Cheap flights to Bucharest from EUR15*

Bucharest is not only one of Europe’s safest and most wallet-friendly destinations but also a booming city in the midst of a major revival. Dubbed the ‘Little Paris of the East’ at the beginning of the 20th century, the city is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, magnificent Belle Époque buildings and undying love of art, be it folk or contemporary art, theatre, ballet or music. It’s also famed for its throbbing nightlife and clubs with up-and-coming DJs, hip folks and a strict ‘last man standing’ policy. Nature lovers and families will find a welcome contrast in the city’s tranquil green oases, including romantic gardens, beautiful lakes and nearby adventure parks.

 

Fly to Bucharest, Romania for

With more than two million inhabitants, Bucharest is a bustling metropolis. Legend says it was founded by Bucur, a Romanian shepherd who was so loved by locals for his enchanting flute music and delicious wine that they christened the city after him. Bucharest became the capital of Romania in 1862, not to mention the centre of Romanian culture and a hotbed of Neo-classical, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus and Art Deco architecture. The gloomier chapters of Bucharest’s history have left the city with just as many mementos to marvel at though. The Old Princely Court in Bucharest’s grand Old Town was once erected and called home by no other than Vlad III the Impaler, the merciless Wallachian prince who famously inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Micul Paris was largely razed during the Communist regime and replaced by the drab manifestations of Ceaușescu’s megalomania. The result is a mixture of styles, cultures and traditions that begs to be uncovered.

 

Things to do in Bucharest: spies, dictators and smooth melodies

For a glimpse of Bucharest's romantic side, discover the city’s oh-so-prestigious Victory Avenue (Calea Victoriei). Its residential northern part is mostly fringed by gorgeous, Belle Époque-era houses and palaces, while its southern half is jam-packed with high-end boutiques and restaurants, as well as five-star hotels. Home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and the George Enescu International Festival, the Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român) is not only a landmark but a cherished symbol of both the country and its capital. The Neoclassical concert hall was built in 1888 thanks to a 28-year nationwide fundraising campaign that saved the construction project after the original donors had run out of money. Passing the gigantic equestrian statue of the country’s first king, Carol I, you’ll arrive at the former Royal Palace and current home to the National Museum of Art of Romania. The 19th-century building and its lavish living quarters are a visual feast themselves, but the gallery’s vast collection of Romanian and European masters, including Brancuşi, Patraşcu, Delacroix, Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso, certainly ups the ante. Revolution Square (Piaţa Revoluţiei) once saw the unfolding of the Romanian Revolution of December 1989 and Ceauşescu’s downfall. The embodiment of the former dictator’s ego, Palatul Parlamentului (formerly known as Casa Poporului) is well worth a visit.

 

Mission possible: finding the best sarmale

Romanian cuisine is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Or, faint-stomached, if you will. Case in point: mici or mititei. The name simply means ‘little ones’, but don’t let that fool you: what these juicy, garlicky-peppery minced meat sausages lack in size, they more than make up for in flavour. Originally a Turkish dish, sarmale is another delicious combination of minced meat and earthy spices, mixed with rice, onions and dill. Those with a sweet tooth simply must try papanași, a super-sized doughnut filled with cottage cheese or soft cheese and served flaming-hot under generous layers of sour cream and jam. For a truly memorable gastro-experience, look for Lacrimi și Sfinți on Șepcari Street. This quirky eatery is known for rediscovering and rethinking well-loved Romanian recipes as well as its wooden interior, pieced together from farmhouse kitchen windows, hospital doors, barn ceiling elements and chairs gathered from all corners of the country. No less Instagrammable is Caru’ cu Bere (The Beer Wagon), Bucharest’s oldest beer house. Just two steps from Unirii Square, the sarmale of your life awaits, in two versions, no less. Hanu' lui Manuc alleges to be Europe’s oldest inn, and a keeper of Romanian culinary traditions for over two centuries.

 

