Travel to North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia)
Flying to North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia)
The main gateway to North Macedonia is Skopje International Airport (SKP), located about 23km (14 miles) southeast of the capital, Skopje. It handles the vast majority of international flights to and from the country.
Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport (OHD), near Lake Ohrid, serves a smaller number of international and seasonal flights, particularly during the summer tourist season.
North Macedonia is served by a mix of low-cost and full-service airlines, offering connections to destinations across Europe and parts of the Middle East. Direct flights operate to cities such as Vienna, Istanbul, Zurich, Frankfurt, Rome, London and several Scandinavian destinations.
There are no direct flights from North America, East Asia or Australasia. Travellers from these regions generally connect through major European hubs such as Vienna, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Zurich or Belgrade.
Facilities at Skopje International Airport include cafés, duty-free shops, ATMs, currency exchange services and car hire facilities. Shuttle buses and taxis operate between the airport and central Skopje. Facilities at Ohrid Airport are more limited but adequate for seasonal tourist traffic.
Flight times
From London to Skopje - 3 hours 10 minutes (direct).
Travelling to North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia) by Rail
Skopje Railway Station is the country's main rail hub. International train services operate between Skopje and Belgrade in Serbia, but there are no regular services linking North Macedonia directly with Greece, Albania or Bulgaria.
Driving to North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia)
North Macedonia can be reached by road from all neighbouring countries and has a reasonably well-developed network of international highways and border crossings. The country borders Serbia to the north, Kosovo to the northwest, Albania to the west, Greece to the south and Bulgaria to the east.
The main north–south route is the A1 motorway, which forms part of the Pan-European Corridor X linking Serbia and Greece via Skopje. This is the country's busiest and most important road route, used extensively by international travellers and freight traffic. Other major roads connect Skopje with Ohrid, Bitola, Tetovo and the Bulgarian border.
Long-distance coach services operate between North Macedonia and neighbouring countries, as well as destinations further afield in Europe. International buses connect Skopje with cities such as Belgrade, Sofia, Tirana, Pristina, Thessaloniki, Istanbul and Zagreb. Services are generally affordable, though journey times can be long depending on road and border conditions.
Border crossing procedures are usually straightforward, although delays can occur during summer holidays and major public holidays, particularly at crossings with Greece and Serbia. Travellers crossing borders by car may be required to show proof of insurance, vehicle registration documents and a valid driving licence.
Road conditions on major highways are generally good, though some rural roads may be narrower and less well-maintained. Mountain roads can become challenging during winter, particularly in periods of heavy snow.
Getting to North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia) by boat
North Macedonia is a landlocked country with no seaports or international passenger ferry services.