Moldova
Rock monasteries, vineyards and quiet countryside.
Introduction
To Moldova with the family
Moldova is a quiet, rural country between Romania and Ukraine. It is a destination for all those who are already on the road via Romania. Read the travel advice beforehand: For the region of Transnistria applies red, for the rest of the country yellow.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 4–6 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- may–Jun, Sep (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 2,550 km to Chisinau (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 4 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- Vignette mandatory (7 days € 4) (Details and source)
- Paying
- Moldovan leu (MDL)
- EU member
- no
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
You pay with the Moldovan leu (MDL). Take off at an ATM and, if the screen offers to settle in euros, select the local currency: Then convert your own bank, which is usually cheaper (our tip). In cities and larger campsites, you can often pay by card; In the countryside, on small campsites and in markets, cash is practical (our experience).
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Bună ziua: good day
- Mulțumesc: thank you
- Vă rog: please
- La revedere: goodbye
Documents and border
At the EU external border, your passport is checked and often also vehicle license and proof of insurance. In summer, expect to wait at the border (our assessment) and make sure that the vehicle documents run in your name or you have a power of attorney from the owner. Ask your car insurance company if your green card (international insurance card) applies to this country.
Health and safety
This country is not an EU member, so the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid here. Ask your health insurer before you leave what your cover is, and take out travel insurance with medical cover. Read the current travel advice of the Dutch government just before you leave; it also lists entry rules and emergency numbers.
Traffic rules that matter
The per mill limit is 0.3. From November 1st to March 31st you will also drive with dimming or daytime running lights during the day. Winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions. Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, warning vest, bandage box and fire extinguisher. Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in front. For foreign cars you need an electronic vignette (see block above).
Source: ANWB
Best time to travel
May, June and September; in July and August it can be hot (our estimate).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinieta, foreign passenger car | 7 days € 4 · 15 days € 8 · 30 days € 16 | Online via vinieta.gov.md or at the border | Moldovan government (2026 rates) price checked Oct 2026 |
Buy vignettes only through the official channels: other sites often charge extra. A caravan or camper van may fall into a different class; check this with the source.
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Moldova
Orheiul Vechi
A monastery hewn into a rock wall above a bend in the river Răut.
Where are you going?
Regions explained
Orheiul Vechi
A river loop of the Răut with a cave monastery in the rock face and a village with farms. The most famous excursion in the country.
Source: moldova.travel
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Chișinău
The capital with wide avenues, parks and a large market. A good place to start.
Source: moldova.travel
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Wine regions
Moldova is known for wine, with kilometres of wine cellars underground. Some cellars you visit by car or train; ask if children are welcome.
Source: moldova.travel
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A short visit of 4 to 6 days, for example as a detour from Romania (our assessment). Avoid Transnistria: A travel warning applies there. Check the travel times in your route planner.
- Days 1-2: Chișinău.
- Day 3: Orheiul Vechi.
- Days 4-5: a wine region and the countryside.
Camping
Where do you camp?
Few campsites
There are few real campsites; often you stay in a guest house or an agrotourism pension in the countryside (our experience).
Source: moldova.travel
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Cave monastery of Orheiul Vechi
Via a path you go to a monastery carved into the rock, overlooking the river loop.
Source: moldova.travel
Countryside and farms
In the countryside you will see horses and wagons and can eat with host families. Another world for children (our experience).
Source: moldova.travel
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
Adventica
Indoor family park with 12 trampolines, an obstacle course and a covered railway with electric carts, including traffic signs, zebra crossings and traffic lights: This is how children learn traffic rules in a playful way. The website mentions the queen from 7: the queens cost more. Opened daily.
Orheiul Vechi
Monastery caves in a rock wall above the river Răut.
Tickets/tour via Viator → Ad · affiliate link
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Plăcintă
Flat dough pockets filled with cheese, potato or cabbage.
Mămăligă
Cornmeal porridge with sheep's cheese and sour cream.
Zeamă
A sour chicken soup with noodles and herbs.
Sarmale
Rolls of cabbage or vine leaf with rice and meat.
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (3)
Wine cellars of Mileștii Mici and Cricova
At Chișinău are huge underground wine cellars with kilometres of corridors, which you visit with a guided tour. book beforehand about the official pages; For children, the journey through the corridors is the best (our assessment).
Source: milestii-mici.md
Cricova
The Cricova winery offers tours and tastings in its underground cellars; Make a reservation before.
Source: cricova.md
Avoid: Transnistria without preparation
For the Transnistria region, color code red applies: do not travel there. The Moldovan authorities have no control there, and the Dutch Embassy cannot help you there. The rest of Moldova is yellow.
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Travel advice: yellow, Transnistria red
For Transnistria, the color level red applies: do not travel there. For the rest of Moldova, yellow applies: you can travel there, but there are special security risks, including drones that can enter the airspace due to the war in Ukraine (checked on 14 October 2026). Source: Travel advice Moldova (NederlandWereldwijd)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Passport
Moldova is not an EU member. You need a valid passport that is valid for at least 3 months upon departure. Source: Travel advice Moldova (NederlandWereldwijd)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- Travel advice Moldova (NederlandWereldwijd)
- Travel advice Moldova (NederlandWereldwijd)
- moldova.travel
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- milestii-mici.md
- cricova.md
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Moldova?
Vignette duty (7 days € 4). Prices, points of sale and the official source are in the block 'Toll and Vignette' on this page. To tolls and vignettes
What is the best time to travel to Moldova?
May, June and September; in July and August it can be hot (our estimate).
How far is Moldova from London?
From London to Chisinau it is about 2,550 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 4 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Moldova?
Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our Traffic rules & equipment page. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Moldova?
At the EU's external border your passport or ID card is checked, and often your vehicle registration and insurance papers too. In summer, expect waiting time at the border (our estimate) and make sure the car's papers are in your name or that you have the owner's authorisation. Ask your car insurer whether your green card (international insurance card) is valid for this country. Read the current travel advice just before you leave.