How to get to Romania: airports, flights and border crossings

Use this table to pick an airport and a rough budget. Flight prices move a lot; treat every figure as a 2026 estimate and check before booking.

First, choose your airport by where you are going, not by price alone. Bucharest Otopeni (OTP) has the most long-haul and low-cost connections and is the natural entry point for Bucharest and the south. Cluj-Napoca (CLJ) is the strongest second gateway and saves a long transfer if Transylvania or Maramureș is first on your list. Sibiu (SBZ), Timișoara (TSR) and Iași (IAS) have fewer flights but can be cheaper and closer to their regions. Brașov (GHV) is small and seasonal (check).

Second, book the flight. From the UK and Ireland there are frequent direct flights of roughly three hours to Bucharest and Cluj. From the US and Canada there is usually no nonstop; expect one stop in a European hub and a total of about 9–12 hours. From Australia and New Zealand you will connect at least once, often in the Gulf or Istanbul, with a total of about 20–26 hours (2026 estimate).

Third, plan the arrival transfer. At OTP the train runs to Bucharest North station, bus 100 goes to the centre, and taxis and ride-hailing are available; allow 30–50 minutes depending on traffic. At Cluj the airport is close to the city and a taxi or bus takes about 20–30 minutes.

Fourth, sort the paperwork. Romania applies EU and Schengen border rules; US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Irish passport holders do not need a visa for short tourist stays, but your passport should be valid well beyond your trip and you should confirm the current rules before you fly.

Fifth, decide how you will cross if you are coming overland. Trains and buses link Romania with Hungary (Budapest), Serbia (Belgrade), Bulgaria (Sofia, Ruse), Moldova (Chișinău) and Ukraine. Crossings can be slow and some services are seasonal, so check timetables close to your date.

Romania is in the EU and applies Schengen rules at its borders. That means a short-stay limit for non-EU visitors and a passport that must be valid for the whole trip; always confirm the current requirement with an official source before you travel.

Airport transfers are cheap by Western European standards. Public transport, taxis and ride-hailing all work, but agree the fare or use the app to avoid overcharging. Keep some lei in cash for small payments on arrival.

If you are driving in, remember the rovinieta vignette is required on national roads and the alcohol limit at the wheel is zero. Winter can close mountain routes, so check conditions if you cross in December or January.