A sleeper train called the Prietenia (Friendship) links Bucharest (Bucuresti) and Chisinau, the capital of Moldova.

Bucharest ► Chişinău

Chişinău  ► Bucharest

How much does it cost?

• The standard one-way tariff is 134 Romanian Lei (about €25) with a bed in a 2nd class 4-berth sleeper, 155 Lei (about €34) in 2-berth sleeper or 282 Lei (about €61) with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.

• Booked online in advance, you may find special fares for a bed in a 4-bed sleeper from just 89 Lei (€19).

How to buy tickets

• Option 1, it can be booked at the Romanian Railways website, bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.  Click EN top right for English.  Bucharest is listed as Bucuresti (Romania).  Chisinau is listed as Kishinev (Moldova).  Tickets must be collected from the station ticket office at Bucharest Nord, so don't use it for one-way journeys starting in Moldova.

• Option 2, it can also be booked at the Moldovan Railways site www.railway.md, the direct link to the English booking page is on.railway.md:10000/?lang=en (please let me know if that stops working).

  This can book the train in either direction with print-your-own tickets, it accepts foreign traveller passport numbers, and it has now been confirmed by several travellers that it works fine with most international Visa & MasterCard credit cards (if one fails, try another).  Further feedback always appreciated.

• Alternatively, you can book the Bucharest to Chişinău train in person at the international booking office at Bucharest Nord station as there are almost always plenty of places available even on the day.

What's the train like?

The Prietenia from Chişinău to Bucharest about to leave Chişinău.  Photos courtesy of Malcolm B & Peter Brogdale.

1st class 2-berth compartment.  Larger photo.		Destination board in car 4.

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