Istanbul to Chişinău (IST–RMO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IST–RMO is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines and Arctic Circle Air Service lead the route. The flight covers 391 miles in approximately 1h 30m. Beyond nonstop, 36 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines | 28 | 32B, 32Q, 73H, 7M8 | 1h30 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| 5F Arctic Circle Air Service | 7 | 321 | 1h30 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Chişinău from Istanbul
| Metric | IST→RMO | SAW→RMO |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from IST | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 35 | 11 |
| Flight time | 1h 30m | 0h 30m |
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · RMO: EEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 6:00 PM in Chişinău.
Turkish passport holders enter Moldova visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for the duration of stay. You receive a stamp at immigration. A return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation may be requested.
At Chisinau International Airport (KIV), immigration is quick. Moldova is not part of the Schengen Area or the EU, so a Schengen visa is not required. Turkey and Moldova have a bilateral visa exemption agreement that covers tourism, business visits, and transit. If planning to work or study, arrange the appropriate permit through the Moldovan Embassy in Ankara before departure.
Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Chisinau in about 2 hours 15 minutes. Pegasus Airlines and FlyOne also serve the route. Moldova uses the Moldovan leu (MDL), trading at roughly 2 MDL per TRY 1. ATMs are available in Chisinau. Card payments work at hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants in the capital. Outside Chisinau, carry cash. Minibuses (rutiere) connect Chisinau to all major towns. Moldova is known for its wine: the Cricova and Milestii Mici underground wine cellars are among the largest in the world and offer guided tours from about MDL 300 (TRY 150).
Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.
IST–RMO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to RMO
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Chişinău International Airport (RMO) are connected by nonstop service from Arctic Circle Air Service and Turkish Airlines. With 35 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to RMO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to RMO ranges from 1 hours 30 minutes. The route covers a distance of 391 miles (629 km). There are approximately 35 weekly flights outbound and 38 return, totaling 73 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
36 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 10 hours via EVN. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Pendik, Istanbul (SAW).