The plane has landed, you are through passport control, your suitcase is already on the belt, and you are already thinking about how fast you can get to your hotel or the next stop on your trip. This is exactly the moment that decides how your holiday or business trip in Moldova starts: with an easy, relaxed pickup or with a queue, phone calls and stress at the rental desk. At CarPoint we built our process so that picking up a rental car at Chisinau airport takes about 10 minutes. Here is how it works.
Why airport car handover often takes longer than expected
If you book a car on the spot, without any preparation, waiting is almost unavoidable: a form to fill in, documents to check, a paper contract to sign, deposit and extra options to discuss. All of this can be done in advance, long before you even board your flight. That way, at the airport all that is left is a handshake, a quick check of the car and the keys in your hand.
The secret to a fast pickup: preparation before you fly
Step 1. Book on carpoint.md
Everything starts on carpoint.md, where you can see real time availability and current rental prices. Choose the model, the dates, the pickup point (Chisinau airport) and send your request. We confirm the booking and send you all the details you need.
Step 2. Documents and contract, ready in advance
To avoid wasting time on paperwork at the airport, we ask you to send a photo of your driving licence and passport ahead of time. Based on this, we prepare the contract in two versions: a digital one for your records, and a short printable one that you simply sign on the spot. One important detail: the minimum driving experience required to rent with us is 3 years.
Step 3. Send us your flight number
Send us your flight number and from that point on, tracking it is our job. We monitor the arrivals board ourselves, so whether your flight is delayed or lands earlier than planned, there is no need to worry: your CarPoint representative will adjust to the actual arrival time.
Step 4. Meeting you at arrivals
Before the car reaches you, we send you a photo of the vehicle and its licence plate, so you know exactly what to look for. Your CarPoint representative waits for you at the agreed spot or right at the arrivals exit, holding a sign with your name. After that, it is just a quick walk around the car, signing the contract that is already prepared, and the keys are yours.
What cars are waiting for you at CarPoint
Our fleet is mostly made up of Toyota Prius cars, economical, comfortable and reliable for trips around Moldova and beyond. Most cars carry OCA insurance, full CASCO coverage being the exception rather than the rule. If you need a car for a bigger group or have a special request, just tell us, and we will find the right solution.
How much does airport handover cost
Airport pickup and drop off comes with a location fee, charged separately for each operation:
- 10 EUR during the day
- 20 EUR at night (the 20:00 to 08:00 window)
The night rate applies whenever the pickup or the return falls inside that time window. For example, returning the car at 7 am already counts as a night rate. We do not publish the actual rental prices in blog articles, since they change in real time. Check current availability and rates on carpoint.md.
Deposit and payment
When you pick up the car, you leave a 200 EUR cash deposit. It is fully refunded after the car is inspected at the end of the rental period. The rental itself can be paid in cash or by card, but the deposit is accepted only in cash, so it is worth having the amount ready in advance.
What to bring to the airport
- Your original driving licence (minimum 3 years of experience)
- Your passport
- 200 EUR in cash, for the deposit
- Your flight number, already sent to us in advance
If you are planning to cross the border, for example into Transnistria, Romania or further into the EU, it is worth discussing extra options in advance: Acces Transnistria, Acces Romania and Acces UE are activated separately. For trips to Romania or the EU, the Green Card and the Rovinieta road tax need to be purchased by you.
What if your flight is delayed
It happens quite often, and it is completely normal. That is exactly why we ask for your flight number in advance and track the arrivals board ourselves. You do not need to message us every hour with updates, your representative will meet you based on the actual landing time, not the scheduled one.
Prefer to pick up the car from the office?
That works too. During working hours, handover at the CarPoint office comes with no extra fee. If it is more convenient for you to pick up the car outside working hours, there is a fee, but it is lower than the airport one. One important thing to know: preparing the car for handover takes up to 2 hours after the order is placed, so even if you are already in Chisinau, there is no point rushing to the office right away, the car will be getting ready during that time.
Do not want to drive? Try a transfer with a driver
If you would rather not drive yourself, CarPoint also offers a car with a driver, a great option straight from the airport to your final destination. The service is available as car and driver only, or as a full all inclusive package. Reach out to us for details, and we will figure out the best solution for your route together.
Why this system works
The secret is not that we move faster than everyone else at the counter. The secret is that all the work is already done: documents checked, contract ready, car chosen and photographed, flight tracked. By the time you walk out of arrivals, for us that is the last step, not the first one.
Book your car before you fly
To pick up your car at Chisinau airport in about 10 minutes, start with a booking on carpoint.md. Choose your car, set the dates and pickup point, send your documents and flight number, and simply enjoy your flight. We will be waiting with a sign with your name, and your car will be ready for the road ahead in Moldova ?