✈ Getting from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau City Centre

Chisinau, Moldova’s fascinating capital city, is a great holiday destination for those wanting to avoid mass tourism. From Soviet-style architecture to the neoclassical Nativity Cathedral and Triumphal Arch celebrating Russia’s 19th-century victory over the Ottoman Empire, Chisinau is a must for history and nature enthusiasts.

So when visiting the Moldovan capital, you will be landing at Chisinau International Airport (KIV), and you have two transportation options to get to the city centre; you can take a taxi or a bus. Taking a taxi or private transfer from Chisinau Airport to the city centre is always the best way to travel. Taxis are available 24/7 and offer door-to-door services straight to your Chisinau hotel in just 25 minutes. For a cost-savvy alternative, two public buses are available, the Minibus No. 165 and the Express Bus 30 – both take around 40 minutes to reach Downtown.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Chisinau at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€8	25min	24/7
Bus	€0.30	40min	05:30–23:00

How to get from Chisinau Airport to city centre by taxi

Getting a taxi or private transfer from Chisinau Airport to the city centre is the easiest and most convenient travel option. Taxis are available 24/7 and offer safe door-to-door transportation in the comfort of a private vehicle, taking 25 minutes to reach downtown.

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

Taxis in Moldova calculate their fares using a taximeter, with slightly different pricing depending on the taxi company you choose. You can expect to pay around €8 (MDL 160) for your journey from Chisinau Airport to the city centre.

Nevertheless, if you prefer to travel at a fixed price with a local English-speaking driver, you can pre-book your private transfer with Welcome.

Cost

€8 (MDL 160)

Trip Duration

25 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Chisinau International Airport (KIV).

Where do I get a taxi from?

You can find Chisinau Airport’s taxi ranks in front of the Arrival Hall.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Chisinau Airport to the city centre is the most 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.

Editor’s Note

It is good to know that there are no price differences when travelling during the day, night or on the weekend.

Useful Tips

Taxi drivers in Chisinau rarely speak English; thus, it is best to have your address handy or book a private transfer with an English-speaking driver.

Chisinau taxis do not accept card payments; when getting a cab, ensure to have cash.

It is customary to leave your driver a small tip; most travellers round up their end fare to the higher amount.

How to get from Chisinau Airport to city centre by bus

A great travel option for those on a budget is to take the public bus. Two buses are available for the same price; the Express Bus 30 and the Minibus No. 165. Both bus options are available daily and take 40 minutes to reach the city centre.

How much is a bus ticket from Chisinau Airport to city?

A one-way bus ticket on both buses costs €0.15 (MDL 3). You can only purchase your bus ticket directly on board the bus. Some routes allow card payments, but most, only allow cash (in the exact amount).

Cost

€0.15 (MDL 3)

Trip Duration

40 Min.

The Express Bus 30 runs every 40 minutes and the Minibus No. 165 runs every 10 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Express Bus 30 is available daily from 06:00 to 23:00 and the Minibus No. 165 is available daily from 05:30 to 22:00.

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/Arrival doors.

Convenience

Taking the bus from Chisinau Airport to Chisinau city centre is the perfect cost-savvy choice for those on a budget as buses are direct 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 travelling 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.

Editor’s Note

Please note that you will be charged an extra €0.15 (MDL 3) if you are travelling with luggage.

Useful Tips

Be aware of your belongings when travelling during peak hours, as the bus can get very crowded.

Getting to the bus as early as possible is best to ensure luggage space and seats.

Make sure to carry cash on you and the closest to the exact fare amount, as many drivers have change.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How to get from Chisinau Airport to the city centre?

There are two transportation options if you’re trying to get from Chisinau Airport to the city centre; you can either take a taxi or private transfer, taking 25 minutes, or you can take the public bus, which takes around 40 minutes to get downtown.

Is there a direct bus from Chisinau Airport to the city centre?

Yes, two direct buses depart from the airport towards the city centre or Chisinau; Express Bus 30 and Minibus No. 165. Both buses are available daily and take 40 minutes to reach the city.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Chisinau Airport to the city centre?

Taxis from Chisinau Airport to the city centre calculate their fares using a taximeter with slight price differences depending on your chosen company. You can expect to pay around €8 (MDL 160) for your 25-minute journey but if you’d like a set-rate fare you can rely on and no hidden fees, you may wish to pre-book and pre-pay for your ride.

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How to get from Chisinau Airport to city centre by taxi