Chișinău Airport is one of the most popular with Ukrainian travelers. But it’s not always possible to get to your flight on time—it’s often necessary to spend the night in Chișinău to make sure you reach the airport in time and don’t miss your flight.
Most people look for accommodation right near the airport. But you don’t always have to overpay. Here’s my personal experience of many overnight stays in Chișinău—hotels, apartments, and guesthouses at various price levels, comfort, and city locations.
Find out where to stay in Chișinău for a comfortable night before an early airport departure.
Why stay overnight in Chișinău—why can’t you arrive at the airport just for your flight?
There are many reasons—and they’re different for everyone:
- First, many Ukrainians travel to Chișinău by train, which arrives at one time, while the flight may be several hours earlier. So you have to travel a day in advance and stay overnight to catch a morning flight (the train arrives around 11 am).
- Second, those traveling by bus—especially from far away—need to allow extra time for unexpected incidents. For example, buses get stuck at the border if the database is down or the lights go out due to shelling. Even I, living in Odesa, if my flight is at 12–2 pm, travel to Chișinău the night before because I’m afraid of missing the flight.
- Third, some planes arrive very late and buses or other transfers to Ukraine run far less often at night; nobody wants to spend the night on the road, etc. Or the train’s only next day—so it’s better to spend the night in Chișinău.
Is it worth staying overnight at Chișinău Airport?
Often tourists spend the night at Chișinău Airport—it never closes at night, so it is possible in principle. Passengers settle on chairs on the second floor of the departures area (before boarding pass/security check). There are sofas for café visitors and regular chairs with armrests for other passengers.
Main thing to realize: Chișinău Airport has expanded its flight program so much that sometimes there simply aren’t enough seats to sit, let alone lie on the chairs. Some people sit on the window sills, some even on the floor, when it’s very crowded. It can happen there just isn’t a seat for you.
Transport in Chișinău
There are several convenient options if you arrive in town by train or bus.
From the train station, the easiest way to reach other parts of the city or the airport is by taxi. Install the Letz app, link your Ukrainian card (works like Bolt or Uber—but these don’t operate in Moldova), and order a taxi anytime day or night. From the station it’s 30–40 minutes at most in rush hour; otherwise, it’s quicker.
From the city center, it’s faster—15–20 minutes (provided there’s no traffic, though this direction is almost always free unless there’s a random incident or roadwork).
I also advise using Letz taxi (especially with luggage and kids) from Gara Nord—international bus terminal. Exception: if you go right to the airport and don’t plan to stop in Chișinău—nearly all buses headed for the city first stop at the airport (check your bus ticket just in case or ask the driver).
You can also get from central Chișinău to the airport by trolleybus #30 (and vice versa from the airport to town if you spend the night after arriving in Moldova). Previously, you could pay by card in this trolleybus, but now the terminals aren’t working, so you need cash. The airport has an exchange office in working hours, and there are many exchanges in town; they accept hryvnia. I always exchange a few hundred hryvnias in Ukraine for Moldovan lei ahead of time, so I have money for the trolleybus.
City trolleybuses and buses cost 6 lei (0,2 Euro). Google shows the trolleybus arrival time; if you route from your location to the airport, you’ll get the correct info and times.
Hotels in Chișinău near the airport
If you need to stay right by the airport (early flight, or late arrival at the airport), there are several places to stay as close as possible.
- ibis Styles Chisinau – good, new hotel, honest ***, rooms are small as is standard for Ibis, but have all you need. Good breakfast for an extra charge. Nearby is the botanical garden and zoo, and across the road are two restaurants. This is the nearest hotel to the airport for an adequate price. The staff works well and are very customer-focused. Taxi can be called at the hotel reception.
- AeroHome Moldova-Free Taxi≫– Good and clean apartment with all the amenities. Supermarket nearby with ready food. The owner can arrange a transfer if you don’t want to walk to the airport.
Hotels in the city center – 15 minutes from airport (by taxi)
Now about hotels that are in the city center but very convenient for getting to the airport quickly. These two hotels are right in the city, surrounded by all necessary infrastructure: shops, restaurants, public transport, taxi.
- TA Collection – highly recommend this hotel located in the center of Chișinău. Very clean, good beds, bedding, bathroom. The #30 trolleybus (to the airport) stops right beside the hotel. If your flight leaves after 8 am you can get to the airport cheaply (trolleybus costs 6 lei, and has a card reader), a great option for those traveling through Chișinău.
- Glass Cube Hotel – The room is crystal clean, spotlessly neat, loads of clean towels, slippers, robe, fluffy white bedding, soap, and shampoo. On the ground floor is a great kitchen with everything you need: tea, coffee, biscuits, snacks, disposable cups, regular dishes, forks, mugs. Everything shines. You can get boiling or cold water. There’s a dining room where you can comfortably eat if you bring your own food. No restaurant on site, but there’s a café and restaurant nearby. The hotel staff is very kind and polite, thank you for the hospitality. In the morning they woke me up in time for the airport and offered to call a taxi.
- Fine Exclusive – clean, cozy apartment with a new renovation. Very convenient location close to the airport. Friendly host can meet you at the airport for an extra fee, provides all instructions, and helps with food delivery.
- Apartment-studio – Close to the airport, clean, possibility of early check-in. The hostess is extremely welcoming, always in touch, helps with transfers or will meet you at the airport by arrangement.
Budget accommodation in Chișinău – for those who want to save
These options are also located near the airport—Gate of Chishinau area, from where trolleybus #30 runs to the airport. Taxi is also possible.
- Vila Iris – very convenient budget hotel, located by the Gate of Chishinau (the iconic high-rises at the city entrance). It’s very convenient to get here from the airport (or to the airport), or from the city center by trolleybus #30, which stops right at the hotel (there’s a stop). Prices are fair, it’s clean and neat. Another plus—there’s a paid parking lot next door—from 50 lei/day (in case you arrive in your own car).
- Dacia – budget apartment, very conveniently located close to the trolleybus stop, not far from the airport (15 min by taxi). Clean, comfortable bed, quality linen. All necessary appliances, internet, smart TV, microwave. Arrived late. Can check in in the evening, there are shops, a café if you arrive not too late.
Long-term parking near Chișinău Airport
If you come to Chișinău Airport by private car—you need to decide where to leave your car long-term. We used to park for a week at the airport—three years ago the prices were reasonable. Now it’s very expensive.
With the recent price hikes at the airport parking, lots of private parking sites with airport transfers have sprung up. They’re much cheaper.
- Parking Aeropark by the airport—130 lei per day, transfer to/from the airport included. Allow 20 minutes to park and transfer.
- Nearby parking iPARKING & TRANSFER—also very close to the airport, with included transfer. Just call the phone number, they’re always available, and it’s very fast, no waiting.
- There’s another parking lot with transfer located here – price is 100 lei for open parking, 120 lei for covered parking.
- By the Vila Iris hotel (just around the corner) there is a paid parking lot – price from 100 lei per day (in case you arrive in your own car). Located here.
Useful articles and links:
Timetables and bus tickets – InfoBus.ua
Green card and travel health insurance for trips abroad – online at HotlineFinance
Hotel & apartment bookings – Booking.com
