Bucharest North Train Station (București Gara de Nord) is the main railway station in Bucharest, located on Piața Gării de Nord. All major trains to and from Bucharest originate from this railway station, which is also the largest in Romania.
History Of Bucharest North Train Station
The station was built between 1868 and 1872 under the reign of King Carol I, and the first train left the station on the line between Roman-Galați–Bucharest–Pitești on 13 September 1872. Initially built as a U-shape, the train station was later extended with a new wing and a “Royal Hall” to celebrate the visit of the Austrian-Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph. Later, a second building, called “The Columns”, was also added, which nowadays faces the square with the taxi ranks.
The station played an important role in the supply lines during World War II and was therefore bombed by the Allies in 1944. Restoration took place after the war and under the communist regime, the station was given further upgrades, such as electrification. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the station was also temporarily used to host Ukrainian refugees arriving by train.
Train Companies And Routes At Bucharest North Train Station
There are multiple railway companies operating trains running to and from Bucharest North Train Station:
- CFR Călători is Romania’s national railway company and the largest operator of train routes at Bucharest North Train Station, including regional lines and long-distance services to almost all major cities in Romania, including Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Constanța, Iași, Suceava, Timișoara North, Arad, and to Bucharest International Airport.
- Regio Călători operates direct trains to Brașov and Constanța.
- Transferoviar Călători operates direct several regional and long-distance rail services, including to Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Oradea, Buzău, Galați, Constanța, Târgoviște, Roșiori Nord, Fetești, and Bucharest International Airport.
- Astra Trans Carpatic operates long-distance routes to Brașov and Arad, and a regional line to Titu.
- Softrans operates the route Brașov–Bucharest North–Craiova.
You can find live departure and arrival information on the website of Căile Ferate Române.
Buying Train Tickets At Bucharest North Train Station
Where you can buy your tickets depends on the rail company you’re traveling with, but in most cases, you can buy them either at the train station or online.
- CFR Călători: Tickets can be bought at one of the ticket counters or vending machines inside the train station, via certified travel agencies, or online via the website of CFR Călători or their mobile app.
- Regio Călători: Tickets can be purchased at their ticket office at the train station or online via their website.
- Transferoviar Călători: Tickets can be purchased at their ticket office at the train station, via their website, or mobile app.
- Astra Trans Carpatic: Tickets can be purchased at their ticket office at the train station or online via their website.
- Softrans: Tickets can be bought online via their website.
Getting To And From Bucharest North Train Station
Bucharest North Train Station is located in the North Railway Station neighborhood in the northwest of the city. If you are arriving at the airport, you’re most likely to take the train to Bucharest North since that’s the fastest way to get into the city. By foot, it’s a 35-minute walk from the train station to the old town in the center of Bucharest, but there are several other options to get to your destination.
The train station has two metro stations that are connected underground. The M1 metro line stops at metro station Gara de Nord 1, and brings you to the center, while the M4 line stops at Gara de Nord 2 and goes into the northwestern suburbs. The train station is also served by tram lines 44 and 45 and several bus lines. You can buy bus and tram tickets at the ticket booth on Piața Gării de Nord, but you can also pay contactless with your bank card, via the mobile app 24Pay or via SMS.
The taxi stand can be found on Piața Gării de Nord and ridesharing apps Bolt and Uber are also available for rides in Bucharest.
- Tip: Find more information about how to get around in Bucharest in our Bucharest Transportation Guide.
Facilities At Bucharest North Train Station
Since Bucharest North Train Station is the largest railway station in Romania there are many facilities, including public toilets, ticket offices, luggage storage, ATMs, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, kiosks and a supermarket on the premises.
