Metrorex is the operator of the underground metro in Bucharest and the second-largest operator of public transport in the capital, after STB which operates the trams and buses. The metro system has a length of 80.1 kilometers and has 64 stations. On an average weekday, Metrorex transports around 720,000 passengers.
History Of The Bucharest Metro
The first plans for the Bucharest metro were drafted in the late 1930s, but the outbreak of World War II and the following tensions around the new communist regime put an end to the plans. When the city continued its development the need for a mass rapid transit solution grew and on 25 November 1974 the plan for a first metro line was approved. Construction works started on 20 September 1975 and the first metro line opened on 19 November 1979. The metro ran between Semănătoarea (now Petrache Poenaru) and Timpuri Noi over a length of 8.1 kilometers and had 6 stations. In 1981 the M1 line (now M3) was extended with another 9.2 kilometers and 6 stations. The metro network continued its expansions and had 3 lines when the Communist regime fell in 1989. This didn’t stop the metro from expanding further as a fourth line opened in March 2000 and a fifth line in September of the same year. Current lines have been extended and there are also plans to expand the network further with more lines.
Bucharest Metro Lines
Metrorex currently runs 5 metro lines in Bucharest, with a 6th line planned to be opened in the coming years:
- M1 (Yellow Line): Circles around the center, including stops at Bucharest North Train Station and Union Square, and connects to the M2, M3, M4, and M5.
- M2 (Blue Line): North-South connection between Pipera and Berceni and connects to the M1 and M3.
- M3 (Red Line): West-East connection between Precizie and Anghel Saligny via Union Square and connects to the M1 and M2.
- M4 (Green Line): Runs between Bucharest North Train Station, where it connects with the M1, and Străuleşti in Bucharest Noi in the north-west.
- M5 (Orange Line): Runs between Râul Doamnei in the southeast and Eroilor where it connects with the M1. A further extention to Pantelimon in the east is currently under construction.
- M6 (Purple Line): A new line currently being constructed which will connect Bucharest North Train Station with the northern suburbs and the airport by 2027 (projected).
Future Plans Of The Bucharest Metro
The current metro network will continue to see an expansion as there are plans to extend existing lines further as well as plans for entireline new lines, some of which are already on its way. Here is an overview:
- M2 (Blue Line): A 1.6 kilometer extension to the south from Berceni station to the southern ring road (Tudor Arghezi station). This project is already under construction.
- M6 (Purple Line): A new line connecting Bucharest North Train Station with the northern suburbs and Bucharest International Airport – Henri Coandă. The first part of the line will follow the M4 until 1 Mai station from where the new line wil deviate towards the airport. The construction of the new infrastructure has already started.
- M2 (Blue Line): An extention of the line with another two stations to the north from Pipera is currently in the planning phase.
- M4 (Green Line): An extention from Bucharest North Train Station in southern direction towards the southern city limits at Progresul Train Station (Gara Progresul). This plan is currently in the tender phase.
- M5 (Orange Line): A 9.2 kilometer extension from Eroilor through the city center to Pantelimon is currently in the planning phase.
- M7 (New Line): A new 25 kilometer-long line between Bragadiru and Voluntari is being proposed.
- M8 (New Line): The idea of a new southern half-ring between Crângași, Piața Sudului, and Dristor is under consideration.
Schedules And Departure Information
You can find all the metro stations on Google Maps, which also shows live departure information. Another helpful tool is the mobile app called ‘Info Transport Bucharest’Â which you can download from the Apple or Google Play store. The app combines all public transport in Bucharest (including bus, tram, trolley, and metro) and shows live departure information for each stop. It also has a journey planner to find the best routes to get to your destination.
Hours Of Operation
The Bucharest metro operates between 5am and 11pm every day. At Union Square (Piața Unirii) in the old town, the metro lines M1, M2, and M3 wait for the transfer of passengers before the last train leaves the station.
Metro Fares And Tickets
Metro tickets are separate from the bus and tram tickets and can be purchased with cash or by card at the ticket offices and vending machines at every metro station. The price is unrelated to the distance traveled or wether you change lines and the following tickets are available:
- 1 journey: 3 lei
- 2 journeys: 6 lei
- 10 journeys: 25 lei
- 24 hour pass: 8 lei
- 72 hour pass: 20 lei
- Weekly pass: 30 lei
- Monthly pass: 80 lei
- (Half) yearly tickets and discounted passes for students at Romanian institutions are available as well.
Recently joint tickets for bus, tram, and metro have been introduced as well which are sold by Metrorex and STB:
- 1 journey (120 minutes): 5 lei
- 2 journeys (120 minutes): 10 lei
- 10 journeys (120 minutes) 45 lei
- 24 hour pass: 14 lei or 20 lei including the airport train
- 72 hour pass: 35 lei or 40 lei including the airport train
- Weekly pass: 50 lei
- Monthly pass: 140 lei / 210 including the airport train
