Airport Code: CLJ. Location: The airport is located in the Someşeni district, 9km (5.5 miles) east of Cluj-Napoca city centre. Money: ATMs and currency exchange are available in both Arrivals and Departures. Read more
Airport Code: SBZ. Location: The airport is located about 3km (2 miles) west of Sibiu city centre. Money: There is an ATM, exchange office and automated exchange machine dealing in several major currencies... Read more
Airport Code: TSR. Location: The airport is located about 9km (6 miles) northeast of central Timişoara. Money: There is a bank service counter open Mon-Sat at the airport, and an ATM service is available. Read more
Travel by rail
Romania has an extensive rail network and international train connections with several neighbouring countries. Bucharest is the country's main railway hub, with international services linking Romania to cities including Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Chișinău, Sofia and Istanbul. The main international rail gateway into Romania is through Hungary, particularly via Budapest. Rail connections with Moldova are also important, though differences in track gauge require technical procedures at the border.
The national railway operator, CFR Călători, runs most domestic and international passenger services. Trains range from modern intercity services to slower regional routes, and standards can vary depending on the train type and route.
Rail passes:
Romania participates in the Eurail and Interrail network, and rail passes can be used on most CFR Călători services. Seat reservations are compulsory on many long-distance and international trains.
Driving to Romania
Romania shares land borders with Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova, making overland travel relatively straightforward from much of Central and Eastern Europe.
The main road routes into Romania include connections from Budapest in Hungary, Sofia in Bulgaria and Chișinău in Moldova. The route from Hungary is particularly important, with motorways linking Budapest to western Romanian cities such as Timișoara, Arad and Cluj-Napoca. Crossings over the Danube connect Romania with Bulgaria, including the major bridge between Ruse and Giurgiu south of Bucharest.
Road conditions vary considerably depending on the region and route. Motorways and major international roads are generally good, particularly in western Romania, though some rural roads and mountain routes can be slower and more variable in quality.
International coach services connect Romania with cities throughout Europe, including Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Istanbul and many destinations in Italy, Spain and Germany. Long-distance buses are widely used due to the large Romanian diaspora living elsewhere in Europe.
Romania is part of the Schengen Area, though border checks may still occur at some crossings depending on current regulations and temporary controls. Travellers should carry valid passports or identification documents when crossing borders.
By road note:
Romania operates an electronic road toll system known as the rovinietă. Most national roads, expressways and motorways require a valid electronic vignette for vehicles using the network. The toll can be purchased online, at petrol stations, border crossings and authorised sales points for periods ranging from one day to one year.
Checks are carried out electronically using cameras and vehicle registration numbers, and fines may be issued automatically to vehicles travelling without a valid rovinietă.
Getting to Romania by boat
Romania can be reached by water via the Black Sea and the Danube River, although water travel plays a relatively minor role compared with air, road and rail transport. The main seaport is Constanța on the Black Sea coast, one of the largest ports in Europe.
Cruise ships:
International cruise ships occasionally call at Constanța during Black Sea itineraries, particularly in summer, though schedules can vary considerably depending on regional security conditions.
River cruises along the Danube also connect Romania with several Central and Eastern European countries. Many Danube cruises enter Romania via Serbia or Bulgaria before continuing through the Danube Delta towards the Black Sea.
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