Route guide

Rome → Bucharest

1137 km · Italy to Romania · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €37+ by bus

How to travel from Rome to Bucharest

There are 4 ways to travel between Rome and Bucharest — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€83–245

Duration: 9h 29m

via Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo, CFR Călători

~16 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€37–100

Duration: 16h 15m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~32 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€80–256

Duration: 4h 1m

via Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways

~177 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€136–250

Duration: 12h 38m

~193 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Rome and Bucharest highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 1137 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Italy into Romania. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Rome to Bucharest — every option in detail

Rome to Bucharest by train

Trains link Rome (Italy) and Bucharest (Romania) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 9h 29m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo, CFR Călători.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €83 to €245. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 16 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 177 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~161 kg on this distance.

Rome to Bucharest by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Rome and Bucharest with a typical journey of 16h 15m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €37 when booked in advance, rising to €100 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Rome to Bucharest by flight

Flights between Rome and Bucharest take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 1m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways.

Typical fare range is €80–256. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 177 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Rome to Bucharest by car

The driving distance from Rome to Bucharest is approximately 1308 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 12h 38m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €136–250 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Italy–Romania border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 193 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Rome and Bucharest is approximately 1137 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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