Often called the “Little Paris of the East,” Romania’s vibrant capital pairs Belle Époque boulevards and monumental architecture with one of Europe’s most affordable city-break scenes. Whether you are heading out for lively Old Town nightlife or spending a full day lounging under indoor palms at Europe’s largest thermal wellness complex, unbundling the trip direct keeps costs exceptionally low.
By pairing direct London Stansted flights with a sleek, central one-bedroom apartment, you can secure 3 days away for £87 per person (£174 total for two).
The Cost Breakdown (Based on 2 Sharing)
| Item | Total Cost (2 People) | Cost Per Person | Notes |
| Direct Return Flights | £120.00 | £60.00 | London Stansted ➔ Bucharest with Ryanair |
| Central 1-Bed Apartment | £54.00 | £27.00 | 2 nights at Comfort Elegance in Bucharest Center |
| Fixed Baseline Total | £174.00 | £87.00 | Flights + accommodation secured |
| Est. Daily Spending | ~£80.00 | ~£40.00 | Traditional Romanian grills, local beers, coffee & metro |
| Realistic Trip Total | ~£254.00 | ~£127.00 | All-in for 3 full days away |
1. The Flights: London Stansted to Bucharest
- Airline: Ryanair (Operated by Malta Air)
- Route: London Stansted (STN) ➔ Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP)
- Price: £60 return direct per person (£120 total for two)
- Outbound: 13:40 (STN) ➔ 18:50 (OTP) – 3h 10m direct
- Inbound: 19:25 (OTP) ➔ 20:45 (STN) – 3h 20m direct
Why this flight timing is ideal: The return flight doesn’t leave Bucharest until 19:25 on Wednesday evening. You get almost the entire third day in the city or at the spa before heading to the airport, maximising your trip while only paying for two nights’ accommodation.
Getting from Bucharest Airport (OTP) to the City Centre
- Airport Train (CFR): Runs 24/7 directly from the terminal station to Gara de Nord in just 20–25 minutes for around 5.50 RON (~£1). From Gara de Nord, hop straight onto the Metro Line M1/M4.
- Express Bus (Line 100): Operates frequently around the clock directly from arrivals to central hubs like Piața Romană and Piața Unirii for 3 RON (~50p).
- Bolt / Uber: Extremely reliable and inexpensive in Bucharest, typically costing £10–£14 directly to your apartment door.
2. The Stay: Comfort Elegance in Bucharest Center
Skip cramped hotel rooms—this booking secures a modern, spacious private apartment close to the central metro network.
- Property: Comfort Elegance in Bucharest Center
- Location: Strada Nerva Traian 27-33, Sector 3, Bucharest (Rated 9.1 Superb on Booking.com)
- Total Cost: £54 for 2 nights (£27 per person based on two sharing)
- Layout: 646 sq ft private one-bedroom apartment featuring an extra-large double bed, private balcony, ensuite bathroom with a full bathtub, and courtyard view.
- Amenities: Fully equipped private kitchen with stovetop, microwave, and refrigerator, plus air conditioning, washing machine, flat-screen TV, and free high-speed Wi-Fi.
The apartment features a unique glass-enclosed bathroom design, modern open layout, and quick access to nearby supermarkets (Mega Image) and local metro stops (Timpuri Noi).
What to Do in Bucharest
- Therme București: Europe’s largest thermal wellness complex and botanical indoor garden, located just north of the city. Spend half a day lounging in heated outdoor pools, indoor mineral lagoons surrounded by hundreds of real palm trees, and themed saunas (entry tickets start around £18–£25).
- Lipscani (The Old Town): A completely pedestrianised historic maze packed with lively cobblestone alleys, street performers, historic passageways like Macca-Vilacrosse, and buzzing outdoor terraces.
- Palace of the Parliament: The world’s second-largest administrative building, a colossal monument built during Nicolae Ceaușescu’s regime boasting over 1,000 rooms of marble and crystal chandeliers.
- Cărturești Carusel: One of Europe’s most photographed bookshops, housed inside a restored 19th-century white-columned bank building complete with curved balconies and a top-floor bistro.
- Romanian Food & Drink Scene: Grab a table at the iconic Caru’ cu bere or Hanu’ lui Manuc for steaming plates of mici (grilled minced meat rolls served with mustard), sarmale (cabbage rolls with polenta), and fresh local draft beer for around £8–£12.
Prices and availability are accurate at the time of publication and based on two sharing. Fares and rates fluctuate dynamically with third-party providers and can change at any time. We are an independent travel platform and do not sell tickets or process bookings directly.