Chisinau Airport to City Centre

How to get from Chisinau Airport to City Centre

When it comes to traveling from Chisinau Airport to the city center, you have three options: taxi, private transfer or bus. The most relaxing and smooth way to travel is to use a local taxi or book a private Chisinau Airport transfer. The journey time will be just 25 minutes for this stress-free door-to-door transfer option.

Alternatively, for those traveling on a budget, you can take the suburban 33 bus heading towards str. Ismail. This bus makes many stops, so offers a much slower journey time of 40 minutes, but it does operate daily.

3 ways to get from Chisinau Airport to the City Center

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€29 25min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Taxi
€8 25min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Suburban 33 Bus
€0.60 40min 06:22–23:49
Convenience
Read more
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How to get from Chisinau Airport to city center by taxi

Taking a taxi from Chisinau Airport to the city center is a fast and direct transfer option. You can expect a door-to-door ride of just 25 minutes, and your driver will drop you off directly at your hotel in the city center. Chisinau Airport taxis are available 24/7 from the dedicated rank and use taximeters to calculate their fares.

*The Chisinau Airport taxi rank is located just outside of the main passenger terminal on the Ground Floor.

How much is a taxi from Chisinau Airport to the city center?

Taxis at Chisinau Airport use meters to calculate their fares based on the distance you travel, with slightly different pricing depending on the taxi company you choose to travel with. On average, you will be charged a base fare of €2.50 (MDL 50) and a price per km of €0.25 (MDL 5), with no fare change for traveling during the night. 

Having said this, you can expect to pay around €8 (MDL 160) for your taxi from Chisinau Airport to the city center.

If you’d prefer to travel at a fixed price with a local English-speaking driver, you can always pre-book a taxi from Chisinau Airport with a private company such as Welcome Pickups. 

Where do I get a taxi from?

Chisinau Airport has one passenger terminal with a dedicated taxi rank. After collecting your luggage and heading into the the Arrivals Hall, you will see the line of taxis waiting just outside of the exit doors. The Chisinau Airport taxi rank is open 24/7.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Chisinau Airport to the city center is a comfortable and efficient way to travel, especially with children and heavy luggage. Taxis in the capital are inexpensive and available 24/7, making them a great way to explore the city. However, during peak travel times, you may find a queue of people waiting for a taxi, creating a 10-15 minute wait.

Useful Tips

To avoid being overcharged, ensure your driver resets the taximeter to the base fare. There are no price differences when traveling during the day, night or on the weekend.
Taxi fares will very between companies, feel free to ask for an estimated fare before choosing a taxi.
Taxi drivers in Chisinau rarely speak English, so it's best to have your address written down or loaded up on Google Maps.
Chisinau taxis do not accept card payments; when getting a cab, ensure to have cash in the local currency.
It is customary to leave your driver a small tip; most travellers round up their end fare to the higher amount.
For your safety, don't accept rides from drivers inside the airport. Only accept the service of taxis waiting at the dedicated rank.

How to get from Chisinau Airport to city center by bus

If you’re traveling on a budget, taking the bus from Chisinau Airport to the city center may be a good option for you. With many stops along the way, the bus will take around 40 minutes to reach the city, but they do run Monday through to Sunday with a very frequent service.

*The number 33 bus stop is located around a 5 minute walk from the main passenger terminal. You will need to look for the 33 bus heading towards “str. Ismail”

What does a ticket cost on the Chisinau Airport to City bus?

A one-way ticket on the city to Chisinau Airport bus will cost €0.30 (MDL 6), making it a very affordable transfer option. You can purchase your tickets from the driver as you get on the bus. Be sure to bring exact change if paying in cash. Alternatively, most number 33 buses are equipped with contactless and card payment options.

*Children under the age of 1.5 travel for free on the suburban 33 bus from Chisinau Airport to the city center.

Cost
€0.30 (MDL 6)
Trip Duration
40 Min.
There's an average wait time of 30 minutes for the number 33 bus, but you can expect up to an hour wait between the last two buses of the day.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Suburban bus number 33 runs daily from 06:22 to 23:49 Monday to Saturday, and 06:30 to 23:30 on Sundays.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can find the bus station in the parking lot on the right side of the airport’s exit doors. After exiting the Arrivals Hall, follow signs for the parking lot or “Ground Transportation”. The walk will be around 5 minutes from the main terminal building.

