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WEBRESOURCES
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Check for trains
to Moldova

www.Eurostar.com

http://bahn.hafas.de

www.poezda.net

Check for flights
to/from Moldova

http://asaptickets.com cheap flights from the USA

www.airbaltic.com
cheap flights to Odessa & Chisinau

Air Moldova - local airline operator

Cheapflights UK

Check for buses
to/from Moldova

Autogara Moldovei - great info on buses to/from and within Moldova. Timetables, costs, times

http://www.bus.com.ua/ timetable of buses in Ukraine (russian)

Eurolines Romania
buses to Moldova from Bucharest, Brasov etc

Autogari.ro
buses from/to Romania

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Other useful travel information

Visa to Moldova

Transport in Moldova

Moscow to Chisinau by train (story)

Moscow to Kishinev/ Chisinau by car (story)

"Travel story" on our Forum

Bucharest ~ Iasi ~ Brasov ~ Suceava ~ Constanta ~ Galati ~ Sibiu ~ Kiev ~ Crimea ~ Odessa ~ Chernivtsi ~ Kamyanets-Podilsky ~ Lvov ~ Warsaw ~ London ~ Budget Airlines

Moldova is a small country neighbouring Romania at the West and Ukraine at the East. Coming to Moldova from the West may be cheaper and easier than from the East. The Western border of Moldova is more secure and predictable, in comparison with the Eastern border, where our country does not have any custom check points and do not provide consular services. Thus, a traveler who is arriving into Moldova from the side of Transdniestr will not get his Moldovan stamp of entrance and will need to get his registration later when arrived to Moldova. Another reason is the high cost of flights to Chisinau. It may be twice cheaper to fly to Bucharest and then arrive to Chisinau by train or minibus.

Netherveless, travellers are arriving to Moldova same frequently from the west, from the east and by plane, landing at the Chisinau airport.

Bucharest to Chisinau (Kishinev) by train (updated July 2010)

Bucharest - Chisinau:
Travel overnight from Bucharest to Chisinau on the 'Prietenia' sleeper train, leaving Bucharest Nord at 21:30 daily and arriving Chisinau at 10:20 next day. 1 st and 2nd class compartments available on this train.
Chisinau - Bucharest:
Travel overnight from Chisinau to Bucharest on the 'Prietenia' sleeper train, leaving Chisinau Train Station at 16:10 daily and arriving to Bucharest Nord around 7 am next morning.
Approximate fares:
55 Euro for a one way ticket 2nd class (4 berth compartment) and 70 Euro for a one way 1st class ticket (2 berth compartment)
How to book:
The Bucharest to Chisinau train cannot be booked through the normal computer reservation systems used by western European railways and ticketing agencies. Instead, to book this train separately, try contacting the Wasteels office in Bucharest, at www.wasteelstravel.ro or www.wasteels.ro or www.wasteel.ro or by phone +40 21 2310208. Be prepared to pay double the price of the ticket for the booking.
Booking tickets to Bucharest: no booking is available, but only purchase in advance. We can buy your Chisinau - Bucharest ticket prior to the departure date and mail it or hand it to you in Chisinau.

Bucharest to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Bucharest - Chisinau (updated on 26/05/2008):
Daily, several times a day from Filaret Bus Station (Autogara Filaret, Piata Garii Filaret nr.1, Sector 5, Tel: +4-021-336.06.92 ) in Bucharest. 8-10 hours on the way. There are about 5 buses/minibuses perday. Most of them are small uncomfortable minibuses.
A more comfortable bus is provided by TORPEDO TOUR . It leaves Bucharest daily at 19:00 from the train station GARA DE NORD arriving to Chisinau GARA DE SUD next day at 06:35 next morning.
Also, there is a comfortable bus provided by VERALIS-TUR leaving daily from Bucharest GARA FILARET bus station at 20:00 and arriving to Chisinau GARA DE SUD at 7:00
Cost 60 Romanian Lei.
Chisinau - Bucharest (updated on 01/08/2009):
Daily at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 17:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00 from GARA CENTRALA in Chisinau. 8-10 hours on the way depending on the customs. One way ticket is about 25 Euro
Booking: Advanced purchase of the tickets for buses departing from Chisinau is available from Marisha with its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Bucharest to Chisinau (Kishinev) by air

