Arriving at Bucharest Gara de Nord

If you arrive by train you will arrive at Gara de Nord. There are other stations in the city but they are of no interest to foreign visitors. Gara de Nord is OK as international railway stations go, but has the usual collection of hustlers, tramps and thieves to contend with.

There are ATMs, shops, kiosks and a McDonalds. To get to town take an honest taxi from outside (beware sharks) or take the metro: you are just two stops away from Piata Victoriei.

Gara de Nord Warning

None of Bucharest’s reputable hostels send people to Gara de Nord to speculatively meet trains. Anyone who approaches you (and if you have just got off the Budapest train and have a backpack, you will be approached) is trying to scam you: they will try and divert you from your intended destination (often by saying that the place you want to go to is closed) towards another hostel or hotel that they will recommend to you. Just ignore anything they say and wave them away.