Costineşti has no airport, no rapid intercity rail, and no toll road. It also takes most travellers about half a day to figure out which of the three reasonable routes is right for them. This is the short version, written for the first time you do it.
Airports: Constanţa vs Bucharest
Two airports realistically serve Costineşti.
- Constanţa (CND) — 52 km / ~45 minutes by car. The closer of the two, and the right choice if your origin city has a direct flight. Direct seasonal service from Vienna, Istanbul, London Luton, Berlin, Tel Aviv, and a small number of charter operators.
- Bucharest Otopeni (OTP) — 240 km / ~2h 30m by car. Romania's main international gateway. Use this if your origin city has no direct CND service. Far more flights, far more competitive fares, but a meaningful onward leg.
The short version: fly to CND if you can, OTP if you must. The €40–€80 you'll save flying to Bucharest is often eaten by the onward transfer.
From Constanţa airport
CND is a small airport — single terminal, no rail link. Three options to reach Costineşti:
- Taxi: 45 minutes, €40–€60. Official taxis at the rank. Confirm price before getting in.
- Pre-booked transfer: Slightly cheaper if booked at least 24h ahead. Many hotels (including us) arrange this.
- Bus + transfer: Cheap but slow. Bus to Constanţa city, change to the Constanţa–Mangalia line. Total time around 2 hours. Not recommended with luggage.
From Bucharest
Two and a half hours by car under good conditions, four hours on the worst summer Friday afternoons.
By car
The A2 motorway runs Bucharest to Constanţa. From Constanţa, the DN39 takes you south along the coast to Costineşti. The motorway is fast but tolled, and absolutely jammed on Friday afternoons in July and August. Travel before 11:00 or after 21:00 if you can choose.
By coach
FlixBus and several Romanian operators run Bucharest–Costineşti coaches in season. Around 3.5 hours, €15–€25. Drop-off in the centre of town, walking distance to most hotels including Luna Marina.
By train
CFR (Romanian railways) runs a few daily services between Bucharest and the coast. The best option for Costineşti is the Bucharest–Mangalia line, which stops at Gara Costineşti. From the station to Luna Marina it is a 500 m walk.
- Travel time: 3h 15m – 4h 30m depending on the service.
- Price: ~€18–€32 second class.
- Frequency: 3–6 services per day in summer.
- Booking: cfrcalatori.ro in English.
For solo travellers and couples without much luggage, the train is the most pleasant option from Bucharest. The arrival into Costineşti, walking the last 500 metres to the hotel with the sea suddenly to your left, is one of the better travel moments on the Romanian coast.
500 m from Gara Costineşti
If you're arriving by train, we're a seven-minute walk from the platform. We'll meet you at the station with a hand on your bag if you let us know your arrival time.
Join the waitlist →Should you rent a car?
Honest answer: only if you plan to leave Costineşti during your stay. The town is small, the festival is walking distance, the beach is walking distance, restaurants are walking distance. A car becomes useful for:
- Day trips to the Danube Delta (worth doing, 2 hours each way).
- The Cap Aurora / Olimp / Neptun resort string south of town.
- A meal at one of the rural wineries inland.
If none of those apply, a car is a parking headache during festival week.
Once you're in Costineşti
The town is small enough that you'll have it mapped within a day. Everything you need — the beach, the main festival gate, the obelisc, the train station, two grocery stores, and our front door — fits inside a 700 m radius from the central square.
If you're staying with us, here are the walking times you'll repeat most:
- To the beach: 2 minutes (130 m)
- To the Beach Please main gate: 4 minutes (350 m)
- To the train station: 7 minutes (500 m)
- To the obelisc: 3 minutes
FAQ
Can I drive directly from Bucharest airport?
Yes. From Otopeni take the A3 to the A2, follow signs to Constanţa, then south on the DN39. Around 3 hours.
Are there charging stations for EVs?
One Tesla supercharger at Mamaia (25 km north). Limited Type 2 chargers in Constanţa city. If you're driving an EV, plan a charge on the way down.
What about ferries from Constanţa?
There are no passenger ferries from Constanţa to Costineşti. Constanţa is a cargo and cruise port; nothing scheduled connects the two by sea.
Best month to visit outside festival week?
Late August into early September. The weather is still summer, the crowds are gone, the prices drop sharply.