Romania is served by 3 major airports including Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP). Budget airlines: Wizz Air, Ryanair, Blue Air. Peak season: June to August. Best deals: April–May and September–October.
Romania has become one of Europe's most exciting emerging travel destinations as visitors discover the medieval towns of Transylvania, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, and the wild Carpathian Mountains. Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) is the main international gateway, handling over 14 million passengers annually with Wizz Air operating the most extensive network of European routes. Cluj-Napoca Airport in the heart of Transylvania has grown rapidly and now connects directly to dozens of Western European cities, making it an ideal arrival point for exploring the Saxon villages, Bran Castle, and the legendary Transfăgărășan Highway.
Romania joined the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in March 2026, simplifying border formalities for EU travelers and removing passport controls at Romanian airports for flights within the Schengen zone. This has further boosted the country's accessibility and appeal. The budget airline competition between Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Blue Air keeps fares remarkably low — round-trip tickets from London, Milan, or Berlin to Bucharest or Cluj are frequently available for under €50 when booked in advance.
The country remains outstanding value for money once you arrive. Fuel costs roughly half of Western European prices, a quality restaurant meal with wine in Sibiu or Brașov costs €10–15 per person, and even Bucharest's best hotels are a fraction of Paris or London equivalents. Car rental rates are among Europe's lowest, making Romania one of the continent's best destinations for an extended driving holiday on a reasonable budget.
Transylvania is the centerpiece of Romanian road-tripping. From Cluj, the route south through Sighișoara (a UNESCO-listed medieval citadel), Sibiu (European Capital of Culture 2007), and Brașov (gateway to Bran Castle and the Carpathian peaks) is one of Europe's great underrated drives. The Transfăgărășan Highway — famously called the world's best driving road by Top Gear — crosses the Carpathians at 2,042 meters through a series of dramatic switchbacks and tunnels. It is open only from June to October, making summer the prime season for this iconic route. The parallel Transalpina road is equally spectacular and somewhat less crowded.
Beyond Transylvania, Romania offers remarkable diversity. The Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Black Sea coast, is Europe's largest wetland and a birdwatcher's paradise accessible from Tulcea. The Maramureș region in the north preserves a traditional way of life with wooden churches, horse-drawn carts, and hand-built haystacks that feel centuries removed from modern Europe. Bucovina's painted monasteries — with their exterior frescoes depicting biblical scenes in vivid blues and greens — are unique in all of Europe and lie within a compact area perfect for a two-day driving circuit.
Bucharest itself deserves more than the cursory visit many travelers give it. The capital's mix of Belle Époque architecture, communist-era monumentalism (including the colossal Palace of Parliament, the world's heaviest building), vibrant café culture, and booming food scene rewards a day or two of exploration. The old town (Lipscani) has been revitalized into a lively district of restaurants, bars, and boutiques. From Bucharest, Brașov is just 2.5 hours north by train — one of Romania's most practical rail journeys and the gateway to the Carpathian Mountains and southern Transylvania.
Romania is one of Europe's most underrated destinations — medieval Transylvanian towns, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, the wild Carpathian Mountains, and a Danube Delta teeming with wildlife. It is also one of the cheapest countries in the EU for travelers once you arrive. The flight infrastructure has improved dramatically since Romania joined the European Union, with Wizz Air and Ryanair building extensive networks from multiple Romanian airports. The challenge is not getting to Romania cheaply — that's easy now — but choosing the right airport and routing for your specific itinerary. Bucharest is the obvious hub, but Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, and Iasi can save hours of driving depending on where you're headed.
May through September is the main travel season. Transylvania is at its best in late May and June: green valleys, wildflower meadows, and comfortable temperatures (20-28°C). July and August are peak for the Black Sea coast around Mamaia and Vama Veche, and for hiking in the Carpathians. September and October bring spectacular autumn colors to the forested mountains and are ideal for visiting Maramures and Bucovina without summer crowds.
