The hostel uses 24/7 self check-in. After booking you receive an email with a link to the online check-in flow. Set aside 3 minutes, go through every step carefully — at the end you receive your personal access code.
1
ID document
Upload a clear copy of your ID card (EU citizens) or passport (non-EU citizens). No other documents are accepted — no driver license, no other certificates.
2
City tax
Pay the mandatory tourist tax required by the Bucharest City Hall. It is set by law and cannot be bundled into the reservation price.
3
Extra services (optional)
Browse the optional extras you can add to your stay and pick the ones you want.
4
Rules acknowledgment
Sign digitally to acknowledge the hostel rules.
5
Receive your guidebook
After a few minutes the guidebook unlocks: all the info you need + your personal access code, valid for every door you have access to (gate, hostel door, dorm door). You can re-open the same link any time — it opens straight to the guidebook.
Check-in is available 24/7 between 2:00 PM and 11:00 AM the next day.
At check-out you must vacate the dorm with all your luggage by 11:00 AM — no exceptions. On check-out day, departing guests' bedding is collected at 10:30 AM.
If you arrive earlier or leave later, we keep your luggage free of charge in a secured space.
Phone, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal — emergencies ONLY. One person answers day and night for ~49 guests/day. For anything else, the online check-in (3 min) and the guidebook answer you instantly.
House at a glance
Capacity: 49 beds total, across 6 dorm types.
All dorms are shared and mixed-gender — men and women stay in the same room. For full privacy, book the entire room.
Bathrooms: 6 shared bathrooms (~8 guests per bathroom) — no queues.
Air conditioning in every dorm. Summer 25°C, winter 21°C, per Romanian law.
Individual lockers with keys for every guest.
Large fully equipped kitchen with 3 large fridges.
Strong free WiFi, including in the courtyard.
Quiet hours: 22:00 – 09:00.
Food in the area
The hostel kitchen is large and fully equipped — stove, microwave, kettle, dishes, cutlery and 3 large fridges for all guests.
Kaufland is at the end of the street (~250 m). Carrefour and Matache market are 5–7 minutes on foot.
Plenty of restaurants, shawarma places, cafes and bakeries nearby — many open late.
What to do in Bucharest
We're 5 minutes on foot from Gara de Nord and 10 minutes from the metro (M1 Gara de Nord).
Old Town (Lipscani) — 15 min by metro. Palace of the Parliament — 20 min. Herăstrău Park — 25 min.
Highlights: hop-on hop-off red bus tour, Village Museum, Romanian Athenaeum, Cișmigiu Park.
Photo gallery
Browse the full gallery with photos of rooms, courtyard and common spaces.
Popcorn Hostel is at Str. Ing. Pisoni 26, sector 1, Bucharest — a 5-minute walk from Gara de Nord (main train station) and 6 minutes from the M1 metro station.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in: after 2:00 PM. Check-out: before 11:00 AM. The hostel uses self check-in — you receive a code by email on the day of arrival and have 24/7 access.
How do I get to Popcorn Hostel from Otopeni Airport?
Fastest route: direct non-stop train from Henri Coandă (Otopeni) Airport to Gara de Nord — about 21 minutes, with CFR fares from 6 RON. The train runs 24/7. From Gara de Nord it is a 5-minute walk to the hostel — we are the closest hostel to the airport because we are right next to the train station. Alternatives: bus 100 (~40 min) or Uber / Bolt (~70 RON).
Is parking available?
Free street parking is available, subject to availability. The hostel does not reserve spaces and cannot guarantee permanent parking.
Is the WiFi free?
Yes — free WiFi throughout the hostel including the courtyard. Strong signal in every room.
Is the popcorn really free and unlimited?
Yes. Fresh, unlimited, free popcorn for every guest — our house signature. Plus free tea 24/7. (We do not offer free coffee — you can make your own in the shared kitchen.)
Are children or pets allowed?
Children under 16 are not accepted. No pets are allowed on the property.
How much does a night cost?
Prices vary by season and room type (shared dorm or private room). See live rates by clicking "Book now" on any page — instant confirmation.
Can I cancel my reservation?
Yes, guests can cancel at any time. Reservations are non-refundable — the full reservation price is charged regardless of when you cancel.
Is there a shared kitchen?
Yes. The kitchen is large and fully equipped: stove, microwave, kettle, dishes, cutlery and 3 large fridges for all guests. Kaufland supermarket is at the end of the street (250 m).
Is the area safe at night?
Yes — very safe. The Gara de Nord area (sector 1) is one of the best-lit and busiest parts of Bucharest — our street, Pisoni, is quiet but never empty, day or night. A woman travelling alone has zero reason to worry, by day or by night. The hostel has individual coded entry, a private enclosed courtyard, and ~49 guests a day who form a friendly community.
What documents do I need at check-in?
Passport for non-EU citizens; ID card for EU citizens. Driver licenses are not accepted. You will need to upload a clear copy of the document before arrival (Romanian law requirement).
How does the self check-in work?
After booking you receive an email with an online check-in link. Set aside 3 minutes and carefully go through 5 steps: (1) upload your ID or passport, (2) pay the city tax required by the Bucharest City Hall, (3) view optional extras, (4) sign the rules acknowledgment, (5) the guidebook unlocks with your personal access code. You can re-open the same link any time — it opens straight to the guidebook.
Can I share my access code or let someone else in?
No. The code is strictly individual and valid for every door you have access to (gate, hostel door, dorm door). Letting someone in or sharing the code means losing your reservation with no refund. This rule exists to keep every guest safe.
Can I call with questions before or during my stay?
Phone, WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal are for REAL emergencies only. One person answers day and night for ~49 guests/day — replies would be delayed. For anything else, the 3-minute online check-in and the guidebook answer you instantly. 3 minutes of patience at check-in = zero hassle afterwards.
Are there BBQ nights?
Yes — Saturday evenings, weather permitting. Just join the others in the courtyard. No sign-up, no extra cost.
What games and entertainment are available?
Pool table, foosball, jenga, chess, backgammon and more board games in the common area. Plus unlimited free popcorn and free tea 24/7.
What dorm types do you have and how do they differ?
Six types, 49 beds total: 9-bed dorm (cheapest, beds stacked on 3 levels — recommended only for young, agile travellers), 6-bed dorm, 4-bed dorm, 4-bed dorm with balcony, 3-bed room with single beds (NO bunks), and a 2-bed room (most private). All rooms have air conditioning and individual lockers with keys.
Are the dorms mixed-gender? Do men and women sleep in the same room?
Yes. All dorms at Popcorn Hostel are shared and mixed-gender — men and women stay in the same room, regardless of dorm type (from the 9-bed dorm to the 2-bed room). We do not offer gender-separated dorms. Each guest gets their own bed with fresh linen and an individual locker with a key. If you want full privacy for yourself, your partner or your group, you can book the entire room (e.g. the 2-bed room for a couple, or all 3 beds in the 3-bed room for a small group).
Are there lockers?
Yes — every guest gets an individual locker with a key in the room. Safely store your documents, money and electronics.
How many bathrooms? Will I wait in line?
6 shared bathrooms for the whole hostel (maximum capacity 49 guests) — about 1 bathroom per 8 guests, enough to avoid waiting.
Are there quiet hours?
Yes — quiet hours run 22:00–09:00. During this window we avoid noise in common areas and dorms so every guest sleeps well.
Is there air conditioning in the dorms?
Yes — air conditioning in every dorm. Summer at 25°C, winter heating at 21°C (per Romanian law). Settings are fixed for overall guest comfort.