If you are planning a trip to Chisinau, the central railway station can be your first introduction to the Moldovan capital. It is not only a transportation hub, but also an architectural landmark with a rich history, so it deserves attention in any case.
History and architecture of the station
The Chisinau Central Railway Station at Vokzalna Alley is a historic building that combines elements of 19th and 20th century architecture. It serves both domestic and international routes, connecting Moldova with neighboring countries. The building of the station is characterized by monumentality and symmetry, typical of the Stalinist Empire. The facade is decorated with arched windows and decorative elements.
The history of Moldovan railroads dates back to 1844, when Count Vorontsov proposed to Emperor Nicholas I to build a railway line from Odessa to the village of Parcani. Initially it was planned that the trains would be moved by horses. The Emperor supported the idea, but insisted that the road was built with the expectation of using steam locomotives in the future - otherwise the invested funds would have been wasted. Due to bureaucratic issues, the preparation was delayed, but by 1870 the first station was finally built in Kishinev.
At first it was a temporary modest one-story wooden building. Later, at the end of 1870s, there was a capital station designed by architect Henry Lonsky. The first train arrived to Kishinev from Odessa on August 15 or 28, 1871. Different sources give different information. This was the beginning of the railroad era in Bessarabia.
The new station looked like a fairy-tale castle with towers, spires and a covered pavilion. It became a popular place for citizens to walk around. Inside there were comfortable waiting rooms for passengers of different classes, stores and cafes. The station was located on the outskirts of the city, but soon educational institutions and residential buildings were built nearby. Before the arrival of trains, the station square was filled with cabbies. In 1897, they decided to connect the station with the city center with the help of horse-drawn railroad - streetcar routes. Three of the four lines of the Kishinev streetcar ended at the station.
During the Second World War, the station was badly damaged. In 1941 it was blown up by the retreating Soviet troops, and soon it was rebuilt for the needs of the Romanian army. In 1944, the building was almost completely destroyed by bombing. It was rebuilt only in 1948, designed by architect Chuprin, under the supervision of Alexei Shchusev. The walls were made of rubble stone faced with brick.
Later the building was repeatedly modernized and reconstructed, and in 1976 a suburban pavilion was built. In the 1990s, a suburban station for diesel trains was built nearby, but as the number of trains decreased, it became almost unused.
On July 30, 2003 another large-scale reconstruction was completed: the building was completely renovated, ticket offices were moved, the platform was decorated with stone and a canopy was built over the tracks. At the same time they installed information panels, and a little later - a monument to a steam locomotive. It is locomotive No. 1469, built in 1950 in Poznan and worked on the Ungheni-Kornesti route until 1969. Its restoration took about two months.
In June 2022, Ukraine announced plans to restore rail service to Moldova for the first time since 1999. The projects include repairing the tracks between Giurgiulesti and the Romanian port of Galati, launching the Kiev-Chisinau train, and restoring the Berezine-Basarabeasca line. Now the station is not operating at full capacity - mainly due to transportation difficulties related to Transnistria.
Infrastructure of Chisinau railway station
The following facilities are available to passengers:
- Information and reference services;
- Several platforms serving both passenger and freight trains;
- Waiting rooms;
- Storage rooms;
- Infirmary;
- Wi-Fi;
- Sanitary rooms;
- Office Services;
- Extended rest rooms;
- Shower rooms;
- ATMs;
- IBOX payment terminals.
Escalators and elevators are not provided because the station is not that big.
Passenger services
Electronic scoreboard and loudspeaker announcements inform passengers about arrival, departure and delay of the nearest trains. Ticket offices are open daily, providing information on train schedules.
The waiting room is free of charge, with benches and information screens. The exits and exits of the Chisinau Central Station are equipped with special ramps for low mobility groups. If necessary, employees provide assistance in moving and boarding the car.
On the territory of the station there are stores, cafes and kiosks offering a variety of goods, food, drinks and snacks for traveling.
Transportation accessibility
The address of the Chisinau Central Railway Station can be reached by public transportation. It is served by:
- Buses No. 18, 19, 33, 44 and 49;
- Trolleybuses #1, 4, 5, 8, 17, 20, 28 and 38;
- Route cab #103.
You will need to stop at Gagarin Boulevard. The railway station and Privokzalnaya Square are nearby. The road from the center by cab or public transport will take 10-15 minutes.
Intercity and international buses stop near the station building. There are also ticket offices for passenger bus transportation. Nearby there is a cab stand.
Chisinau International Airport is located about 11 km from the station. It will take about 15-20 minutes by cab. You can also use trolleybus #30, which runs between the city center and the airport.
Contact information
The Chisinau Railway Station is located at the address Station Alley 1. It is also called Allea Gării in Romanian.
- Telephone number of the information service: +373(22) 83-27-33.
- Official website: www.railway.md
- Opening hours of the ticket office: round the clock
Another website to use: kishinev.vokzalzhd.ru
Buying tickets online: available through the official website and mobile applications for purchasing railway tickets.
In Chisinau Railway Station, trains arrive and depart from the following destinations: Iasi-Sokola, Ungheni, Bucharest, Kiev, Bender.
Tips for travelers
It is recommended to arrive at the address of the Chisinau Central Railway Station 30-40 minutes before the departure of the train, especially if you need to drop off luggage or buy tickets. During rush hours and holidays, the station can be especially busy, so take this into account when planning your time. Leave plenty of time to spare.
Interesting facts
- The Chisinau train station is one of the oldest in the region, preserving architectural elements of the XIX century.
- The station played an important role in the history of the city, especially in the post-war years, becoming a symbol of the restoration and development of the capital of Moldova.
