Both options get you from Chișinău airport to the city in about 20-30 minutes. The difference is in predictability, comfort, and how much mental energy you want to spend after a flight.
Taking a taxi at the airport
Taxis wait outside the arrivals exit. Some are affiliated with companies, others are independent drivers. The experience varies. On a good day, you get a reasonable driver who takes you directly to your hotel for 100-150 MDL (5-8 EUR). On a less good day, you are quoted 300+ MDL, the driver takes a longer route, or the car is not in great condition.
The key issue is that metered fares are not consistently used. You need to negotiate before getting in. If you speak Romanian or Russian, this is straightforward. If you do not, it can be frustrating after a long flight.
Yandex Go sits between a taxi and a transfer. It gives you app-based pricing (fixed, transparent) but you are still getting a regular local driver and car. Quality varies, but the price is fair.
Booking a private transfer
With a pre-booked transfer, your driver is inside the terminal with your name on a sign when you walk out of baggage claim. The price is agreed in advance — typically 15-25 EUR for a sedan. The vehicle is usually newer and cleaner than an average taxi, and the driver knows where your hotel is because the address was provided during booking.
Flight tracking means the driver adjusts for delays without you needing to contact anyone. This is especially valuable when flights arrive late, which happens fairly often at Chișinău.
When a taxi makes more sense
If you are a solo traveler arriving during the day, speak some Romanian or Russian, and are comfortable with the negotiation process, a taxi saves you a few euros. If you already have Yandex Go installed with a working payment method, that is even easier — you get taxi pricing with app-based transparency.
When a transfer makes more sense
For families, late-night arrivals, first-time visitors, or anyone who simply wants the ride sorted before they land, a transfer is worth the modest premium. The price difference between a Yandex Go ride and a pre-booked transfer might be 10-15 EUR — a small amount for the certainty of someone waiting for you by name in a clean car.
Child seats are only available through pre-booked transfers. Neither taxis nor Yandex Go offer them in Moldova.
The honest summary
Chișinău is a small, affordable city. Either option gets you to your hotel quickly. The taxi route costs less but requires some local knowledge. The transfer route costs a bit more but eliminates every variable. For most international travelers arriving for the first time, the transfer is the lower-stress choice.