Rîbnița

Understand

Transnistria/Pridnestrovie is a product of the messy breakup of the Soviet Union, when the region located on the left bank of the Dniester River fought a 2-year-long war against the government of Moldova that ended in a bittersweet Russian victory.

While the country is not officially recognised by any other sovereign nation, the government does effectively control the territory it claims to rule, although its actual control is perhaps a bit limited by the will of Russia, its biggest benefactor and political ally. It maintains its functional autonomy with military and other support from Russia. Russia even operates a consular office in Tiraspol, the capital and largest city in Transnistria.

Transnistria/Pridnestrovie is divided into five administrative regions and two city regions.

Get in

thumb|The “migration card” in 2016 - simply a small print-out. Entering Transnistria/Pridnestrovie is fairly straightforward by bus, train or car from the west (Moldova, usually Chișinău). Upon entering Transnistria, you present your passport and they'll enter your info on their computer and print out a card in Russian and English. Upon clearing immigration, this card, not your passport, is stamped – half the card stays at the crossing you entered, and half stays with you until you leave Transnistria. As of October 2018, this card was not stamped or checked during the entire visit.

From Chișinău to the crossing in Bendery, a taxi costs 100-150 Moldovan lei. A marshrutka (minibus) costs around 60 lei. Marshrutkas between Odesa and the Kuchurgan border (on the main road to Tiraspol) are fairly frequent and cheap.

Mashrutkas run frequently across the Dniester from Rezina in Moldova to Rîbnița, which has a stop for buses between Tiraspol and Camenca.

When crossing the border between Moldova and Transnistria/Pridnestrovie, you will be checked only by Transnistrian officials. There are also peacekeeping Russian and Ukrainian soldiers who may stop and search vehicles. thumb|right|Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Rîbnița

If you encounter problems, complaints can be made to Pridnestrovien Customs . There is also a complaint hotline: ( or 92568). If you complain you should also state the time, the date and the name of the border crossing. You should also give your phone number…

Get around

There are hardly any train connections within the country, so the bus—if available—will be your only choice. Marshrutkas (minibuses) zip between cities much faster (and often more frequently) than buses. They cost a little more, but travel much faster and can be hailed anywhere along their route. If you flag down a marshrutka, it's customary to pay on leaving.

See

thumb|Bendery Fortress thumb|Novo Nyametsky/Noul Neamț monastery Most visitors come to Transnistria to visit the Soviet-era buildings, monuments, and sculptures of the capital, Tiraspol.

Noul Neamț Monastery is a beautiful monastery complex just south of Tiraspol with a number of sizeable churches to explore.

Bendery Fortress is a 16th-century Ottoman fortification with a terrifying collection of torture devices from the period. Outside is the newer Alexander Nevsky Church which is well worth a visit.

Eat

The most typical tourist restaurants are the "Back to the USSR" and the Soviet-themed restaurants. One of these restaurants is located in Bendery, near the Green Market. The others are in Tiraspol. The most typical restaurant food will be a mixture of Moldovan, Russian and Western style food such as pizzas and a selection of sushi. You will find that many restaurants may share staff, kitchen or even a menu. Sheriff supermarkets also sell genuine Beluga or Russian caviar, it is a local product and you will not find a cheaper caviar sold outside of the borders, so if you're inclined to try it, this is the place to do it.

Restaurants: Toscana La Vida (this chain is also in Moldova) Doner Hit (kebabs from 30-100 roubles) Dolce Vita Andy's Pizza (25 October Street in Tiraspol)

These restaurants are excellent choices and are relatively inexpensive: usually around US$10-15 for a 3-course lunch along with dessert and a choice of drink.

Cafes: There is a coffee shop (no name) which sells dress, (fake, non-gold) jewellery opposite the trolleybus stop in Bendery centre. Although it does not have a name, this cafe sells a variety of different coffee beans sourced from a Russian company. It's truly the best in Transnistria.

