5 min read
The short answer
| Option | Time | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | About 3 h 45 | About €20–35 per person | A few direct departures a week |
| Train and bus | 5 h or more | Varies | A change at the border, at Gevgelija |
| Private transfer | About 3 h 30 | From €205 per car | Door to door, border included |
By bus
Direct buses leave from the Skopje bus and train station a few times a week and take about three and three-quarter hours, border included. Tickets cost around €20 to €35. The days and times change between summer and winter, so check them before you plan around them.
By train
There is no direct train. The usual way is a train or bus to Gevgelija on the border, then onward on the Greek side. It works, but with the waits between connections it takes the better part of a day.
By private transfer
A car collects you at your door in Skopje and drops you at your hotel, the port or Thessaloniki Airport. The border, the tolls and the driver's return are all in one fixed price, and in a van a group of up to seven travels together with all its luggage.
Tips for the trip
- Summer weekends are the busiest time at the border: Friday and Saturday going south, Sunday coming back.
- Demir Kapija, about halfway, is a good place for a coffee and a look at the gorge.
- Going on to Halkidiki? A car can take you straight to your beach, about an hour further.
