Bucharest's main station... Click for location & city map
Bucharest has one main station, the imposing Gara de Nord (Bucureşti Nord), opened in 1872. I've always found the grand scale of the architecture somewhat dark and oppressive but it's improved in recent years.
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Bucharest Gara de Nord. Photo courtesy of Daniel Brvnišťan |
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Bucharest Nord station concourse running the whole width of the station, with the platforms lined up on the left and the main station exit to the right. Note KFC in the background. Courtesy of Eckart Spindler... |
Platforms...
The station is a terminus, with platforms numbered from 1 to 14 left to right as you stand on the concourse and look towards the platforms.
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Bucharest Nord station concourse. Note KFC in the background... Courtesy of Eckart Spindler... |
Ticket office...
International tickets are bought at ticket window 1 in a room marked Case de bilete with a large blue sign, see the photos below so you know what to look for. To find it coming from outside the station, simply walk in through the main station entrance in the colonnaded station facade (see topmost photo on this page) and it is in that broad passageway heading towards the platforms, on the right opposite a large pharmacy. To find it from the platforms, look for the passageway roughly opposite platforms 8 & 9, between MacDonald's and the information office. It's 50 metres down that passageway, just behind MacDonald's, on the left.
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The ticket office entrance, looking towards platform 8/9. Note the MacDonald's sign. |
Inside the Case de bilete, ticket window 1 is for international tickets. Photo courtesy of Deep Lidder. |
Left luggage & ATMs
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There's a left luggage office 50m past the Relay newsagents, and now privately-run luggage lockers too, see the left luggage page for prices. There are plenty of ATM cash points around the station.
Somewhere to eat...
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There is a MacDonalds, a KFC, a Subway & a Springtime inside the station, as well as many kiosks selling drinks and snacks. Further feedback appreciated!
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One suggestion is the Bistro Nord on the east side of the station closest to platform 14, see location. It serves inexpensive Romanian & Moldovan food, open 08:00-22:00, ideal for a meal before a sleeper departure.
Taxis & metro...
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You will see signs hanging from the roof pointing to the official station taxi rank at the front of the station For safety and right fares, Gara de Nord's authorized taxi station. Only use the official yellow taxis, ignore any touts. Do not use taxis (or cars that appear to be taxis) from anywhere else outside the station.
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Bucharest Nord has its own metro station on line M1 & M4. For a metro map & information see www.metrorex.ro.
Hotels...
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The Hotel Ibis Gara de Nord is walking distance from the station, inexpensive and gets decent reports. Search for other hotels in Bucharest.