🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Moldova
✈️ Flying to Moldova
Chişinău International Airport (KIV)
Moldova has one main international airport — Chişinău International Airport (KIV), located approximately 11 km southeast of the city centre. Journey time to central Chişinău is around 15–20 minutes by taxi.
Direct flights operate from major European hubs including Bucharest, Vienna, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Istanbul, and Rome. Budget airlines including Wizz Air, FlyOne, and HiSky serve several European routes, keeping costs low.
Airlines flying to Moldova:
- Air Moldova — the national carrier, connecting to major European cities
- Wizz Air — budget routes from London Luton, Paris, Rome, Berlin
- FlyOne — Moldova's low-cost carrier, European destinations
- Turkish Airlines — connecting via Istanbul to worldwide destinations
- Lufthansa / Austrian — connections via Frankfurt and Vienna
💡 Booking Tip
Bucharest (Otopeni, OTP) is the nearest major hub, 2–2.5 hours by road from Chişinău. If direct flights to KIV are expensive, fly to Bucharest and take a bus or shared taxi (marshrutka) across the border — often significantly cheaper.
🚖 From the Airport to Chişinău Centre
Taxi (Most Convenient)
Taxis from the airport to the city centre cost approximately 80–120 MDL (€4–6) when booked via the Bolt or inDriver apps — far cheaper than flagging a taxi outside arrivals. Journey time: 15–20 minutes.
Minibus (Marshrutka)
Route 165 minibus connects the airport to the city centre. Runs frequently during the day. Cost: around 6 MDL (under €0.30). Journey time: 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Car Rental
International rental companies including Hertz, Europcar, and Avis operate from the airport terminal. Useful if you plan to explore the countryside and wineries independently.
🚌 Arriving Overland
From Romania (Bucharest): Bus and shared taxi services run regularly between Bucharest and Chişinău (approx. 2–2.5 hours). FlixBus, Autogara Rahova services, and shared taxis depart from Bucharest's Autogara Militari and Filaret stations. Cost: around €10–20.
From Iasi, Romania: The closest Romanian city to the border — just 100 km from Chişinău. Frequent buses and shared taxis run the route in about 1.5 hours. Good option if flying into Iasi airport.
From Ukraine: Border crossings operate at several points. Check current status before travel given the regional situation. Bus services from Odesa and other Ukrainian cities have operated historically but check current routes.
By car: Moldova is accessible via the Romanian border at Leuseni (the main crossing on the E58 motorway) and several northern crossings. Roads inside Moldova are improving but expect some potholes on rural routes.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Most Western visitors need no visa. Citizens of the EU, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and many other countries can enter Moldova visa-free for stays of up to 90 days.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay. Moldova is not in the Schengen Area, so days spent in Moldova do not count against your Schengen 90-day allowance. Check requirements for your specific nationality before travelling.
Check current entry requirements →🚗 Getting Around Moldova
Taxis & Rideshare (Easiest)
Bolt and inDriver operate extensively in Chişinău and offer very affordable fares. Cross-city trips typically cost 30–80 MDL (€1.50–4). Always use the app to avoid overcharging. Bolt also covers some intercity routes.
Minibuses (Marshrutki)
The backbone of Moldova's intercity transport. Minibuses connect Chişinău to virtually every town and most villages. Depart from the Central Bus Station (Autogara Centrala) and North Bus Station. Cheap and frequent — typically 20–60 MDL per journey. No booking required; pay onboard.
Car Rental
Strongly recommended if you want to explore the wineries, Orheiul Vechi, Saharna, and the countryside at your own pace. Roads outside Chisinau vary in quality. An SUV or regular hatchback works fine for most routes. Fuel is inexpensive.
🚗 Driving Tip
GPS works well in Moldova — Google Maps and Waze are both reliable. Some rural roads are unsigned but navigable. Road signs are in Romanian (Latin script). Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on main roads.
🚋 Getting Around Chişinău
Chişinău is a compact city that's easy to navigate on foot for the central areas. For longer distances, use Bolt (cheapest and most reliable) or the city's trolleybus and bus network.
Public Transport
- Trolleybuses and buses: Extensive network covering the whole city. Fare: 3 MDL (under €0.15) paid onboard. Routes can be confusing for first-time visitors — Bolt is usually easier.
- Bolt app: Download before arrival. Accepts international cards. Fastest and most convenient option — most trips cost €1–3.
- Walking: The city centre is compact. Stefan cel Mare Park, the Cathedral, Piata Centrala market, and most museums are within a 20-minute walk of each other.
🚙 Compare Car Rental in Moldova
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Fly via Bucharest: Much wider choice of connections, often cheaper — then bus or shared taxi the last 2 hours
- Use Bolt for all taxis: Dramatically cheaper than hailing a cab, no haggling required
- Marshrutka for day trips: 30–60 MDL gets you to Cricova, Orheiul Vechi gateway, or Soroca — no car rental needed
- Avoid airport taxis: Unlicensed taxi touts at KIV overcharge heavily — always book via app before exiting arrivals
- Book winery tours directly: Calling or emailing a winery directly often gets you a better deal than booking through a third party