North Macedonia by Train
Trains - Tickets - RoutesA Travel Guide For Train Travel In North Macedonia.
Here you will find information for North Macedonia about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.
Useful Information
Population: 2.1 million
Currency: Macedonian Denar
Language: Macedonian, Albanian
Capital: Skopje
Country Code: +389
Time Zone: Central European Time
Train Companies
The trains in North Macedonia are operated by Macedonian Railways.
Train Tickets
Buy your tickets for North Macedonia at the train station; however, if you are buying tickets to go from Serbia to North Macedonia, use the official Serbian Railway page.
Buy your train tickets online at OMIO and compare trains, buses & flights.
Rail Passes
Interrail / Eurail Pass
Do you want to travel throughout Europe flexibly and comfortably? Then the Interrail Pass is perfect for you. With the Interrail Pass, you can visit 40,000 destinations in 33 countries in Europe. You can travel for up to 3 months by train.
Balkan Flexi Pass
With the Balkan Flexi Pass, you can travel by train through 8 countries in Eastern Europe. This pass allows you to travel by train in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Romania.
TrAIN tYPES
The major rail network in North Macedonia is composed of the following trains:
MZ Regional (R)
MZ Regional Express (RX)
InterCity (IC) links major cities in North Macedonia to Serbian Railways and Greece as well as connects Skopje to Kosovo
- No reservations required
InterCity (IC) links major cities in North Macedonia to Serbian Railways and Greece as well as connects Skopje to Kosovo
- No reservations required
Hellas Express
Routes: Belgrade, Serbia – Skopje, North Macedonia – Thessaloniki, Greece*
- Reservations required
- Couchette Carriage:
- 6 berth couchette available
- Bathrooms are located in the coach carriage
- Bedding is provided
* route from Skopje, North Macedonia to Thessaloniki is by bus
Routes
Frequently Travelled Routes In North Macedonia
National
| From > To |
Duration (h) | Changes | Transport |
| Skopje to Gostivar | 1:25 | Direct | Train |
| Skopje to Ohrid | 4:19 | 1 | Train & Bus |
| Skopje to Bitola | 3:22 | Direct | Train |
| Skopje to Prilep | 2:40 | Direct | Train |
International
| From > To |
Duration (h) | Changes | Transport |
| Skopje to Belgrade, Serbia | 9:35 | Direct | Train |
| Skopje to Pristina, Kosovo | 3:00 | Direct | Train |
| Skopje to Durrës, Albania | 6:49 | 1 | Train & Bus |
| Skopje to Thessaloniki, Greece | 4:48 | Direct | Train |
| Ohrid to Durrës, Albania | 3:20 | Direct | Bus |
North Macedonia travel routes
Main Train Stations
- Skopje
- Gostivar
- Prilep
Good to know
Best Time To Travel To North Macedonia
We recommend visiting North Macedonia anytime from April to June, or from September to October, other months are also favorable but we find these to be the best outside of the peak tourist season with great weather. May and June offer views of lush landscapes. November through March offers snow in the mountainous regions of the country and further south offers a Mediterranean climate.
For the adventurers out there, spring and summer (March-August) are best for trekking in the Šar Mountains, Matka Canyon, Mount Jasen, as well as the Mavrovo National Park.
For the more cultural side of the country, head to Ohrid to enjoy the ruins, medieval churches, and monasteries, or attend the Ohrid Summer Festival to see concerts, traditional dress, and dances. The capital of Skopje also has a summer festival, which is worth a visit. If not visiting during the summertime, note that Skopje can be quite smoggy from November to February.
Check out the 12th century Old Bazaar in Skopje, visit the monastery of St. Naum, or look through the Bay of Bones in Ohrid. For a small country, it sure has plenty of highlights, and it won’t leave you hungry. Before leaving, make sure to get your tummy’s fill of tavče gravče, gevrek, ajvar, and rakija!
High Season: June – August
Low Season: November – February
Accommodation In North Macedonia
Booking
The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE
Hostelworld
If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE
Guidebooks For North Macedonia
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
