Read Before You Go: Facts about Transnistria for the Backpacker
Reposted: October 13, 2024 | Tagged: Transnistria
Cited by some wannabe, uninformed, dare I say fake bloggers and vloggers who post blogs and videos entitled: "Transnistria, the country that doesn't exist". It's just clickbait. I just saw an Insta Reel about Mauritania, where the vlogger stated it was one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Really? What The Actual Fuck?
Transnistria exist all right. I went there. I backpacked it. I backpacked Tiraspol, which is the country's capital. I even backpacked Bender, the country's 2nd largest city.
And I didn't just swoop in like most, take a selfie, do a quick video and leave again. I stayed 2 nights in Tiraspol (or was it 3) and 1 night in Bender. I had a ball. Loved it. I drank a shit load of beer, fell in lust, and marvelled at this country that no one thinks is real. I loved the Hostel Like Home in Tiraspol and the VIP Apartment in Bender.
Transnistria exist all right. I went there. I backpacked it. I backpacked Tiraspol, which is the country's capital. I even backpacked Bender, the country's 2nd largest city.
And I didn't just swoop in like most, take a selfie, do a quick video and leave again. I stayed 2 nights in Tiraspol (or was it 3) and 1 night in Bender. I had a ball. Loved it. I drank a shit load of beer, fell in lust, and marvelled at this country that no one thinks is real. I loved the Hostel Like Home in Tiraspol and the VIP Apartment in Bender.
So what is Transnistria?
Transnistria is a de facto state that declared independence from Moldova in 1990 after the fall of the Soviet Union. The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, as it's officially called PMR for short, is known locally as Pridnestrovie or Transdniestria and Transnistria.
It borders Moldova and Ukraine.
It borders Moldova and Ukraine.
The people have their own passports, though to make life easier, they hold Moldovan passports too.
They have their own national bank, currency (the ruble), and their own flag and national anthem.
The only thing is, only two other states recognise Transnistria and both of those have very limited recognition:
Even Russia does't officially recognise Transnistria.
Transnistria was also recognised by Nagorno-Karabakh but on January 1, 2024, the Republic of Artsakh was formally dissolved.
Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Passport:
They have their own national bank, currency (the ruble), and their own flag and national anthem.
The only thing is, only two other states recognise Transnistria and both of those have very limited recognition:
- Abkhazia (a partially recognised state that only Russia, Transnistria, South Ossetia and Nenezuela recognises)
- South Ossetia (recognised by 5 UN-Listed Member States: Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria as well as Transnistria and Abkhazia).
Even Russia does't officially recognise Transnistria.
Transnistria was also recognised by Nagorno-Karabakh but on January 1, 2024, the Republic of Artsakh was formally dissolved.
Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Passport:
Transnistrian vehicle license plate:
How to get to Transnistria:
There are no commercial flights to or from Transnistria. You can easily reach Transnistria from Chisinau, in Moldova. Coming in from Odesa in Ukraine was a little more complicated because you'd get registered into Transnistria at Kuchurhan, but of course, when you want to continue to Moldova and then leave, you wouldn't have a Moldovan entry stamp, a bit like going from Albania to Kosovo and onto Serbia.
There used to be trains running from Odesa Tirsapol and onto Chisinau. I found this, detailing a tourist train from Chișinău-Tiraspol.
At the checkpoint, 6km before Bender, you need to get your migration card. You'll be asked how long you want to stay and the name of your hotel. You can extend your stay in Tiraspol. There is no need to register. Just don't lose the migration card:
There used to be trains running from Odesa Tirsapol and onto Chisinau. I found this, detailing a tourist train from Chișinău-Tiraspol.
At the checkpoint, 6km before Bender, you need to get your migration card. You'll be asked how long you want to stay and the name of your hotel. You can extend your stay in Tiraspol. There is no need to register. Just don't lose the migration card:
Currency in Transnistria
The currency, the Transnistrian Ruble, is de facto pegged to the United States dollar. The central bank determines each workday whether or not it is appropriate to devalue the currency against the U.S. dollar.
As of October 12, 2024, 1 US dollar was worth 16.1000 rubles.
The Transnistrian Ruble is not generally accepted beyond the border, perhaps only on the bus coming from Chisinau. It is illegal to pay with anything other than the Ruble within Transnistria. In 2019, it was impossible to use foreign bank cards, cash was king.
This was the money exchange in Tiraspol (2019):
As of October 12, 2024, 1 US dollar was worth 16.1000 rubles.
The Transnistrian Ruble is not generally accepted beyond the border, perhaps only on the bus coming from Chisinau. It is illegal to pay with anything other than the Ruble within Transnistria. In 2019, it was impossible to use foreign bank cards, cash was king.
This was the money exchange in Tiraspol (2019):
Things to see in Tiraspol
Make sure you check out my Backpacking in Tiraspol blog post.
Things to see in Bender
Make sure you check out my Backpacking in Bender blog post.