Chișinău Airport, the only international airport in Moldova, is located approximately 14 km from the center of the capital.
It is the access point to one of Europe's least visited countries, known for its monumental underground wine cellars.
How to get to Chișinău International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to KIV
Parking near Chișinău International Airport
Across from the terminal is a parking lot of modest dimensions.
Fares are overall quite reasonable.
How to get to Chișinău from KIV
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Chișinău International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for reaching the wineries in the surrounding region.
Keep your driver's license, passport, and credit card handy.
Hotels near Chișinău International Airport
Centre and Nativity Cathedral
About 13 km from the airport, 35-40 minutes by taxi, more in case of traffic.
Best for: Anyone with more than a short layover: the centre concentrates the chain hotels and the capital's points of interest.
- Nativity Cathedral, main boulevards and restaurants within walking distance of the hotels downtown
- Wider choice of international chain hotels than on the outskirts
- Any hotel still requires a 30-40 minute transfer from the airport
- The Malldova shopping centre and its business area remain a more peripheral alternative
Recommended hotels
- Mercure Chisinau Center Jazz Hotel At Vlaicu Pîrcălab 72, 0.5 km from the city centre and close to Cathedral Park; fitness centre and business centre among the facilities of this Accor-branded hotel. View availability
- Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel At 77 Mitropolit Varlaam, 4 minutes on foot from the Nativity Cathedral; the most reviewed hotel in the capital according to TripAdvisor, where it ranks first out of 88 hotels in Chișinău. View availability
- Courtyard by Marriott Chisinau At 21/A Arborilor Street, next to the Malldova shopping centre, the largest in the city; about 13 km from the airport, a more business-oriented than historic area. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized for its role as the country's sole international gateway.
To avoid risks, it's advisable to arrive 2-2.5 hours in advance for international flights.
Map of Chișinău International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Why is it a good idea to use Yandex Go in Chisinau?
Because there's no official published taxi fare and meters aren't always reliable: the app shows a fixed price before the ride, removing the need to negotiate.
Q. Is Moldova known for wine?
Yes, the country is home to some of the largest underground wineries in the world, such as Cricova and Mileștii Mici, with dozens of kilometers of tunnels carved into the rock.
Q. Can you visit Transnistria from Moldova?
Yes, but it has separate crossing rules as an internationally unrecognized separatist region: always check the latest travel advisories before considering a visit.
Q. In Chisinau, is it better to withdraw Moldovan leu with a card or exchange cash?
Withdrawing leu directly from ATMs with an international card is generally the most convenient option, avoiding the unfavorable fees of airport exchange offices: credit cards, however, are only accepted at hotels and restaurants in the capital.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
