Away With The Steiners

Crossing the Moldova Transnistria Border From Chisinau (MD) To Tiraspol. 

Sarah Steiner

Here is our experience of the Chisinau to Transnistria border crossing at Bender to visit Tiraspol. 

About Tiraspol and Transnistria 

Tiraspol is the capital and largest city of Transnistria, a breakaway state of Moldova. 

It is a narrow territory within Moldova that is known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.  

Transnistria declared itself independent from Moldova in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.  Though still today, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is a country not recognized by the UN.  

Chisinau to Transnistria border crossing Moldova to Tiraspol.
Tiraspol, Transnistria.

Travel to Transnistria – Chisinau to Tiraspol

As a traveller to Transnistria, it is an unusual – albeit fascinating – place to visit.  

While most countries in the region quickly moved away from communism, Transnistria was reluctant to let go of Socialist Soviet ideals.  It is a territory filled with Communist symbols and Soviet nostalgia.  

The official flag of Transnistria is the only flag in the world that still uses the hammer and sickle! 

Admittedly it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.  But if you are curious or just want to visit one of the unrecognised countries of the world, it is worth the trip. 

Here is everything you need to know about crossing the border to Tiraspol from Chisinau to Transnistria. 

Border crossing options to enter Transnistria from Moldova or Ukraine

There are – in theory – several options for crossing the border to enter Transnistria.  

However, the two main options are: 

The train that goes from Odessa in Ukraine to Chisinau stops in Tiraspol.  Or there is an Odessa-Chisinau bus that also stops in Tiraspol. 

A Transistrian plated Lada on the road to Tiraspol.

Chisinau to Tiraspol, Transnistria – via Bender 

From Chisinau to Transnistria there is one main border crossing at Bender. 

This is the designated border crossing point between the Republic of Moldova and the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria).

This is the border crossing that we took to get to Tiraspol from Chisinau to Transnistria. 

The following is our experience and the information you need to know for the Moldova Transnistria border crossing at Bender connecting the cities of Chisinau and Tiraspol. 

Traffic on the road somewhere in Moldova.

What documentation do you need for the border crossing to Transnistria? 

At the border crossing from Chisinau to Transnistria we were asked to provide: 

We crossed the border in our EU-registered motorhome.  Our Green Card insurance policy was valid for driving in Moldova.  

Exiting Moldova – Chisinau to Tiraspol

Still about 5km from border town of Bender in Transnistria, you will arrive at the border point to exit Moldova.  

This is Customs of The Republic of Moldova.  

Here your passport will be checked while you remain in the vehicle.  

There is one more stop (or two) for another check before advancing to the barrier arm across the road to officially exit the Moldova boundary. 

Drive forward 500m to the actual border.

Shopping at the vibrant Green Market is one of the iconic things to do in Tiraspol.

Entering Transnistria – Chisinau to Tiraspol

You will see the Cyrillic sign for ‘Bender’ ahead. 

This is the Customs Control Zone for the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria).

There is a separate lane for Marshrutka and one for passenger vehicles. 

When we arrived, there were only four cars in the line and one Marshrutka.  Everyone in the minivan descended the vehicle to go inside the kiosk for customs. 

While we were still inside the vehicle the offers checked our passports. 

Where are you going? How long? For the night or the day? 

We were instructed to pull over, park on the right-hand side and go inside to customs.  

Overall, our experience at the border crossing from Chisinau to Transnistria was straightforward.  

It took around 40 minutes in total to cross both sides. 

Do you need a Visa for Transnistria? 

Pretty much any nationality who can visit Moldova can get a visa on arrival in Transnistria. 

However, Moldova does not recognise that by entering Transnistria you have officially ‘left Moldova’.  So, there is no stamp from either side in your passport. 

At the Chisinau to Transnistria border, they will give you an Immigration Card valid for the number of days you requested.  Hold onto the card (paper) as you need to show it again upon exit.  

Do you need a Vignette for Transnistria?

Yes.  At the Chisinau to Transnistria border crossing there is a kiosk to purchase a vignette for Transnistria.  

The kiosk is unmarked (take the second door on the right). 

The Vignette for Transnistria costs 100 MDL ($6 USD).  You can pay in Moldovan Leu. 

Note that you need to purchase a vignette for 7-days.  That is the minimum allocation, even if you are only visiting Transnistria as a day trip from Chisinau. 

Main entrance to the iconic Green Market in Tiraspol.

Driving in Transnistria – Chișinău to Tiraspol

Welcome to Transnistria by the way! 

As soon as we pulled out of the border terminal heading for Bender, we could see first sites of Transnistria.  

The fullest buses I’ve ever seen. 

There were old trolley buses clunking around the overhead rails completely crammed with people in the near midday heat.  They were surely some of the fullest buses I’ve ever seen.  

We watched a cow on a trailer being towed past the next Cyrillis sign for Benger.  While the glittering dome tops of the blue Church of Joaquim and Anna stood out right ahead.  It all felt quite surreal! 

Though a note of caution abouit driving in Transnistria.  

As we rounded the unobscured traffic control box and enormous roundabout by the train tracks we were pulled over immeditatly by a young officer.  We genuinely couldn’t understand a word he was saying in Russian (or Moldovan or Ukrainian).  Though we got the general message he wanted to issue us a fine for crossing over the lane into the turning bay… 

However, we didn’t have any cash to pay up.  Nor did we let on that we understood anything he was saying.  

Albeit it was a tense few moments in the van while he took Gavin inside to the office to speak to his superior.  But a few moments later he waved his hands and gave up the going-nowhere translation challenge and off we went.  

Transnistria is full of signs and monuments – to Transnistria.

Things to do in Transnistria – Chisinau to Tiraspol

Certainly, some (most) of the sites in Tiraspol are unique.  

But there are quite a few things to do in Tiraspol to look at on a day trip from Chisinau: 

And of course you can’t leave Tiraspol without trying the popular Kvass drink! 

Trying Kvas (of course) at the Green Market in Tiraspol.

Parking in Tiraspol, Transnistria 

We parked right on the main road – 25th October Street – in a free parking spot not far from the Tank Monument. 

Views to the Green Market from the our park on the main road in Tiraspol.

Parking in Chisinau, Moldova

During the daytime in Chisinau we parked at the NR1 Hypermarket.

Though we found a great park for the night in Chisinau with our motorhome and ended up there for two nights of our travels in Moldova. 

CHISINAU, STRADA GHIOCEILOR

About: This is a great (free) parking spot in Chisinau just near to the beach (yes; in Moldova) and promenade around the lakeside.  

We had a quiet couple of nights stay here. 

Although it is worth noting not to be alarmed if when the park does get busy in the late hours of the afternoon and vehicles may double park assuming you are staying the night.  

People are friendly and we found it a good location to park. We headed into the city for a daytime carpark to explore the things to do in Chisinau.

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