Social ConventionsDress should be casual but conservative. For official engagements, men should wear a jacket and tie. The country is famous for its tradition of folk arts and there are many lively musical groups (
Tarafs), which play a variety of rare folk instruments including the
tsambal (not unlike a dulcimer),
cimpoi (bagpipe),
fluier and
nai.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airlines are
Air Moldova (9U) and
Air Moldova International (RM).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsChisinau International
(KIV) is 14km (8.5 miles) from the city center.
To/from the airport: There is a regular bus service to the city (journey time - 15 to 25 minutes). Taxis are also available.
Facilities: Bank, post office, left luggage and duty-free shops.
Getting There by RailThere are daily train services between Chisinau and Moscow, Russian Federation (journey time – 22 hours), Odessa, Ukraine (journey time – 5 hours) and Bucharest, Romania (journey time – 13 hours). Other, less frequent, destinations include Minsk (Belarus) and St Petersburg.
Getting There by RoadMoldova can be entered from Ukraine (although the self-proclaimed ‘Republic of Transnistria’ area around Tiraspol should be avoided at present) and also from Romania via the border crossing at Leusheni, Sculeni and Giurgiulesti. From Chisinau to Odessa is 183km (114 miles).
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Moldova by persons of 18 years of age or older without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes;
1l of spirits and/or wine;
a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
Internal Travel:Getting Around by RailThere are over 1145km (715 miles) of railway track in use in Moldova. Trains run daily to Ocnita, Tighina and Ungheni, and there are connections to most areas of the country. For more details, contact the information service of Moldovan Railways (tel: (22) 252 737/5; website:
www.railway.md).
Getting Around by RoadThe road network covers 13,622km (8500 miles).
Bus: These run between most of the larger towns and cities. For further information, contact either Chisinau Main Bus Station (tel: (22) 542 185) or South East Bus Station (tel: (22) 723 983).
Taxi: These can be found everywhere. Fares should be negotiated in advance, though drivers prefer to charge per hour. Taxis are requested by calling 900 or 905-8.
Car hire: Self-drive cars can be obtained for self-drive or with an English-speaking driver.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesBuses, trolleybuses and minibuses are cheap but notoriously crowded and unreliable. They all operate from 0500-2400 with services every 15 minutes. Tickets for buses and trolleybuses can be purchased from kiosks or on board the vehicle. Minibus tickets are bought from the driver.
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