Overview
Romania's lively capital is one of Eastern Europe's best-value city breaks, and it sits just a short hop from the UK. Bucharest mixes grand boulevards and Belle Époque architecture with a buzzing Old Town, leafy parks and some of the lowest prices for food and drink in the EU. With several airlines competing on the route, finding cheap flights to Bucharest is realistic for much of the year if you know when to look. Flights from London to Bucharest take roughly three hours, which makes it an easy long-weekend destination.
Best time to fly to Bucharest
The most comfortable months are late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October), when days are warm, skies are largely clear and the city's terraces are in full swing. July and August are hot, often above 30°C, though fares can dip as locals head for the coast and mountains. December draws visitors for Christmas markets and a festive Old Town, while January and February are cold, quiet and usually the cheapest time to fly. Check the When to book chart above to see how prices move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Bucharest is well served from the UK with direct flights. Wizz Air offers the widest choice, flying from London Luton, London Gatwick, Birmingham and Liverpool. Ryanair flies from London Stansted and other UK bases, while British Airways and TAROM, Romania's national carrier, link London Heathrow with Bucharest. Direct flights from London take about 3 hours 15 minutes; from Manchester, allow around 3 hours 30 minutes. Connecting options via hubs such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Vienna or Munich are worth comparing from regional airports or when direct fares are high.
Things to do in Bucharest
Bucharest rewards walkers, with most of the headline sights inside a compact central area.
- Palace of the Parliament: the vast Communist-era palace, among the largest administrative buildings in the world, open for guided tours.
- Romanian Athenaeum: a beautiful domed concert hall and home of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Old Town (Lipscani): cobbled lanes packed with cafés, bars, bookshops and the tiny Stavropoleos Monastery.
- Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum: an open-air collection of traditional houses and churches beside Herăstrău Park.
- Therme București: a huge thermal spa and wellness complex near the airport, ideal before an evening flight.
At Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP)
Bucharest's main airport, still widely called Otopeni, lies about 17 km north of the centre. The 100 Express bus runs to Piața Victoriei and bus 783 serves Piața Unirii in the centre; buy a travel card from the machines before boarding. A rail link connects the airport with Gara de Nord, and metered taxis or ride-hailing apps reach the centre in 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Order taxis from the touchscreen machines in arrivals to avoid being overcharged.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Bucharest
- Book roughly six to eight weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares, and use the price charts on this page to time it.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
- Travel in the shoulder seasons or winter, avoiding school holidays and the December peak.
- Compare low-cost carriers against British Airways and TAROM, check nearby UK airports, and factor in baggage, as adding a bag can wipe out a cheap headline fare.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit Romania for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay. The currency is the Romanian leu (RON), not the euro; cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets and small cafés. Bring a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for state healthcare and take out travel insurance as well. Always check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.
