How to Go from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

Chisinau Airport is the main gateway to Moldova’s capital city. At just 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) from the city center, getting from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau is straightforward, but it pays to know your options before you land. You can take a private transfer, jump in a taxi, or ride a local bus. Which works best for you depends on your arrival time, your budget, how much luggage you’ve brought along, and if you have access to cash on arrival.  This is my guide on how best to go to Chisinau from Chisinau Airport.

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Where is Chisinau Compared to the Airport

Chisinau International Airport (RMO) is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) southeast of central Chisinau. You’ll be in the heart of the city within 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic. The route into town takes you past Soviet-era housing blocks, leafy avenues, and the big triumphal arch that marks the city center, although if you’re arriving in the dark, as we did, then you’ll have to wait until the morning to see Chisinau’s landmarks.

How to Go from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

There are three main ways to access the city: by private transfer, taxi, or bus. Private transfers are the easiest option if you prefer everything to be pre-booked. Taxis are readily available and cheap compared to Western Europe, but you’ll need cash. I’ll cover this shortly, but you should also read my guide to Moldovan Currency and ATM fees in Moldova here. Buses are the cheapest option, but it depends on when your flight arrives.  YandexGo, a ridesharing app, is also in use here in Moldova. Make sure to download it before you land, although there are questions about reliable it is at the airport.

Transport Comparison Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

Transport Option	Approx. Cost	Travel Time	Payment Method	Luggage Space	Notes
Private Transfer	Check rates here	20–30 min	Online or cash	Ample	Pre-book online, driver meets you in arrivals
Taxi	115-150 MDL	20–40 min	Cash (MDL)	Moderate	Use official taxis, cash only, check out the signs in the airport arrivals area, and confirm the price with your driver before departing.
Bus	6 MDL (less than €0.50)	30–45 min	Some of the buses running this route have a machine for card payment. Some don’t (so cash)	Limited	Express Bus #30 and the minibus 165 both go directly into town

Taking a Private Transfer from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

If you want zero stress, book a private transfer. Your driver will be waiting in arrivals with a sign, help with luggage, and take you straight to your hotel or apartment. Services like Welcome Pickups offer fixed prices (around €20–€30 per car), English-speaking drivers, and online payment, so you don’t need to hunt for cash right after landing. Journey time is usually 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. If you’re arriving late at night, this is by far the smoothest option.

Chisinau Airport to Chisinau Taxi

Taxis line up outside the arrivals hall; their drivers, and drivers of “not quite so legal” taxis, also line up in the arrival area.  And it’s the usual taxi mafia zoo.  There are signboards as you come through arrivals, stating the price that a taxi should be to the center.  (there’s a photo of one of them following), But as ever, you’ll need to be strong to ensure that’s what you’re paying for.

We took a local taxi, found for us by a lovely Moldovan lady we’d met at the airport in London Luton.  Delighted to find tourists wanting to visit her country, she made sure she didn’t leave Chisinau Airport until we were safely in a taxi, and after giving us – and the driver – strict instructions about how much the taxi was going to cost.  The board said 140 MDL for us, and that’s what the driver asked for.  We’d taken MDL cash out of one of the ATMs at the airport on arrival, so we were ready with cash.

There is usually a base fare of 50 MDL and then a charge per kilometer of 5 MDL. There is also usually no uplift for overnight rates.

There’s no Uber or Bolt here; there is Yandex, but you’ll need to download the app before you arrive. Although there is WiFi at the airport, it’s best to be prepared.  Yandex tends not to be as reliable when leaving the airport, an attempt, I think, to try and push foreign visitors towards paying slightly more than necessary.  But then again, this is one of Europe’s poorest countries.

Most drivers only accept cash in Moldovan – so have lei ready — preferably small notes. Travel time is 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic. If you’re new to Moldova, this is an affordable and fairly easy choice. 

Virtually all taxi drivers speak NO ENGLISH, so always prepare with the address of our hotel – this one, it was a great choice – written down, so they know where they’re going.

Taking a Bus from the Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

The cheapest way to reach the city is by bus.  Two bus services run between Chisinau Airport and the city.  There’s the express bus (number 30) and the minimus 165.  The timetable of the buses from the airport is here.

• Express Bus 30 runs from 06:00 until 23:00 to Strada 31 August 1989, northwest of the city centre
• Minibus 165 runs from 05:45 – 22:00 to Strada Ismail, southeast of the centre of Chisinau

The minibuses run every 10 minutes or so, the express bus runs every 40 minutes or so, and the journey takes about 35 minutes; it’s slightly quicker on the minibus.

The ticket price for both buses is 6 MDL; buy the ticket from the driver or bus staff members.  If you’ve got a lot of luggage or a big bag, you might have to buy a ticket for your luggage too. Some of the buses running this route have a machine for card payment, but some don’t.

The bus stop is outside arrivals, on the right side of the exit door.  Follow the signs for Ground Transportation.

Tips for Traveling between Chisinau Airport and Chisinau

• Taxi capacity: Standard taxis fit 3–4 passengers plus moderate luggage.
• Cash only: Both taxis and minibuses take Moldovan lei only. ATMs are available in arrivals — withdraw small notes if possible.
• Night arrivals: Buses stop running around 23:00, so late arrivals will need a taxi or transfer.
• Language: Not many drivers speak any English. Having your hotel address written down helps.
• Safety: Licensed taxis and transfers are safe; avoid random offers inside the terminal.
• Tickets: On the bus, pay the driver as you board. Keep small coins ready.

The Quickest Way to Get from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

A private transfer wins — no waiting, no cash worries, straight to your hotel. It’s also the most reliable option for late-night arrivals.

The Easiest Way to Go to Chisinau from Chisinau Airport

Again, a pre-booked private transfer takes the hassle out of the journey. With a fixed price and door-to-door service, it’s the most stress-free option.

The Cheapest Way to Go from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

That’s the minibus or the minibus. For just a few lei, you’ll be in the city in under an hour. It’s not comfortable with big bags, but it’s unbeatable on price.

Final Words on How to Go from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau

Getting into Chisinau from the airport is simple once you know the options. Private transfers are the most comfortable and quickest, taxis strike a good balance between price and convenience, and minibuses are the cheapest by far but less suited to heavy luggage or late arrivals. Think about when you’re landing, how much cash you have on hand, and how much luggage you’re carrying, and pick the option that matches your travel style.

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