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BUCHARESTLeaving Bucharest–Henri Coandă: transport guide

Bucharest–Henri Coandă · Romania
OTP
Medium riskUpdated June 2026High confidence

Express bus 783 and the new metro M6 (when fully open) reach the city cheaply. Beware unlicensed 'Black Cab' taxis — use Bolt or the touchscreen taxi machines.

TL;DR

OTP (Bucharest–Henri Coandă) is the main international airport serving Bucharest, Romania. The recommended way out is Take Bus 783 to centre, or order Bolt (~RON 7 bus / RON 50–80 Bolt, 45–60 min bus / 30–45 min Bolt). Pickup is at Bus bay outside Arrivals; Bolt at curb. The most common scam to watch for is "'Black Cab' overcharge". Fares on the OTP → Centre route typically run RON 7–RON 80; anything above RON 300+ 'Black Cab' is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Take Bus 783 to centre, or order Bolt

Typical fare
RON 7 bus / RON 50–80 Bolt
Journey time
45–60 min bus / 30–45 min Bolt
Pickup
Bus bay outside Arrivals; Bolt at curb
WARNING · Use touchscreen taxi machines in Arrivals — they call a specific licensed cab. Skip the curb 'Black Cab' touts entirely
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
Bolt / Uber
RON 50–RON 803–10 min💳Card
Bus 783 Express
RON 7Every 15–40 min💳Card—
Touchscreen-machine taxi
RON 40–RON 80Immediate💳Card / Cash—
Curb 'Black Cab'
RON 200–RON 500Immediate💵Cash—
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Clear immigration (EU e-gates available)
  2. 2Collect bags, clear customs
  3. 3Use a touchscreen taxi machine, order Bolt, or walk to Bus 783
  4. 4Confirm taxi co-op name (Cobalcescu / Speed / Meridian etc.)
  5. 5Total to centre: 30–60 min
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
72/ 100
Stay sharp
  • Scam risk65
  • Public transport80
  • Ride-hailing80
  • Signage clarity80
  • Payment convenience80
04

Fare reality check

OTP → Centre
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    RON 7–RON 80
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    RON 150+
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    RON 300+ 'Black Cab'
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 1

    Bolt / Uber

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    RON 50–RON 80
    Journey
    30–45 min
    Wait
    3–10 min
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Tracked
    Cons
    • 2

      Bus 783 Express

      Cost
      RON 7
      Journey
      45–60 min
      Wait
      Every 15–40 min
      Payment
      💳 Card
      Pros
      • Very cheap
      • Direct
      Cons
      • Slow
      • Crowded
    • 3

      Touchscreen-machine taxi

      Cost
      RON 40–RON 80
      Journey
      30–45 min
      Wait
      Immediate
      Payment
      💳 Card / Cash
      Pros
      • Licensed
      • Metered
      Cons
      • 4

        Curb 'Black Cab'

        Cost
        RON 200–RON 500
        Journey
        30–45 min
        Wait
        Immediate
        Payment
        💵 Cash
        Pros
          Cons
          • Notorious tourist scam
        06

        Paying without surprises

        • Contactless universal; RON small notes useful
        07

        Common scams

        'Black Cab' overcharge

        Medium risk

        Drivers at the curb quote 5–10× the metered fare; meter set to faster speed.

        HOW TO AVOID · Use the touchscreen taxi machines inside, or Bolt. Never agree to a 'flat' price at the curb.

        08

        What locals & travellers say

        OTP·Bucharest
        “Coverage is dense; cards accepted; receipts emailed.”
        Official AirportBolt is the easy defaultChecked June 2026likely
        • "Coverage is dense; cards accepted; receipts emailed." — Bolt is the easy default
        09

        Arrival checklist

        • Bolt installed
        • Touchscreen machine identified
        • Activ Card or contactless for bus
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        10

        OTP arrival FAQs

        What is the safest way to leave Bucharest–Henri Coandă?
        Take Bus 783 to centre, or order Bolt. Use touchscreen taxi machines in Arrivals — they call a specific licensed cab. Skip the curb 'Black Cab' touts entirely.
        Are taxis at OTP safe?
        Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: 'black cab' overcharge — Drivers at the curb quote 5–10× the metered fare; meter set to faster speed. Use the touchscreen taxi machines inside, or Bolt. Never agree to a 'flat' price at the curb.
        Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at OTP?
        Yes — Bolt / Uber works at OTP. Typical cost RON 50–RON 80, journey ~30–45 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
        How much should a taxi from OTP to the city centre cost?
        Expected fare on the OTP → Centre route is roughly RON 7–RON 80. Anything around RON 150+ is high — RON 300+ 'Black Cab' is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
        Do I need cash for a taxi at OTP?
        Carry small local notes — Touchscreen-machine taxi expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
        Where is the official taxi pickup at Bucharest–Henri Coandă?
        Bus bay outside Arrivals; Bolt at curb. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
        Is OTP safe to arrive at late at night?
        OTP is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
        What scams should I watch for at OTP?
        The most reported at OTP: 'Black Cab' overcharge. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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