Book Flights to Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is one of Europe's most underrated capitals — a sprawling, complex city with Belle Époque architecture (earning it the 19th-century nickname 'Little Paris'), the world's second-largest building (the Palace of the Parliament), a lively Old Town nightlife scene, and access to Transylvania's extraordinary medieval and natural landscapes within 2.5 hours by car. Romania's prices are among the lowest in the EU — making Bucharest exceptional value for food, accommodation, and experiences.
Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) connects to European hubs via Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Lufthansa (Frankfurt), and budget carriers Wizz Air and Ryanair. Romania joined the Schengen Area in 2024 — US citizens can now visit without a separate visa. FareOptic compares all fares to Bucharest.
Cheap Flight Deals to Bucharest
*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
Recommended for your next trip
Based on popular routes and current airfare deals
Why Visit Bucharest, Romania?
Bucharest offers Europe's most complex communist architecture, extraordinary value prices, lively nightlife, and the best day trips to Transylvania of any European capital — making it a genuinely rewarding destination.
Palace of the Parliament
The World's Second-Largest BuildingThe Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului) — Nicolae Ceaușescu's megalomaniacal communist-era administrative palace, begun in 1984 — is the world's second-largest building by floor area (after the US Pentagon) and the heaviest building in the world. Built by 700 architects and 20,000 workers over 13 years at enormous human cost, the palace contains 1,100 rooms, 12 stories above ground, and 8 below. Guided tours provide access to the extraordinary marble-and-crystal interior.
Visitor Tip
Book the guided tour in advance (approximately €20, 45 minutes) — the interior is an extraordinary exploration of communist excess: chandeliers weighing 2 tonnes, 350 kg of crystal per room
Old Town (Lipscani District)
Bucharest's Bohemian Night Life HubBucharest's Old Town (Centrul Vechi / Lipscani) — once the centre of the city's 18th-century merchant trade — is now Bucharest's most lively nightlife, restaurant, and cafe district: a network of cobblestone streets lined with 18th–19th century architecture, rooftop bars, craft beer halls, and cocktail bars that give Bucharest its reputation as Eastern Europe's most vibrant night life city. The area is walkable and compact.
Evening Activity
Begin at Cărturești Carusel bookshop (one of the world's most beautiful bookshops in a restored 19th-century building), then walk the Old Town's cobblestone streets for dinner and drinks
Transylvania Day Trip
Dracula's Castle and Medieval Saxon Towns — 2.5 Hours AwayTransylvania — the mountainous heart of Romania, 2.5–3 hours north of Bucharest by car or train — is the country's most dramatically beautiful and historically rich region: medieval Saxon walled cities (Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara — a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bran Castle (the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, though the historical connection is disputed), and extraordinary Carpathian mountain scenery.
Day Trip
Rent a car in Bucharest for a Transylvania loop: drive to Sinaia (1.5 hrs) → Brașov (2.5 hrs) → Bran Castle (3 hrs) → return via Prahova Valley — a spectacular one-day mountain circuit
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
Open-Air Museum of Traditional Romanian LifeThe Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum (Muzeul Satului) — set on the shores of Herăstrău Lake in northern Bucharest — is one of Europe's largest open-air ethnographic museums: 272 historic rural buildings (houses, churches, mills, fisheries) relocated from across Romania to recreate traditional village life from different historical periods and regions.
Best Visit
Visit on a weekday morning for the best experience — weekend craft demonstrations are excellent but the museum becomes very crowded
Romanian Food Culture
Eastern Europe's Most Underrated CuisineRomanian cuisine — Eastern European hearty food with Ottoman, Greek, and Austro-Hungarian influences — is one of Europe's most underrated culinary traditions at some of its best prices. Sarmale (cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked in tomato sauce), mici (grilled skinless sausages), mămăligă (polenta), and ciorbă (sour soup with fermented bran) are the key traditional dishes. Bucharest's restaurant scene is exceptionally diverse and remarkably affordable by Western European standards.
Must Eat
Eat sarmale with mămăligă and smântână (sour cream) at Caru cu Bere — Bucharest's most beautiful restaurant in a spectacular 1879 Gothic Revival beer hall
Therme Bucharest
Europe's Largest Thermal Spa ComplexTherme Bucharest — 20 minutes north of the city centre — is Europe's largest thermal spa and wellness complex: a 140,000 m² subtropical paradise with thermal pools, water slides, indoor gardens, saunas, and relaxation zones. A striking contrast to Bucharest's heavy communist architecture, Therme is one of Romania's most visited attractions and a superb half-day activity especially in cooler months.
Booking
Book Therme tickets online (€20–35 per person) — weekday mornings are quietest. The thermal pools at 34–38°C are genuinely therapeutic after a day of sightseeing
How to Find Cheap Flights to Bucharest
Route via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) for Best US–Bucharest Connections
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul provides the widest US–Bucharest connection network — operating from 10+ US cities to Istanbul with reliable onward connections to Bucharest (OTP). Book as a single ticket for baggage through-check and connection protection.
Romanian Leu (RON) — Not in the Eurozone
Romania uses the Romanian Leu (RON), not the Euro. Romania joined the EU in 2007 but has not yet adopted the Euro. This makes Bucharest even better value than other Eastern European EU capitals. Exchange USD at airport banks or withdraw RON from ATMs — avoid exchange kiosks with high commission rates.
Book a Transylvania Tour or Rent a Car for the Best Day Trips
The most popular day trip from Bucharest is Transylvania — including Brașov, Bran Castle, and Sinaia — which is best done by rental car (2.5 hours each way) for maximum flexibility. Organised tours from Bucharest are also available but less flexible.
