How to Get to North Macedonia from Greece or Albania
Have you heard about the little Balkan country of North Macedonia? Maybe you’ve seen stunning shots of the incredible nature, been told about the vibrant cities, or read about the great value holidays you can take there? If you’re planning on visiting this beautiful country, it is not always straight forward to get to as it isn’t a big tourist hotspot (another good reason to go). However, 2 of it’s neighbours are common tourist destinations, so here is a complete travel guide describing how to get to North Macedonia from Greece or Albania. We include transportation options, key border crossings, typical routes and itinerary suggestions.
In this post, we provide travel details to North Macedonia from Greece and Albania including the main entry cities in North Macedonia – Skopje (capital), Ohrid (tourist favorite), Bitola, Struga – the closest Greek cities – Thessaloniki and Florina – and the closest Albanian cities – Tirana, Shkodër and Pogradec.
So lets start with a country where many people spend their summer holidays…
From Greece to North Macedonia
It is pretty easy to travel from Greece to North Macedonia by car, and there are several options. If you are taking a road trip, these are the main border crossings from Greece to North Macedonia
1. Evzoni – Bogorodica (most common route from Thessaloniki to Skopje)
2. Niki – Medžitlija (from Florina to Bitola)
The most popular route from Greece to North Macedonia is Thessaloniki to Skopje. If you are driving from Thessaloniki to Skopje, here is a breakdown of the journey –
- Distance: 230 km (3.5 hours)
- Route: Thessaloniki → A1/E75 Motorway → Border at Evzoni/Bogorodica → Skopje
- Documents: Passport, car papers, Green Card insurance or border insurance
- Tip: Roads are good; tolls exist on both sides
Decided to Take Public Transport from Greece to North Macedonia?
Bus operator Makedonija Soobrakaj or Alsa covers the route from Thessaloniki to Skopje in around 4.5 hours. These buses run daily and can be booked online or at the Thessaloniki bus terminal (KTEL).
Prefer to travel by train? We wouldn’t recommend it. Note: There used to be a train between Thessaloniki and Skopje, but it is currently not operational (as of latest updates). Always check current info if you prefer rail.
From Albania to North Macedonia
The journey from Albania to North Macedonia is another epic road trip! When travelling by car, the main border crossings are as follows –
1. Qafë Thanë – Kjafasan (Tirana → Ohrid/Struga/Skopje route)
2. Tushemisht – Sveti Naum (Tirana → Ohrid Lakeside route, very scenic)
3. Gorica – Stenje (remote, scenic; into Prespa region)
The most popular route from Albania to North Macedonia is Tirana to Ohrid. If you are driving from Tirana to Ohrid, here is a breakdown of the journey –
- Tirana to Ohrid Distance: 130 km (3.5–4 hours)
- Route: Tirana → Elbasan → Librazhd → Qafë Thanë → Struga → Ohrid
- Road quality: Generally good with some mountain driving
- Documents: Passport, car papers, insurance
If you are interested in travelling on to Skopje from Ohrid, check our post HERE for more details, tips and tricks.
Public Transport Options from Greece to North Macedonia
If you prefer to travel by public transport (we do) there are some options for getting to North Macedonia from Albania. If you fancy travelling by bus from Tirana to Skopje, the main options can be found on Gjirafa. Operators include Macedonia Soobrakaj and EuroBus and the journey varies from 6–8 hours. You will cross at the Qafë Thanë border and you can buy tickets online or from Tirana East Bus Terminal at TEG. There are daily buses but they are infrequent. We would recommend going to the bust station the day before and asking, where possible.
We also travelled from Saranda to Ohrid. For a detailed post on how to do that journey, check out our blog HERE.
Here Are Some Sample Itineraries to North Macedonia from Greece or Albania
If you are looking for some ideas for an amazing Balkan road trip, here are some example itineraries for travel from to North Macedonia from Greece or Albania
ITINERARY 1
Greece → Skopje → Ohrid (4–5 days)
- Day 1: Thessaloniki → Skopje (bus or drive)
- Day 2: Explore Skopje (Old Bazaar, Kale Fortress, Matka Canyon)
- Day 3: Drive or bus to Ohrid (3 hours)
- Day 4: Full day in Ohrid (UNESCO old town, lake cruise, churches)
- Day 5: Return or onward to Albania or Kosovo
ITINERARY 2
Albania → Ohrid → Skopje (4–6 days)
- Day 1: Tirana → Ohrid (via Qafë Thanë)
- Day 2: Explore Ohrid
- Day 3: Hike or relax by Lake Ohrid, visit Sveti Naum
- Day 4: Travel to Skopje
- Day 5: Explore Skopje
- Optional Day 6: Day trip to Matka Canyon or Vardar Wine Region
Border Travel Tips into North Macedonia from Greece or Albania
Here are some of our top tips for crossing borders into North Macedonia from Greece or Albania –
- Visas: Most Western travellers do not need a visa for Albania, Greece, or North Macedonia.
- Insurance: If driving, make sure you have valid cross-border car insurance.
- Currency: Albania: Lek (ALL) Greece: Euro (EUR) North Macedonia: Denar (MKD)
- Language: English is widely spoken in tourist areas; otherwise, basic phrases in local language help.
- Connectivity: EU roaming may not apply in Albania/North Macedonia – check your mobile plan.
Should I Rent a Car to travel to North Macedonia from Greece or Albania?
This is really down to personal preference. Balkan public transport is cheap and cheerful and most places are accessible by bus. However, as we mentioned, there are very few railways in the area. The minibuses are great for travelling between towns and cities. However, the timetable can be a bit restrictive. If you can haggle, a taxi driver will take you anywhere!
If you decide to rent a car, please make sure you take out the full insurance. Drivers in the Balkans have their own unique style…
If you are road tripping and finishing at a different location to where you started, check the rental policy is ok with that and with crossing borders.
Plan your journey in advance as there are many small roads that are not more than dirt tracks. Several mountain routes can be perilous if you do not plan ahead and take great care.
The Language in North Macedonia
There are two official languages spoken in North Macedonia – Macedonian and Albanian. Many Macedonians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases. Macedonian is an Eastern South Slavic language and is therefore not easy for English speakers. However, any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
Hello – Zdravo (ZDRA-voh)
Please – Molam (MOW-lahm)
Thank you – Blagodaram (blaag-OH-Daar-ahm)
Yes – Da (DUH)
No – Ne (NEH)
Goodbye – Dogledanje (dough-GLAD-anye)
Safety in North Macedonia
North Macedonia is a safe country to visit. There is, of course, petty crimes such as pickpocketing in the cities so the usual precautions apply. We were advised not to walk along the Vardar River, in Skopje, at night in case of any unsavoury characters. There is a level of organised crime but tourists are unlikely to become involved in that.
More Info
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not try some of Albania’s incredible beaches?
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited North Macedonia already? How was your experience with the Balkan border crossings? Are you planning a trip and need more information about Balkan border crossings? Drop us a message below, we would love to hear from you!
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How to Get to North Macedonia from Greece or Albania