Bucharest had some very nice improvements over the last few years in terms of public transport. Everything is now more reliable and brand new trams and busses took over the relatively old ones (this doesn’t mean the old-school transportation fans won’t find those around – there are still plenty).
The biggest perk of the public transport in Bucharest is price. You will only pay 3 lei (0.6 EUR) for 90 minutes on any ground level type of transportation and 5 lei (1 EUR) for the subway.
But let’s dig a bit into how the ticketing system works.
There are 2 types of transport in Bucharest: ground and underground, each with a different type of ticket. Fortunately, you won’t necessarily need 2 cards, or tickets if you wanter around the city.
- Ground transportation uses the 90 minutes ticket type, meaning you can exchange as many busses, trams, or even get out of the city as long as you fit into the 90 minutes. After this, you need to validate a new ticket
- Underground uses a per entry fee system, meaning you only pay upon entering the system (and there will be turnstiles at every entrance). Once in, there is no time limit, nor number of trains you can take as long as you don’t leave a station.
Paying for your public transport ticket in Bucharest
Contactless Card / Google or Apple Pay
Regardless the dual ticketing system, there is an easy way to pay for both without even needing a physical ticket and that’s by using your contactless card. Terminals at each underground entrances and in trams or busses accept Visa and Mastercard as long as your card is set to work contactless without a pin code (best to check with your bank if you’ve never used it or use Google Pay or Apple Pay (both work and you can tap your phone or smartwatch to the payment terminal).
You won’t get a receipt, the terminal will only show a green message that your transaction is accepted (and allow you to go through the glass gates at any underground station – note that gates only open when you are really close to them).
In case you are asked for your ticket by the ticket inspectors (those have blue vests with a text saying “CONTROL”), just tell them you’ve used your card – you will need to tap again the machine and a “VALID” message will show on screen.
As of January 2025, most buses, trams and underground stops would allow for this method, but beware that some older vehicles or remote underground stops have not implemented this yet. If you plan to go around a lot (and especially out of downtown, use a classic ticket, or a pass.
Use classic tickets
You can still buy a transport card and this is a particularly good option for passes that make things even cheaper.
You can buy a multiple use card at vending machines or at special kiosks around the city.
Load this with a pass or with individual 90-minute tickets. Vending machines accept both card payments and cash.
The 7 days pass is a particularly good option for Bucharest as it only costs 30 lei (6 EUR) for ground level transportation only or 50 lei (10 EUR) to include underground as well.
Using Taxis, Uber, Bolt in Bucharest
There are plenty options when it comes to taxis or newer similar types of transportation in Bucharest. Uber and Bolt dominate the market and work very well.
You will also find plenty of classic taxi options around the city with the advantage that those can use the dedicated bus lanes (there’s aren’t many, but will save time especially downtown).
If apps like Uber or Bolt don’t need much explanation, taxis can sometimes be tricky and we don’t recommend picking one off the street as you might be easily overcharged for your ride. Some locations (including the airport) offer machines where you can order a classic taxi, you will receive a receipt with the registration number so you can identify your taxi.
