If you’re looking for the best day trip from Chișinău, Old Orhei is an easy choice. Just outside the capital, it brings together dramatic limestone cliffs, wide countryside views, cave monasteries, and one of Moldova’s most important cultural landscapes in one place.
I did this his Old Orhei day trip from Chișinău independently by public transport, and while it takes more time and planning than booking a tour or taxi, it’s also the cheapest way to visit. If you don’t mind an early start and a bit of flexibility, it’s a doable day out from Chișinău.
⛪️ Why visit Old Orhei
Old Orhei is one of the most interesting places to visit in Moldova because it combines history, nature, and religion in a way that feels much bigger than a simple day trip. Set in the Răut River valley, the site includes cave monasteries, ancient and medieval ruins, traditional villages, and striking rock formations, all within easy reach of Chișinău.
It’s also one of the country’s most important heritage sites. Old Orhei has layers of settlement going back more than 2,000 years and the Orheiul Vechi Archaeological Landscape has been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 2017, which gives you a good sense of its historical significance.
🛣️ How to get to Old Orhei from Chișinău
There are three main ways to do a day trip from Chișinău to Old Orhei: private car or taxi, organized tour, or public transport. The quickest option is a private taxi or rental car, the easiest is a guided day tour, and the cheapest is public transport.
| Option | Best for | Time | Notes |
| Guided tour | Easy logistics | Around 7 to 8 hours total | Usually includes transport and often adds other stops like Cricova winery |
| Private taxi / car | Speed and flexibility | Around 1 hour each way | Best if you want to set your own schedule |
| Public transport | Budget travel | About 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on connections | Cheapest by far, but you need to work around limited |
🎟️ Join a Guided Tour
The easiest way to visit Old Orhei is to book an organized day trip from Chișinău through a platform like GetYourGuide. Several tours run for around 7 to 8 hours, include pickup, and often combine Old Orhei with other popular stops such as Cricova Winery or Curchi Monastery.
This is the best option if you want the day to feel simple, smooth, and informative. Old Orhei is easy enough to visit independently, but a guided tour takes care of the logistics and adds useful context once you’re there, especially since signage around the site is fairly limited.
Most tours also include lunch in Butuceni or Trebujeni or a guided visit through Cricova’s underground wine cellars, which are often described as stretching for more than 120 kilometers.
🚗 Private Car
The quickest way to do this day trip is by private taxi, transfer, or rental car. Old Orhei is about 55 km from Chișinău, and the drive usually takes around 1 hour each way.
This is a good option if you want maximum flexibility, especially if you’d rather not plan around marshrutka schedules or want more time to explore the area at your own pace. It also makes it easier to stop in places like Butuceni for lunch or add nearby sights along the way.
If you’ve just arrived in Moldova, one practical option is to ask your airport taxi driver for their WhatsApp or phone number, since most local drivers are open to arranging longer trips directly.
Another easy alternative is to rent your own car and drive independently. Having your own car gives you the freedom to leave when you want, stop along the way, and spend as much time as you like around Old Orhei and nearby villages like Butuceni, without needing to plan your day around marshrutka schedules. There is on-site parking at Old Orhei, with the official site listing 30MDL (1.5EUR) for cars.
🚌 Public Transport
The cheapest way to visit Old Orhei from Chișinău is by public transport, which is also how I did the trip. It’s not the fastest or easiest option, but if you’re travelling on a budget and don’t mind working around local bus times, it’s doable.
I took a bus directly from Chișinău Nord Station to Orhei, although some buses also leave from the Central Bus Station. The best place to check schedules and departure stations is autogara.md. The journey takes about 1 hour and cost 45 MDL (2.23EUR), and at Nord Station I was able to pay by card.
From Orhei, the official timetable for the local connection to Old Orhei lists departures to Butuceni/Trebujeni at 9:40 and 12:45, with the ride taking around 30 minutes. I took the 9:45 marshrutka, which dropped me near the bottom of the monastery route and made it an easy place to start exploring. This cost 30 MDL (1.5EUR) and was cash only. I also saw the next marshrutka leaving at 11:45, so I’d still be cautious and not rely too heavily on the published schedule.
The return is the part where you really need patience and flexibility. According to the official Old Orhei timetable, the return marshrutka from Butuceni to Orhei runs at 6:45 and 10:20, which obviously doesn’t help much for most day-trippers. My 9:45 marshrutka definitely had a return run at 16:30, and I also saw another one that may have come at 12:45.
I expected to be able to call a taxi back, but Yandex Go and Bolt were not available, so I wouldn’t count on ride-hailing apps here. At the parking area, locals offered to call a taxi for us, with prices quoted at around 600 to 800 MDL (30-40EUR)back to Chișinău, or 400MDL (20EUR) to Orhei. Because of that, I’d strongly recommend sorting out your return transport in advance, or at least being prepared to spend most of the day there if the timing doesn’t go in your favour.
⁉️ FAQ
Is one day enough for Old Orhei?
Yes, one day is enough for Old Orhei, especially if you start early from Chișinău. The site is about an hour away by car and around 1 hour 20 minutes plus connections by bus, so it works well as a day trip as long as you plan around transport times realistically.
If you’re going by public transport, the main thing to keep in mind is that the local marshrutka schedule can be awkward and may require some waiting or flexibility. If convenience matters more than budget, a guided tour or private car will make the day much easier.
Should I bring cash?
Yes, bring cash. Marshrutkas and local transport are easiest to pay in cash.
What should I bring for the day trip?
Bring water, sun protection, and a bit of patience. The walk around Old Orhei can be exposed, especially in warmer months, and the recommended visiting hours.
There is water available in the monastery garden, which is helpful, but it’s still a good idea to bring your own, especially if you’re visiting in summer or planning to stay for several hours.