Airport arrival
Chișinău airport to city centre.
Trolleybus 30, taxis and pre-booked pickups from RMO — with the current central stops, payment advice and a plan for late arrivals.
Last reviewed: 2 November 2026 · confirm departures and quotes before travelling
Choose your airport transfer
For a low-cost trip into central Chișinău, take trolleybus 30. A taxi is simpler with heavy bags or an address far from the route. For a late landing, a child seat or assistance, arrange a pickup with your hotel before flying.
| Transport | Price | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Trolleybus 30 | 7 MDL per ride | Budget arrivals travelling near a central stop |
| App taxi / licensed taxi | Check the live quote or agree the fare basis before leaving | Door-to-door travel with luggage |
| Pre-booked transfer | Request a written quote from the hotel or operator | Late flights, groups and specific assistance needs |
The trolleybus fare is published by RTEC. Taxi and transfer prices vary by destination, demand and vehicle; check the total for your trip rather than relying on an old airport price estimate. See Moldova travel costs for the rest of your budget.
Trolleybus 30: boarding and direction
After leaving Arrivals, follow the public-transport signs for the airport stop, labelled “Aeroportul Internațional”. Check the stop position on the RTEC-linked Tranzy map; if the boarding area has moved, ask at airport information before walking out to the road.
Board 30 towards Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie. Since 5 October 2026, the route runs along Dacia Boulevard, Ciuflea Street and Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard, reaching the medical university. Use route 30 for the terminal; route 22 serves Botanica and the city, but does not reach the airport.
Allow roughly an hour on public transport as a planning buffer, plus waiting and the walk to your hotel. This is not a guaranteed journey time. Check the live route before setting out; traffic and diversions can change the trip.
Which city stop fits your hotel?
Choose a stop by your hotel’s exact address, then check the walking route with luggage. The route extension gives you these useful city-bound stops:
- Piața Marii Adunări Naționale — for the central square and a walk towards Cathedral Park and the central hotel area.
- Teatrul Național de Operă și Balet “Maria Bieșu” — for the opera and Ștefan cel Mare Park area.
- Universitatea Tehnică / Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie — for addresses further west along Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard.
These are the airport-to-city stops in RTEC’s route-change notice. For the return journey, boarding stops differ by direction: check the map for 30 towards Aeroportul Internațional, rather than assuming the same stop serves both directions. Compare neighbourhoods in the Chișinău hotels guide.
Fare, payment, bags and accessibility
A trolleybus ride costs 7 MDL. RTEC confirms contactless validators on route 30: tap your bank card, phone or smartwatch, and use the same card or device if an inspector checks payment. Carry small Moldovan lei as a fallback for cash payment on board.
Keep bags out of doors and aisles. If you need a step-free vehicle, wheelchair space or help boarding, confirm the specific service with RTEC before travel: the route number alone does not guarantee the vehicle or boarding conditions. With bulky luggage or a child seat requirement, ask your hotel to arrange a suitable vehicle and confirm capacity and price.
Late arrivals and early departures
Check the RTEC-linked live map and route 30 departures for the airport stop, correct direction and travel date. RTEC also lists its routes and timetables. Do not plan around an old fixed last-trolleybus time: landing time is not the time you reach the stop.
For an arrival near the end of service, allow for passport control and baggage and have a taxi plan. Arrange a hotel pickup or request a ride through an app such as Bolt; check availability and the live quote after landing. Match the driver and registration to the booking, and confirm the pickup point before leaving the terminal area.
For a pre-booked transfer, give the operator your flight number and confirm how flight delays, waiting time, cancellation and child seats affect the price. For an early flight, agree the hotel pickup time with your driver and follow your airline’s airport-arrival guidance.
Airport transfer questions
How do I get from Chișinău airport to the city centre?
Take trolleybus 30 towards Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie for 7 MDL, or arrange a taxi or private transfer to your hotel. Route 30 serves Piața Marii Adunări Naționale and other central stops. Allow roughly an hour on public transport, plus the wait and walk to your hotel; traffic affects the journey.
Can I pay by card on trolleybus 30?
RTEC lists route 30 among routes with contactless validators. Pay with a bank card, phone or smartwatch and use the same card or device if an inspector checks payment. Carry small Moldovan lei as a fallback.
Can I take trolleybus 22 from the airport?
Use route 30 for the airport. Route 22 serves the city and Botanica but does not reach the airport terminal.
What if I arrive late at night?
Check route 30 departures from the airport for your travel date on the RTEC-linked Tranzy map. Allow time for passport control and baggage. If service has ended, book an app taxi or arrange a hotel pickup; confirm the quote, meeting point and any flight-delay waiting fee.
Are RMO and KIV the same airport?
Yes. RMO is the current IATA code for Chișinău International Airport; older guides and bookings may use KIV. Use RMO when searching for flights and airport pickups.
Sources and onward planning
Transport checked on 2 November 2026: RTEC route 30 extension, official fares, contactless payment and the RTEC-linked route map. Check departures and temporary diversions again on your travel day.
Still planning the journey? Read getting to Moldova, choose your hotel, and explore Chișinău.