EuroBash recognises the independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, wording of this webpage will refer to the Administrative-Territorial Units of the Left Bank of the Dniester river as so for reasons of simplicity as the de-facto status quo. 

We hold a no view regarding current discussions on re-unification with Moldova as part of their bid for EU member status, or any other resolution to the conflict.

There are no longer any scheduled rail services from Chisinau to the border station, Bender-3.

Despite this, travel to the PMR's two main cities of Bendery or Tiraspol is extremely straightforward.

Marshrutka Mini-Buses depart regularly from the Central Bus Station in Chisinau. The fare for a single to Tiraspol is currently 57 MDL.

To pay, head to the main ticket office inside the bus station. The staff speak fairly good English and will help you locate the correct bus your ticket has been allocated to. The registration number of the bus will be printed on the ticket. 

Buses to Tiraspol usually depart from the stands on the Western side of the bus station. Look for a bus with the sign for Бендеры (Bendery) or Тирасполь (Tiraspol).

The quality of buses is often poor. Many have been reconfigured to accommodate as many passengers as possible, and it is a very tight squeeze on board. The usual traction is a Mercedes Sprinter van, or similar. 

If you are staying in Chisinau and are able to go to your hotel to drop bags off prior, this is strongly recommended. 

If you have any large luggage, this may be able to be accommodated in the luggage store at the very back if there is space. 

The journey time is roughly 90-120 minutes for the full run. Once across the border, the bus will make regular stops in Bender and Tiraspol before terminating at the rail station in Tiraspol.

While en-route, the bus will stop to pick up more passengers who will hail the bus from the side of the road. The bus also passes by the main road to the airport and it isn't uncommon to pick people up arriving there. 

You can also do this, but there will not likely be any seats for the long journey. Standees on this service can be common.

The Border

Before arriving into Bender, you will arrive at the border checkpoint. Here the bus will stop by the side of the road, and you will leave the bus to proceed to 'immigration'. This will be the small office on the right of the checkpoint.

Your passport will be scanned and you will be asked how long you intend to stay. If you are staying overnight, you will need to provide proof of a place to stay and proof of any cash funds needed, preferably in Euros or US Dollars to exchange on arrival. 

You will be given a migration card. Do not lose this card. It may be needed when leaving. Afterward, re-join the bus and it will continue on when all passengers have reboarded.

Once across...

Once you have crossed the border, the first main stop will be Bendery bus station. You can get off here and explore for a while if you wish. Once you are ready to move on to Tiraspol, there are regular trolleybuses around every 20 minutes to Tiraspol city centre. The fare on board payable to the conductor is 3.50 Pridnestroivian Rubles. 

Make sure to take cash in another currency to convert at an exchange counter once inside Pridnestrovie as international bank cards do not work here. Euros are very commonly exchanged along with US Dollar. 

PMR Rubles are worth slightly more than Moldovan Lei, the state exchange rate is published on the state website here, but the reality of the currencys worth can fluctuate dramatically. There is zero monetary value once you leave the country so make sure you exchange any unwanted notes back into an internationally recognised currency of your choice.

REMEMBER:

It is ILLEGAL to pay for goods or services in any currency other than Pridnestovian Rubles when inside the republic. You must convert to the local currency! More information on money in the PMR will be found further along the page.