Flying from London to Bucharest: what you need to know
London has plenty of airports to start your journey from. Explore your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when planning your flight from London to Bucharest. London Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the city's other main bases.
Arrive in Bucharest at Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) or Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU).
Around 3 hours 15 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct London to Bucharest flight.
Bucharest's timezone is UTC+2, which makes Bucharest two hours ahead of London.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 15 flights a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from London to Bucharest is with British Airways at 20:05. Opt for the first LHR to OTP departure with British Airways at 08:45 to make the most of your first day in Bucharest.
To ensure you make it on your London to Bucharest flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Bucharest
Book ten months before travelling. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap London to Bucharest flights.
Plan your trip for March. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from London to Bucharest. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from London to Bucharest.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your London to Bucharest flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
If you're searching for a direct flight from London to Bucharest, you can leave from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Travel from LHR to Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) in one continuous trip.
Reserve your London to Bucharest plane tickets with British Airways. This carrier is a top pick for direct flights from LHR.
We make it simple to book a London to Bucharest flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from London Heathrow Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight with a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
LHR is around 26 kilometres from central London. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 25 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from London to Bucharest or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of all flights departing from London Heathrow Airport, 78% touch down on time at their destination.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
You can book a direct flight from London to Bucharest out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Nonstop connections from LGW will take you to Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP).
Book your direct London to Bucharest plane ticket with Anima Wings. This is one of the leading carriers that operates this route out of LGW.
Split up your London to Bucharest flight with a stop so you can freshen up or cross a new place off your list. Some great stopovers between London Gatwick Airport and Bucharest include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Budapest Airport (BUD)
With public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in around 45 minutes. The terminal is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from London to Bucharest? Check in to a hotel near London Gatwick Airport before your break officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
Flights from London Gatwick Airport have a track record for punctuality, with 83% of them touching down right on cue.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
Direct flights from London to Bucharest are offered by London Stansted Airport (STN). Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) is where you can expect to touch down.
Ryanair is one well-known airline that offers direct London to Bucharest plane tickets from STN.
Reserve a ticket from London to Bucharest departing from London Stansted Airport (STN) with a stop or two. Popular stopovers between STN and Bucharest include:
Vienna Airport (VIE)
Budapest Airport (BUD)
Pisa International Airport (PSA)
From central London, STN is around 48 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the airport by car and 45 minutes or so on public transport.
Make departure day worry-free — stay close to London Stansted Airport and know you'll be at your boarding gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you have an early London to Bucharest flight:
STN has an on-time performance rating of 80%. This means most of its flights land as expected and your trip runs like clockwork.
Arriving in Bucharest
Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP)
Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) is approximately 16 kilometres from the centre of Bucharest. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
It usually takes 35 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from London to Bucharest. Check in to one of these accommodation options near OTP instead:
Explore without limits with a Bucharest Otopeni Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Klass Wagen, Pricecarz or Surprice and experience more of Bucharest and beyond.
For the lowest price, book your ride from Bucharest Otopeni Airport around one week in advance of your London to Bucharest flight.
Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU)
The centre of Bucharest is about 8 kilometres from Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU). Once your flight from London to Bucharest has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 20 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 35 minutes or so.
There are some great places to call home for the night near BBU. Settle in and get cosy after your London to Bucharest flight at one of these perfectly located options:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Bucharest Baneasa Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Wheego, Abbycar or ecovia and get going in the blink of an eye.
Get the lowest price by securing your ride from BBU two weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Bucharest
March is the quietest month for flights from London to Bucharest, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to Bucharest based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
When booking your London to Bucharest tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Bucharest, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC (63ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -9ºC (16ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF). Search for cheap flights from London to Bucharest around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Bucharest
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Bucharest right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from London to Bucharest:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Caru' cu Bere, Museum of the Palace of the Parliament and National Bank of Romania Museum are must-do's during your Bucharest adventure.
Explore more of Romania
You've visited Bucharest, now it's time to discover more of Romania. Journey around 322 kilometres north to Iasi to tick off its must-visit sights. From Galata Monastery to The Catholic Cathedral Saint Mary and Monastery of the Three Holy Hierarchs, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of Romania, consider Cluj-Napoca, about 322 kilometres northwest of Bucharest. Saint Michael’s Church, Museum Square and Romanian Orthodox Church of Transfiguration are key highlights.
