Europe
Moldova
Small, inexpensive and little-visited: Chișinău cafés, huge wine cellars and quiet countryside. Easy for curious travelers, but English is limited, nomads are few, and Transnistria is off limits.
- US travel advisoryLevel 2Exercise increased cautionDetails
- Visa103 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyMDLUS$1 ≈ L17.78Details
- Price level43%of US prices (World Bank PPP)
- English3/5Common in tourist areas
- PlugsType C, F230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency112All emergencies 112
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or boiled water everywhere, including Chișinău.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalReligious and conservative.Details
- Internet177 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 70 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightMost photocard licences in Latin script are accepted; carry an IDP otherwise. Cars must be declared at customs.
Where to go in Moldova
1 place with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChișinăuCapital city | 4/5 | $1,010–1,570 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 77/100 |
When to visit Moldova
May–June and September–October for mild weather and the grape harvest; National Wine Day in early October is the highlight. Summers are hot, winters grey and cold.
Good to know
Entry
- Visa-exempt visitors may be asked for a return or onward ticket; your arrival is registered automatically.
- Enter only through official Moldovan checkpoints. Transnistrian posts are not recognised and don't stamp passports.
- Border crossings between Ukraine and Transnistria are closed; use crossings in the north or south of Moldova.
- Declare cash worth €10,000 or more when you arrive.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing military sites, airports or power stations can lead to arrest.
- Police check IDs often; carry your passport or a copy.
- In Transnistria only the Transnistrian ruble is legal and foreign cards don't work.
Etiquette
- Romanian and Russian are both spoken and politically sensitive; follow the other person's lead
- Take shoes off in homes; give flowers in odd numbers
- Hosts pour homemade wine generously; a polite reason helps when refusing
Tipping
About 10% in restaurants; check whether service is already on the bill. Round up taxi fares.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Moldova
- Speedtest Global Index: Moldova
- Border Police of Moldova
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.