Winter (December through March) offers affordable skiing at resorts like Poiana Brasov, Sinaia, and Balea Lac. Romania's ski infrastructure is modest compared to the Alps, but lift passes cost 25-35 euros per day and accommodation is cheap. Bucharest's Christmas markets have gained popularity, and Sibiu's medieval old town is atmospheric in the snow. Budget carrier fares drop to their lowest in winter — expect 15-25 euro one-way tickets on many Wizz Air routes.
Bucharest's main airport (still commonly called by its old name, Otopeni) is Romania's busiest, handling about 15 million passengers annually. Located 16 km north of the city center, OTP is the only Romanian airport with significant long-haul connections and the densest European network. The airport has two terminals — Terminal 1 handles some low-cost carriers, while Terminal 2 handles the majority of traffic. A connecting bus shuttle runs between terminals every 15 minutes.
Getting to Bucharest city center:
Bucharest's secondary airport, located closer to the city center (8 km north), handles some private aviation and occasional charter flights. For scheduled passenger flights, OTP is where you'll arrive.
Romania's second-largest airport and the gateway to Transylvania. If your destination is the heart of Romania — Sibiu, Sighisoara, Turda salt mine, Alba Iulia — Cluj saves 4-5 hours of driving compared to Bucharest. Wizz Air and Ryanair both have strong networks from CLJ, including London Luton, Milan Bergamo, Barcelona, Dublin, Brussels Charleroi, Dortmund, Eindhoven, Valencia, and many more. Blue Air (when operating) and TAROM also serve CLJ.
Cluj airport is 9 km east of the city center. Bus 5 connects to the center in 30 minutes for under 1 euro. Taxis cost 20-30 lei (4-6 euros).
Western Romania's main airport, useful for Banat region, onward travel to Serbia, or as a starting point for a Transylvanian road trip approaching from the west. Wizz Air operates an extensive network from TSR. The city itself — Romania's "Little Vienna" — is worth 1-2 days. Timisoara is also the closest Romanian airport to Belgrade (3 hours by car) and a viable entry point for combined Romania-Serbia trips.
Gateway to Moldova and northeastern Romania. Essential if visiting the painted monasteries of Bucovina — Iasi is 2-3 hours away versus 6+ hours from Bucharest. Wizz Air and other carriers connect Iasi to London, Milan, Rome, Vienna, and several other European cities.
Small airport right in the Transylvanian heartland. Limited routes (mainly Wizz Air to London, Munich, and a few others), but perfectly positioned for exploring Sibiu's old town, the Transfagarasan highway, and the Saxon villages. When a direct flight exists from your city, Sibiu saves significant driving.
Smaller regional airports with a handful of Wizz Air and Ryanair routes, primarily serving the Romanian diaspora in Italy and Spain. Occasionally useful if you're heading to specific regions.
The dominant carrier in Romania with bases at Bucharest, Cluj, Timisoara, Iasi, Sibiu, Craiova, Bacau, and Suceava. Wizz Air connects Romanian airports to virtually every corner of Europe. They operate more routes from Romania than all other airlines combined. Fares can be extraordinarily cheap — 10-20 euro one-way sales appear regularly on less popular routes. Their WIZZ Discount Club (30 euros/year) gives 5-10 euro discounts per flight and free seat selection, which pays for itself in 2-3 bookings.
Growing Romanian presence, primarily at Bucharest OTP and Cluj CLJ. Ryanair competes directly with Wizz Air on major routes, which keeps prices low. Their route network is narrower than Wizz Air's in Romania but includes strong UK, Italian, and Spanish connections.
Romania's national carrier operates a small European network from Bucharest plus domestic flights to Cluj, Timisoara, Iasi, and others. TAROM fares include checked baggage and meals, and they're a SkyTeam member — useful for earning Air France/KLM/Delta miles. The domestic flights can be good value when booked early, providing a fast alternative to Romania's slow trains.
A Romanian low-cost carrier that has experienced financial difficulties. Check operational status before booking — when flying, they offer competitive fares on key routes from Bucharest and other Romanian airports.
Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Munich), Austrian (Vienna), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), KLM (Amsterdam), and Air France (Paris CDG) all serve Bucharest with year-round daily flights. These connections are invaluable for reaching Romania from outside Europe — Vienna and Istanbul are the best one-stop connecting points. Fares are higher than budget carriers but include baggage and flexible rebooking.
Romania benefits from high competition and relatively low demand compared to Western European destinations. For summer travel, 6-8 weeks ahead usually captures good fares on Wizz Air and Ryanair. Last-minute deals (1-2 weeks out) exist in shoulder and winter seasons but are unreliable in July-August. For legacy carriers, 2-3 months ahead is optimal.
Romania's multiple airports create a powerful open-jaw strategy. A classic Transylvania circuit: fly into Cluj, road-trip through Sighisoara, Brasov, and Sibiu, fly out of Bucharest. Or: fly into Iasi, explore Bucovina's monasteries, drive south through Transylvania, fly out of Cluj or Sibiu. One-way flights on Wizz Air cost no more than round trips divided by two, making open-jaw itineraries cost-neutral.
Romanian trains are cheap but slow (aging infrastructure means frequent delays). A car rental at 15-20 euros per day plus fuel gives far more flexibility, especially in Transylvania where villages and fortified churches are scattered across the countryside. However: Romanian drivers can be aggressive, and some rural roads are in poor condition. Mountain passes (Transfagarasan, Transalpina) are spectacular but demanding drives with hairpin turns and no guardrails in places.
Budapest airport has more international connections than any Romanian airport. From BUD, it's about 4.5 hours by car to Cluj-Napoca and 6 hours to Sibiu. This routing makes sense for travelers from cities with cheap Budapest flights but no direct Romania service. Wizz Air and Ryanair both have enormous networks from Budapest. Flixbus also runs Budapest-Cluj in about 6.5 hours for 15-25 euros.
Vienna is 6 hours from Timisoara by car. Bratislava is slightly closer. Both airports have vastly more long-haul connections than any Romanian airport. For travelers from Asia, the Americas, or Africa, routing through Vienna on Austrian Airlines and connecting to a Bucharest or Cluj flight is often the smoothest option.
Romania's cobblestone old towns (Sibiu, Sighisoara, Brasov) and mountain trails mean a backpack or soft-sided bag works better than a rigid suitcase. Pack layers — Transylvania at 500-800 m altitude can drop to 10°C on summer evenings even when Bucharest bakes at 35°C. If you're visiting in winter for skiing or Christmas markets, you'll need a checked bag for warm gear — add it at the time of booking on Wizz Air (40% cheaper than adding later).
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Average round-trip airfares to Romania vary significantly by season. Book during low-demand months to save up to 50%.
| Months | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| July–August | $400–650 | High |
| June | $350–550 | Medium |
| April–May | $250–420 | Medium |
| September–October | $240–400 | Medium |
| December (Christmas markets) | $300–480 | Medium |
| November, January–March | $180–350 | Low |
| Code | Airport | City |
|---|---|---|
| OTP | Henri Coandă International Airport | Bucharest |
| CLJ | Cluj-Napoca International Airport | Cluj-Napoca |
| TSR | Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport | Timișoara |
Transit tips: OTP is not a hub for connections — most travelers use it as a destination. Wizz Air and Ryanair operate from the main terminal. Check-in can be slow during peak hours; arrive 2 hours before international flights. Lounge options are limited.
Getting to the city: Express Bus 783 runs to Bucharest city center (Piața Unirii) in 40 minutes for about 4 RON (~$0.85). Taxis should cost 50–80 RON ($11–17) — use only official taxi companies (FlyTaxi or Speed Taxi) or ride-hailing apps like Bolt to avoid scams.
Transit tips: CLJ is a destination airport with no hub functions. The modern terminal handles check-in and security quickly. Growing fast with new routes being added each season.
Getting to the city: Bus 5 runs to Cluj-Napoca city center in 30 minutes for about 3 RON (~$0.65). Taxis cost 30–50 RON ($6–11). The airport is only 9km from the city center.
