World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
The threat from terrorism in all parts of Moldova is low. Visitors should be vigilant to petty crime, particularly in Chisinau. Caution is advised if travelling to Transnistria.

Air
Moldova’s national airlines are Air Moldova (9U) and Air Moldova International (RM). Moldovian Airlines, Tarom (Romania’s national airline), Transaero (Russian airline) and Tyrolean Airlines fly regularly to Moldova. There are also charter airlines operating between Chisinau and some major destinations in the CIS, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, The Netherlands, Romania and Turkey.

Approximate flight times
From London to Chisinau is approximately seven hours, with a stopover in Moscow. From Moscow to Chisinau is two hours, from Kiev is one hour 30 minutes and from St Petersburg is three hours.

International airports
Chisinau International (KIV) is 14km (8.5 miles) from the city centre (travel time – 15 to 25 minutes). There is a regular bus service to the city. Taxis are also available. Moldova-Tur offers a courtesy pick-up by prior arrangement (see Contact Addresses section). Facilities include bank, post office, left-luggage and duty free shops.

Departure tax
USD12.

Rail
There are daily train services between Chisinau and Moscow, Russian Federation (travel time – 22 hours), Odessa, Ukraine (travel time – five hours) and Bucharest, Romania (travel time – 13 hours). Other, less frequent, destinations include Minsk (Belarus) and St Petersburg.

Road
Moldova can be entered from Ukraine (although the self-proclaimed ‘Republic of Transdniestria’ area around Tiraspol should be avoided at present) and also from Romania via the border crossing at Leusheni, Sculeni and Giurgiulesti. From Chisinau to Odessa is 183km (114 miles).