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Bucharest has a good public transport network on rail and road which includes buses, trams and the metro. The best way to get around Bucharest is undoubtedly the metro.
GETTING AROUND BUCHAREST BY BUS AND TRAM
Buses and trams operate throughout the day from 05 until 24 and connect extensively throughout the city. Tickets are valid on all means except the Metro, and the so-called EXPRESS BUS (which take you out of the city) for which different tickets are required.
METRO
Bucharest has a good underground network with which it is possible to reach every point of the city. The network is managed by the company Metrorex, separated from the surface network, managed by the RATB. It is a rather young system. The first M1 line was in fact inaugurated only in 1979. Line 5, on the other hand, is the most recent, inaugurated only in 2020.
Currently, there are 5 operating lines (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), distinguished by a different color, for a total of 69 stations. Piata Unirii, one of the main squares, is an interchange station for the first three lines. A further line is currently under caution.
The metro is quite efficient and punctual, with frequencies at peak times of up to 4 minutes. The lines generally run from 5 am until 11 pm.
TAXI
Generally, tourists prefer taxis to move around Bucharest. You can find them almost everywhere, yellow in color, but pay close attention because many do not have a good reputation. Avoid, if possible, the private taxi whose fares are often very expensive.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TICKETS
With the exception of COMBINED TICKETS, specific tickets must be purchased to travel on Metro and buses.
METRO TICKETS
Here is the detail of the main tickets valid for getting around Bucharest by metro:
- 1 Calatorie. It is valid for a timeless metro journey, in one direction only. It costs 3 LEI
- 2 Calatorii. Two trips, without any time, at the cost of 6 LEI.
- 10 Calatorii. Book of 10 single trips. It costs 25 LEI.
- Abonement 24h. It is valid for 24 hours from the first validation, for unlimited travel on the metro. It costs 8 LEI.
- Abonement 72h. It is valid for 72 hours from the first validation, for unlimited travel on the metro. It costs 20 LEI.
INTEGRATED TICKETS AND BUSES
To travel by bus ONLY you can opt for a ticket for a single journey (within 90 minutes) at the cost of 3 LEI. Also available in 10 single trips version at a cost of 25 LEI.
By purchasing the integrated tickets you can travel on different means using a single ticket. Here are the main METROREX + STB travel tickets:
- 1 Calatorie 120 min, 5 Lei
- 2 Calatorii 120 min, 10 Lei
- 10 Calatorii 120 min, 45 Lei
- Abonement 24h, 14 Lei
- Abonement 72h, 35 Lei
Tickets can be purchased from vending machines and merchants displaying the brand. Tickets can be loaded onto a special Activ or Multiplu card. The Activ Card is a rechargeable card and costs 3.7 Lei. The Multiplu Card is free and precarious with a minimum of 2 tickets up to a maximum of 30. You can also pay CONTACTLESS directly by credit card, placing it on the appropriate reader. In case you should find the control, just communicate the last 4 digits of the credit card used.
Always remember to validate the ticket when you get on the vehicle, or you will pay 50.00LEI as a fine (they call it SURCHARGE!).