Train travel in Moldova

Moldova has more than 1100 km railways. The entire railway network is single track and not electrified. Railway infrastructure is neglected and most of the tracks and stations are in very poor state, except for Chisinau station and a few main stations. A few years ago, the Calea Ferată din Moldova company was on the verge of bankruptcy. The company is struggling with financial problems. The only chance for improvement is investment in railway lines subsidized by the European Union.

Last updated: 11.12.2023

In 1844 the authorities of Novorossiya and Bessarabia has developed a project of a railway, connecting Odesa and Parcani village by the Dniester. In 1871 a bridge over the Dniester was completed. The railway from Tiraspol to Chisinau was opened on 28 August 1871. Four years later, on 1 June 1875, the Chișinău – Ungheni railway line was opened and connection to Romania was established.

In November 1877 the railway line Tighina – Basarabeasca – Giurgiulești was completed.

At the end of the 19th century, the other railway lines were built in Moldova:

Lipcani-Ocnița-Otaci
Ocnița-Bălți
Bălți-Florești-Rîbnița-Cobasna

In the 1920s the tracks were converted to standard gauge but after World War II were reverted to broad gauge.

In 1971 Cantemir-Cahul line was built.

In 2007-2008 the Cahul-Giurgiulești line was constructed.

Train travel in Moldova
Refurbished Moldavian diesel multiple unit (Photo: Calea Ferata din Moldova)

Train travel in Moldova – domestic trains

There are no actual and reliable information about domestic trains in Moldova. Passenger trains are suspended, a few months later are reinstated, later they are suspended again until further notice. The situation is unpredictable.

Passenger trains in Moldova are operated by Calea Ferată din Moldova (CFM). In Transnistria railway infrastructure and traffic is managed by Transnistrian Railway formed in 2004 but the company don’t runs trains.

Calea Ferată din Moldova (CFM) – timetable and additional information
Timetable for Chisinau station (poezdato.net)

If domestic trains run normally, you can choose between the following routes:

Chisinau – Ungheni
Chisinau – Bender
Chisinau – Basarabeasca
Chisinau – Revaca
Basarabeasca – Zloti
Ungheni – Bălți

There are very few trains on the routes. You can only plan a day trip from Chisinau to Bender. Trains in Moldova do not reach many of the country’s tourist attractions. Tickets are cheap.

The rolling stock is inherited from the former Soviet Union. Passenger carriages and old diesel multiple units DR1 have wooden benches but are surprisingly clear.

Moldova train
Old diesel multiple unit DR1
Moldovan railway
Green-painted Soviet-era carriage of CFM

Train travel in Moldova – international trains

There are international trains from Moldova to Romania and probably to Ukraine, but I can’t verify it. Direct passenger carriages from Chisinau to Przemysl, Poland were ceased many years ago. All services to Russia were cancelled due to Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Romania

From the point of view of tourists, the most important train in Moldova connects Chisinau and Bucharest. Train runs every day but it can change – check the timetable before your journey. Train is comprised of old Soviet-era sleeping cars and buffet car. The carriages are Moldovan. The Prietenia overnight train hs 1st class sleeping cars with 2-bed compartments and 2nd class sleeping cars with 4-berth compartments – two lower beds and two upper beds. The carriages are not equipped with air-conditioning.

At Ungheni the bogies are changed because of the difference in track gauge between Romania and Moldova. Passengers remain on board and toilets are jolted during the procedure. It takes 2 hours.

The journey takes 14 hours, almost twice as long as a bus from Chisinau to Bucharest.

Tickets are quite expensive. Prices start from 26 euros (SMART Prietenia). A plastic bag of blankets and pillow cases included.

Calea Ferată din Moldova – online shop

There are regional trains from Chisinau to Iasi-Socola once a twice a day. The service is operated by refurbished Moldovan diesel multiple units DR1. There are plans to extend broad gauge track from Iasi Socola to Iasi station.

Chisinau train
Chisinau – Bucharest train (Photo: Clay Gilliland, CC-BY-SA, flickr.com)

Ukraine

In November 2022 the international train from Kyiv to Chisinau was inaugurated. The overnight train has sleeping carriages – SV, kupe and platzkart class.

“SV” – comfortable sleeping car with 2-bed compartments. Both bunks are in lower level.
“Кupe” – most common sleeping car with 4-bed compartments. Two upper beds and two lower beds.
platskart car “PL” – couchette car popular in Ex-USRR countries. Cheap and comfortable option with unique atmosphere but no privacy. The open-class carriage consists of 54 bunks, arranged in bays of 4 on one side and bays of 2 on another. There is an aisle between the two sides.

Train runs every other day.

Ukrainian Railways – timetable, prices, online shop 

In April 2022 renovated railway line Basarabeasca – Berezino was put into operation. This railway line bypasses Transnistria. Currently is used only for freight transport.

Domestic Ukrainian suburban train from Chernivtsi to Sokyryany crossed the border with Moldova and stopped at Moldavian railway station. This service is suspended until further notice.

Very popular among tourists daytime seasonal train Chisinau – Odessa was suspended due to the war in Ukraine.

Russia

Passenger overnight trains Chisinau – Moscow and Chisinau – Sankt Petersburg were ceased.

Chisinau - Iasi-Socola train
Chisinau – Iasi Socola train interior (Photo: Calea Ferata din Moldova)