How to Get Around Macedonia

Getting Around

North Macedonia has airports at Skopje and Ohrid, international trains and buses to the neighbouring countries, and a country small enough that the tourism agency puts most journeys at two to four hours. Prices are not given here: the Skopje bus company, the railway and the airport's transfer pages could not be read. What the advisories give is the rulebook. Road conditions vary greatly; secondary roads are poorly maintained and unlit, most mountain roads lack guard rails and are unpaved, ice and snow make winter driving hazardous, and farm equipment and stray animals share the carriageway with drivers the Canadian advisory calls reckless, so take care especially after dark.

An international driving permit must be carried, daytime running lights are compulsory, drink-driving penalties are severe, the police routinely stop vehicles, and after an accident you call the police and do not move the car until they allow it. Skopje's airport can be closed by fog from November to February. Taxis and the hired car are the practical means for the parks and monasteries; Ohrid, Bitola and the bazaar are walked.

Verified against Global Affairs Canada, September 2026.

Entry

No visa for tourism, business or study up to 90 days; the passport must be valid at least 90 days after arrival. Overstaying brings heavy fines or refusal of re-entry. Foreign currency or assets worth 10,000 euros or more must be declared on entry and exit. Serbia has refused entry to travellers with Kosovo stamps in their passports.

Registration with the police

The British advisory says within 48 hours of arrival, the Canadian within 24: register in the town where you are staying, which a hotel does at check-in and a private host may not, in which case go to the nearest police station. Keep the registration document until you leave; if you registered directly, de-register 24 hours before departure. Failure can mean a fine, detention, a court hearing, difficulty leaving or a bar on returning.

Roads

International driving permit required. Daytime running lights on. Secondary roads poorly maintained and unlit; mountain roads mostly unpaved and unfenced; ice and snow in winter; stray animals and farm machinery. Drink-driving penalties severe; routine police checks; after an accident call the police and leave the vehicle where it is. Avoid driving after dark.

Air

Airports at Skopje and Ohrid. Thick fog in Skopje from November to February can delay or divert flights.

Money

Macedonian denar; mostly cash; cards in some larger establishments; ATMs in urban centres.

Emergency numbers

Police 192; medical assistance and ambulance 194; fire 193; roadside assistance 196; 112 also answers. Canada has an honorary consul in Skopje.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Road conditions vary greatly; secondary roads are poorly maintained and unlit, mountain roads mostly lack guard rails and are unpaved, ice and snow make winter driving hazardous, farm equipment and stray animals appear, and drivers are reckless, so take care especially after dark; an international driving permit is required; daytime running lights are compulsory; drink-driving penalties are severe; police routinely stop vehicles; after an accident call the police and do not move the vehicle, No visa for tourism, business or study up to 90 days; overstaying brings heavy fines or refusal of re-entry; register your presence within 24 hours of arrival, which commercial accommodation generally does for you, otherwise at the nearest police station, Road conditions vary greatly; secondary roads are poorly maintained and unlit, mountain roads mostly lack guard rails and are unpaved, ice and snow make winter driving hazardous, farm equipment and stray animals appear, and drivers are reckless, so take care especially after dark; an international driving permit is required; daytime running lights are compulsory; drink-driving penalties are severe; police routinely stop vehicles; after an accident call the police and do not move the vehicle, The currency is the Macedonian denar; the economy is mostly cash-based, cards are accepted in some larger establishments, ATMs are in urban centres; the equivalent of 10,000 euros or more in any form must be declared on entry and exit, Emergency numbers: police 192, medical assistance 194, firefighters 193, roadside assistance 196; Canada has an honorary consul in Skopje (September 2026).
Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Wildfires are possible from April to October with severe fines for lighting fires; thick fog can delay or divert flights at Skopje from November to February; earthquakes occur occasionally; protests occasionally disrupt, Passport valid at least 90 days after arrival; up to three months without a visa; foreign currency of 10,000 euros or more must be declared on entry; Serbia has refused entry to travellers carrying Kosovo passport stamps, Passport valid at least 90 days after arrival; up to three months without a visa; foreign currency of 10,000 euros or more must be declared on entry; Serbia has refused entry to travellers carrying Kosovo passport stamps, Register with the local police within 48 hours of arrival; hotels do it at check-in; keep the registration document until departure and, if you registered directly, de-register 24 hours before leaving; failure can mean a fine, detention, a court hearing or a bar on returning, Wildfires are possible from April to October with severe fines for lighting fires; thick fog can delay or divert flights at Skopje from November to February; earthquakes occur occasionally; protests occasionally disrupt (September 2026).