Nestled between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is Eastern Europe's best-kept secret, renowned for its expansive underground wine cellars, medieval monasteries, and warm hospitality. This landlocked nation offers authentic cultural experiences, pristine countryside, and some of the world's finest wines at remarkably affordable prices.
- Public
- Chisinau has an extensive but aging bus and trolleybus network covering the whole city at very low cost ($0.35/ride). Routes can be confusing for visitors but the system is functional. Between cities, buses and marshrutkas (minibuses) are the primary transport.
- Taxi
- Taxis via the Yandex Go and Bolt apps are reliable, affordable ($3-8 for city rides), and accept card payment. Street taxis exist but prices should be agreed beforehand. Ride-apps are strongly recommended for safety and price transparency.
- Rental
- Car rental is useful for day trips to monasteries and wineries outside Chisinau. Roads vary from good highways to rough rural tracks. International licenses valid for 90 days. Fuel around $1.10-1.30/liter.
- Walking
- Central Chisinau is very walkable with wide boulevards, parks, and pedestrian zones. Key attractions in the center are within comfortable walking distance. Outer districts and inter-city travel require transport.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi: €8 (MDL 160), 25 minutes door-to-door, cash only
- Shuttle
- Bus 165: €0.15 (MDL 6), 40 minutes, runs 5:45am-10:00pm every 10 min
- Bus
- Trolleybus 30: €0.15 (MDL 6), 40 minutes, daily service
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus and trolleybus network throughout Chisinau. Single ticket MDL 6 ($0.35), pay driver or conductor. Routes cover entire city 5:30am-11pm. Route maps available at kiosks. Modern buses on main routes, older Soviet trolleybuses on some lines.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Official taxis: base fare MDL 50 ($3), plus MDL 5/km ($0.30). Available 24/7. Cash only - no cards. Use metered taxis only. Popular companies: Taxi 14141, Taxi Prim 14300. Ride-hailing: Yandex.Taxi most common, accepts cards, slightly cheaper than street taxis.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Primary intercity transport. Modern buses and marshrutkas (minibuses) to all towns. Main stations: Central Bus Station (Autogara Centrala), North Bus Station, South-West Station. Sample routes: Chisinau-Tiraspol MDL 40 ($2.30), 1.5hrs; Chisinau-Balti MDL 80 ($4.60), 2hrs; Chisinau-Orhei MDL 30 ($1.70), 1hr. Buy tickets at station or from driver.
Flights
No regular domestic flights due to small country size. All destinations reachable by bus within 4 hours from Chisinau.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Chisinau International Airport (Aeroportul Internațional Chișinău)
From centre: 13 km southeast of city center
Options: Taxi: €8 (MDL 160), 25 minutes door-to-door, cash only; Bus 165: €0.15 (MDL 6), 40 minutes, runs 5:45am-10:00pm every 10 min; Trolleybus 30: €0.15 (MDL 6), 40 minutes, daily service; Bus 33: €0.15 (MDL 6), 40 minutes with multiple stops; Private transfer: €15-25 pre-booked, 25 minutes; Airport shuttle: €10 shared service to hotels
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yandex Go
The most widely used ride-hailing app in Moldova. Works in English, accepts card payment, and prices are clearly shown before booking. Essential app for Chisinau transport.
Bolt
European ride-hailing app available in Chisinau. Good alternative to Yandex Go with competitive prices and reliable drivers.
inDriver
Ride-negotiation app where you propose your price and drivers accept or counter. Can result in lower fares than fixed-price apps but requires more negotiation.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Yandex Go or Bolt app before arriving — these ride-hailing services are the safest and most transparent way to get taxis in Chisinau
City buses and trolleybuses cost MDL 6 ($0.35) — pay the driver or conductor in cash
For the airport, Bus 165 is extremely cheap at MDL 6 ($0.35) and runs regularly 5:45 AM - 10 PM; taxis cost about MDL 160 ($8-9)
Intercity buses are frequent and affordable — Chisinau to Soroca is $5 and takes 3 hours
Renting a car is the best way to explore Moldova's wine regions and monasteries independently — book online in advance for best rates ($25-45/day)
Marshrutkas (minibuses) are fast and cheap for short intercity routes but can be uncomfortable on longer journeys
There is no metro system in Moldova — all city transport is by bus, trolleybus, or taxi