How to Travel from Ohrid to Skopje by Bus – and Other Options
After one night’s stay in the Hotel Monastery Sveti Stefan, on the banks of Lake Ohrid, it was time to travel from Ohrid to Skopje by bus. Fortunately, our bus from Ohrid to Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital, wasn’t until late afternoon. So we spent the morning relaxing by the lake. In this post, we detail exactly how to travel from Ohrid to Skopje by bus as well as providing some other options for the route. We include up-to-date times, costs, practical tips and alternative options for your journey.
We Begin in Ohrid
The ancient Lake Ohrid is a peaceful place to enjoy the sun, take a hike or appreciate the spectacular views over the water and the monasteries nestled in the hills. There are several bars and cafes along the shore where you can hire sun loungers in the summer and sip on a cocktail overlooking the lake – which is what we did.
After a few hours by the water, we took a taxi back into the town (costing around €5). Having a couple of hours to spare before our bus to Skopje, we explored the centre of Ohrid town. We walked through the busy, ancient streets, found a bakery and over indulged in delicious, fresh burek.
The old town is full of traditional, red roofed houses, mosques and has a large square filled with restaurants and market stalls. We browsed the shops selling pearls from the lake, ornaments and dazzling jewels.
With time running out, we had to make our way from the town centre up to Ohrid Bus Station where we waited for our next journey to begin.
Ohrid to Skopje by Bus
Making the journey from Ohrid to Skopje by bus is relatively simple. There are 10 – 15 departures per day and almost all of the buses leave from Ohrid Bus Station (make sure you check your ticket as some of the Classic Company buses depart from elsewhere). The bus terminal is around 2km from the town centre. A cab will take about 10 minutes but, if you don’t have a lot of luggage, you can walk in about 25 minutes. There is also a nice little supermarket called Tinex just before the bus station where you can stock up on bus snacks!
There are other ways to travel from Ohrid to Skopje, of course. And more on that later. However, we chose the bus because it was direct, cheap and we could go for a nap.
How to Buy Bus Tickets
We had booked our tickets from Ohrid to Skopje by bus online in advance from GETBYBUS. It is possible to buy your tickets at the bus station if you’re not in a rush. Some buses do get full and we needed specific times so we found it easier to book ahead. As with most pre-booked tickets in the Balkans, make sure you print them out before you board. Saying that, more and more companies are now providing Apps so you can go paperless. Always check. There is an ATM at Ohrid bus station if the bus company doesn’t accept card, some do others do not.
Ohrid Bus Station
On arrival at the bus station, we had some trouble finding the correct stance for the bus from Ohrid to Skopje. After asking at the information desk we learned that our particular bus company departed from just outside the bus station itself. It was literally 30 seconds away, over the road, and really easy to find.
The previous day we had spent 8 hours on a small minibus travelling from Saranda, Albania, to Ohrid. The thought of another cramped furgon, with no aircon in the 40 degree heat, was not pleasant. But we had to keep in mind that the destination is always worth it! As another sweaty furgon pulled up, we took a deep breath and climbed in.
Useful Tips when Travelling from Ohrid to Skopje by Bus
- Pack plenty of water in the summer
- Bring snacks that won’t melt easily
- Have a good supply of wet wipes, not just for kids!
- Maybe bring a handheld fan in the hotter months
- An audio book allows you to enjoy the scenery outside
- There isn’t a luggage hold so pack light and prepare to sit with you bags if they don’t fit overhead
- Always have cash if you haven’t already bought a ticket
- Print any tickets before travel
- Keep your passport handy if crossing a border
The Journey
Once aboard, we settled in and planned our route from Skopje Bus Station to our accommodation. We stayed in a really cool Air BnB in Skopje’s Flatiron building. Yes, it might look familiar. The foyer came complete with beautiful Art Deco designs and rooms had everything we needed.
Planning complete, we had plenty time to chill out, enjoy our snacks and admire the views out the window.
How to Drive from Ohrid to Skopje
For those hiring a car, the drive is only 2.5 hours and you will obviously have the freedom of travelling when you please and stopping where you like. We just aren’t quite brave enough to drive in the Balkans yet! Make sure to take out full insurance and plan your route well, if you decide to drive.
Should I Rent a Car in Ohrid?
This is really down to personal preference. North Macedonia’s public transport is cheap and cheerful and most places are accessible by bus. However, 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 in Ohrid, please make sure you take out the full insurance. Drivers in the Balkans have their own unique style…
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.
How to Take a Taxi from Ohrid to Skopje
The other option for travelling from Ohrid to Skopje is to hire a taxi. This will still take around 2.5 hours and can be expensive (at least €100). However, if you are travelling in a small group and can split the fare, it might be worth it. If you do go for this option, make sure you agree on a price before you set off.
