Those who plan a vacation to the seaside in Crimea should know that the travel agencies do not offer vacation packages to the peninsula this year as well, if only several agencies. But these provide hotel accommodation only and the tourist has to reach the destination by oneself. The Moldovan carriers do not operate regular flights to Crimea either. This is what was found out through an IPN investigation following questions put by readers over a pervious news article about the summer vacation.
Operators of a number of travel agencies have told IPN that Crimea cannot be yet included in the list of tourist destinations owing to the political tensions in the region. Several agencies confirmed that they can organize the vacation of Moldovan tourists on the peninsula, but cannot organize their travel. The tourists who want to reach the destination by oneself can do it only through Russia, to which Crimea was joined by the referendum of 2014, which is not recognized by Ukraine. Through Ukraine, one can get to Crimea if only with special permits, but these are not issued for tourism purposes.
Iurii Topala, director general of Moldova’s Railways, has told IPN that railway flights to Crimea are not operated. From Moldova to Ukraine, a train goes to Kiev or Odessa only, while to Russia, up to Moscow or St. Petersburg only.
Neither the road passenger carriers provide regular flights to Crimea, but some of them said they can organize transport by order. The price depends on how many passengers are there and on the chosen itinerary.
By air, Krasnodar is the destination that is the closest to Crimea. From there, the peninsula can be reached by bus and then by ferry and then by bus again, by the common ticket system. Or one can choose to fly by plane again.
In an answer to IPN’s inquiry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration recommended the Moldovans who are in Ukraine or cross the territory of this county to avoid the regions affected by conflicts, especially Crimea. If they have questions, they can contact the Embassy of Moldova in Kiev, the Consular Section of Moldova’s Embassy in Kiev, Moldova’s Consulate in Odessa or call the Ministry’s Call Center in Moldova.
Ukraine banned access to its territory for a number of personalities from the Russian showbiz after these visited Crimea bypassing the authorities of the neighboring state.
