Transportation In Macedonia
Airports
Skopje International Airport
Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport
The main airport is the Skopje International Airport which is only 20-30 minutes away from the city center. Skopje International Airport is connected with 38 destinations, operated by 13 airlines to numerous countries including: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates etc. One million, 41 thousand and 583 passengers (1.041.583) traveled through Skopje International Airport and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport in the first 6 months of 2018.
The Airport has different facilities available including car rental, restaurants, post office, banks & ATM, and shopping.
Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport has 3 regular routes year-round and 8 seasonal destinations, all operated by 11 airlines.
Railways
The principal line, and the route most visitors will travel is the north/south rail link between Belgrade (Beograd in Serbian) and Thessaloniki in Greece, stopping off in Skopje, capital of FYR Macedonia with a population of 600,000.
Major domestic links from Skopje:
- to Tetovo, Gostivar, and Kicevo in the west
- to Volkovo in the northwest
- to Kumanovo and Tabanovci in the north
- to Sveti Nikole, Štip, and Kocani in the east
- to Veles, Negotino, and Gevgelija in the south-southeast
- to Bogomila, Prilep, and Bitola in the southwest.
The main north-south line from Niš in Serbia to the port of Thessaloniki in Greece on the Aegean Sea (Corridor X), passes through Kumanovo, Skopje, Zelenikovo, Veles, Negotino, Demir Kapija, Miravci and Gevgelija.
Intercity trains link Kumanovo, Skopje, Zelenikovo, Veles, Negotino (Kavadarci), Demir Kapija, Miravci (Valandovo) and Gevgelija (Bogdanci) with Serbia and Greece.
Visit the national railway company: http://www.mzi.mk/en/index.php
Bikes are allowed on certain trains. You’ll need to buy a bike ticket in advance.
Reservations
- IR: passenger trains, reservation not required
- D: express trains, reservation not required
- ICB: intercity trains, reservation not required
Reservations are only required for international trains.
International connections
Travel to Bulgaria goes via Niš in Serbia and via Thessaloniki in Greece. Intercity trains link Skopje with Kosovo.
For further information, contact Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Railways of the Republika Srpska.
Roads
Macedonia road network It covers 20,000 kilometres in total and can be divided into the following categories: Motorways and highways – 216 km Section road network (road connections between municipalities and regions) – 906 km Asphalted roads Main dirt roads (connecting communities) Other dirt roads (forest roads, rough roads, secondary connections) The main road axes are listed below, followed by the European road number in brackets E-75/M-1: Tabanovce – Kumanovo – Veles – Gradsko – Negotino- Demir Kapija – Gevgelija – Bogorodica E-65: Black – Skopje – Tetovo – Gostivar – Kicevo – Ohrid – Bitola – Medzitlija E-871: Kumanovo – Kriva Palanka – Deve Bair
Traffic moves on the right side. Drive on the right hand side of the road and so approach roundabouts in an anticlockwise direction. Vehicles on roundabouts have priority and not those entering it. Seat belts are compulsory. Insurance companies may refuse to pay for any accidents if you are not wearing a seat belt
The speed limit for cars is: in built-up areas – 50 km/h; outside the built-up areas – 80 km/h; on the motorways – 100 km/h; on the highways – 120 km/h.
The speed limit for cars with trailers is: in built-up areas – 50 km/h; on other roads – 80 km/h.
Drivers must use headlights at all time and have the first-aid kit, spare equipment, and yellow vest. From November 15–cars should have snow chains and winter tires must be put on all wheels and have the minimum 4 mm depth of a protector
When entering into Macedonia, drivers should change some cash at the border to be able to pay the highway toll fees. Payment is made in local currency by cash. It is necessary to keep the fiscal check in a vehicle all the time while driving on the road and to be ready to show it for authorized control. The amount of payment depends on the vehicle category doesn’t differ for cars with the local and foreign registration.
Car Hire
Car rental is the best way to solve your traveling problem. Both major international and local firms offer car hire at airports and larger towns. The daily cost for a small economical car is around Euro 50 per car.
To get more detailed information about car rental and to rent a car, contact us at info@beinmacedonia.com.
Bus
Buses in Macedonia are quite reliable, frequent and cover most of the country. For more information concerning Bus Routes and the availability of seats, contact the Skopje International Bus Station: +389 2 246 6313.
Taxi
Main cities have metered taxis. A large number of taxi firms have professional drivers who speak English It is possible to negotiate a fare when the meters are not in use. However, we suggest you take a metered taxi as you will pay only the regular rate per km. In both cases ask if the car has a meter or agree on a fare before setting off.