The Train from Ohrid to Skopje
You can take a train from Bitola to Skopje. However, the town of Bitola is an hour away from Ohrid. There are limited trains in this part of North Macedonia. As far as we are aware, you can take the bus from Ohrid to Kichevo and change there to get the train. However, with the time taken to change, the journey takes just as long as the direct bus. So we ruled this out.
| Travel time (hours) | Cost (1 way) | Distance (km) | Comfort Factor | |
| Bus | 3.25 | 10 – 30 Euro | 172 | ** |
| Drive | 2.5 | 20 – 35 Euros | 172 | **** |
| Private Hire Taxi | 2.5 | 100 – 150 Euros | 172 | ***** |
Arriving in Skopje Bus Station
After our long bus journey, we arrived at Skopje Bus Station in the early evening. When getting off the bus there were many taxi drivers looking for business. We knew that our walk was only 15 minutes so politely declined. It was already dark, but it was easy to navigate our way to the Flatiron building and we never felt unsafe. We checked in, ditched our bags and headed into the centre.
We spent 3 nights in Skopje and it is an incredible city. You can read more about it in our blog How to Find the Best Things to Do in Skopje: The Las Vegas of the Balkans.
Bus travel in the Balkans can be challenging. But, armed with a bit of knowledge, a desire to see amazing new things AND a sense of humour, it can be a great way to see this beautiful part of the world.
More Information
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Skopje or Ohrid? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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How to Travel from Ohrid to Skopje by Bus
How to Travel from Ohrid to Skopje by Bus
Hey, thanks for your comment. We took the bus from Ohrid to Skopje mostly because we weren’t confident driving on the other side and dealing with the different style of driving the balkans has. We found the bus super simple, very cheap and no need to worry about anything. The only problem we had was during the summer it was incredibly hot! The buses are old and small with no Aircon, so it’s a journey for sure 😆 Whichever you choose, you’ll love this amazing country!
I’m debating whether to take the bus or hire a car but the bus does seem quite easy so unsure now
I want to visit the Balkans so badly and I think bussing from city to city would be perfect! I did it in Czech, Hungary and Slovakia and was very affordable plus you can see lots 🙂
I never took a bus in Eastern Europe but it seems like a good idea. I do love Bourek – it was my fave train snack going across the Balkans
It’s actually fun to ride a bus for your travel, it’s cheap and you get to see great views. The tips are great and very helpful 🙂
Practical tips for when traveling by bus, and luckily not that expensive. We haven’t made it to North Macedonia yet. We usually road trip by car. Ohrid and Skopje both look like beautiful cities to visit.
This post is so helpful! I am planning to be in lake Ohrid in October (hopefully) and will be getting there from Skopje. So I am glad I found this post!
I love to travel slow through Europe – I had a big Balkans road trip planned for this fall, but most certainly it’s not going to happen. Next year then!
The Balkan area is still unknown ground to me but I wish to travel there one day! The sooner the better.
Beautiful! Would love to visit here someday 🙂
I LOVED taking the bus in Bulgaria. It was so easy. I did not make it to Ohrid when I went but now I think I need to add it to my list.
So informative! Will definitely use this advice when I make it to Lake Ohrid!
Super interesting! I never did the trip between Ohrid and Skopje, I hired a car in Skopje and drove to Ohrid via Greece and Albania but good to know there is a bus too and so great that it’s so regular!
I have so much left to explore in this corner of the world. Great post on an off-the-beaten path destination. Appreciate your shoutout to a sense of humor needed to make this happen. I find that helps no matter where you’re off to!
Very helpful post! Thank you for sharing! I’ll have it in mind when visiting Skopje.
OH That opening photo of the mountains is incredible! I’m pinning this so we are ready when we can travel again. Thank you for posting such detailed advice ~M
I hope you manage to visit North Macedonia, it’s incredible. Give us a shout and let us know what you think!
Great, I hope it comes in handy for your trip! Let us know if you need any more info
Let us know what you think when you visit Skopje! We love hearing others views on the Balkans.
I’m planning a Balkan packing list post so watch this space!
It’s actually pretty fun. And I feel we get a truer impression of the place as we travel the way locals do.
Let us know if you get there! We love hearing Balkan travel stories!
You’re welcome! Give us a shout if you need any info for your next trip
Excellent tips! I love the Balkans but haven’t been to Skopje or Ohrid. This will be so helpful when I visit the Balkans again.
What a great post! bookmarking now so that when we can travel again, I can use this for the Balkans. Thank you for sharing.
What an adventure, very cool! Great tips and info too.
WOW! this lake looks incredible! And it is a great resource to find out how to travel by bus, very helpful. Saving it for when I get to visit Skopje.
First of all that Lake view is amazing. I love the old town too, really pretty. Great tips. I sm also not sure i would feel like driving so would originally end up on the bus. Packing light enough though since there’s not a hold for the bags. That might not be as easy. Great tip about the fan!
Great practical post to help us plan a trip through North Macedonia, thank you! It looks like such an amazing country to travel through.
Love traveling by bus. Especially when you have extra time and are on a right budget. Thanks so much.
I would love to visit North Macedonia when things get back to normal! Thanks for all the helpful tips 🙂
Thank you for the great tips 🙂 Super helpful!
I’m constantly surprised to see your posts about how inexpensive it is to travel by bus! Sure it takes longer but what a great way to take in the scenery! I have to look into public transit more when we travel!
Thanks for all the great tips! This will come in handy!
Such a valuable post! I was trying to find information to plan a trip to the Balkans about a year ago and got frustrated with how little I could find! I’m bookmarking this post for a future trip! Thanks for sharing 🙂