Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Public Transport
Bucharest's public transport system of metros, buses, trams and trolleybuses is operated
by the transport authority
RATB
(Regia Autonomă de Transport Bucureşti; info
021-9391;
www.ratb.ro
)
. The system runs daily from about 5am to approximately
11.30pm.
For buses, trams and trolleybuses, buy tickets at any RATB street kiosk, marked
'casa
de bilete',
located at major stops and public squares. Tickets for standard buses cost 1.30
lei per trip and are sold in two-ticket increments for 2.60 lei. Tickets for a small number of
express buses, such as bus 783, which goes to the airport, cost 7 lei (good for two jour-
neys). Punch your ticket on board or risk a 50 lei on-the-spot fine.
Metro stations are identified by a large letter 'M'. To use the metro, buy a magnetic-
strip ticket available at ticketing machines inside station entrances (have small bills
handy). Tickets valid for two journeys cost 4 lei. A 10-trip ticket costs 15 lei. The metro is
a speedy way of moving up and down the central north-south corridor from Piaţa Victor-
iei to Piaţa Unirii, passing through the convenient stations of Piaţa Romană and Universit-
ate. The metro is also useful for travelling from the Gara de Nord to the centre of town
and back.
Taxi
Rogue drivers are still a problem, so watch for rip-offs. Always opt for a cab with a meter,
and avoid the guys who line up outside the Gara de Nord as well as at Piaţa Unirii, the
Inter- Continental Hotel and just outside the main arrivals hall at Henri Coandă Interna-
tional Airport.
Drivers are required to post their rates on both the passenger- and driver-side doors.
The rate in an honest cab ranges from 1.40 lei to 1.80 lei per kilometre. Any fare signific-
antly higher is a sign the taxi is a rip-off and should be avoided.
It's best to call one in advance - or have a restaurant or hotel call one for you. Reput-
able companies include
Cobalcescu
( 021-9451;
www.autocobalcescu.ro
)
,
CrisTaxi
(
021-9461;
www.cristaxi.ro
)
and
Meridian
( 021-9444;
www.meridiantaxi.ro
)
.
