Flights from California to Bucharest have dropped well below $700 for late summer 2026
Bucharest offers massive architectural contrasts and an altogether different atmosphere from Western Europe. Here's how to get there from California for less than $700 this summer.
If you are looking at Eastern Europe for a late summer trip, right now is the time to start tracking airfare. As of our publishing date in late February 2026, flights from major California hubs to Bucharest, Romania, are showing a significant price drop for late August and September travel.
Travelers flying out of Los Angeles (LAX) between late August and mid-September can currently find round-trip fares for around $511 on Austrian Airlines. Departures from San Francisco (SFO) are slightly higher but still notable, with Air France and KLM offering routes near $608. Both options manage to avoid the grueling 27-hour layovers sometimes associated with budget European fares, keeping travel times between 14 and 16 hours each way.
These were the flight costs on Kayak on February 22nd, 2026.
To provide some context on what to expect on the ground, we pulled a few scenes from our staff trip to Bucharest last October.
The Staggering Scale of the Palace of the Parliament
Bucharest's architecture is defined by sharp historical contrasts.
The Palace of the Parliament anchors the landscape as the heaviest building in the world, weighing about 4.1 million tonnes. Its massive neoclassical facade and endless rows of windows dominate the area.
Even from the perimeter, bordered by wrought-iron fences and surveillance warnings, the sheer scale of the structure is a stark reminder of the country's mid-century political era.
People Watching at University Square
Bucharest has an undeniably cool street energy. While wandering through University Square, we spotted this incredibly stylish couple taking a break on the steps with their two beautiful Dalmatians.
The city is full of these quiet, fashionable everyday moments set against grand, classic architecture.
Architectural Contrasts
One of the most fascinating things about Bucharest is how different eras collide on the same street.
Here, you can see the ornate, golden spikes of the National Bank of Romania gate framing a very distinct, cylindrical communist-era apartment block in the background. It is a visual timeline of the city's past.
Golden Hour in Old Town
As the sun sets, the skyline over Old Town Bucharest turns a beautiful, soft orange.
This elevated view highlights the mix of historic church spires, weather-beaten rooftops, and newer developments that make up the heart of the city. It is the perfect time of day to grab a drink on a terrace.
The CEC Palace Illuminated
The Palace of the Deposits and Consignments, also known as the CEC Palace, is an absolute showstopper at night.
Built in the late 19th century, its glass dome and intricate archways are brilliantly lit up after dark. Standing across the street from it feels like looking at a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