Convenience

Taking the Chisinau Airport to the city bus is the perfect cost-savvy choice for those on a budget, as buses are affordable and frequent. However, once you reach the bus station, you will have to find your way to your Chisinau hotel, which can be difficult when traveling with children and/or heavy luggage. Moreover, if you land late at night or early in the morning, you will have no option but to take a taxi or private transfer to get downtown, as buses don’t run during these hours.

Timetables

Suburban 33 Bus

Useful Tips

Be aware of your belongings when travelling during peak hours, as the bus can get very crowded.
Try arriving to the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the bus departs, to ensure luggage space and seats.
Make sure to carry cash on you in change, as many bus drivers can't break large notes.
It's important to note that you will be charged an extra €0.15 (MDL 3) if you are travelling with more than one piece of luggage weighing 30kg.
Children under the age of 1.5 years can travel on the bus for free, when seated on the lap of an adult.

How to get from Chisinau Airport to the city center by private transfer

The most stress-free and enjoyable way to get from Chisinau Airport to the city center is to take a private Chisinau Airport transfer. You won’t have to worry about waiting for a local taxi or haggling over taxi-metered rides. Instead, you can en joy a personalized meet-and-greet inside the airport’s Arrivals Hall and a fixed, pre-paid fare that has zero hidden costs.

If you choose to book your transfer from Chisinau Airport to the city center with Welcome Pickups, you can also enjoy a tonne of traveler-first benefits, such as:

  • Meet and greets
  • Trained English-speaking drivers
  • Flight monitoring
  • Guaranteed fixed fares
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Flexible cancellation

What does a private transfer from Chisinau Airport to the city center cost?

One of the best benefits of booking a private transfer from Chisinau Airport to the center is that the fares are completely fixed and can even be pre-paid before you land in Moldova. Every Welcome Pickups fare is all-inclusive and includes up to 1 hour of free waiting time, should you experience any form of delay. Paying your private transfer, with zero hidden costs, before landing in Chisinau will give you complete peace of mind, allowing you to start your vacation on the right foot.

You can expect to pay €29 for up to 4 passengers in a private transfer from Chisinau Airport to the city, or €45 for up to 9 passengers.

Booking your ride couldn’t be easier thanks to our 3-step booking system available both online and in app. Simply add your journey information, select your travel extras and receive a fixed quote in seconds.

Cost
€29
Trip Duration
25 Min.
*For a seamless and direct transfer from Chisinau Airport to the city center, pre-book your rides.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Private transfers are available 24/7 from Chisinau Airport.

Where do I find a private transfer at Chisinau Airport?

So you don’t have to wait in line at the taxi rank, you can enjoy a personalized meet-and-greet inside the Arrivals Hall, or a location of your choosing. Your friendly English-speaking driver will be waiting for you at your meeting point, holding a sign with your name on it.

After a warm greeting, they will then help carry your luggage and lead you to your pre-selected vehicle.

Convenience

There’s a reason why a private transfers are popular amongst business travelers and those with small children. The flexibility of these personalized transfers, and fixed, all inclusive fares give peace of mind like no other. Plus, the 1 hour of free waiting time, 24/7 customer support, zero wait times and English-speaking drivers make this transfer option the most convenient.

Useful Tips

Our sedans can take up to 4 passengers, while our spacious minivans can fit up to 9.
All Chisinau Airport transfers come with 1 hour of free wait time.
You can rely on our customer service team 24/7, or reach out to your driver directly in app and via WhatsApp.
Tipping your driver is optional, but can be done easily through our dedicated app.
We suggest booking your transfer for 30 minutes after your scheduled landing time, to give sufficient time to pass through Arrivals.

Frequently asked questions

How do I go from Chisinau Airport to city center?

There are three ways to get from Chisinau Airport to the center: taxi, private transfer or bus. Taking a taxi or private transfer are the best way to travel as the direct journey will be just 25 minutes. The number 33 bus will take closer to 40 minutes to reach Chisinau city, as it makes many stops.

How do I get to Chisinau from the Airport?

Is there public transportation from Chisinau Airport?

Fern Coll

Fern is originally from England, but her love of travel led her to lay roots in Mexico. She’s a business owner and published author with a passion for storytelling. Fern specialises in travel content, helping brands connect with audiences through engaging writing.

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