Every day, 1-2 times a day. Flights are provided by the Romanian airline Tarom and the Moldovan airline Air Moldova. Bucharest: Departs/arrives from the International Airport Henri Coanda or Otopeni (OTP). Plane: Embraer 120, 30 seats, business class is absent. Check the websites for up-to-date information regarding the flights and fares.
Approximate fares: From 60 Euro one way with AirMoldova

Iasi to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Iasi - Chisinau (updated on July 2010):
Several minibuses daily from BILA mall in Iasi

Chisinau - Iasi (updated on July 2010):
Direct buses from Gara de Sud leave daily at 06:30, 07:00, 07:45, 08:15, 10:10, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 19:30, 20:00. 5-7 hours on the way depending on the customs. One way ticket is about 8 Euro
Booking: Advanced purchase of the tickets for buses departing from Chisinau is available from Marisha with its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Brasov to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Brasov-Chisinau:
Daily at 12:00 and 19:00 from Gara Codreanu 2 (114, Avram Iancu sreet , tel: +40 268 426 332). The 12:00 is a minibus, while the 19:00 is a comfortable bus. 10 hours ride. (updated on 25/08/2009)

Daily at 9 am from Brasov arriving to Chisinau Gara de Sud at 20:45 same day. And, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 12 am from Brasov arriving to Chisinau Gara de Sud at 00:02 midnight. Buses provided by TRANSBUS SA Brasov.
Some of our guests are taking the bus at 19:00 from Brasov arriving to Chisinau at around 5 am next day.
Buses depart from "Autogara 2" (Bus station 2) on str. Avraam Iancu 114. Cost of the ticket is about 20 Euro.

Chisinau - Brasov: (updated on july 2010):
Daily at 12:00 (minibus) and 19:00 (comfortable bus) from Chisinau Gara de Sud arriving to Brasov at 22:00 same day and 05:30 next day respectively. Bus to Timisoara leaves Chisinau Gara de Sud bus station daily at 12:00 and is going via Brasov. It is in Brasov at 21:00 same day. Also, there is a minibus at 18:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, but check this out additionally with the bus station.
All buses depart from Gara de Sud in Chisinau. One way ticket to Brasov is about 15 Euro.
Booking: Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau for the guests of our flat in Chisinau is available from us.

Sibiu to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus (updated on 26/05/2008)

Sibiu-Balti:
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 17:00 from Sibiu arriving to Balti (north of Moldova) at 06:00 morning next day. Buses provided by ATLASSIB Romania.
Balti - Sibiu:
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 16:00 from Balti arriving to Sibiu at 06:30 morning next day. Buses are provided by ATLASSIB Romania.
Booking: Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Suceava to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Suceava-Chisinau:
Daily at 06:30 and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m. from the Bus Station.
Cost one way is aroung 15 Euro
Chisinau-Suceava (updated 28/05/2009):
Daily from Gara de Sud (South Bus station in Chisinau) at 8.30 a.m. arriving to Suceava at 15:40 next day. Also, every other day at 07:30 and 20:00 (bus to Sebes, via Sibiu and Alba-Iulia) arriving to Suceava at 14:40 and 2:00 am next day.
Cost one way is aroung 15 Euro
Booking: Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Constanta to Chisinau (Kishinev) by train [TEMPORARY CANCELED]

Available only in summer period from June to September. It departs from Chisinau every Monday, Wensday and Friday at 17:10, arriving to Constanta at 6 o'clock next morning and to Mangalia at 8 o'clock same morning. The price for a one way ticket to Constanta is 270 MDL (around 23 USD) and to Mangalia is 285 MDL (around 24 USD).

