Transnistria Moldova Travel Guide
The nearest and most relevant international airport is Chisinau International Airport (KIV) in Moldova. This airport acts as the main entry point for every visitor to Transnistria. No airports within Transnistria handle international commercial passenger flights. KIV serves various airlines connecting Moldova to European cities: Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, TAROM (Romania), and others. Air Moldova, the national carrier, suspended operations, so research current airlines.
Chisinau Airport delivers standard facilities for an international airport: ATMs and Currency Exchange (Moldovan Lei available in arrivals), Duty-Free Shops, Cafes and Restaurants, Vehicle Rental Firms (international and local companies), Information Desk, and free Wi-Fi.
Direct flights from major global hubs are typically unavailable to Chisinau, requiring a connection through Europe.
Plan your itinerary to include transfer period within Chisinau for your journey to Transnistria.
Flight prices to Chisinau fluctuate seasonally; booking in advance gets you better prices.
Transnistria is landlocked; it has no access to all sea or ocean.
The Dniester River, while a significant geographical feature, sees no major international passenger transportation.
No ferry services or cruise ports exist for tourists to arrive in Transnistria via river.
Land transport is the main and most common way to enter Transnistria from Moldova. This track crosses an administrative border. The most common crossing for tourists is from Chisinau, Moldova, to Tiraspol, Transnistria, often passing near Bender. Other crossings exist along the administrative border, but this one sees most use.
The process is generally straightforward for tourists. Officials may ask about your visit purpose and lodging. A polite and patient demeanor helps.
International train limited services are available. A train service by Chisinau (Moldova) to Odesa (Ukraine) passes through Transnistria, stopping in Bender and Tiraspol.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) comes recommended in addition to your national driving license. Car insurance purchased in Moldova may not be recognized in Transnistria. You may need to purchase separate, temporary Transnistrian car insurance at the border checkpoint. This brings a cost and might include some bureaucracy. Inquire about this at the border.
When taking a marshrutka from Tiraspol back to Chisinau, verify it goes directly to the Central Bus Station in Chisinau, especially if you need to connect to the airport or other transport.
No specific airport or large international station facilities exist within Transnistria for departing international travelers. If departing by air, you will use Chisinau International Airport (KIV) in Moldova, which has a regular airport facilities for departing passengers. Plan your travel from Tiraspol to Chisinau Airport accordingly.
Always keep your migration card with your passport. Losing it or failing to present it upon exit leads to fines and complications.
