Therme Bucharest (2026): Tickets, Prices & How to Get There
Therme Bucharest is one of the largest thermal wellness centres in Europe — and for travellers, its biggest secret is location. It sits just ~5 km (about 10 minutes) from Henri Coandă (Otopeni) airport, which makes it the only major Romanian thermal attraction you can realistically enjoy on a layover or on your arrival or departure day.
This guide covers everything a visitor needs: 2026 ticket prices in EUR (and RON), the three zones explained, opening hours and best times to go, and exactly how to get there — from the airport first, then from the city centre. You can also explore other spots on our interactive map of Romania's thermal baths.
Layover-friendly: Therme is under 15 minutes from OTP airport by taxi. With a 4.5-hour layover you can still squeeze in roughly 3 hours of spa time — and reception will store your big bags for free.
Therme Bucharest at a glance
| Location | Balotești, Ilfov — ~5 km from OTP airport, ~20 km N of Bucharest |
|---|---|
| Size | 140,000+ m² under one glass dome (opened 2016) |
| Zones | Galaxy (families) · The Palm (adults) · Elysium (saunas, all-access) |
| Water temperature | Main pool ~33°C; mineral pools 34–36°C |
| Tickets from | ~€14 (Galaxy, 3 hours, weekday) — dynamic pricing |
| Open | 365 days a year, from 09:00/10:00 until 23:00/00:00 |
What is Therme Bucharest?
Opened in 2016, Therme Bucharest is a vast thermal wellness and waterpark complex spread over more than 140,000 m² under a single glass dome, planted with hundreds of thousands of tropical plants. It is often described as one of Europe's largest wellness centres, and the climate inside stays summery all year — even when it's snowing outside.
The water is genuinely thermal: the main pool sits at around 33°C and the mineral pools run between 34 and 36°C. You'll find slides and a wave pool for families, palm-shaded relaxation pools for couples, and a premium sauna world for serious wellness fans — all in one building. For the full picture, see our dedicated Therme Bucharest location page.
The three zones: Galaxy, The Palm & Elysium
Therme is divided into three zones, and your ticket determines which ones you can enter. This is the single most important thing to understand before you buy.
A note on "Venus": you may see older guides mention a "Venus" area. That is a legacy name — in 2026 the adults' zones are The Palm and Elysium, alongside the family zone, Galaxy. There is no active Venus zone today.
1. Galaxy
Waterpark & funFamilies & all ages (only zone for children 3–14)
The energetic, family-friendly heart of Therme. Galaxy is a full waterpark with 16 slides, a wave pool, an outdoor pool and indoor thermal pools. If you are travelling with kids, this is your zone — and the only one children aged 3–14 are allowed into.
- •16 slides (about 1.7 km in total)
- •Wave pool, outdoor pool and a sandy beach
- •Indoor thermal pools
- •The only zone children under 14 can enter
2. The Palm
Tropical relaxationAdults & teens (14+)
Therme's tropical garden for grown-ups. The Palm centres on a big thermal pool (around 33°C) under a retractable roof, surrounded by warmer mineral pools at 34–36°C, hydromassage stations and more than 800,000 plants under the glass dome. A Palm ticket also includes access to Galaxy.
- •Large thermal pool (~33°C) under a retractable roof
- •Mineral pools at 34–36°C and hydromassage
- •Rainforest Sauna
- •800,000+ tropical plants and on-site restaurants
- •Ticket also includes the Galaxy zone
3. Elysium
Premium sauna worldAdults (14+)
The premium adults-only sauna world and the only ticket that unlocks the entire complex. Elysium has 10 themed saunas (including the newer Ad Astra from 2024 and Aegir from 2025), a panoramic mineral pool and a sunset deck. Buy Elysium and you can move freely across all three zones.
- •10 themed saunas, including Ad Astra (2024) and Aegir (2025)
- •Panoramic mineral pool and sunset deck
- •Quietest, most premium atmosphere
- •Ticket grants access to ALL THREE zones
Therme Bucharest prices in 2026 (EUR & RON)
Therme uses dynamic pricing: tickets cost more at weekends and during busy hours, and prices shift through the year. The figures below are a reliable guide for 2026 (weekday / weekend), with euros converted at roughly 1 EUR ≈ 5 RON. Always confirm the live price on the official site, therme.ro, before you go.
| Duration | Galaxy | The Palm | Elysium (all zones) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | ~€14 / €16 (71/81 RON) | ~€20 / €23 (97–117 RON) | ~€26 / €29 (132/147 RON) |
| 4.5 hours | ~€20 / €22 (101/111 RON) | ~€25 / €27 (127/137 RON) | ~€32 / €35 (162/177 RON) |
| Full day | ~€28 / €30 (141/151 RON) | ~€33 / €35 (167/177 RON) | ~€40 / €43 (202/217 RON) |
Ways to save: the Evening Special (Monday–Thursday, entry between 17:30 and 18:30, not on public holidays) drops Galaxy to about €13, The Palm to ~€18 and Elysium to ~€25. There's also a Morning Special (Monday–Friday until 11:30) with The Palm at roughly €15 for 3.5 hours. Students and seniors get 15–20% off, and booking online is usually 10–15% cheaper than at the door. Overstaying your time slot costs 8 RON (~€1.60) per extra 30 minutes.
