Sukhoi Superjet 100 by Clay Gilliland via Flickr Creative Commons

Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport

Henri Coanda International Airport is the busiest of the airports serving Romania, with an annual passenger throughput of over five million. It’s located ten miles to the north of the city, and is locally known as Bucharest Otopeni International Airport. The headquarters of the Romanian national flag carrier TAROM, it’s also a hub for a number of charter and low-cost airlines. The single terminal is split into two buildings, one dealing with departures and the other with arrivals. Bucharest’s second airport, Aurel Vlaicu, was closed to commercial flights in March 2012.

As there are no direct flights from the US to the airport, travelers from America will need to fly to a European aviation hub such as London or Berlin and transfer to a connecting flight. UK visitors have the option of British Airways or TAROM from London-Heathrow, Wizz Air or Blue Air from London-Luton or a connecting flight from another European airport. Lufthansa flies from Berlin and Frankfurt. Aer Lingus flies from Dublin, Air France flies from Paris Charles de Gaulle and KLM flies from Amsterdam.

Passenger services at the terminal include banking, currency exchange and ATMs, internet access, a post office, baggage wrapping services, a pharmacy, car rental and parking, and a store providing cell phones and SIM cards on the GSM network. Assistance for the disabled can be arranged, and there is a good selection of cafes, bars and a restaurant in the departures lounge. A shopping hall offers duty free and duty paid goods including fashions and English language books. Onward transportation is by train, shuttle and express buses, taxi or hired car.

Romania has a good network of regional airports, most of which connect with Henri Coanda International Airport and several of which host flights from London-Luton with Wizz Air. Major European cities are also served, giving options for visitors who are basing their vacation outside Bucharest but would like to include several days’ sightseeing in the capital. Facilities at the airports are basic but, if time is short, they offer fast transportation over long distances.

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