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Cheap flights to Bucharest

As European capitals go, Bucharest is definitely an underrated one. With architecture harking back to its days as a communist state, colliding with classical designs and the Romanian’s love of American-inspired culture, the city is an eclectic mix of styles and influences. A truly unique spot for a weekend getaway.

When to book cheap flights to Bucharest

Romania is most popular during the summer months, when it enjoys fine weather. You should avoid travelling during the school holidays if you want to find cheap flights to Bucharest. The EUROPAfest international music festival, which takes place in May, is also a good time to avoid, unless of course you book in advance – you wouldn’t want to miss out on all the festivities after all!

Luckily, the city makes a great place to visit even in winter. The summer and winter seasons simply offer different sides to the city. With its fair share of indoor attractions, booking cheaper flights during the colder months won’t impact your visit, besides leaving you with a little more spending money.

How to find the best deals to Bucharest

Use the following tips when searching for cheap flights to Bucharest from the UK.

Firstly, make certain you use the ‘Show flexible dates’ option. You’ll find this located just above your search results.

Secondly, being flexible on departure location will also help. For this, use the ‘Nearby airports’ option under your selected departure location (or if you’re seeking flights from London, search from ‘All London airports’). These options will broaden the search parameters and hopefully help you find a better deal.

Finally, sort results by price, from lowest to highest, in order to see the cheapest deals at a glance.

UK departures to Bucharest

It’s possible to find both affordable and direct flights to Bucharest from various airports around the UK. Direct flights can be found from London, Birmingham and Glasgow. Flights from other UK locations are also available but will require a stopover.

Optimal flight times are as follows:

• London to Bucharest – 3 hours 15 minutes
• Manchester to Bucharest – 5 hours 5 minutes (no direct flights)
• Birmingham to Bucharest – 3 hours 20 minutes
• Glasgow to Bucharest – 3 hours 35 minutes
• Newcastle to Bucharest – 5 hours 5 minutes (no direct flights)
• Edinburgh to Bucharest – 5 hours 5 minutes (no direct flights)
• Belfast to Bucharest – 5 hours 20 minutes (no direct flights)

Main airports in Bucharest

All flights from the UK land at Henri Coanda International Airport, Romania’s busiest. Visitors hoping to find cheap flights will be pleased to learn that the airport serves as base of operations for a number of budget airlines.

Which airlines fly to Bucharest?

Over two dozen airlines fly to Bucharest from the UK, including:

• Lufthansa
• Tarom-Romanian Air Transport
• British Airways
• BlueAir
• Ryanair
• KLM
• Turkish Airlines

How to get around in Bucharest

Once you’ve landed in Bucharest, the easiest way to get into the city proper is by taxi – or if you’re on a budget, by bus. The 780 Express coach service runs regular shuttles from the airport to Gara de Nord, Bucharest’s main train station.

Once you’ve reached the Old Town, the surface transport system – comprised of buses, trams and trolleys – should cover most eventualities. Tickets are very affordable and are interchangeable between each form of transport. During rush hour, the underground Metro may be a better option. This has a separate ticketing system, but you’ll find it equally cheap.

What are the must-sees in Bucharest?

At the heart of Bucharest is the Soviet-era parliament building. This colossal and highly ostentatious palace has over 1,000 rooms, hinting (not so discreetly) at the communist penchant for bombastic design. The city’s architecture spans a great number of styles, including neo-classical and Art Deco.

A culture lover’s dream, Bucharest is also packed with world-class museums, including the National Museum of Romanian History and the National Museum of Art of Romania.

Perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy your break here, though, is to head to one of Bucharest’s parks or rooftop bars, where you can sip a cocktail and absorb a skyline bedecked with domed churches and ancient spires.

Tips for travelling in Bucharest

In terms of entry requirements, travelling to Bucharest should cause no major issues. No visa is required for British visitors, just a passport. To be on the safe side however, you may want to purchase travel insurance before you fly. You can also apply for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you don’t have one. This will cover you for any healthcare that may be required during your stay in Bucharest.