Across the border · North Macedonia
Visit Skopje by minibus with driver from Albania
Rent a minibus with a driver in Albania and visit Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia: from Tirana Airport or your hotel, via Kosovo or via Qafe Thana and Tetovo. With the same minibus, you can also visit Tetovo, Ohrid and Matka Canyon.
From Albania to Skopje by minibus with driver
It takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes from Tirana Airport to Skopje, not counting the wait at the border. There are two routes: along the Nation’s Highway, via Morina and Kosovo, or via Elbasan, the Qafe Thana border crossing and the towns of Struga, Gostivar and Tetovo. You’ll find the fixed transfer price on the Airport – Skopje transfer page.
- Departure from Tirana Airport, from Tirana or from any city in Albania
- Your whole group and luggage in one vehicle, up to 19 passengers
- Stops along the way, for example in Struga, Tetovo or Prizren
- The same minibus takes you around North Macedonia and brings you back to Albania
The main cities of North Macedonia
The other cities of the country are easy to reach from Skopje. Times are approximate, from Skopje:
- Kumanovo, about 40 minutes: the second city of the northern region.
- Tetovo, about 45 minutes: the Painted Mosque and the Arabati Baba Tekke, at the foot of the Sharr Mountains.
- Gostivar, about 1 hour: the gateway to Mavrovo National Park.
- Bitola, about 2.5 hours: Shirok Sokak street and the ruins of Heraclea.
- Struga and Ohrid, about 2.5 hours: Lake Ohrid and the towns on its shore.
Skopje Airport
Skopje International Airport is about 20 kilometers southeast of the city, in Petrovec. If your flight arrives at or departs from Skopje, we’ll pick you up or take you to the airport on request, and you can continue to Albania with the same minibus.
You can fly into Tirana Airport and fly home from Skopje, or the other way around: we plan the trip around your flights.
What to see in Skopje
- The Old Bazaar: the cobbled Ottoman bazaar, with shops, mosques and caravanserais.
- Skopje Fortress: above the bazaar, with views over the Vardar river and the center.
- The Stone Bridge: the old bridge over the Vardar, linking the bazaar with Macedonia Square.
- The Mother Teresa Memorial House: in the city where Mother Teresa was born, in 1910.
- Matka Canyon: the lake between the cliffs and the caves, about 30 minutes from the city.
- Mount Vodno: by cable car up to the Millennium Cross, for views over all of Skopje.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do we need to travel to North Macedonia?
Every passenger needs a valid passport or ID card, according to the rules for their nationality. If the route goes through Kosovo, the rules apply to both countries; check them before you travel.
Which route is better, via Kosovo or via Qafe Thana?
Both take about the same time from Tirana Airport. Via Qafe Thana you pass Struga, Gostivar and Tetovo; via Kosovo you can stop in Prizren or Pristina. We choose based on your program.
Can we combine Skopje with Ohrid?
Yes. Skopje and Ohrid are about 2 hours and 30 minutes apart, so they’re easy to combine on a multi-day tour of North Macedonia.
How many passengers does the minibus take?
Our minibuses have up to 19 passenger seats. For larger groups, we arrange several minibuses that travel together.
Plan your trip to North Macedonia
From Albania to Skopje and beyond, with the same minibus and driver.