Chişinău

Chişinău (Russian: Кишинёв, English: Chisinau) is the capital of the Republic of Moldova and the country's most important transportation center: roads, railways, and aerial transport.

South, towards Hîncești, Cimișlia, Cahul, Comrat, Leușeni
The best way is to go to the "Gara Auto de Sud-Vest" (Southwest Bus Station), were from all the buses to the Southwest depart. The bus station is located not far from a television building and antenna (you can see the antenna from almost every point in the city). Currently you can reach bus station by taking: The hitchhiking place is right at the trolleybus station, in the front of bus station. There are usually people there trying to get a ride. Be patient; this road is the main road to the south, so many cars are going in that direction.
 * trolleybuses Nr.9 and 17, they have a stop directly in the front of the bus station.
 * minibuses Nr. 180, 124, 117, 109, 192, they don't have a stop there, but you can ask the driver to stop at bus station (Romanian: opritzi va rog la Gara de SUD. "please stop at the bus station").
 * Bus Nr.11 (but it does not go as often as trolleybuses and minibuses)

South-East towards Odessa and Tiraspol
The best starting point is from near the Chisinau Airport, which is located at a distance from the city. The fastest way to reach it is by minibus Nr. 165, which will leave you exactly at the airport gates. From the airport the next step is to reach the national road, which is not far away, and to try to hitchhike from there. Also there's a spot at the exit of the city near a gas station. You can also hitch there at night as there's street lights (and some space to crash in the bushes).

North towards Bălţi, Orhei
You want to get on the road in direction of Cricova (There is a huge intersection for different directions). You can take a minibus (marshrutka) in direction of the big METRO shopping center in the north of the city. Right before there is traffic light with a bus station where you can hitch from. A bit further up the road are a few gas stations as well. There are a several lines which can take you on your way. You can check what lines you can take on this map (it's russian only, click on Маршруты). Marshrutka #140 can take you there, #130 or #190 might also be a good choice. There are regular bus lines as well. You can find more details on the online map of Chisinau

Places to avoid
Try avoiding policemen when wandering around with your backpack at night, as they will ask you questions regarding your place of stay. They can more or less force you into a hotel, or just simply annoy your time away out of boredom. Don't expect to 'chill out' at the train station, because they will ask you where you're going or send you away. isin: Moldova

Кишинёв