Transportation

From Chișinău International Airport (KIV), the city centre is about 13 km away. The cheapest option is the airport trolleybus/bus (route 30), while a taxi is faster and more convenient. Agree the fare or use a ride-hailing app to avoid overcharging, and keep some cash handy.

In Chișinău, public transport is based on trolleybuses (troleibuz), buses and shared minibuses called marshrutkas. Fares are low and usually paid in cash on board, though card payment is being introduced on some routes. Marshrutkas are frequent but can be crowded; trolleybuses are the cheapest.

There is no widespread rechargeable IC card like in Western Europe. On most trolleybuses, buses and marshrutkas you pay cash on board, often to a conductor. Contactless card payment is gradually being rolled out on some Chișinău routes, so carry small notes and coins to be safe.

Taxis in Moldova are cheap, but always agree the fare in advance or make sure the meter is used, as some drivers may overcharge tourists. The easiest approach is to book by phone or use a ride-hailing app such as iVElo or Yandex Go, which show the price upfront. Uber is generally not available.

Intercity travel is dominated by long-distance buses and marshrutkas, which link Chișinău with Bălți, the wine regions and towns across the country frequently and cheaply. The national railway (CFM) runs fewer trains, with slow services and some international routes such as Chișinău–Bucharest and towards Odesa. For most trips, buses are faster and more convenient than the train.

Moldova is a small country and has essentially no domestic flight network, so there is no need to fly between cities. Overland travel by bus or marshrutka covers the whole country easily, and journeys are short. Chișinău International Airport (KIV) is the main gateway for international flights.

Carry small notes and coins, as fares on trolleybuses, buses and marshrutkas are usually paid in cash on board. Agree taxi fares in advance or use a ride-hailing app. Marshrutkas may not have fixed timetables and leave when reasonably full, so allow extra time. If you plan to cross into the Transnistria region, be aware it has its own checkpoints and rules; keep your documents handy.