Bucharest has hundreds of bus and trolleybus routes, and tens of trams, serving every part of the city as well as several suburban villages and outposts.

Buses and trams run at infrequent intervals from very early in the morning (around 04:30) to around 22:50 (earlier at weekends), after which the night buses take over (24 lines). These serve all areas of the capital throughout the night, with all routes departing from Piata Unirii. Most night bus lines run at hourly intervals.

In Bucharest, surface transport includes an extensive bus system, trolleybuses, trams, and an easy subway line. The transport network is among the densest in Europe, ensuring the transport of millions of travellers by making them available more than 120 bus lines, 13 trolleybus lines and 22 tram lines, including the light rail.

The ticketing is different for the street transport (buses, trams, and trolleybuses) and the subway system.

To use buses, trams, or trolleybuses, you must first purchase an ‘Activ‘ or ‘Multiple’ magnetic card (EUR 0.80) from any STB street kiosk, which you then load with credit that is discharged as you enter the transport vehicles. Trips cost EUR 0.60 each, and you can travel for 90 minutes between the lines. The minimum amount of credit you can buy is EUR 1. Children under seven ride free. One has to validate the card each time one enters the tram or bus. Travelling without a validated card risks a EUR 17 on-the-spot fine. Cards can be topped up as needed at any STB kiosk.

Map the routes of surface public transport, which can be viewed on Info TB, very useful for those on a in Romania’s Capital.

The subway network also provides passenger transport in Bucharest, which is among the most used public transport systems.

The network consists of five lines: M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5. The system has a 77 km length and 63 stations, with an average distance of 1.5 km between stations.

The route map can be found on metrorex.ro, subway website, but also explanatory maps are conveniently shown in the subway stations and even in the trains themselves. The use of the subway system in Bucharest is based on a magnetic card, which can be purchased from the subway stations, which entitles either a fixed number of trips over a more extended period or to an unlimited number of trips per one fixed period.

Magnetic cards for subway access cannot be used for journeys by public transport to the surface.

The passengers’ access to the subway stations is between 5.00 and 23.30, and trains with a frequency of 5 to 15 minutes depending on the hours.

Ride-sharing apps like Uber, Bolt, and Black Cab are well-established in Bucharest and represent a good alternative to taxis. Prices (around EUR 0.50 per kilometre) are about the same as for standard yellow cabs, while standards are far higher.