Otopeni is a town in Ilfov County, adjoining Bucharest's northern boundary along the DN1, and includes the village of Odăile.
According to CNAB, Henri Coandă Airport passed 17 million passengers in 2025, an all-time record.
The airport is about 16.5 km from the city centre. By train to the North station, the ride takes about 20–25 minutes.
The M6 line will end at Aeroportul Otopeni station, with stations in the town too. As of 2026, its declared opening is 2029.
Flight paths, distance from the DN1, local authority, land register extract, and building plans nearby.
Otopeni: the short answer
Otopeni is a town in Ilfov County, right on Bucharest's northern boundary along the DN1 road, and Henri Coandă Airport, Romania's largest, lies within its limits. According to the 2021 census it has 21,750 residents. It suits frequent flyers and people who want a home close to the city, provided they check aircraft noise and DN1 traffic in advance.
"How long from home to the flight?"
When investors from abroad look at northern Bucharest, this is one of the first questions. Anyone planning to fly back and forth several times a year wants a short trip to the airport.
Otopeni is the extreme answer to that question: the airport is inside the town itself. But what is convenient for a passenger is not always convenient for a neighbour. So this guide covers both sides.
Otopeni in numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| County | Ilfov |
| Residents (2021 census) | 21,750 |
| Area | About 31.6 km² |
| Other settlement within the town | The village of Odăile |
| Main road | DN1, Bucharest–Ploiești |
| Airport | Henri Coandă (OTP), about 16.5 km from central Bucharest |
The population figures come from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Ilfov County as a whole grew by more than 150,000 residents between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, and Otopeni is part of that trend.
In terms of housing, Otopeni is a mix. During Ceaușescu's "systematization" period some of the old houses were replaced by four-storey apartment blocks, and alongside them today there are also detached houses and new residential complexes. So here too, as in Bucharest, the character of a street varies a lot from place to place.
The airport: the heart of Otopeni
Henri Coandă is Romania's busiest airport. According to Bucharest Airports (CNAB), it handled more than 17 million passengers in 2025, an all-time record. The national airline TAROM also has its headquarters here.
What this means for residents:
- Flights close by. The trip to the terminal is short, a real advantage for frequent flyers.
- Jobs. The airport and the companies around it are a significant employer in the area.
- Noise. In some neighbourhoods, especially near the take-off and landing paths, aircraft noise is noticeable.
The rule: visit the property at several times of day, and check where it sits relative to the flight paths, before you fall for the view.
What is convenient for a passenger is not always convenient for a neighbour.
Transport to Bucharest: today and tomorrow
Today there are several ways to get from Otopeni to the city centre:
- Train from the airport to the North railway station (Gara de Nord), run by CFR Călători and other operators. The ride takes about 20–25 minutes.
- Express bus line 100, from the airport to the city centre, around the clock.
- Car on the DN1, which is very congested at peak hours.
The big change is the Metrorex M6 metro line. It will start at 1 Mai station, run through Băneasa and end at Aeroportul Otopeni station, with stations inside the town of Otopeni as well. As of 2026, the declared opening date for the whole line is 2029, and it has already been postponed before. Buy on the transport that exists today, and treat the metro as a bonus when it arrives. For more on the line, see our guide to the M6 line.
Who Otopeni suits, and who less so
| Especially suited to | Less suited to |
|---|---|
| Frequent flyers, for work or family visits | People sensitive to noise |
| People working at the airport or nearby companies | People working in southern Bucharest |
| Those who want a house close to the city boundary | Those seeking rural quiet, lakes and forest |
| Those waiting for the metro to the airport | Anyone who cannot stand DN1 traffic |
What to check before buying in Otopeni
- Position relative to the flight paths. Visit in the morning, in the evening and at the weekend.
- Distance from the DN1 and from future M6 stations. Being close to the road is convenient, but also noisy.
- Local authority. Otopeni is a separate town from Bucharest, with its own property tax, planning and services.
- Land register extract. Make sure with the National Agency for Cadastre and Land Registration (ANCPI) that the property and the land are registered and free of charges.
- Building plans nearby. An empty plot next to your home could become a logistics warehouse or a residential complex.
Otopeni versus its neighbours to the north
People who like being near the airport but prefer less noise usually continue north along the DN1: to Balotești, Corbeanca and Snagov. There are more lakes and forests there, and more distance from the flight paths. In Balotești, for example, we built Compass on the Lake: about 10 minutes from the airport and about 25 minutes from central Bucharest. See also our guide to Balotești and our guide to Corbeanca and Snagov. And if you want to stay inside the city limits, look at Băneasa.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Otopeni?
Otopeni is a town in Ilfov County, adjoining Bucharest's northern boundary, along the DN1 road towards Ploiești. Henri Coandă Airport lies within its limits, about 16.5 km from central Bucharest.
How many people live in Otopeni?
According to the National Institute of Statistics' 2021 census, Otopeni has 21,750 residents. The town also includes the village of Odăile.
How do you get from Otopeni to central Bucharest?
By train from the airport to the North station, by express bus 100, or by car on the DN1. The M6 metro line, under construction, will connect Otopeni to the metro network and, as of 2026, has a declared opening date in 2029, a date that has already been postponed.
Is aircraft noise noticeable in Otopeni?
In some neighbourhoods, especially those close to the take-off and landing paths, yes. That is why it is important to visit the property at different times and check its position relative to the flight paths before deciding.
Is Otopeni part of Bucharest?
No. Otopeni is a separate town in Ilfov County, with its own local authority. This affects the annual property tax, planning and municipal services.
The bottom line
Otopeni offers something no other neighbourhood does: the airport inside the town. Frequent flyers will save time, and those who choose the street well will keep the noise to a minimum.
If you are weighing Otopeni, Băneasa and the towns north of the airport, book a 30-minute call with me. We will go through your routine and your travel together, and choose the area that fits them.
Moti Azulay, Compass Group Romania
Sources and data: National Institute of Statistics (INS), 2021 census · Bucharest Airports (CNAB), 2025 traffic data · Metrorex · CFR Călători · National Agency for Cadastre and Land Registration (ANCPI).
This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. The data and timelines apply to 2026 and may change. Before any transaction, check the property and the exact area with local experts.
Now you know more.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult local professionals before any transaction.
