Overview
The Bucharest Metro (Romanian: Metroul din București) is an underground rapid transit system serving Romania's capital. It is one part of a larger public transport network; the other part is the STB system, which operates buses, trolleybuses, trams, and light rail above ground. The metro is run by Metrorex and carried approximately 142.8 million passengers in 2023, while the broader STB network exceeded one billion annual passengers. The entire metro system spans 80.1 kilometres with 64 stations across five operational lines (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5), with a sixth line (M6) under construction.
As a visitor, you can use the metro end-to-end by purchasing a ticket or pass at a kiosk or via contactless payment onboard, validating it at the entry gate, riding to your destination, and exiting. The metro operates from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with trains running every 4–7 minutes during peak times and 12–20 minutes off-peak. Most of the network runs underground; only a short stretch between Dimitrie Leonida and Tudor Arghezi stations runs above ground.
The network
The Bucharest Metro comprises five operational lines, each identified by a number and colour on the network map. A sixth line is under construction.
- M1 (Red Line) – Runs from Petrache Poenaru (formerly Semănătoarea) through the centre to Pantelimon and Dristor 2. This was the first line to open, in 1979.
- M2 (Blue Line) – Operates from Piața Unirii (Union Square) northbound to Pipera and southbound to Tudor Arghezi (opened November 2023).
- M3 (Yellow Line) – Runs from Nicolae Grigorescu 2 to Anghel Saligny (formerly Linia de Centură). Lines M1 and M3 share the section between Eroilor and Nicolae Grigorescu.
- M4 (Green Line) – Runs from Gara de Nord 2 (North Train Station 2) to Străulești. Lines M4 and M6 share the section between Gara de Nord 2 and 1 Mai.
- M5 (Purple Line) – The newest operational line, opened in September 2020. It runs from Râul Doamnei / Valea Ialomiței to Eroilor 2 and shares a section with M1 at Romancerilor.
- M6 (under construction) – Scheduled to open in stages: the first section (1 Mai to Tokyo) is planned for 2027, and the extension to Otopeni Airport for 2028.
The broader Bucharest public transport network (STB) operates above ground and includes:
- Buses – 102 bus lines operate from 4:30 a.m. to 11:50 p.m., with 24 night bus lines available. Express Bus 100 connects Henri Coandă Airport directly to Piața Unirii in the city centre.
- Trams – 22 tram lines serve the city.
- Trolleybuses – 14 trolleybus lines operate alongside buses and trams.
Transfers between metro and surface modes use integrated ticketing, meaning a single validated ticket often covers your entire journey across these systems within the validity period.
Tickets & fares
The Bucharest transport system uses integrated fares covering the metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses together. Tickets can be purchased at STB kiosks, from booths at major stops and stations, or by contactless debit/credit card payment onboard public transport. Prices and availability of ticket types change; the following are approximate.
Single tickets and short-term passes
- One trip (metro only) – approximately 5 Lei; valid for one journey of 120 minutes
- Two trips (metro only) – approximately 10 Lei
- Ten trips (metro only) – approximately 40–45 Lei
- One trip (combined metro and surface, 120-minute window) – approximately 7 Lei
- Two trips (combined) – approximately 14 Lei
- Ten trips (combined) – approximately 59 Lei
- Day pass (metro only) – approximately 12 Lei; valid 24 hours from validation
- Day pass (metro and surface combined) – approximately 18 Lei
Multi-day and period passes
- 3-day pass (metro only) – approximately 35 Lei
- 3-day pass (combined) – approximately 49 Lei
- 7-day pass (metro only) – approximately 45 Lei
- 7-day pass (combined) – approximately 66 Lei
- Monthly pass (metro only) – approximately 100 Lei
- Monthly pass (combined) – approximately 160 Lei
- 6-month pass (combined network) – approximately 700 Lei
- 12-month pass (combined network) – approximately 1,200 Lei
Smartcards and payment
Two reusable card types are available. The Card Activ is a rechargeable contactless card costing approximately 3.70 Lei; you can load any number of single trips or passes onto it and tap it to validate at gates and on vehicles. The Card Multiplu is a non-reloadable disposable card available free with 2–30 pre-loaded trips or period passes.
You can pay by contactless debit or credit card directly at ticket gates and onboard vehicles, or purchase a card and load credit at STB kiosks located throughout the city and at major transport hubs. Many visitors find a day pass or 3-day pass the most convenient option.
From the airport
Bucharest has two commercial airports. Most international flights use Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), located 18 kilometres north of the city centre. Băneasa (Aurel Vlaicu) Airport (BBU), 5 kilometres north, handles mainly budget carriers.
From Henri Coandă International Airport
Express Bus 100 is the most economical public-transport option. The bus departs from the ground floor of Arrivals every 15 minutes during the day (05:30–21:50) and every 30 minutes at night (22:00–05:00). It runs directly to Piața Unirii (Union Square, stop 2 on the south side) via Arcul de Triumf and Piața Victoriei, taking approximately 50–90 minutes depending on traffic. A single journey costs 3 Lei (as of July 2025) and is valid for 90 minutes. You can pay with a credit or debit card at the scanner onboard, or buy a local travel card at a booth next to the bus stop. Note that ticket inspectors regularly check passengers; travelling without a valid ticket incurs a fine of 80 Lei.
Train is a faster alternative. Trains run between Henri Coandă Airport and Gara de Nord (the main railway station) approximately every 40 minutes, with both express and local services available. The journey takes around 22 minutes on the express service. Tickets cost 5 Lei for adults and 3 Lei for children and can be purchased at the airport, onboard, or online.
Ride-hailing services (Uber and Bolt) operate at the airport; expect to pay 60–120 Lei depending on traffic and time of day.
Taxis can be ordered at official touch-screen kiosks inside the Arrivals hall (marked with yellow "Official Taxi Order" signs). The kiosks display regulated per-kilometre tariffs and print your order number; a licensed metered taxi will arrive at the marked rank outside within minutes. A typical metered ride to the city centre costs 61–65 Lei (approximately €12–13) and takes 25–40 minutes. Do not accept rides offered by individuals inside the terminal.
Etiquette & customs
Bucharest residents follow standard European public-transport courtesy. Queue in an orderly fashion at ticket windows and when boarding. On escalators in metro stations, stand on the right side to allow others to pass on the left.
Priority seating (typically marked with signs or colour coding near doors) is reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and parents with small children; vacate these seats if an eligible passenger boards.
Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted on the metro or most surface transport. Keeping noise to a reasonable level is expected, especially during off-peak hours. During rush hours (typically 7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.) expect crowding, particularly on lines serving the city centre; hold onto handrails and be prepared for busy conditions.
Validate your ticket or pass by scanning it at the electronic gate (for metro entry) or by tapping it at the validator on boarding buses, trams, or trolleybuses. Failure to validate results in a fine if checked by inspectors.
Survival terms
- Metrou (Metroul) – Metro / Subway
- Bilet (Bilete, plural) – Ticket
- Linie – Line
- Intrare – Entrance
- Ieșire – Exit
- Schimbare / Transfer – Transfer / Connection between lines
- Bilet simplu – Single fare / One-way ticket
- Abonament zilnic – Day pass
Download the Citymapper or Google Maps app before you arrive, as they offer real-time journey planning and current service information for Bucharest's entire transport network.