Visit April–June or September–October for Best Weather
Bucharest's best visiting weather is April–June (15–25°C) and September–October (15–22°C). July–August is hot (30–35°C) and moderately busy. December–February brings cold winters but the city is lively with Christmas markets and Therme visits. Romania is a year-round destination.
Airlines Flying to Bucharest (OTP)
Turkish Airlines
Best US Connection via IstanbulTurkish Airlines — connecting Bucharest (OTP) to Istanbul's new Istanbul Airport (IST) — provides the most extensive US–Bucharest connection network. Turkish Airlines operates nonstop service from 10 US cities to Istanbul, with reliable onward connections to Bucharest. Turkish Airlines is consistently rated among Europe's top carriers.
Key Routes
Istanbul IST to OTP — connecting from New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, and Toronto
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt — Reliable European ConnectionLufthansa connects Bucharest (OTP) to Frankfurt (FRA) with multiple daily flights — providing good connections for US travelers. From Frankfurt, Lufthansa operates nonstop service to 15+ US cities.
Key Routes
Frankfurt FRA to OTP — connecting from New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Washington, Dallas, San Francisco, and Houston
TAROM
Romanian National CarrierTAROM — Romania's national carrier — operates from its Bucharest OTP hub to European cities and regional Eastern European destinations. TAROM codeshares with Air France-KLM and provides connections for travelers routing via Western European hubs.
Key Routes
Paris CDG, Amsterdam AMS, Frankfurt FRA, London LHR, Vienna VIE, and European connections from OTP
Wizz Air
Eastern Europe's Largest Budget Carrier from OTPWizz Air — the dominant budget airline in Eastern Europe — operates extensive low-cost routes from Bucharest to Western European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cities. The best budget option for travelers connecting from UK or Western European cities to Bucharest.
Key Routes
London Luton, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and 40+ European and Middle Eastern cities from OTP
Ryanair & easyJet
Budget UK and European ConnectionsRyanair and easyJet operate budget routes from Bucharest (OTP) to London, Dublin, and other European cities — useful for UK and Irish travelers visiting Romania.
Key Routes
London Stansted, London Gatwick, Dublin, Manchester, and European budget destinations from OTP
Things to Do in Bucharest, Romania
Important Information Before You Fly to Bucharest
Currency
Romanian Leu (RON) — Romania is in EU but NOT in Eurozone
Language
Romanian — English spoken in tourist areas and hotels
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Country Code
+40 (Romania)
Airport Code
OTP — Henri Coandă Airport (16 km north of centre)
US Visa Required
No — Schengen 90-day visa-free (Romania joined Schengen 2024)
Power Plugs
Type C/F — 230V / 50Hz
Emergency Number
112 (EU standard)
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Bucharest
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Bucharest, Romania
How do I fly from the US to Bucharest?
No US airlines fly nonstop to Bucharest (OTP). The best US–Bucharest connection is via Turkish Airlines through Istanbul — connecting from 10+ US cities. European connections via Lufthansa (Frankfurt), Air France (Paris), and KLM (Amsterdam) are also good options. Compare all on FareOptic.
What airport serves Bucharest?
Henri Coandă International Airport (IATA: OTP) — also called Otopeni Airport — is located 16 km north of central Bucharest. Express train (Henri Coandă Express) runs to Gara de Nord main station in 23 minutes (approximately €4). Taxis to the centre take 20–40 minutes and cost approximately RON 80–120 (€16–24). Use official metered taxis only.
What currency is used in Bucharest?
Romanian Leu (RON). Romania is in the EU but has not adopted the Euro. Exchange USD to RON at airport banks or ATMs on arrival. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for smaller establishments and markets. Bucharest is extremely good value — a full dinner with wine typically costs €10–20.
Do US citizens need a Schengen visa for Romania?
Romania joined the Schengen Area in 2024 — US citizens can now visit Romania without a visa under the same 90-day Schengen visa-free rules that apply to other Schengen countries. A valid US passport is required.
Is Bucharest safe to visit?
Yes — Bucharest is generally safe for tourists. Exercise normal urban precautions: use official metered taxis (avoid unofficial taxis), be aware of pickpockets in crowded Old Town areas, and use Uber or Bolt for the most reliable rides from the airport. Romania has a very welcoming culture towards foreign visitors.
Is Transylvania worth visiting from Bucharest?
Absolutely — Transylvania is Romania's most spectacular region and one of Europe's most rewarding destinations: medieval Saxon walled cities (Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara UNESCO site), Bran Castle (Dracula connection), and dramatic Carpathian scenery. The drive from Bucharest takes 2.5 hours and is worth at least a 2-day addition to any Bucharest trip.
What is Romanian cuisine like?
Romanian cuisine is hearty Eastern European food with Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences: sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled skinless sausages), mămăligă (polenta), ciorbă (sour soup), and excellent sheep's cheese (telemea). Romanian wines — particularly from Moldova (Cotnari, Feteasca Neagra) — are outstanding value and world-class quality.
What is the best time to visit Bucharest?
April–June and September–October offer the best weather (15–22°C) and the most comfortable sightseeing. July–August is hot (up to 35°C). Christmas markets in December are worth the cold. Therme Bucharest makes even winter visits enjoyable.
24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance
With our 24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance, you will never have to manage travel challenges alone. Our highly trained travel experts are available day and night to support you with any changes, cancellations, or additional services you may require. From updating passenger details to securing special requests, we make the process smooth and stress-free.
Should your plans shift, we will walk you through every step of the cancellation and refund process, ensuring clarity and timely resolutions. In today's unpredictable travel environment, flexibility is essential, and we pride ourselves on delivering expert solutions quickly. Contact us anytime and travel with confidence knowing we will handle the details while you focus on what matters most — your journey.