Constanta to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Constanta - Chisinau:
Regular bus from Constanta to Chisinau operated by Lt "Trand-Leahu"(phones: Moldova - 069468474 Romania - +(4)0723784019 at Constanta Railway & Bus Station and +(4)0728715103 in the bus).

2 times a week: Mon, Fri at 19.00 from Autogara Sud in Constanta arriving to Chisinau at around 05:00 next day. It has a stop at Galati (Casa de Cultura a Sindicatelor) at around 23:00. Cost of the ticket is around 20 Euro.

Chisinau - Constanta:
Every 1,3,4,5,7 day of the week (M-W-Th-Fr-Sn) at 19:30 from Gara de Sud (South Bus station) in Chisinau arriving to Constanta at 07:25 next day.
Approximate fares: one way ticket is around 20 Euro
Booking: Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Galati to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Chisinau - Galati:
Chisinau - Bucharest bus via Cahul and Galati. Departs daily at 19:00 from Gara de Sud in Chisinau. 7 hours on the way
Approximate fares: Cost of a one way ticket is about 7 EURO
Booking: Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Kiev to Chisinau (Kishinev) by train (updated 04/05/2010)

Kiev-Chisinau:
Train "341" Moscow - Kiev - Chisinau leaving Kiev at 1:40 and arriving to Chisinau at 20:15 same day
Train "47" Moscow - Kiev - Chisinau leaving Kiev at 8:20 and arriving to Chisinau at 22:48 same day (except June 30, July 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19 and 21 2009)
Train "65" Moscow - Kiev - Chisinau leaving Kiev at 4:34 and arriving to Chisinau at 18:20same day.
Train vagon 349 Harikov - Kiev - Chisinau leaving Kiev at 9:43 on even dates from Jun 4 and until September 30, 2009 and arriving to Chisinau at 7:27 next day.
Trains "47" and "65" both has 1st and 2nd class sleeping compartments (2 and 4-berth sleeping compartments).
Chisinau-Kiev:
Train "341" Chisinau - Kiev - Moscow leaving Chisinau at 20:00 and arriving to Kiev at 13:30 next day
Train "47" Chisinau - Kiev - Moscow leaving Chisinau at 11:50 and arriving to Kiev at 02:03 next day
Train "66" Chisinau - Kiev - Moscow leaving Chisinau at 22:35 and arriving to Kiev at 12:46 next day
Train vagon "47" Chisinau - Kiev - Harikov leaving Chisinau on odd dates between June 3 and September 29 2009 at 11:50 and arriving to Kiev at 6:57 next day

CAUTION: Train number "65" and "66" are crossing Transdniestr on its way!!! It is not recommended to be used by foreign travellers as they may be ripped off at the Transdniestrian border if travelling unassisted.

Facilities: Food is not provided on train "66/65". The train conductor will have some tea/coffee in their little "cabinets", but no real food. And being at night, there is no food purchases available along the stops. So it may be wise to bring along whatever food stores you desire on the way.
Approximate fares: 2nd class ticket (4 berth compartment) is about EURO 50 and 1st class class ticket (2 berth compartment) is about EURO 80. 1st class compartments only in train 47
Booking: As this destination is very popular among Moldovan citizens working abroad we highly recomend that you book/buy your tickets in advance. We do E-tickets for train from Kiev to Chisinau with collection at the train station in Kiev on the departure date. And we do advanced purchase for tickets from Chisinau to Kiev with collection in our flat in Chisinau. We can buy your ticket 30 days prior to departure date.

