The Bucharest metro from Old Town is easiest to access at Universitate or Piața Unirii, with both stations on M2. Piața Unirii also serves M1 and M3, so it offers more line connections when you need to change trains.
- Nearest stations: Universitate and Piața Unirii.
- From the aparthotel: Piața Unirii 1 is about an 8-minute walk from an aparthotel in Bucharest Old Town.
- Network: Four listed lines serve Bucharest: M1, M2, M3 and M4.
- Tickets: A Metrorex financial report states a journey costs 5 lei; check current rules before travelling.
The nearest stations for Old Town
Universitate and Piața Unirii are the two practical metro stations to know for Old Town, and both sit on M2. The Metrorex network map identifies Universitate as a station on that line and Piața Unirii as a station on M1, M2 and M3.
Universitate station is in University Square. It opened on 24 October 1987, making it a long-established stop in the city centre. Piața Unirii is marked as an interchange between metro lines, which can help when your destination calls for a transfer.
From the aparthotel, the walk to Universitate takes about 12 minutes; Piața Unirii 1 takes about 8 minutes, and Piața Unirii 2 about 9 minutes. Those are separate station access points, so check which Piața Unirii platform or line you need before setting off.
Choosing between Universitate and Piața Unirii
Choose Universitate for M2, or Piața Unirii when you need its M1, M2 or M3 connections. The Metrorex map shows M2 linking the two stations, so you can also travel between them on the same line.
At Piața Unirii, the interchange provides a choice of three metro lines: M1, M2 and M3. Metrorex identifies M1 as Dristor–Pantelimon, M2 as Pipera–Tudor Arghezi, and M3 as Preciziei–Anghel Saligny.
For trips involving the railway station, the map shows Gara de Nord 1 on M1 and Gara de Nord 2 on M4, with a connection to the CFR railway station at Gara de Nord. A route that links Old Town, Calea Victoriei and the parks is covered in this one-day Bucharest itinerary.
Metrorex’s map distinguishes interchange stations where changing metro lines requires passing through payment gates. Follow the station signs and allow for that gate when planning a change. The map also identifies Zone 1 as Center and marks stations with facilities for passengers with disabilities using a special-gate-elevations symbol.
Tickets, fares and validating a journey
Metrorex’s financial report states that a metro journey costs 5 lei and that contactless bank-card payment at a designated gate or terminal has no additional fee. The report names contactless Mastercard, Maestro and Visa cards as accepted payment options.
Metrorex advises passengers not to bring other contactless bank cards close to the reader if they do not intend to pay by bank card. Check the official site before you go, since fare and payment details can change.
At an interchange, changing lines may involve passing through payment gates, as shown on the Metrorex map. Keep that in mind when you choose a route, and follow the station’s gate and line signs as you transfer.
Using the metro for major Bucharest sights
Use the Metrorex map to match a destination with the line serving it, then start from Universitate or Piața Unirii. The network map identifies M4 as Gara de Nord 2–Depou Străulești, while the M1 and M4 stations at Gara de Nord connect with the CFR railway station.
For a day that combines Old Town with places beyond the centre, Piața Unirii’s three lines give you more line options than Universitate’s M2 stop. The metro map also marks the central area as Zone 1, Center, which can help orient you while tracing a route.
For nearby places in Old Town, such as Stavropoleos Monastery and the National History Museum, the metro is not the only consideration: both are within walking distance of the aparthotel.
The Bucharest Municipal Museum at Palatul Suțu is another museum to include when planning time in the city centre. You can pair central sightseeing with metro journeys for destinations farther along the network.
FAQs
Which metro station is closest to Bucharest Old Town?
Universitate and Piața Unirii are the nearest stations named here. Piața Unirii 1 is about an 8-minute walk from the aparthotel.
Do Universitate and Piața Unirii share a metro line?
Yes. Both stations are on M2, and the Metrorex map shows M2 connecting them.
Can you change metro lines at Piața Unirii?
Yes. Piața Unirii is an interchange served by M1, M2 and M3. Metrorex’s map indicates that changing lines at interchange stations requires passing through payment gates.
How much is a Bucharest metro journey?
A Metrorex financial report states a fare of 5 lei per journey and no additional fee for contactless bank-card payment at designated gates or terminals. Check the official site before travelling for current fare details.
Is the metro useful for getting from Henri Coandă Airport to Old Town?
Airport arrival and metro travel around the centre are separate parts of a trip. The guide to getting from Henri Coandă Airport to Bucharest Old Town covers the airport-to-centre journey.