Getting around · Skopje, North Macedonia
Getting Around Skopje: Airport, Buses, Taxis & Onward Travel
Arriving, getting around and travelling on: red double-deckers, cheap taxis and buses across the Balkans.
Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Skopje
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Skopje.
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About 20 km east
Skopje International Airport
Skopje International Airport (SKP), about 20 km east of the centre, linked by airport bus and taxi.
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Trains and long-distance buses
Transport Centre (trains & intercity buses)
The main railway station and the intercity bus station, in Kenzo Tange’s Transport Centre east of the centre.
The full list: Getting around, A–Z
Arriving 3
The airport.
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Timed to flights
Airport bus
The airport shuttle bus (Vardar Express) between the airport and the city centre.
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For Lake Ohrid
Ohrid St Paul the Apostle Airport
North Macedonia’s second international airport, run by TAV, near Ohrid; useful for flying in or out of the lake region.
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About 20 km east
Skopje International Airport
Skopje International Airport (SKP), about 20 km east of the centre, linked by airport bus and taxi.
In the city 2
Buses and taxis.
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Red double-deckers
City buses
Skopje’s city buses, including its red double-deckers, cover the city and run to Vodno and Matka.
Stations, trains & cars 3
Travelling around the country.
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For the lakes and mountains
Car hire & driving
International and local car-hire companies at the airport and in the city.
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Slow and scenic
Trains
Domestic trains run from Skopje to towns such as Bitola, Kičevo and Gevgelija; international passenger trains have been suspended since 2020.
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Trains and long-distance buses
Transport Centre (trains & intercity buses)
The main railway station and the intercity bus station, in Kenzo Tange’s Transport Centre east of the centre.
Onward travel 8
To Ohrid, Belgrade, Sofia, Greece, Pristina, Tirana and Podgorica.
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Sofia, Belgrade and beyond
MATPU international coaches
An international coach company linking Skopje with Sofia, Belgrade, Niš and further cities in Serbia and Montenegro, with online tickets.
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About three hours
To Ohrid
Frequent buses from the Transport Centre to Ohrid, about three to three and a half hours.
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To Montenegro
To Podgorica
There is no direct train; buses take most of a day, and many travellers fly with a connection.
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South to Greece
To Thessaloniki & Athens
Buses to Thessaloniki, then trains or buses on to Athens; flights are also available.
Explore more of Skopje
57 of the best Restaurants
31 of the best Cafés
25 of the best Bars
8 of the best Nightlife
34 of the best Hotels32 of the best Sights50 of the best Arts & Culture8 of the best Cinema
9 of the best Parks & nature8 of the best Walks
50 of the best Shopping8 of the best Fitness + Spa9 of the best Medical10 of the best Car hire