The Chisinau-Odesa train may resume running as early as summer 2025: what is known about the resumption of the route

Moldova and Ukraine are discussing the return of the Chisinau-Odesa train, which stopped running in 2022. Find out when the route may be launched and what issues are being discussed by both sides

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Ukraine and Moldova are actively negotiating the resumption of international passenger flights between Chisinau and Odesa. This route was temporarily canceled after the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but the situation may change in the near future.

On April 11, 2025, an official meeting was held in Kyiv between representatives of the Moldovan Railways and Ukrzaliznytsia, at which the parties agreed on the need to return the Chisinau-Odesa train. According to the press service of the Moldovan Railways, the route is scheduled to be launched with the opening of the summer season.

Why did the Chisinau - Odesa train stop running?

The Chisinau-Odesa train was one of the most convenient ways to get from southern Ukraine to the capital of Moldova, in particular for traveling to Chisinau Airport, which is popular among Ukrainians. However, in 2022, the traffic was suspended by the decision of the Moldovan Emergency Situations Commission. The main reason was the security threat posed by russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A separate risk factor is that the train's route passes through the territory of unrecognized Transnistria, which creates additional challenges for the safe resumption of the flight.

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Safety first: Ukraine's position on the resumption of the Chisinau-Odesa train

The Ukrainian side confirmed its interest in restoring the route, but emphasized the priority of security issues. At a briefing on April 16, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi said that no decision would be made without a proper risk assessment and approval from the competent authorities. According to him, only after guarantees of safe communication will it be possible to launch a regular flight.

How to get from Ukraine to Chisinau now?

Today, direct rail service between Ukraine and Moldova is minimized. A train runs from Kyiv to Chisinau only on even numbers of the month. Alternatively, bus services or traveling by car are available.

Since Chisinau Airport remains one of the most convenient departure points for Ukrainians, especially those from the southern and central regions, the resumption of the Chisinau-Odesa train can significantly improve logistics and increase the mobility of citizens.

By the way, we described in detail how to get to the airport in Chisinau in our previous article. And you can always book tickets for trains, buses, and flights in any direction on Visit Ukraine. Through our booking system, you can easily plan your route, compare prices, choose the best time to travel, and buy tickets online.

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