Henri Coanda International Airport

A Rough Guide to Bucharest Apartments & Airport Transportation

I was a bit worried my first time flying into Bucharest. A couple of friends of mine had lived in Bucharest apartments for the summer, and told me great things. But, I had never been to an Eastern European country before, and I also had heard horror stories of lost luggage, confusing airports, and an ugly Bucharest airport hotel.
I decided to do a little research before I left, to ease my mind.

Before doing the research I didn't even know a Bucharest airport code! But, after some research, and one amazing trip, I'm somewhat of an expert on the Bucharest airport experience.

Bucharest Airport: Bansea vs. Henri Coanda

Henri Coanda (Otopeni) Airport Overview Henri Coanda International Airport (IATA: OTP, ICAO: LROP) is located in the town of Otopeni, about 16.5 km North of Bucharest. Until very recently the airport bore the name of it's hometown, and many locals still refer to it as Otopeni airport. It is the largest airport in Romania and one of the busiest in Eastern Europe. The airport was fitted for commercial traffic in the late 1960s to accommodate the increased air traffic to Bucharest that Bansea airport could not handle. It is now the primary airport for commercial traffic in the country.

In the late sixties a larger international airport (Henri Coanda) was built further away from the city center. Noise and pollution problems forced most air traffic further from Bucharest. As of today online low cost air lines use Bansea (such as Blue Air).

Bansea Airport Overview

There are two airports serving Bucharest. The oldest of the two as in the district of Bansea, just 8 km from the Bucharest apartments of the city center. The proper name for this airport is Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (IATA: BBU, ICAO: LRBS) but it is commonly known as Bucharest City Airport or Bansea. The first flights in the Bansea site took place in 1909 and the current terminal building has been operational since 1952.

Airport Transportation

In regards to transportation, Bansea has the edge between the two airports. It is located within Bucharest city limits. You can access the city center using one of two bus lines, Airport Express buses, tramway or taxi (the taxi costs will be less than those from Henri Coanda).

You can access Bucharest from Henri Coanda via car, bus, train or taxi, though the transportation costs and times will be larger than with Bansea.

The best form of Bucharest airport transportation to the accommodation is the Lux Apartment driver. At just 25 Euros you and 2 other people can get a ride directly from the airport to your Bucharest accommodation.

It turns out my apprehension surrounding Romanian was unfounded. I had a great trip. My Lux driver took me straight to see some beautiful downtown Bucharest apartments (one of which would be mine for 3 weeks!) and showed me the best way to get from the airport to the city center – in his car! My stay in Bucharest was relaxing and rewarding, in large part due to how little trouble I encountered in Romania. My luggage was safely delivered and I easily found my way through the airport to my Lux driver who took me to may home away from home. I cannot vouch for any Bucharest airport hotel, because I skipped that step entirely and went straight to my own rental apartment!