Fly during shoulder season (April–May and September–October) to save 30-50% on airfare to Romania compared to peak season prices.
Flying isn't always the best option for getting around Romania. Here are the alternatives:
Romania's rail network is slow by Western European standards, making domestic flights or rental cars the preferred option for longer distances. For Bucharest to Brașov (gateway to Transylvania), the 2.5-hour train is efficient. For Bucharest to Cluj (8+ hours by train), flying or driving (5 hours) is strongly recommended. Romania's improving motorway network is making driving faster each year.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
Fly into Cluj-Napoca for direct Transylvanian access with Wizz Air fares often below 20 EUR one-way.
Cluj-Napoca Airport puts you directly in the heart of Transylvania, with Sighisoara, Sibiu, and Brasov all within 2 to 3 hours by car. Wizz Air operates extensive routes from the UK, Italy, Germany, and Spain with one-way fares from as low as 15 EUR booked 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Cluj is also a vibrant university city with excellent restaurants and nightlife, making it a worthwhile destination in its own right.
Plan Transfagarasan Highway trips for late June through September when the road is open.
Romania's most famous mountain road, called the world's best driving road by Top Gear, crosses the Carpathians at 2,042 meters and is closed from November to May due to snow. The road typically opens in late June. If your trip revolves around this iconic drive, book flights for July through September when the road is reliably open and weather conditions are best for mountain driving and photography.
Book Wizz Air to Romania 6 to 8 weeks ahead for fares that can be 200 to 300 percent cheaper than last-minute.
Wizz Air dominates Romanian routes with the most extensive and cheapest network, but their dynamic pricing pushes fares up dramatically as departure approaches. A London-to-Bucharest one-way that costs 20 EUR at the 8-week mark can reach 80 to 120 EUR within 2 weeks of departure. Setting fare alerts and booking at the 6 to 8 week sweet spot consistently delivers the lowest prices.
Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ) puts you right in the heart of Transylvania — Sighișoara, Sibiu, and Brașov are all within 2–3 hours. Bucharest is better if you want to start with the capital before heading into the mountains. Both have good Wizz Air connections.
Wizz Air dominates Romania's low-cost market with extensive routes from the UK, Italy, Germany, France, and beyond. Ryanair also operates to Bucharest and Cluj. Blue Air is Romania's own budget carrier.
Romania joined the Schengen Area for air and sea travel on 31 March 2026. Land border Schengen accession is pending. This means airport passport controls between Romania and other Schengen countries are removed for qualifying travel.
The Transfăgărășan is a spectacular mountain road crossing the Carpathians at 2,042 meters. Made famous by Top Gear as the world's best driving road, it is only open from June to October due to snow. It connects Sibiu to Curtea de Argeș through dramatic alpine scenery.
November and January through March offer the lowest fares to Romania, with round-trip tickets from the UK averaging 40 to 80 GBP and Wizz Air one-way fares from European cities dropping below 15 EUR. Romania is one of Europe's cheapest flight destinations year-round thanks to intense Wizz Air and Ryanair competition. For a balance of good weather and low fares, May and late September offer warm temperatures for road trips at 30 to 40 percent below the July and August peak.
From the UK, round-trip fares to Bucharest or Cluj average 40 to 80 GBP in winter and 100 to 200 GBP in summer. From the US, expect $400 to $650 in summer connecting through London, Frankfurt, or Vienna. There are limited direct transatlantic flights, but Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines offer competitive one-stop connections to Bucharest. Romania is consistently one of Europe's best-value flight destinations thanks to budget carrier dominance.
For summer travel in June through August, booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead on Wizz Air or Ryanair captures the lowest fare tiers. December Christmas market trips to Sibiu and Bucharest should be booked by October. Shoulder season travel in May or September can be secured 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Wizz Air fares to Romania spike 200 to 300 percent in the final 2 weeks before departure, so early booking delivers the best savings.
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