Meeting Location
University of Bucharest
Faculty of Biology
Splaiul Independenței 91-95
Bucharest 050095, Romania
Phone: +40 21 318 1566
Airports
Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport, is Romania's busiest international airport, located in Otopeni, 16.5 km (10.3 mi) north of Bucharest's city centre. It is currently one of the two airports serving the capital of Romania, the other being the smaller Aurel Vlaicu Airport.
Bucharest airport shuttle
STB (Bucharest’s public transport company) operates the only airport shuttle bus from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest city center (final stop in Piata Unirii) number 100 - for checking the route you can use Info TB mobile app (available in Google Play and Apple Store). The route comes fairly close to major Bucharest hotels, metro lines station and the Old Town area. The Bucharest airport shuttle bus leaves from the ground floor of Bucharest airport (international arrivals area is at 1st floor) as you exit the terminal building on the right every 15-20 min on a regular daily schedule (Mon-Fri 6:00-23:00) and every 20-30 min on weekends and holidays.
A two-way ticket is cheap (8,5 Lei ~ 2€) and here's how you can buy them:
- from the automatic red ticket machine located exactly where the bus leaves
- using your bank card for a contactless payment on the ticket machine inside the bus (easiest)
- by SMS - text the number 7458 with the text C
- using the mobile app 24pay
Taxi Service
Getting an airport taxi transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest city center or any part of the city is quick, convenient and reasonably priced (50 - 80 Lei or 10 - 17 Euro).
Look for the yellow touch screen terminals on both sides of the door you'll exit after the baggage claim area. These are in the international arrivals hall on the 1st floor. Use them to order a reliable taxi with a fair price from the pre-authorised local providers. Meridian and Cristaxi are recommended. You will get a ticket with the details of your transfer to Bucharest which you need to hold on to and show to your driver. Then, walk outside the terminal building and wait for your taxi to come from the ramp on the left side. You'll get a taxi ride to Bucharest with a fair price but the disadvantage is that you can pay only with Romanian Lei in cash (exchange a small amount, or take out from a nearby ATM, or when in the city center). Some drivers accept Euro and will give you back RON in change.
A great alternative that avoids regular taxi drivers is to use the popular ride hailing apps Uber or Bolt.
Train
There is a direct train connecting Bucharest Otopeni Airport with Bucharest Gara de Nord (main train station) with no other stops along the way. The airport train station is located outside the terminal building on a suspended platform with a green cover. Once you get out of the airport from the arrivals hall you'll see it. The train runs every 40 min from either these stations and you can check the schedule here. The ride takes 25 min and the ticket costs 5.5 Lei (just over 1 Euro). Train tickets can be bought when on the platform, in Gara de Nord from an automatic ticket machine or online here or directly on the train. While the ride to the city is fast, Gara de Nord is relatively far from the city center or the Old Town area where most tourists choose to stay. But the train station has a metro station of its own and plenty of reliable taxi cabs waiting outside. Most likely from there you'll have to take another means of transport or use public transportation. So if you're not in a rush and looking for affordable prices - this is a good option.
Public transport (Bus and Metro)
The major attractions, landmarks and sights in Bucharest are located on a North - South line from Herestrau Park to Unirii Square, easily accessible using the blue metro line (M2). Most tourists want to go to Old Town area (Centrul Vechi - Lipscani - Smardan street) where the best bars in Bucharest are - and that's easily accessible from Piata Unirii or Universitate metro stations. The closest Metro station to the meeting location is red metro line (M3) Izvor Station.