Bucharest is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Bucharest works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The city has an airport, so you can fly in directly. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Bucharest, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 3 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Bucharest, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Bucharest starts at around €53 per night, with a typical rate near €89 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: InterContinental Athenee Palace Bucharest by IHG, 5-star, guest rating 9.6 from 2742 reviews, from €176 per night; ibis Styles Bucharest Erbas, 3-star, guest rating 9.2 from 3557 reviews, from €69 per night; Courtyard by Marriott Bucharest Floreasca, 4-star, guest rating 9.2 from 3081 reviews, from €77 per night; Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town, 4-star, guest rating 9.2 from 6124 reviews, from €96 per night; The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection, 5-star, guest rating 9.2 from 6760 reviews, from €159 per night.
Day trips & routes: Brasov — about 182 km, 2h 40m drive; Shumen (Bulgaria, cross-border) — about 224 km, 3h 14m drive; Craiova — about 232 km, 2h 39m drive. 1 of 3 routes cross a border — check the rental company's terms before you go.
Bucharest: what to know
Things to see: "Private Walking Tour: Essential Bucharest + Hidden Gems", rated 5 from 53 reviews, from €72; "Bucharest Old Town Party Night Out - Perfect for Hen/Stag Groups", rated 5 from 47 reviews, from €59.2; "Contrasts of Communism - Small Group Walking Tour in Bucharest", rated 5 from 45 reviews, from €35; "Private Tour to Dracula's Castle, Peles Castle from Bucharest", rated 5 from 43 reviews, from €138; "Private Day Trip from Bucharest: Dracula’s Castle, Peles & Brasov", rated 5 from 43 reviews, from €135.
Bucharest has its own airport, so a direct flight is the fastest way in. Getting around the city and out to the 3 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Bucharest is around €89, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Bucharest you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 3 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Romania, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