Kiev to Chisinau (Kishinev) by air

Direct flights are operated by AirMoldova (tel: 373 22 830 830, e-mail: agency@airmoldova.md, helpdesk@airmoldova.md). Flights are carried out 3 times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays to Borispol airport in Kiev. Flights are caried out by Embraer 120 . Plane leaves Chisinau at 08:30 arriving to Kiev at 09:40. Times coming back 10:40 arriving to Chisinau at 11:50.
Approximate fares: 120 Euro one way and 250 Euro return ticket.

Kiev to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Chisinau - Kiev : (updated June 2010)
Several buses daily at 07:30, 19:00, 20:30 and 21:30 departing from Gara de Nord in Chisinau. Most of the buses will go via Transdniestr and only one (the 20:30 bus that leaves every other day) will go avoiding Transdniestr. The final destination of the 19:00 bus is Borispol airport. The trip takes from 10 to 11 hours and costs around 20 EURO.
Kiev - Chisinau : (updated June 2010)
Times for return buses are 11:45, 18:45, 20:30 and 21:45 departing bus station in Kiev. Bus from Borispol airport leaves airport at 18:45 daily.

Booking: We can purchase your ticket to Kiev in advance with its collection in our flat in Chisinau . Please, contact Marisha

Odessa to Chisinau (Kishinev) by train (canceled from March 2006)

Odessa - Chisinau:
Travel from Chisinau to Odessa on a (suburban) electric train "electrichka". No couches, but only seats. In the weekends train may be overcrowded and you may have a chance to stay on your feet all the way long. Daparture from Odessa at 11.43 am and 6:52 pm and arriving to Chisinau at 4.58 pm and 12 pm correspondingly. 5 hours on the way. Is crossing the Transdniestr Republic.
Chisinau - Odessa:
Train is leaving from the Chisinau Train Station every day at 6:20 a.m. and 1:14 p.m. arriving in Odessa at 11:18 a.m. and 6:33 p.m. correspondingly.
Approximate fares: 32 Moldovan lei which is less than $3 one way.
Visa: beforehand at the Moldovan embassy in Kiev or other country. No visa needed for citicens of EU, USA, Canada, Japan and Switzerland.

ATTENTION : this train is not running presently and from March 2006 because of the blockade of the Republic of Transdniestr by Moldova and Ukraine. Use bus instead.

Odessa to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Odessa - Chisinau (updated may 2010):
Daily many times a day from Odessa bus station. 4-5 hours on the way if crossin Transdniestr and 5-6 hours on the way if avoiding it. Fare cost : around 5-7 Euro one way.
Avoid going through Transdniestr and take a bus crossing Ukranian-Moldovan border at PALANCA or TUDORA border crossing. See the timetable for these buses below:

Bus 161 Odessa - Chisinau, departure 08:20 - arrival 13:15 daily
Bus 183 Mikolaev - Chisinau, departure from Odessa 09:35 - arrival to Chisinau 14:55 every other day
Bus 303 Odessa - Chisinau, departure 10:20 - arrival 16:10 daily
Bus 00 Odessa - Chisinau, departure 11:00 - arrival 18:32 daily
Bus 02 Odessa - Chisinau, departure 12:50 - arrival 17:35 daily
Bus 117 Odessa - Balti, departure 13:20 - arrival Chisinau 18:30 every other day
Bus 81 (202) Kherson - Chisinau, departure Odessa 13:25 - arrival 19:45 daily
Bus 463 Krivii Rig - Chisinau, departure Odessa 14:30 - arrival 19:45 daily
Bus 256 Odessa - Chisinau, departure 15:30 - arrival 18:45 daily
Bus 151 Odessa - Chisinau, departure 23:30 - arrival 06:00 next day, daily

Note: Tickets for buses with asterix * are available for booking, but be aware that sometimes buses are canceled if they don't gather enough people for the trip. Bus 161, 303, 02, 256, 81/202 are most reliable of all buses from Odessa to Chisinau.

