Bucharest - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes. I stick to self-driving, the metro or car services like Uber/Bolt/BlackCab. Uber/Bolt is very affordable within the city. BlackCab is more expensive but people living in the suburbs had better luck with pickups. The subway (only located downtown) costs around $0.50 per ride and comes often, if you can survive the lack of signage. Visitors spoke of getting ripped off by taxis, so stick to Uber/Bolt for your transport needs. Discount airline RyanAir flies from Bucharest to many European vacations. If you can survive the crowding and line cutting for the airport shuttle buses, you'll find a long European weekend getaway is easy and affordable. Road infrastructure in Romania is vastly underdeveloped. Few highways mean everyone (cars, transport trucks, tractors, horse/cart) shares the same two-lane roads and it takes forever to get anywhere. Quick trains get you to Brasov and Constanta in 3 hours. Trains to other large cities take 6+ hours or are overnight. Save yourself the hassle and hop on a Tarom or RyanAir flight to dozens of European locals for $60-$125 for a long weekend getaway. Flight to Athens is 1 hr, Italy is 1.5 hrs, London is 3 hrs. - Jun 2023
Yes. There are buses, trams, a subway system, taxis, Uber, Taxify, BlackCab. Car service is probably 1/4 the price of major U.S. cities. The bus is something like $0.30 per ride and less if you get a monthly pass. The subway costs around $0.50 per ride and is quick and comes often. They're all safe. I would say my least preferred method is local taxi because it's the only one where getting ripped off is even possible. - Mar 2019
Yes and Uber is widely used. - Jun 2018
I LOVED the trains, buses and taxis. Trains were slow, but doable AND have heating and ac when needed. Buses and metro routes are bountiful in the city, costing about US$1 to get from point A to point B. Taxis are clearly marked with price on the side of the car- just make sure they use the meter, especially if it's later hours. Some will take advantage, resulting in a US$100 charge for going 2km. Really. It happened to my brother in law. Taxi apps made my life completely wonderful and thanks to the airport's efforts, getting a taxi there is a godsend: you get a ticket and stand in line for your turn. It's that easy. Taxis run 1.39 RON/KM, so about 40-50 cents/KM. Some are more like 3.50RON/KM - make sure you look at the price before committing. - Feb 2014
Metro is safe and the price rising weekly, but is still fairly cheap. Taxis can be a total rip off if you don't know where you are going and/or you have minimal Romanian. Buses can be over-crowded. - Jan 2013
Public transport is easy, cheap, and not a problem. - Aug 2012
Yes; taxis will try to rip you off. - May 2011
Yes, very affordable. Taxi drivers can be dishonest, so be sure the meter is turned on and is working properly. Never take an unmarked cab. - Jul 2010
They're all cheap. - Dec 2009
Subway was great. And cheap! - Dec 2009
The metro is safe and cheap. It's a great way to get around. Buses and trams are safe although you have to watch out for pickpockets. They can get pretty crowded and will have some pretty ripe passengers. You have to be careful with the taxis here, but there are a few honest companies that have English-speaking dispatchers you can trust. The faster trains around the country are great, but don't try the slow ones. The trains are so good that we hardly ever drive when we head out of town on the weekends now. You get there faster, they're pretty cheap, and comfortable. They seem to be a well-kept secret among expats. - Dec 2008
Yes. - Feb 2008
The metro is safe but trams and buses not so much. Use the Fly Taxi company if you can and take your chances with the others. - Jan 2008
Yes, but watch for pick pockets. The Metro is pretty cheap and can get you all over the city. - Jan 2008
