Public Transportation

Bucharest has an efficient public transportation network made up of: bus (autobuz), tram (tramvai) and trolley bus (troilebuz) as well as subway (Metrou).

The ground transportation system operates - between 5:00am and 11:59pm.

Tickets must be purchased beforehand and validated in the ticket-stamping machine upon boarding. You may be requested to show the stamped ticket during the trip. One-way tickets or passes valid for one day, one week, 15 days or one month can be purchased at any kiosk displaying the RATB logo. A one-way ticket is 1.3 Lei (approx. 50 cents). Tickets are interchangeable for the bus, tram and trolley bus, with the exception of express buses.

The express bus system is more useful for reaching destinations outside the city centre, as only a few express buses actually pass through the centre itself. Two- or 10-journey tickets, as well as monthly passes, are available for these buses.

RATB maps can be found at kiosks near bus and tram stops or you can print one here.

The subway (Metrou) is best for getting around the city centre; the system operates -between 5:00am and 11:30pm.

There are four metro lines (M1, M2, M3 and M4). The most frequently used line is the north-south M2 line (going from Pipera to IMGB, stopping at Piata Victoriei, Piata Romana, Universitate and Piata Unirii along the way. Metro stations are indicated by white signs with a blue "M." Tickets can be purchased inside the stations at counters indicated by a "Casa" sign.

Metro maps can be printed here or can be purchased in bookshops and kiosks (and are also posted near the ticket gate entrance). The final destination is indicated on the front of the train. Each stop is announced as the train nears the station. At peak times, they arrive every four to seven minutes, off-peak times every 15-20 minutes.

There are two types of ticket - two-trip 2.2 Lei (approx. $1.00) and ten-trip 8.0 Lei (approx. $3.00) tickets. One-day and one-month passes are also available at the station.