Chisinau - Odessa (updated July 2010):
Everyday, several times a day from "Gara de Nord" (Northern bus station) in Chisinau. 5-6 hours on the way. Most of the buses are crossing the Transdniestr area, but I would recommend to avoid this as you will be leaving 15-50 USD at the Transdniestr customs as a bribe. Take a bus that goes via the Moldovan-Ukrainian customs at PALANCA or TUDORA instead. Minibuses that will avoid Transdniestr leave Chisinau at 06:50, 10:00, 11:30, 15:40, 18:05, 21:40, 21:50, 22:40, 22:47, 22:57, 23:40, 23:56

Approximate fares: 5-7 USD. By cash at the station. Advanced purchase of tickets available 15 days prior to the departure. Please, email us to buy/book your tickets to Chisinau or to Odessa in advance.
Booking: Booking and E-ticketing for buses departing from Ukraine with ticket collection at the bus station on the departure date. Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Odessa to Chisinau (Kishinev) by private car

We will pick you up from the train station/bus station or airport in Odessa any time of the day and night and transfer to Chisinau by private car. The transfer to Chisinau will take about 4 hours. The cost is 110 Euro per car and we can take up to 4 people at a time.

Crimea / Yalta / Simferopol to Chisinau (Kishinev) by train (updated June 2010)

There is no direct train connecting Chisinau with Crimea and thus the connection from Odessa or Kiev are required.

Odessa - Simferopol:
Train number 650 from Odessa to Simferopol departs daily at 23:49 arriving to Simferopol at 11:55 next morning.
From Simferopol this train leaves at 19:25 daily arriving to Odessa at 08:10 next morning. This timetable is valid for summer months starting with the end of May and until the end of August. From 1st of September the timetable changes with the train leaving from Odessa at 19:29 and arriving to Simferopol at 07:25.

Tickets: tickets available in the 1st (2 berth) and 2nd class (4 berth) sleeping compartments. Cost of the ticket one way 1st class is 70 Euro and 2nd class is 40 Euro.

Booking: We can buy your ticket 45 days prior to the departure date and email the E-ticket to you. Your travel document should be collected at the train station at least a couple of hours before the departure.

Crimea/Yalta/Simferopol to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus (updated June 2010)

Simferopol/Yalta - Chisinau:
Comfortable daily buses from Crimea to Chisinau.

Bus number 505 Yalta - Chisinau via Simferopol leaves Yalta at 14:10 and Simferopol at 16:30 daily and arrives to Chisinau at 07:45 next morning. This bus is going via Tudora border crossing avoiding Transdniestr. One way ticket is about 30 Euro.

Chisinau - Simferopol/Yalta:
Comfortable daily buses connect Chisinau with Crimea/Yalta/Alushta/Simferopol.

Bus number 506 Chisinau - Yalta leaves Chisinau at 16:05 daily arriving to Simferopol at 07:30 and to Yalta at 09:40 next morning. The bus is avoiding crossing Transdniestr. One way ticket is about 30 Euro.

Booking: Booking and E-ticketing available for the buses departing from Ukraine with ticket collection at the bus station on the departure date. Advanced purchase of tickets available for the buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau . An extra 5 Euro may apply for the booking.

Kamyanets-Podilsky to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus (updated 16/07/08)

Kamyanets-Podilsky - Chisinau:
Couple of buses per day. About 10 hours drive with about 7 stops (big and small towns of Ukraine and Moldova) on the way.
Bus number 70 Khmelnitskiy - Chisinau leaves KP at 09:30 daily and arriving to Chisinau at around 7 pm same day (comfortable Mercedes bus).
Bus number 66 Khmelnitskiy - Chisinau leaves KP at 22:15 daily and arriving to Chisinau at around 8 am next day (less comfortable Ikarus bus).

