After midnight at OTP, metered local taxis get you out fastest
At Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP) Terminal 1, metered local taxis are the straightest line from baggage claim to the city when you land late, don’t want to fuss with apps, and have a 20 kg suitcase dragging behind you. Rides into central Bucharest (Universitate/Piața Romană area) usually run around 40–70 RON depending on traffic and time of day, and the meter legally starts at a posted per‑km rate printed on the taxi doors.
OTP has a rough reputation in reviews, but the taxi process itself is simple: after customs in Terminal 1, walk about 80–100 meters to the official taxi ordering kiosks in the public arrivals hall. These touchscreen machines print a ticket that shows the taxi company name, car number, and the per‑km tariff, which often ranges between 1.69 and 3.50 RON per km; keep that slip in hand until you’re in the car.
You pay the driver in cash RON at the end of the ride, and many cars now also accept card, though you should not rely on it at 02:00 when machines and terminals like to fail. A typical trip from OTP to the Old Town takes 25–40 minutes to cover roughly 18 km, with weekend nights skewing longer because of city traffic on DN1 and through Piața Victoriei.
Watch out for taxis loitering directly at the arrivals curb or approaching you inside the terminal; these often charge inflated flat fares, sometimes over 150 RON to the center instead of the metered 40–70 RON bracket. Stick to cars that match the plate and company printed on your kiosk ticket, and confirm the per‑km tariff on the rear door sticker before the driver pulls away from the airport forecourt.
If you land during peak evening banks, plan for a 5–15 minute wait at the OTP kiosks as passengers from several A320 and 737 flights queue up. Build the buffer if you have dinner booked in the Old Town at 20:00, and keep a 10 RON note ready for the short airport parking exit fee some drivers may ask you to cover on the way out.
- Step 1: Exit customs into Terminal 1 arrivals and walk 80–100 meters straight ahead to the official taxi kiosks.
- Step 2: Use the touchscreen to request a car; take the printed ticket showing company name, car number, and per‑km rate.
- Step 3: Go outside to the arrivals curb and match the license plate and company on your ticket to the approaching taxi.
- Step 4: Check the door sticker for the same per‑km tariff (around 1.69–3.50 RON per km) and confirm the meter is on before leaving the curb.
- Step 5: On arrival in Bucharest, pay the metered fare in RON, aiming for 40–70 RON into the center, then grab a receipt if you need one for expenses.
One last tip: pull 100–150 RON from the OTP ATM before heading to the kiosks so you’re not arguing about card terminals in a dark taxi at 01:30 on DN1.