Difference between revisions of "Moldova"

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|country = of Moldova
 
|country = of Moldova
 
|map = <map lat='47' lng='29' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' />
 
|map = <map lat='47' lng='29' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' />
|language = Moldovan
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|language = Moldovan, Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz
 
|capital = [[Chişinău]]
 
|capital = [[Chişinău]]
 
|pop = 4,128,047
 
|pop = 4,128,047
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Hitchhiking is very easy in '''Moldova'''. You'll see many locals hitching rides between towns, who usually pay for it. Nevertheless, most travelers were never asked to pay.
 
Hitchhiking is very easy in '''Moldova'''. You'll see many locals hitching rides between towns, who usually pay for it. Nevertheless, most travelers were never asked to pay.
  
To hitchhike in Moldova is not prohibited or outlawed, so you can freely hitchhike without any restrictions. In order to hitchhike you must stay on the side of the road and raise your hand (so that the hand should be parallel with the ground), raising the thumb it is not used, although the driver, possibly, will understand what you mean. Don't hesitate to stop any car you see, just don't create some car accident situation.
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To hitchhike in Moldova is not prohibited or outlawed, so you can freely hitchhike everywhere without any restrictions. Even within the capital [[Chişinău]] it's possible to hitch rides.
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''Hitchhiking'' while standing on the side of the road and raising your hand (so that the hand is parallel with the ground) is used as the sign for locals hitching rides, mostly just some kilometres to the next village. Most drivers understand raising the thumb as ''autostopp'' and barely ever ask for money, if you're a foreign traveler it could be more common that drivers buy you food or drinks.
 
   
 
   
 
== Language controversy ==
 
== Language controversy ==
Though the official language of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldovan_language Moldova] is called ''Moldovan'', it is really Romanian, identical to the Romanian spoken in [[Romania]]. Most people will understand and speak Russian as well.
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Though the official language of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldovan_language Moldova] is called ''Moldovan'', it is really Romanian, identical to the Romanian spoken in [[Romania]]. Most people understand and speak Russian as well.
 +
 
 +
== Border Crossing==
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Since 2007 visitors from the US, EU, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Russia, [[Switzerland]] and [[Japan]] do not require a [http://www.mfa.gov.md/consular-information/ visa]. More controversal is that Moldovans now need visa e.g. for [[Romania]] (since 04/09) and also have heavy regulations for entering [[Ukraine]] since August 2009.
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While entering '''Moldova''', you could face some problems when you entered from Ukraine via the autonomous [[Transnistria]] region. The Transnistrian border is not controlled by Moldovan authorities, which means you won't get an entry stamp when entering Moldova here. This can cause a lot of problems when leaving Moldova via other border checkpoint than Transnistrian.
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===From/Into [[Ukraine]]===
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*'''South-East''': If you are traveling e.g. from [[Odesa]] into [[Moldova]], best option is to take the Ukrainian M-15 highway south-west and cross borders at the [[Palanca-Maiaky border crossing]]. From the border, you could already try to get rides directly to [[Chişinău]] or further. Walking over the border checkpoint is no problem, just keep in mind that you have to walk 3 km from the Ukrainian to the Moldovan side, so best is to hitch a ride just after the first checkpoint towards the next.
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*'''North-West''': When traveling from '''Moldova''' towards [[Ivano-Frankivsk]] or [[Lviv]], you have two border crossings to choose. Best option could be to hitchhike via [[Edinet]], [[Briceni]] towards [[Lipcani]] and to take the [[Criva-Mamalyha border crossing]]. Walking over by foot is no problem here.
  
== Visa regulations ==
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===From/Into [[Romania]]===
Since 2007 visitors from the US, EU, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Russia, [[Switzerland]] and [[Japan]] do not require a [http://www.mfa.gov.md/consular-information/ visa].
 
  
 
== Cities ==
 
== Cities ==

Revision as of 15:10, 25 August 2009

Flag of Moldova Moldova
Information
Language: Moldovan, Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz
Capital: Chişinău
Population: 4,128,047
Currency: Moldovan leu (MDL)
Hitchability: Verygood.png (very good)
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots
<map lat='47' lng='29' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' />

Hitchhiking is very easy in Moldova. You'll see many locals hitching rides between towns, who usually pay for it. Nevertheless, most travelers were never asked to pay.

To hitchhike in Moldova is not prohibited or outlawed, so you can freely hitchhike everywhere without any restrictions. Even within the capital Chişinău it's possible to hitch rides.

Hitchhiking while standing on the side of the road and raising your hand (so that the hand is parallel with the ground) is used as the sign for locals hitching rides, mostly just some kilometres to the next village. Most drivers understand raising the thumb as autostopp and barely ever ask for money, if you're a foreign traveler it could be more common that drivers buy you food or drinks.

Language controversy

Though the official language of Moldova is called Moldovan, it is really Romanian, identical to the Romanian spoken in Romania. Most people understand and speak Russian as well.

Border Crossing

Since 2007 visitors from the US, EU, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Russia, Switzerland and Japan do not require a visa. More controversal is that Moldovans now need visa e.g. for Romania (since 04/09) and also have heavy regulations for entering Ukraine since August 2009.

While entering Moldova, you could face some problems when you entered from Ukraine via the autonomous Transnistria region. The Transnistrian border is not controlled by Moldovan authorities, which means you won't get an entry stamp when entering Moldova here. This can cause a lot of problems when leaving Moldova via other border checkpoint than Transnistrian.

From/Into Ukraine

  • South-East: If you are traveling e.g. from Odesa into Moldova, best option is to take the Ukrainian M-15 highway south-west and cross borders at the Palanca-Maiaky border crossing. From the border, you could already try to get rides directly to Chişinău or further. Walking over the border checkpoint is no problem, just keep in mind that you have to walk 3 km from the Ukrainian to the Moldovan side, so best is to hitch a ride just after the first checkpoint towards the next.
  • North-West: When traveling from Moldova towards Ivano-Frankivsk or Lviv, you have two border crossings to choose. Best option could be to hitchhike via Edinet, Briceni towards Lipcani and to take the Criva-Mamalyha border crossing. Walking over by foot is no problem here.

From/Into Romania

Cities

Autonomous regions