Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Moldova: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
The smartest approach in Moldova is to withdraw from ATMs in Chișinău or other towns. Budget MDL 500-800 daily depending on whether you eat local or visit attractions. Exchange a tiny amount at the airport for your first taxi, then switch to ATMs for the bulk of your cash. Machines from MAIB or Moldindconbank are reliable. Airport counters should only be used as a backup, not your primary method.
The exchange counter at Chișinău Airport was disappointing. I converted €100 there and lost almost MDL 150 compared to the ATM rate. That’s basically a couple of days’ meals wasted. For a country where I budgeted only MDL 700 daily, it was frustrating to waste money right away. ATMs in the city gave me much stronger value. Don’t depend on the airport exchange unless you’re desperate - it’s not worth the poor rate.
I exchanged €20 at Chișinău Airport to pay for my cab. The rate wasn’t great. Later, I withdrew from a Moldindconbank ATM in the city and got noticeably more leu. Meals cost around MDL 120-150, and bus fares were just MDL 3-5, so my daily budget of MDL 600 stretched much further with ATM withdrawals. The airport counter worked for emergencies but felt overpriced compared to city ATMs.
In Moldova, ATMs generally provide better rates than the exchange counters at Chișinău Airport. Machines from Moldindconbank or MAIB give fair conversions into Moldovan leu, while airport kiosks take larger margins. If you’re budgeting MDL 500-800 daily for meals, buses, and attractions like Cricova Winery or Orheiul Vechi, withdrawing from ATMs is more cost-effective. Airport exchanges are only useful for very small amounts to cover immediate taxis.