The office district around Pipera and Aurel Vlaicu stations is inside Bucharest. Residential Pipera belongs to the town of Voluntari.
Pipera station, the northern terminus of the M2 line, opened in 1987 to serve the industrial estate that stood here.
The American, British and Japanese schools operate in Voluntari. That is why many families choose Pipera.
The town of Voluntari, home to residential Pipera, has 47,366 residents according to the 2021 census.
Local authority, street infrastructure, nearby planning, land register extract, and the rush-hour commute.
Pipera, Bucharest: the short answer
Pipera is an area in northern Bucharest that grew from an industrial zone into one of the city's largest office and residential hubs; its residential part belongs to the town of Voluntari in Ilfov County. It suits families whose children attend one of the area's international schools and people who work in its offices. Its main drawback: heavy traffic at rush hour.
"Pipera is where the foreigners live, right?"
Quite a few conversations with investors start that way. My answer: yes, but not only. Pipera is home to foreign and Romanian families, to office workers, and to anyone who wants an international school a short drive away.
Pipera, Bucharest is not one neighborhood but two areas sharing one name, and it is worth understanding the difference before you look at a property.
Two Piperas: the offices and the homes
Office Pipera lies inside Bucharest's city limits, around the Pipera and Aurel Vlaicu stations on the M2 metro line. This is where international companies have their office towers, alongside new apartment complexes.
Residential Pipera is a neighborhood of the town of Voluntari, just across Bucharest's northern boundary. According to the 2021 census (INS), Voluntari as a whole has 47,366 residents. Here you will find villas, houses and gated communities.
Why does this matter? Because the local authority sets the annual property tax, the planning rules and the municipal services. A property in Voluntari and one in Bucharest, a few hundred metres apart, may be subject to different rules. For more on the annual tax, see our guide to annual property tax in Romania.
How Pipera became what it is
Pipera station on the Metrorex network, the northern terminus of the M2 line, opened in 1987 to serve the large industrial estate that stood here. That industrial estate was itself built on the site of an interwar airfield.
After industry closed down, and especially from the mid-1990s, the area went through a rapid building boom of houses, offices and shopping centres. Growth outpaced infrastructure: streets, water and power did not always keep up. That is why, in Pipera, the difference between one street and the next can be large.
International schools: why families come
Three well-known international schools operate in Voluntari:
- American International School of Bucharest, on the Pipera boulevard.
- British School of Bucharest, in Voluntari.
- The Japanese School of Bucharest.
For a family with children at an international school, living within walking distance or a short drive saves hours every week. For the international schools across the city, see our guide to international schools in Bucharest.
Pipera is a logical choice for people whose routine is already there.
Transport and traffic: the drawback everyone knows
This is Pipera's weak spot. The roads linking it to the city centre are very congested in the morning and evening.
What helps:
- The M2 metro from Pipera and Aurel Vlaicu stations straight to the city centre.
- Voluntari's local bus network, alongside Bucharest's public transport lines.
- Living near your workplace or school, so the daily trip is short anyway.
One more point worth knowing: the M6 line, under construction to link the city with Henri Coandă Airport, does not pass through Pipera. Its route runs further west, through Băneasa and Otopeni.
The rule: test the commute at the hour you will actually travel, not on a Saturday afternoon.
Who Pipera suits, and who less so
| Especially suited to | Less suited to |
|---|---|
| Families with children at a local international school | People who work in the south or west of the city |
| People working in Pipera's offices or nearby | Those who want street life and cafés on foot |
| Buyers of a new apartment in a complex, or a house in the north | Anyone who cannot stand traffic |
| Those who want to be relatively close to the airport | Those seeking rural quiet and lakes |
What to check before buying in Pipera
- Which authority the property is in: Bucharest or Voluntari. It affects the annual tax, planning and services.
- Street infrastructure: water, sewage and gas connections, and the state of the road, not only the building itself.
- Planning nearby: what is planned on the neighbouring plot. The answer is in the local authority's urban plans.
- Land register extract: check with the National Agency for Cadastre and Land Registration (ANCPI) that the property and the land are registered and free of charges.
- The rush-hour commute: to work, to school and to the airport.
Pipera versus the alternatives in the north
Pipera is one of several options in northern Bucharest. Băneasa is quieter, greener and close to the forest. The suburbs beyond the airport, such as Otopeni and Balotești, offer houses with gardens and lakes, at the cost of a longer drive to the centre. In Balotești, for example, we built Compass on the Lake: about 25 minutes from central Bucharest and about 10 minutes from the airport. For an overview of all the areas, see our guide to the best neighborhoods in Bucharest.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pipera part of Bucharest?
Partly. The office district around the Pipera and Aurel Vlaicu metro stations is inside Bucharest, while the residential neighborhood of Pipera belongs to the town of Voluntari in Ilfov County. Before buying, check which authority the property falls under.
Is there a metro in Pipera?
Yes. Pipera station is the northern terminus of the M2 line, and Aurel Vlaicu station is next to it. Both connect the area to the city centre, but the residential neighborhoods in Voluntari are further away from them.
Which international schools are near Pipera?
The American International School of Bucharest, the British School of Bucharest and the Japanese School of Bucharest all operate in Voluntari. Other schools are spread across the north of the city.
Is there traffic in Pipera?
Yes, and it is its main drawback. Roads to the city centre are congested at peak hours, so it pays to live close to work or school, or to use the metro.
Is Pipera good for families?
It suits families with children at the area's international schools especially well. Those looking for quiet, green space and lakes may also want to look at Băneasa and the northern Ilfov suburbs.
The bottom line
Pipera, Bucharest is a logical choice for people whose routine is already there: work, school or both. It suits less well those who need to cross the city every morning.
If you are weighing Pipera, Băneasa and the northern suburbs, book a 30-minute call with me. We will go through your routine and see which area fits it, even if you do not end up buying from us.
Moti Azulay, Compass Group Romania
Sources and data: National Institute of Statistics (INS), 2021 census · Metrorex · National Agency for Cadastre and Land Registration (ANCPI) · American International School of Bucharest · British School of Bucharest.
This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. The data applies to 2026. 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.
