Airline tickets from Chisinau to Bucharest

Who flies from Chisinau to Bucharest and how long it takes

The distance between the two cities is only about 350 km, so you won't spend much time in the air either: 30 minutes on average, depending on the flight and airline.

Three carriers operate this route, and each has its own logic:

Airline	Carrier type	Alliance	What's important to know
TAROM	National, full-service	SkyTeam	The fare usually already includes baggage and onboard service
Wizz Air	Low-cost	No alliance	Only a small carry-on bag is free; you'll pay extra for a checked bag and a window seat
HiSky	Low-cost	No alliance	A Moldovan airline, with fare logic similar to other low-cost carriers

If you're only bringing a backpack, low-cost carriers are almost always the better deal. If you're flying with a suitcase and don't want to deal with add-ons, take a closer look at TAROM.

How much it costs to fly there and to get into the city

Tickets on this route start from €30, and the price barely fluctuates by month: the difference between the most expensive and the cheapest month is usually just €5–6. Check the table above on this page for current prices by month.

Getting from the airport into the city costs extra, and here the price depends heavily on the method: from €1 by bus up to €12 by taxi. A detailed breakdown of the options is below.

How to get from Henri Coandă Airport to the center of Bucharest

The airport is located about 16.5 km from the center, and you can get there in four ways.

Method	Travel time	Approximate price	Operating hours
Express bus 100 (formerly 783) to the center	40–45 minutes	about 7 lei (~€1.5)	24/7
Bus 780 to Gara de Nord station	about 40 minutes	5–6.5 lei (~€1)	05:30–23:00
Airport express (train) to Gara de Nord	about 25 minutes	10–13 lei (~€2–2.5)	every 30–40 minutes, 24/7
Taxi / Bolt / Uber	30–45 minutes	40–60 lei (~€8–12)	24/7

A couple of practical tips. A train ticket is cheaper if bought at the ticket office before boarding — it costs more if bought from the conductor. It's best to order a taxi at the official desk in the arrivals hall or through an app: drivers who offer a ride right at the exit often charge several times the official fare.

What you need to know about Henri Coandă Airport

This is, essentially, the only functioning international airport in Bucharest: the other one, Băneasa, currently only handles charter and business aviation flights, so there's no chance of mixing them up. The arrivals area has a currency exchange, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi.

If you have a short connection time and checked baggage, ask the airline whether it will be automatically transferred to your next flight. Sometimes this takes longer than expected, and it's better to know in advance than to find out on the spot.

Do you need a visa and a passport to travel to Bucharest

You don't need a visa. Romania is an EU member, and Moldovan citizens with a biometric passport can enter without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

A passport, however, is required — specifically a biometric one. A regular national ID card won't work for flying; it can only be used by Romanian citizens and other EU citizens traveling within the Schengen area. If you have an old, non-biometric passport, you'll need a visa for the trip, so it's worth checking in advance which type of document you have.

A sensible habit for any trip abroad: carry a passport with enough remaining validity and get travel medical insurance for the entire duration of the trip.

How much money to bring to Bucharest

An important point: Romania is in the EU but not in the eurozone — its own currency is the Romanian leu (RON). You'll almost never be able to pay in cash euros at a café or on public transport, so it's better to withdraw lei from an ATM on arrival or exchange some money in advance. Cards, on the other hand, are accepted almost everywhere, except perhaps at markets and small kiosks.

Expense	Approximate price
A cup of coffee at a café	8–12 lei (~€2)
Lunch at a regular restaurant	40–60 lei (~€8–12)
Dinner with wine for two	250–300 lei (~€50–60)
A single metro or bus ticket	5–7 lei (~€1–1.5)
A fast-food combo meal	30–35 lei (~€6–7)

Overall, Bucharest is noticeably cheaper than most European capitals, but somewhat more expensive than Chisinau, especially in the touristy city center.

What to bring back from Bucharest

If you like markets, be sure to visit Obor (Piața Obor). On weekdays it's an ordinary food market with vegetables, herbs, and household goods, while on weekends part of the square turns into a flea market selling old records, coins, dishware, and all sorts of small antique items. It's best to go in the morning, while the selection is still good, and to bring cash lei with you: haggling is perfectly normal at the flea market, but not at the food stalls.

Among items worth considering are Romanian wine, which is underrated and quite inexpensive, glass icons, a local folk craft, and antiques from shops in the old town. A great addition to a collection at home, rather than just a fridge magnet.

Unusual but beautiful dates for a trip to Bucharest

If you'd like to time your flight to coincide with something special rather than just picking random dates, here's what to look out for.

• August 27 – September 26, 2027. The George Enescu International Festival, the largest classical music event in Eastern Europe. It's held once every two years, and this will be the full-scale, "big" edition of the festival.
• August 23 – September 19, 2026. In the in-between year, the George Enescu International Competition takes place instead of the festival — a month of concerts and masterclasses, some events with free admission.
• Late November – mid-January. Christmas markets in the city center: mulled wine, lights, craft stalls. This is exactly the period when Bucharest looks especially festive.
• October. The Bucharest Marathon, when the city center is closed off for runners and the city becomes especially lively and buzzing over the weekend, in a good way.

What's worth knowing about Bucharest before your first trip

There's no time difference from Chisinau — it's the same time zone, so there will be no issues with adjusting. The power outlets are the same as in Moldova, so you won't need an adapter.

Not everyone understands Romanian, but there are usually no problems with English in tourist areas and among young people. The Old Town (Centru Vechi) is compact and easy to explore on foot, while the metro comes in handy when you need to get to more distant parts of the city quickly.

For a short trip of a couple of days or a business meeting, this destination fits almost perfectly: a short flight, easy transfers, and inexpensive sightseeing.