Eastern Europe
Eastern EuropeMoldovaTravel guide
- Chișinău
- Bălţi
- Soroca
- Ungheni
- Comrat
- Cahul
Moldova is a small, landlocked country between Romania and Ukraine. Its capital is Chișinău. The country is known for its wines and monasteries.
Why go
Take winery and monastery tours from Chișinău.
Visit wine cellars and try local wines.
See Soroca fortress.
Explore Orhei National Park.
Getting there
By air
- Chișinău International Airport is the main international airport. Its airport code is RMO.
- Wizz Air, HiSky and Fly One serve several destinations from Chișinău.
- Nearby airports include Iași and Bacău in Romania.
By land
- Daily overnight trains connect Bucharest and Chișinău. Train tickets can be bought online up to two weeks ahead, but the website is only in Romanian and Russian.
- For a train ticket bought online, show your printed ticket to the conductor when boarding.
- Regular buses connect Chișinău with Bucharest, Kyiv and other major Romanian and Ukrainian cities.
By sea
- A ferry service is described between Giurgiulești and Istanbul, using the Danube and the Black Sea. It leaves on Monday and arrives on Wednesday, but it is unclear whether it runs only in the high season.
Getting around
Intercity buses
Buses are the most reliable way to travel around Moldova and reach most parts of the country. Chișinău is the main transport hub. Its three bus stations serve cities and towns across Moldova. Autogari and E-orar.md provide route and timetable information. Tickets can be bought through Tiki.md.
Minibuses
Small minibuses seat around 15 people and are the fastest form of transport. Larger buses travel more slowly and are described as slightly safer.
City transport in Chișinău
The state-run trolleybus system includes many new vehicles. The fare is 6 lei. A conductor collects the money and gives you a ticket. City buses also run, but they have fewer routes.
Car
Traffic drives on the right. The M1 highway passes through Chișinău, linking the Ukrainian border near Dubău with the Romanian border at Leușeni.
What to see and do
Soroca fortress
A fortress listed among Moldova's sights.
Mileștii Mici
A listed sight with a wine fountain.
Monasteries
Moldova is known for its monasteries, and tours leave from Chișinău.
Visit wineries and wine cellars
Moldova has a long wine-making tradition. Winery tours are available from Chișinău.
Explore Orhei National Park
The national park covers 337 square kilometres and has been protected since 2012.
Watch football
The men's national team plays at Zimbru Stadium in Chișinău. Moldova also has domestic football leagues.
Food and drink
Mămăligă
One of the traditional dishes recommended to try during a visit.
Plăcintă
A traditional dish recommended as part of the Moldovan food experience.
Sarmale
Another traditional dish recommended for visitors.
Restaurants and cafés
Chișinău has many places to eat, including places serving cheap food popular with locals. Small restaurants and cafés offer more variety.
Fast food and pizza
These shops are common in Chișinău and are suggested for a quick lunch.
Food shopping
Markets are good for fresh fruit and vegetables. Supermarkets and shops are recommended for meat because the quality is better and prices are not much higher.
Money
Moldovan leu (MDL), plural lei
- One leu is divided into 100 bani.
- Banknotes range from 1 to 1,000 lei. Coins include both bani and lei.
- Most hotel prices are listed in euros, although some are listed in US dollars.
- Local wine is described as cheap compared with wine in other countries.
Tipping: Moldovans are not accustomed to tipping.
Typical costs
- A Chișinău trolleybus journey costs 6 lei.
- Hostel prices are listed as US$10–20.
- Apartment rentals in Chișinău are listed as €20–50.
- An informal stay in a local person's home may cost about €10.
- Many Chișinău hotels have options costing €100 a night.
- Good restaurants can cost as much as restaurants elsewhere in Europe.
Language
- Romanian is the official language.
- Russian is widely spoken as a first or second language.
- Gagauz is spoken in Gagauzia and is closely related to Turkish, Azerbaijani and Turkmen.
- Ukrainian is spoken by the Ukrainian minority and in parts of Transnistria.
- Few people speak enough English for a full conversation. Romanian or Russian is useful for independent travel.
Staying safe
- An October 2026 warning says many governments advise against travel near the Moldovan-Ukrainian border and in Transnistria because of the war in Ukraine.
- Carry your passport at all times, as required for foreigners.
- Keep your embassy's telephone number and your accommodation's contact details with you.
- Police and border guards may try to demand bribes. Ordinary crime rates are described as low.
Local customs
Do
- Dress conservatively at religious sites.
- Women must cover their heads inside churches and monasteries.