Bucharest: nightlife to write home about

When it comes to shopping, you’ll find a little bit of everything – and a whole lot of amazing – in Bucharest. Head to Band of Creators, a new wave concept store that sells clothes and accessories from dozens of well-known and about-to-be-known Romanian and Eastern European designers, such as Florentina Giol, Ioana Ciolacu and Larisa Dragna. Bookworm or not, you’ll be in awe in Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest’s iconic, much-loved and much-photographed bookstore on Lipscani Street. Look for the Unirea Shopping Center in the very heart of the city, on Piata Unirii, to get your everyday shopping needs covered or move on to AFI Palace Cotroceni, if you’re feeling the urge to splurge. Centring mostly around the Lipscani district, Bucharest nightlife caters to all tastes, energy levels, budgets and lifestyles, from hipster hotspots through stylish wine bars to steamy nightclubs. FIX puts quite a twist on cocktail-making. The ‘botanical bar’ is all about the ingredients, concocting its mixed drinks mostly using local and Eastern European botanicals. Control Club in the city centre is a something of an institution in the local nightlife scene, known for its live gigs, DJ nights and Tuesday happy hours on its lovely terrace. Pâine și Vin, meaning ‘bread and wine’ is as unpretentious as its name suggests. This minimalist wine bar’s menu is nothing short of a crash course in Romanian gastronomy, including home-made flatbread, mouth-watering platters and an impressive selection of local wines.

 

Therme Bucuresti

In Romania, only 10 minutes away from Bucharest, you’ll find Therme Bucuresti, the largest relaxation and entertainment centre in Europe. Dedicated to wellbeing and with a concept centred around wellness for the modern lifestyle, Therme Bucuresti offers luxury ambiance at affordable prices. The centre has 3 areas, over 40 daily activities included in the access fee, and attractions such as 10 saunas and mineral pools, 10 thermal pools, and a 1,6-kilometre indoor waterslide system. Using over 70 types of essential oils and various peeling and facemask treatments, Therme is turning a former luxury into an accessible, all-year-round experience for the public while improving health and the quality of life for all visitors. Kids will love the Galaxy area, filled with slides and a wave pool, while adults will enjoy the panoramic indoor pool, complete with a bar and a la carte restaurant in the Elysium area. Plan your visit today at therme.ro.

 

Fifty shades of green, paddle boats and chilling day trips

Discover the leafy side of life in Bucharest starting with its oldest park, Cișmigiu Gardens or Cișmigiu Park. Bucharestians’ favourite meeting spot features an artificial lake, perfect for paddle boating when it gets warmer and ice-skating in the winter months, shady benches for idle sitting around and a wealth of landmarks. King Michael I Park (Parcul Regele Mihai I) is situated on the northern side of Bucharest and embraces Lake Herăstrău, the largest of a dozen lakes formed along the River Colentina. The gorgeous green space encompasses Elisabeta Palace (Palatul Elisabeta), the island residence of the Romanian Royal Family, an open-air theatre, a yacht club, a sports club and a golf course. Do not miss Bucharest’s Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum (Muzeul Satului), a 100,000-square-metre open-air ethnographic museum that showcases traditional Romanian peasant life, plusalmost 300 authentic peasant farms and houses from all across the country. Just 10 kilometres outside Bucharest lies the Mogoșoaia Palace (Palatul Mogoșoaia), reflecting another Romanian tradition: the Brâncovenesc style, the country’s dominant artistic and architectural style in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Built between 1698-1702 by Constantin Brâncoveanu, the palace combines Romanian, Byzantine, Italian and Baroque elements, as well as intricate Brâncovenesc-style carvings.

 

Bucharest airport

Passenger flights land at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport, situated in Otopeni, 18 kilometres north of the city centre. The airport is easy to navigate, with an access corridor that connects the arrivals and departures terminals. Reach downtown Bucharest by bus no. 783, or Bucharest North railway station (București Gara de Nord) by either train or bus no. 780. Alternatively, car rental and taxi services are readily available outside the arrivals area.

 

Bucharest weather

Stretching out on the Romanian Plain, Bucharest has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°C, while in the summer the average temperature is 23°C, with the occasional extremes of up to 40°C in the city centre. Spring usually arrives late in Bucharest with the first warmer days in April. May and early autumn are generally considered to be the best time to visit the Romanian capital, with pleasant, sunny days and cooler nights.

FAQs for booking flights to Bucharest

How to get cheap flights to to Bucharest?

Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Bucharest flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest?

The ideal months to visit Bucharest are in Spring (March - April) when the parks are green and full of flowers, or in Summer (June - August) to see a few music festivals or in early fall (September to October) which has pleasant sunny days and cooler nights. Bucharest has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°C, while in the summer the average temperature is 23°C.

How to get from Bucharest Airport to Suceava Airport? 

To get to Suceava Airport from Bucharest Airport there are several options. By plane is the fastest—taking about 1 hour and 33 minutes. The cheapest option is by bus, which will take about 7 hours and 50 minutes. The third way would be by train, which will also run for about 6 hours and 52 minutes. Other means include driving, taking about 6 hours and 39 minutes, or taking a bus via Onești, which takes about 10 hours and 10 minutes.

How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Bucharest flight?

As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Bucharest flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.