Where to buy Therme tickets
The cheapest option is almost always the official site, therme.ro. If you prefer an English-language booking platform or want a combined ticket-and-transfer from the city centre, third-party sellers offer entry tickets (Headout from ~€35), entry + transfer bundles (GetYourGuide ~€46–55) and ticket + central pickup (GrayLine from ~€68). Prices vary — verify the current price before you buy. Note: if you're coming straight from the airport, the €5–6 taxi beats any transfer product.
Check Therme tickets & transfersOpening hours & the best times to go
Therme is open 365 days a year. Facilities close 30 minutes before the official closing time.
| Monday – Thursday | 10:00 – 23:00 |
|---|---|
| Friday – Saturday | 09:00 – 00:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00 – 23:00 |
For the calmest experience, aim for weekday mornings or the Evening Special slot. The busiest times are Saturdays and school holidays — if you can, avoid them, especially in the Galaxy waterpark zone.
How to get to Therme Bucharest
From Otopeni (OTP) airport — the easy win
This is Therme's superpower. The complex is only ~5 km from Henri Coandă airport, so a taxi, Uber or Bolt takes just 7–10 minutes and costs around €5–6 (26–32 RON). For budget travellers, bus 442 stops at the airport's departures area, takes about 15 minutes and costs just 3 RON (~€0.60) on a 90-minute ticket, running every 20–30 minutes (first bus around 05:30, last around 23:38). The old free shuttle has been discontinued, so don't rely on it.
From Bucharest city centre
From central Bucharest it's about 21 km. A taxi takes 25–45 minutes depending on traffic and costs roughly €18–22 (90–110 RON). By public transport, take bus 100 to Piața Presei, then bus 442 to Therme — around 50–60 minutes for about 6 RON (~€1.20). If you're driving, there's free on-site parking with 1,500+ spaces and EV chargers.
Planning to see more of Romania's spas? Our interactive map shows every thermal bath in the country, with directions and details.
Open the thermal baths mapPractical tips: wristband & what to bring
On entry you receive an electronic wristband. It unlocks your locker, opens gates and acts as your cashless wallet for food, drinks and rentals — you settle everything on the way out (spend is capped at 600 RON, ~€120, per visit). Your ticket includes the wristband, locker, all the pools and saunas in your zone, free parking and scheduled wellness activities.
What's NOT included (so pack or budget for it):
- •Towel — bring your own or rent one for ~€5–6.
- •Flip-flops — required; rent for ~€5 if you forget them.
- •Food & drinks, hydromassage beds and treatments are extra (charged to the wristband). No outside food is allowed.
- •A swimsuit is essential, and a shower before the pools is mandatory. Phones are not allowed in the pool areas.
Where to stay near Therme
Most visitors stay in central Bucharest and day-trip out to Therme, but if you have an early flight or want a spa-and-pool hotel right by the airport, there's one standout option in Otopeni.
RIN Airport Hotel
9.04★ · ~€70/nightOtopeni — close to OTP airport
The only spa-and-pool property near the airport, and a smart base for an arrival or departure day. It has an indoor pool, spa, sauna, jacuzzi, an on-site water park and a free airport shuttle — handy if you're catching an early flight after a Therme visit. Guest review score: 9.0, from around €70/night.
Check rates for RIN Airport HotelPrefer to be in the city, close to the old town and restaurants? Browse a wide range of central stays and pick what suits your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Therme Bucharest cost in 2026?
Prices are dynamic and change with day and time. As a guide, the Galaxy zone starts from about €14 for 3 hours on a weekday, while a full-day Elysium ticket (which includes all three zones) is around €40 on a weekday and €43 at weekends. Booking online is usually 10–15% cheaper. Always check therme.ro for live prices.
How do I get to Therme from Otopeni (OTP) airport?
Therme is only about 5 km from Henri Coandă (Otopeni) airport. A taxi, Uber or Bolt takes 7–10 minutes and costs around €5–6. Alternatively, bus 442 leaves from the departures area, takes about 15 minutes and costs 3 RON (about €0.60) on a 90-minute ticket.
Which Therme zone is best?
It depends on who you are. Families with young children should choose Galaxy — it is the only zone children aged 3–14 can enter. Adults who want relaxed tropical pools should pick The Palm, while sauna lovers and anyone wanting the full experience should buy Elysium, which grants access to all three zones.
Is a towel or locker included in the ticket?
A locker is included via your electronic wristband, but a towel is not — you can rent one for about €5–6. Flip-flops are required and can also be rented for around €5. Everything inside is cashless: food, drinks and rentals are charged to your wristband and paid on the way out.
Can I visit Therme on a short layover?
Yes. Therme is under 15 minutes from OTP airport, so it is realistic on a longer layover. The shortest ticket is 3 hours, so a layover of about 4.5 hours gives you roughly 3 hours of spa time once you account for transfers. Reception can store large bags for free.
The bottom line
Few airports in Europe put a world-class wellness centre ten minutes from the terminal. Whether you have a long layover, an early flight or simply a free afternoon in Bucharest, Therme Bucharest is an easy, affordable treat — from about €14 for three hours. Book online to save, go on a weekday morning if you can, and don't forget your swimsuit and flip-flops.