Chisinau - Kamyanets-Podilsky:
Couple of buses per day. About 10 hours drive with about 7 stops (big and small towns of Ukraine and Moldova) on the way.
Bus number 69 Chisinau - Khmelnitskiy leaves Chisinau at 06:20 daily and arriving to KP at around 4 pm same day (comfortable Mercedes bus).
Bus number 65 Chisinau - Khmelnitskiy leaves Chisinau at 19:40 daily and arriving to KP at around 5 am next day (less comfortable Ikarus bus).

Booking: Booking and E-ticketing for buses departing from Ukraine with ticket collection at the bus station on the departure date. Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Lviv to Chisinau (Kishinev) by train (updated 17 June 2009)

Lviv - Chisinau:
Train vagons number 1310 Warsaw - Lviv - Chisinau leaving Lviv Train Station on even dates at 23:44 am and arriving to Chisinau at 20:15 next day.
Train vagons number 42 Truskavetz - Lviv - Chisinau leaving Lviv on 3,7,11,15,19,23,27,31 date of the month at 17:05 and arriving to Chisinau at 20:15 next day
Chisinau - Lviv:
Train vagons number 48 Chisinau - Warsaw departure from Chisinau Train Station on even dates at 11:50 and arriving to Lviv at 6:50 next day.
Train vagons number 48 Chisinau - Truskavetz leaveing Chisinau on 2,6,10,14,18,22,26,30 dates of the month at 11:50 and arriving to Lviv at 8:20 next day
Approximate fares: About 40 EURO one way ticket in a sleeping compartment.
Booking: no booking is available, but only purchase in advance. We can buy your Chisinau - Lviv ticket 30 days prior to departure date and post it or hand it to you in Chisinau.

Lviv to Chisinau (Kishinev) by bus

Bus times:
Daily at 18:35, 23:40, 23:15, 23:55 from the North Bus Station in Chisinau. About 16 hours on the road.
From Lvov the bus is departing at 4:30 pm everyday arriving in Chisinau at 9 am. The route is served by Mercedes buses.
Approximate fares:
About 20 Euro one way.
Booking: Booking and E-ticketing for buses departing from Ukraine with ticket collection at the bus station on the departure date. Advanced purchase of tickets for buses departing from Chisinau and its collection in our flat in Chisinau

Warsaw to Chisinau (Kishinev) by train

Warsaw - Chisinau:
Leaving Warszawa Wschodnia Train Station on even dates at 07:24 and arriving in Chisinau at 20:12 next day. Direct "through coach" in sleeper train runs as D 13109 up to Przemysl Gl., then as D 52 up to Mostiska 2, then as D 52DJ up to Shmerinka, then as 341FJ to Chisinau
Chisinau - Warsaw:
Leaving Chisinau Train Station at 11:50 on even dates arriving to Warsaw at 21:51 next day. Direct through coach in sleeper train runing as D 47SZ up to Shmerinka, then as D 51KJ up to Przemysl Gl., then as D 31108 to Warsaw (Warszawa Wschodnia).
Approximate fares: About 70 EURO one way ticket in a sleeping compartment.
Booking: no booking is available, but only purchase in advance. We can buy your ticket 30 days prior to departure date and post it or hand it to you in Chisinau. Service charge applies.

From England

London to Chisinau (Kishinev) by air

Flight operated by "Air Moldova" from London Stansted airport. Flight on Tuesdays and Fridays. Check timetable with www.amadeus.net . They do not transfer laggages at Stansted, so make sure you got enough time to pick yours and check in again between the flights if flying from Manchester or other towns of UK.

Air Moldova phone number for booking in the UK is 020 73931253

Budget Airlines

Fly from Riga or Vilnius directly to Chisinau with AirBaltic for 80-100 Euro return. Check out the website of AirBaltic for details and bookings.

Consider flying to Bucharest (Wizzair or Easy Jet from the UK) and taking a night train to Chisinau from there.

Also, Wizzair is flying from London Luton to Kiev Borispol and from Kiev to Odessa, so this could be an option if the Ukraine is in your list of the countries to visit this holiday.