As a non-Moldovan and non-Ukrainian citizen, you can get into Transnistria via bus, train or car from Moldova (namely Chişinău) or Ukraine.
If you enter Transnistria from the Ukrainian side and then enter Moldova, you will not get a Moldovan entry stamp. Then when you leave Moldova, the Moldovan border guards may claim that you have entered Moldova illegally. Exiting Moldova (while you have a valid entry stamp) through Transnistria to Ukraine and then returning through one of the normal border crossings (e.g. Palanca) doesn't give problems with the border guards. If you do get into Moldova through Transnistria from Ukraine you have to register with the Ministry of Information, Technologies and Communication, located in Chisinau at 49 M. Kogalniceanu str, within 3 days (72 hours) on arriving to get a Moldovan entry stamp.
Update 2011: According to locals and personal experience, the missing entry stamp is not an issue. Also the Ministry of Information told me likewise. You will have an Ukrainian exit stamp, so your path of travel will be obvious.
Update July 2011: There have been numerous problems with border control when traveling from Tiraspol to Odessa. The guards put on a show by first stating that a traveler doesn't have a Moldovan exit stamp and will later attempt to a extract bribe. Know this before traveling and be firm with the guards when telling them that you don't have any cash on your person. Of, if all else fails, you may offer them any leftover Transnistrian rubles or Moldovan leis that you may have.
Update August 2011: As a British tourist I travelled to Tiraspol from Chisinau for the day, having originally entered Moldova by train from Odessa. I didn't receive any entry or exit stamps in my passport when going in and out of Moldova, and none were asked for when I left the country. Moreover, I was not asked for any sort of bribe on my way in or out of Transnistria. When I came into Moldova our train went through Transnistria, and even though we stayed in the country for five days we did not register with the police and this caused us no problems. The experience may be different depending on the tourist.
There have been numerous problems with border control when traveling from Tiraspol to Odessa. The guards put on a show by first stating that a traveler doesn't have a Moldovan exit stamp and will later attempt to a extract bribe. Know this before traveling and be firm with the guards when telling them that you don't have any cash on your person. Of, if all else fails, you may offer them any leftover Transnistrian rubles or Moldovan leis that you may have.
When crossing the border between Moldova and Transnistria, you will be checked only by Transnistrian officials. There are also peacekeeping Russian and Ukranian soldiers who may stop and search vehicles.
For stays up to three days, there is no official fee for entering Transnistria, apart from a $5 road tax when entering by car. Any minor misconduct may be used to try and milk some foreign currency out of you. You may also be asked to declare any foreign money you are bringing in. Be sure to get a copy of the customs declaration if this happens. You will also be given a "talon" (small sheet of paper with your entry date). You need this piece of paper to get out of Transnistria again.
If you are holding a passport from a non-CIS state, you may be delayed at the border and asked to pay a bribe. The Transnistrian government does not condone this, but in practice some individual border guards are known for targeting non-CIS passport holders in an attempt to extract bribes. Other border guards are courteous and professional. The situation can vary considerably based on where you are crossing, and whom you are dealing with. Certain crossings (Dubasari) are known for being easier to cross for non-CIS nationals than others (Bendery). The best course of action is to have a back up plan, and to be flexible. If you don't get in at one crossing, try another crossing, or the same crossing another day. Your situation depends entirely on what guards are working the border at the time you cross, and often what kind of mood they are in. If you don't speak Russian, it may help to enlist an ally on the marshrutka who can.
Tourists are more likely to be asked for bribes when leaving Transnistria. Once you are in, you are theirs! British tourists travelling from Chişinău to Odessa in May 2010 reported no problems getting into Transnistria, but were asked for a "little present" when crossing into Ukraine later the same day.
They had to pay $2 or have their passports destroyed. It is possible to get away with paying very little if you act clueless and innocent. It is possible to get away without paying anything if you are not carrying hard currency. Hide your US dollars and euros carefully. This means using your initiative. For example, take some playing cards from the centre of a deck and fill the space with notes. Also try your socks and secret places in your bag. Keep your Moldovan lei and Ukrainian hryvnia in your pocket. The border guards don't want them.
If you have a Moldovan entry stamp and try to enter Ukraine via Transnistria, the border guards like to play a game with you in order to extract bribes. First they will state that you don't have an exit stamp from Moldova. This is true because Moldova doesn't recognize the border between the two areas, but it shouldn't be any of Transnistria's business.
Nonetheless, the border guards will inform you that it's necessary to go back to the main administration building in order to get a stamp. After they let you sweat for a bit, they will then start trying to get a feeling of you and how much money you may have based on your profession or reason for being in Transnistria. After your marshrutka (minibus) has left you at the border crossing, they will then attempt to extract a bribe from you.
Firmly telling them you don't have any money will upset them and they will make you wait at the checkpoint for a long period of time in order to think about your situation. After a while, they will finally realize that you have nothing to offer them and let you cross the border in order to proceed to the Ukrainian checkpoint on foot, at which point you bus is probably already gone. If you are stranded, there are marshrutkas on each side of the checkpoint waiting to take people to either Odessa or Tiraspol.
The best way to fight this corruption is to know about what's going to happen to you and what games the guards play before traveling to Transnistria. Write a short paragraph stating that you know their tricks and how they work and that it's not necessary to have a Moldovan exit visa. Translate this into Russian while also providing a few of the complaint phone numbers listed below to show them you mean business. Also make sure to have a few copies of this document because they will most likely confiscate the first version you give them.
If you speak one of the official languages of Transnistria (especially Russian), you will have a much easier time at the border as a foreign national. Most marshrutkas heading into Transnistria have blank entry forms: fill one of these in ahead of time (they are printed in Russian or English) to save time at the border. If you are travelling by bus from Chişinău make sure to identify yourselves with the bus driver/conductor, as they will normally help you through the border (it is in their interest as they want to keep your bus moving as fast as possible).
If you are turned away at the border, there are many buses and marshrutkas that will take you back into Moldova or Ukraine, and these can be hailed on the non-Transnistrian side of the border after they have passed through both borders. You will be expected to pay cash, and the cost can vary. Taxis also can often be found at the border. From the Bendery crossing to Chisinau, a taxi costs 100 to 150 Moldovan Lei. A marshrutka costs around 25 lei.
Complaints are possible , where you can go to the English version and click on hotline. You can also send a complaint to (Transnistrian Customs). Future travellers will be grateful for your complaint! There is also a complaint hotline: (+373 533) 9-45-78 or 9-25-68. Try to memorise the number of the officer before he asks you for a bribe. Even the nicest officer can be corrupt! If you complain you should also state the time, the date and the name of the border crossing. You should also give your phone number. There is an English speaking officer responsible for complaints. You can reach him under +(373 778) 50986 or .
It is no longer necessary to register with the police for stays under 24 hours: this is now done at the border. If you are staying longer, be sure the hotel or person you are staying with registers you.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Transnistria
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Transnistria - updated Apr 2024
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