Drink

Local Kvint wine and brandy are excellent and cheap. The Kvint factory is in Tiraspol, and Tiraspol has a Kvint shop, selling its products at very low prices. Kvint produces among the best brandy (called "divin") in the former Soviet Union. Kvint makes its brandy from grapes of classic cognac varieties, but it's extremely hard to come by in Western countries, although Moldovan supermarkets sell it. A trip to Transnistria is not complete without a sample.

There is also a slightly fermented bread-based soft drink that is sold in the streets called Kvas. Kvas prices (as of 2023) are 4 rubles for small "malinka", or 6 rubles for a large "bolshoy". This is the equivalent of US$0.40-0.50. It is the Russian equivalent of dandelion & burdock or root beer.

The local Sheriff supermarkets also sell wines and Transnistrian cognac at similar prices to elsewhere you would find in the country.

Stay safe

thumb|Flag of Transnistria superimposed with a version of the national emblem

The physical dangers of Transnistria/Pridnestrovie are almost non-existent. The major cities are much safer than Western European and American cities of similar size and economic makeup. By far the biggest threat to visitors are scams.

Despite scary reports, Tiraspol is very welcoming, mainly because it gets so few tourists. Young people speak English and are helpful. The city is well-policed. Crime is low.

Many Pridnestroviens are excited to see foreigners and will be very welcoming, if a bit shy at first. Some, however, see foreigners as being sources of easy money. Always negotiate the price of a taxi before you get in. Use pen and paper if you are not a Russian speaker. Ask about the prices of items before you order them at a bar or restaurant. It is not common to be scammed, but it is far from rare. However, even when scams are attempted, it is often for no more than a few euros.

Be wary of police officers. If you look foreign, they will stop and ask to see your passport. Often, they will request bribes (of a few US dollars or euros). This practice is not condoned by the Pridnestrovien government, but in practice is fairly common. If you speak Russian, the chance to be asked for bribes is much lower.

Stay healthy

Medical care is almost entirely non-existent, especially for non-citizens. Furthermore, even if you have travel health insurance it will often not be valid in the territory, but valid in Moldova. It's advisable to check in advance with your insurer.

Be careful in bars during the night. There are often mafia-like characters having a good time with rolls of US dollars and you should not inquire too closely about the source of their wealth.

Tap water is not contaminated with microbes, and is claimed to be drinkable, but it is recommended that you buy bottled water or at least use a water filter.

Respect

It is illegal for citizens to use the name "Transnistria", while commonly used in English. They may be subject to a fine of €10-20 or administrative arrest of up to 15 days. It is safest to use the Russian name "Pridnestrovye".

Staring is considered rude.

Showing off large amounts of wealth or cash is also considered a faux pas.

Connect

Internet cafes are not widespread. There is one in Bendery, on Gagarin Street (close to the city market) and another one in Tiraspol, near Andy's Pizza on 25 October Street. More and more restaurants offer free Wi-Fi for their guests, for example, 7Пятницъ (7 Fridays),"La Placinta" and Andy's Pizza in Tiraspol. Although still not frequent, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi inside new trolley buses running between Tiraspol and Bendery.

While Moldovan SIM card and ISPs may operate within some border regions of Transnistria/Pridnestrovie, and in elevated buildings (think of the top floor of some apartment building near windows), the reception will be almost non-existent or otherwise unreliable. If solid coverage is a necessity, IDC (Interdnestrcom) will give you access to 4G band internet. There are no other ISP providers in the area. In order to preserve your bandwidth for prolonged stays, try to join as many restaurant wifi, and use home wifi as much as possible. You will need to activate the SIM and will require possible presence at the IDC centre, along with a choice of tariff. It is worth noting that the "unlimited" tariff for 400 rubles is only fast for the first 50GB, then the internet speed is throttled to less than 100kb/s! For IDC SIMs you will need a 4G mobile phone capable of VoLTE on band 20 for full functionality (without VoLTE you will not be able to make voice calls, and without band 20 you will not have coverage from them at all).