Can I take public transport from Chisinau Airport to Odesa?
Yes, you can. Although it may not be the most efficient way to get from one location to the other, taking a combination of public transport vehicles can indeed get you there. You can choose to either take a few buses, or even combine a bus ride with an electric train ride. Ticket prices depend on what day you are travelling.
First, you will need to catch a bus from the airport to the centre of Chisinau, namely trolley bus no.30 towards the “Great National Assembly Square”, or “Piata Marii Adunari Nationale”. The bus will take you to the central bus station in the city, from where you will need to catch another bus. If you want to get the direct bus to Odesa, you will need to take a bus to Chisinau’s North Station first. If you want to take a train from Zatoka, you can catch a bus there from your current bus stop. Note that if you choose to take the train from Zatoka, an additional 2 hours of travel time will be added to your journey from Chisinau to Odesa.
If you opt for the direct bus, you will arrive in Odesa in around 5 hours. The buses will take you through the Moldovan countryside via Tiraspol and into Ukraine. If you prefer to also take the train, then your initial bus ride will take you south through a number of Moldovan and Ukrainian towns and villages. When you arrive in Zatoka, you will need to transfer to the electric train, and enjoy the scenic trip across the bridge into Odesa.
The price of tickets will vary, depending on which of the two above mentioned routes you decide to take. Bus rides within the city, as well as the electric train ride will cost the equivalent of a few euros, whereas the ticket for a journey between the two cities can cost up to the equivalent of €20-25.
Travel Tip: Make sure to buy your tickets on the bus. A single ticket counts for one (1) bus-ride, meaning each bus you catch will require you to buy a new ticket. Failure to purchase a ticket will result in a fine, and will delay your travels substantially.
Fot. Anatoliy-024 / CC BY-SA 3.0