Henri Coandă International Airport, widely known as Otopeni, is Romania’s busiest and most important airport, and the only one handling long-haul flights consistently. With over 14 million passengers per year, it should operate as a modern regional hub. In practice, it remains a transit point with aging infrastructure, limited space, and patchwork upgrades that lag behind growing demand.

The terminal is divided between the original building—partially modernized—and newer extensions, which lack architectural and functional consistency. The Departures area is relatively well managed, although long queues at security and check-in counters are common during peak hours. The Arrivals area shows clearer signs of strain: frequent delays in baggage delivery, long passport control lines, and an undersized waiting space.

Facilities are modest for an international airport. The retail offering is limited and repetitive, food options are expensive and uninspired, and signage is often unclear. Accessibility for travelers with reduced mobility is inconsistent and not always up to European standards.

Connectivity with Bucharest improved slightly with the introduction of a direct train line to Gara de Nord, but infrequent service and poor integration with local transit limit its usefulness. Buses are slow and overcrowded, and the designated pick-up area for taxis and ride-sharing services is poorly marked and disorganized.

Although several expansion and modernization projects have been announced—some recycled regularly in official statements—actual progress remains slow. The lack of a unified plan and the sluggish pace of investment have turned Henri Coandă into a functional but overstretched airport, barely keeping up with its role.

How to get there: The airport is located about 17 km north of downtown Bucharest. You can reach it by direct train (Otopeni – Gara de Nord, ~20 minutes, every 30–40 minutes), bus 783 (from Piața Unirii), bus 784 (from Piața Victoriei), or by taxi or rideshare, with pickup at the Arrivals terminal. Road traffic is often congested, especially during rush hours.

For many travelers, Otopeni is Romania’s first impression. And right now, it’s not a great one.