Transnistria is simultaneously one of the smallest and most interesting states in Europe. Most people have never heard of it, and even fewer have decided to travel there. Visiting is certainly possible for the adventurous tourist, but most people have a few questions before they plan their trip.
Here’s our lowdown on some of the big questions that we had before we went, and some top tips that we picked up during our visits!
Transnistria Travel: Things To Know
Transnistria is a small slice of land in Eastern Europe, sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine.
The nearest major cities to Transnistria are Chisinau in Moldova, and Odessa in Ukraine.
The easiest way to travel to Transnistria is via Chisinau or Odessa.
You can get into Transnistria by train, bus or car from either city. However, you will need to pass through Transnistrian border control – so have your passport ready!
Lucy has written a post explaining in detail how you can get to Transnistria.
There is no international airport in Transnistria.
The nearest airport to Transnistria is Chisinau, Moldova. From the airport, you can drive to the Transnistrian border in just over an hour.
You will not receive a passport stamp when entering Transnistria. However, you will be provided with an entry card containing your details and travel plans. This card will include the date and time you need to leave by.
Do not lose your card! You’ll be asked to provide it when you leave Transnistria.
You do not need a visa to travel to Transnistria – visitors to Transnistria can stay visa-free for up to 45 days.
You will be asked to give your departure date when crossing the border, and provided with an entry card containing your planned dates. It is not recommended to stay beyond the date and time printed on your entry card.
Transnistria is best described as a breakaway state – the international community considers it to be part of Moldova.
Although Transnistria is not recognised by any UN member states, it contains many of the standard structures that we would recognise as typical of an independent state. These include:
– Its own government
– Its own army
– Its own passport
– Its own currency
– Its own police
There are plenty more reasons why Transnistria functions in much the same way as a ‘normal’ country – it merely lacks the international recognition.
Transnistria declared independence in 1990, before a short but violent conflict with Moldova in 1992 cemented its status. Independence Day is celebrated each year on September 2nd.
Transnistria and Moldova remain in a state of ceasefire.
No! Despite being frequently described as a stuck-in time Soviet throwback, Transnistria is not the last bastion of the USSR!
Transnistria’s current president, Vadim Krasnoselsky, has spoken openly about his desire to change this perception of the state. His party, Oblovlenie, is recognised as politically centrist.
Despite this, it can’t be ignored that Soviet era relics can be found in abundance. There are none more conspicuous than the giant statue of Lenin in front of the parliament building.
Yes! Transnistria issues its own passports to its citizens, although they are not recognised as valid for travel by any UN member states.
This renders them effectively useless for international journeys. As a result, many Transnistrians hold dual nationality with either a Russian, Moldovan or Ukrainian passport.
The Transnistrian flag is striped red, green and red. In a throwback to its Soviet past, it contains the infamous hammer and sickle, as well as a red star.
Some variations of the flag contain only the colours – although this is only allowed for non-governmental use.
The 2015 census recorded the population of Transnistria as ca. 475,000.
The Transnistrian population is declining, with many young people choosing to seek new opportunities elsewhere – in Russia, Moldova or beyond.
The capital of Transnistria is Tiraspol, on the banks of the Dniester river. Tiraspol is easily reached from either Chisinau or Odessa.
Despite outdated scare stories of bribes at the border and arms trafficking, Transnistria is a very safe place to travel. Government advice should be checked and heeded, but there’s generally no reason why Transnistria is any less safe than other areas of Europe.
We had a great time on our visit in 2019 (Matt even went back for a second visit!), and found Tiraspol to be a very calm city where you could happily walk at night without feeling unsafe. People are generally friendly – even more so if you can speak a few words of Russian!
The easiest way to get Transnistrian Rubles is to change currency – ideally US Dollars – at an exchange office. These can be found in banks along 25th October Street, or in many of the Sheriff Supermarkets. Sheriff-13 on Karl Liebknecht street was our go-to, and is open until 10pm.
We discovered that finding an ATM which accepts Western cards (like Mastercard) was almost impossible.
The name Transnistria comes from the Dniestr river, which flows through the country.
Transnistria is the ‘English’ name which the state is commonly known as. However, the real name is Pridnestrovie – or, more correctly, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR). It is known locally as Pridnestrovie, and many residents may not have heard of the “other” name of Transnistria.
Yes, there are indeed Russian troops stationed in Transnistria. They are based in Transnistria nominally as a peacekeeping force, and their presence remains a source of contention.
Keep an eye out for the Russian tank stationed on the bridge leaving Bendery, as well as the army base on the outskirts of Tiraspol!
If you have an interest in unusual places, getting off the beaten path, and exploring post-Soviet states then Transnistria is definitely for you! It may not have the beauty of Rome, or the glamour of the West End, but it’s certainly got the potential for adventure.
Read Next:
- 48 hours in Transnistria: exploring Tiraspol and beyond
- How to get into Transnistria – and out again!
- How to spend one day in Odesa