- Understand that curious looks from locals do not usually mean hostility.
Don't
- Do not wear shorts at religious sites.
- Do not assume everyone uses the same name for the local language. Calling it Romanian or Moldovan can be politically sensitive.
Staying healthy
- Few healthcare facilities meet Western standards. Getting care may be difficult if you do not speak Romanian or Russian.
- For a serious medical emergency, seeking care outside Moldova is strongly recommended. Romania may have better facilities than Ukraine.
- The United States Embassy in Moldova keeps a list of facilities that offer services in English.
- Agricultural chemicals have contaminated soil and groundwater. If concerned, use water from a known safe source for drinking, cooking and brushing your teeth.
Where to stay
- Chișinău accommodation can be expensive, with many €100-a-night options. Most hotel prices are shown in euros, though some use US dollars.
- Chișinău has a few hostels, including Chișinău Hostel and Central Youth Hostel. Listed prices range from US$10–20.
- Private apartments in Chișinău are listed at €20–50, with varying locations and quality. A booking company may help if finding an English-speaking owner is difficult.
- In many places, a stay in a local person's home may cost about €10. These informal stays are arranged by talking to people after arrival.
Outdoor adventures in Moldova
Moldova has rolling hills, river valleys and Orhei National Park. Chișinău offers wooded walks, lake cycling and pedal boats, while Cahul is known for its mineral springs.
Orhei National Park visit
More to do
Visit Orhei National Park. Transport and guided tour details are not specified.
Valea Morilor lake circuit
CyclingChișinăunear Chișinău
Follow the marked running and cycling circuit around the lake in Valea Morilor Park.
Rose Valley pedal boating
More to doChișinăunear Chișinău
Walk from the city centre or take trolleybus 1, 4 or 8 to the southern entrances. Bus 46 serves the northern side. Pedal boats are available on the park's lakes.
Râşcani Park wooded walks
HikeChișinăunear Chișinău
Take bus 5 or trolleybus 12 or 24 from the city centre, then explore the park's wooded walks.
Chișinău Botanical Garden visit
More to doChișinăunear Chișinău
Take trolleybus 22 or 30 from the city centre to the garden near the city gates. Trolleybus 4 also goes there but takes a substantial detour.
- Cost: Entry: 10 MDL, including students; 5 MDL for children and retired people.
Parcul Dendrariu gardens and forest visit
More to doBuiucani, Chișinăunear Chișinău
Enter Parcul Dendrariu at Strada Ion Creangă 1 in Buiucani.
- Cost: About 10 MDL entry.
Cahul mineral springs
More to doCahulnear Cahul
Visit Cahul for its mineral springs. Nufărul Alb is a sanatorium and hotel at Strada Nucilor 1.
Airports, metros and trains in Moldova
Airports with scheduled flights
- RMOChişinău International AirportChişinăuMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 1,151 km
People and safety in Moldova
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.
- Christian97%
- No religion1%
- Muslim<1%
- Folk religions<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Legal gender change is recognised.
- Laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #36 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
58% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 103 of 198 countries can visit Moldova easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required103
- eVisa66
- Visa required28
- Admission refused1
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Europe44 of 45 countries
- Oceania11 of 14 countries
- Americas27 of 35 countries
- Asia19 of 50 countries
- Africa2 of 54 countries
Questions
Where is Moldova?
Moldova is a small, landlocked country between Romania and Ukraine. Its capital is Chișinău.
What is the weather like?
Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are warm to hot. Spring and autumn are mild.
Can I get around using English?
Few people speak enough English for a full conversation. Knowing Romanian or Russian helps with independent travel.
How do I travel around the country?
Buses are the most reliable option and reach most parts of Moldova. Chișinău is the main hub, with three bus stations.
What money should I use, and is tipping expected?
The currency is the Moldovan leu, with the plural lei. Moldovans are not accustomed to tipping.
What local food should I try?
Try mămăligă, plăcintă and sarmale. These traditional dishes are often accompanied by homemade wine.
Can I arrange a countryside stay after arriving?
In many places, informal stays in local homes can be arranged by talking to people on arrival. A listed price is about €10.
Are there areas I should avoid?
An October 2026 warning says many governments advise against travel near the Ukrainian border and in Transnistria because of the war in Ukraine.
Does boiling water remove the contamination mentioned?
No. Boiling does not remove agricultural chemical contamination, so use water from a known safe source if concerned.
What should I wear to a monastery or church?
Wear conservative clothing and avoid shorts. Women must cover their heads inside monasteries and churches.
Reviewed by @snuck