Cheapest months to fly to Craiova
Craiova fares follow a pretty predictable rhythm once you know what you're looking at. Prices spike hard in July and August when the Romanian diaspora — particularly from Spain and Italy — flies home for summer. Birmingham travelers see the same surge around Orthodox Easter, which shifts year to year and catches a lot of people off-prepared. The sweet spot is shoulder season: late September through November and again in February. Fewer people competing for seats means airlines drop fares noticeably, sometimes by 40% compared to peak summer loads.
Why visit Craiova?
Craiova doesn't get the tourist traffic that Bucharest does, and honestly that's the whole point. This is southwestern Romania's cultural and economic center, home to one of the country's best art museums — the Museum of Oltenia holds an impressive collection that most visitors to Romania completely miss. The city sits close to the Danube plain, and day trips into the surrounding Oltenia region mean medieval monasteries, wine country, and landscapes that cost nothing to walk through. Business travelers are increasingly flying in too, as Craiova hosts a Ford manufacturing plant and a growing industrial base. Food-wise, you're eating proper Romanian home cooking — ciorba, sarmale, papanași — at prices that'll make you embarrassed you ever paid London restaurant prices. It's a city worth several days, not just a layover.
Popular non-stop routes into Craiova
Routes with the most airline competition tend to have the best fare options:
- Athens (ATH) → CRA — 1 airline
- Barcelona (BCN) → CRA — 1 airline
- Bari (BRI) → CRA — 1 airline
- Birmingham (BHX) → CRA — 1 airline
- Bologna (BLQ) → CRA — 1 airline
- Brussels (CRL) → CRA — 1 airline
- Dortmund (DTM) → CRA — 1 airline
- Heraklion (HER) → CRA — 1 airline
Tips for getting a cheap fare to Craiova
Book October flights from Athens or Barcelona at least six weeks out and you'll often find fares well below what you'd pay in summer. I always set fare alerts the moment I know my travel window — Google Flights and Kayak both do this well. Craiova has 17 non-stop routes, so check if your nearest airport connects directly before assuming you need to connect through Bucharest. If you're flexible, flying into Bucharest and taking the train west to Craiova is a legitimate budget move. Romania uses the Romanian Leu, not euros, so pull cash locally. EU passport holders enter without a visa; check current Schengen rules if you're coming from outside Europe.
Frequently asked questions about cheap flights to Craiova
What's the cheapest month to fly to Craiova, Romania?
November through March typically offer the lowest fares to Craiova, with January and February being the absolute cheapest months due to low travel demand. Summer months (June-August) are significantly more expensive as they coincide with peak tourism season.
How far in advance should I book flights to Craiova for the best prices?
Booking 6-8 weeks in advance generally yields the best fares to Craiova. Avoid booking within 2 weeks of departure, as prices tend to spike significantly closer to travel dates.
Are there cheaper nearby airports to fly into instead of Craiova?
Yes, Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), located about 240 km from Craiova, typically offers cheaper flights and more options than flying directly to Craiova. You can rent a car or take a bus from Bucharest to Craiova for a lower total cost.
What's the typical fare range for flights to Craiova?
Budget flights to Craiova typically range from €40-100 during off-season and €80-200+ during peak season, though prices vary significantly based on origin, airline, and booking timing. Connecting flights through major European hubs are often cheaper than direct routes.
What are the visa requirements for visitors to Romania?
EU/EEA citizens can enter Romania with just a valid ID card or passport, while US, Canadian, and Australian citizens can stay visa-free for up to 90 days with a valid passport. Non-EU visitors should check Romania's official immigration website for specific visa requirements based on their nationality.