Bucharest is served by two main airports: Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), the primary hub, and Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (BBU), used for limited business and budget flights. This dual-airport system provides arriving travelers with a wide range of options from across Europe and the Middle East, fostering competitive pricing — especially on regional routes from Western and Eastern Europe.
The most frequent and affordable flights into Bucharest come from major Western European hubs and popular city-break destinations. Top arrival routes include London (LTN, STN, LGW), Milan (BGY, MXP), Barcelona (BCN), Brussels Charleroi (CRL), and Munich (MUC). There is also strong connectivity from key regional cities like Istanbul (IST, SAW), Tel Aviv (TLV), and Dubai (DXB), as well as numerous seasonal beach arrivals from around the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (e.g., Antalya, Heraklion, Burgas).
Bucharest is a major operational base for the Romanian national carrier, TAROM, and a significant focus city for the low-cost giant Wizz Air. Ryanair, Blue Air (when operational), and easyJet also maintain a strong presence, bringing in passengers from dozens of European cities. Major European network carriers like Lufthansa (from Frankfurt, Munich) and British Airways (from London) provide essential hub connections, but they are rarely the cheapest option for point-to-point arrivals. This mix of airlines creates a highly competitive arrival market, especially on routes from London, Milan, Barcelona, and Brussels.
To secure cheap flights to Bucharest from European destinations, book 2–3 months in advance. Subscribe to Wizz Air and Ryanair newsletters for exclusive promo deals — these airlines often have flash sales with fares as low as €10–20 from select cities. Always compare prices from both OTP and the smaller BBU airport (though BBU has very limited service). Flying into Bucharest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays is typically cheaper than on weekends or Mondays. For long-haul travel from North America, Asia, or elsewhere, consider booking a budget flight to a major Western European hub like London (LGW/LTN) or Frankfurt (FRA) first, then a separate low-cost ticket to OTP — this split strategy often undercuts a single through-fare on TAROM or a network carrier by a significant margin.