OTP Airport Transfer | Henri Coandă Bucharest — No Taxi Scam

Henri Coandă International Airport (IATA: OTP) is Romania's primary hub and Bucharest's main international gateway, handling over 14 million passengers annually. The airport is 16 kilometres north of central Bucharest. Unofficial taxi operators stand outside the arrivals exits and approach passengers with flat rates that are 3–5× the legitimate price — this is specifically cited in UK, French, and German government travel advisories. A LocalsRide driver is positioned inside the official arrivals area with your name on a sign before you reach the exits.

OTP Transfer Times

Bucharest Old Town (Lipscani): 16 km, 25–45 min. Piața Victoriei: 15 km, 25–40 min. Floreasca (north, upscale): 12 km, 20–35 min. Pipera (business park, Greenfield): 8 km, 15–25 min. Brașov: 170 km, 2–2.5 hours. Sinaia: 130 km, 90–110 min.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Which taxi services are legitimate at Bucharest Airport?

Inside arrivals: the Fly Taxi counter (yellow, metered, approximately RON 1.79/km). Bolt and Uber from the app-based carpark — confirm registration before walking outside. Pre-booked LocalsRide: driver inside arrivals with a name sign. Do not accept approaches from drivers outside the terminal exits.

Is there a train from Bucharest Airport to the city?

Yes — the Henri Coandă Express runs from OTP to Gara de Nord in 20–30 minutes for RON 7. Useful for solo travellers with one bag. For groups or destinations not near Gara de Nord, a private car to the final address is faster.