Flights to Romania: Complete Guide

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.

Seasonal Price Guide

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

Major Airports

Code	Airport	City
OTP	Henri Coandă International Airport	Bucharest
CLJ	Cluj-Napoca International Airport	Cluj-Napoca
TSR	Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport	Timișoara

Airport Details

OTP — Terminal Info

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.

CLJ — Terminal Info

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.

Booking Tips

1. Fly into Cluj for Transylvania — Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ) puts you directly in the heart of Transylvania with Sighișoara, Sibiu, and Brașov all within 2–3 hours. It often has cheaper fares than Bucharest for Wizz Air routes from Western Europe.
2. Check Timișoara for western Romania — Timișoara Airport (TSR) is an underused gateway to western Romania and is well-positioned for drives into Hungary and Serbia. Wizz Air and Ryanair serve it with growing European networks.
3. Book Transfăgărășan trips for June–October only — Romania's most famous mountain road is closed from November to May due to snow. Plan your road trip for summer or early autumn. The road typically opens in late June.
4. Wizz Air dominates Romanian routes — Wizz Air has the most extensive and cheapest network to Romania, particularly from Italy, UK, Germany, and Spain. One-way fares from London to Bucharest start below €20 when booked 6–8 weeks ahead.
5. Use Bucharest as a Black Sea gateway — The Black Sea coast around Constanța is 3 hours east of Bucharest by motorway. Less crowded and far cheaper than Mediterranean alternatives, it is Romania's summer beach destination.

Getting Around Romania

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to fly to Bucharest or Cluj for Transylvania?

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.

Which airlines fly cheapest to Romania?

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.

Is Romania part of Schengen?

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.

What is the Transfăgărășan Highway?

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.