Overview
Constanta is Romania's oldest city and its front door onto the Black Sea. Founded by Greek settlers as Tomis, it mixes ancient ruins, a working port and faded seafront grandeur with the long sandy beaches of neighbouring Mamaia. For UK travellers it is an underrated summer choice: genuine history, warm sea and good value once you are there. Most people come between late spring and early autumn, when the coast is at its best.
Best time to fly to Constanta
Beach season runs from June to early September, with temperatures often in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius and a warm, calm sea. July and August are the busiest and priciest because of the school holidays. May, early June and September are the sweet spot for warm weather, thinner crowds and better fares. Winter is cold and quiet, and many resort venues close, though the city's museums and mosque stay open. See the When to book chart above for how prices move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Direct flights from the UK to Constanta are seasonal and limited. Wizz Air has operated summer services from London Luton, but routes change from year to year, so check what is currently running on this page. Outside the summer, or when no direct flight is scheduled, most travellers fly to Bucharest (Henri Coanda, OTP), which is served year-round by Wizz Air, Ryanair, British Airways and TAROM from London and several regional UK airports, then continue to Constanta by train or hire car (about 225 km, roughly two to three hours). Direct London to Constanta flying time is around 3 hours 15 minutes; via Bucharest, allow most of a day door to door.
Things to do in Constanta
The old town packs a lot into a walkable peninsula, with the coast never far away.
- Constanta Casino: The restored Art Nouveau landmark on the seafront promenade, and the city's most photographed building.
- Carol I Mosque: Climb the minaret for sweeping views over the old town and harbour.
- Roman Mosaic Edifice: A vast late-Roman mosaic floor surviving from the trading city of Tomis.
- National History and Archaeology Museum: Home to the coiled marble Glykon serpent, with the statue of the poet Ovid in the square outside.
- Mamaia: The neighbouring sandbar resort, with miles of beach, a lively promenade and the Aqua Magic waterpark.
At Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport (CND)
The airport sits about 25 km (16 miles) northwest of the city centre and has no rail link. A pre-booked private transfer or a taxi takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes; car hire is available from desks in the terminal, and there is a limited public bus into Constanta. Ask taxis to use the meter, and book ahead in peak season. Allow a little longer for Mamaia.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Constanta
- Book roughly two to five months ahead for summer travel; peak seats bought late are expensive.
- Fly midweek and sidestep the mid-July to late-August peak by travelling in June or September.
- Use flexible-date searches, as shifting a day either way can cut the fare, and check the price charts on this page.
- Compare a seasonal direct flight against a Bucharest connection plus a separate train ticket, as the split trip sometimes wins.
Travel essentials
British passport holders do not need a visa for Romania for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; Romania is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check that your passport meets current validity rules before you travel. The currency is the Romanian leu (RON), not the euro; cards are accepted almost everywhere and ATMs are easy to find, but carry a little cash for small purchases. No special vaccinations are required, but bring a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and comprehensive travel insurance.
