Europe > 🇲🇰 North Macedonia
The city by city Car or no Car advice for North Macedonia can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in North Macedonia; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in North Macedonia?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in North Macedonia?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in North Macedonia
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje | SKP |
North Macedonia, tucked into the heart of the Balkans, offers a mix of rugged mountains, glittering lakes, and centuries-old towns steeped in Ottoman and Byzantine history. It’s a compact but incredibly diverse country, and while public transport connects the main cities, it’s the winding rural roads and scenic detours that often hold the most charm. So — should you rent a car in North Macedonia?
🚗 Why Renting a Car Makes Sense
If you want to explore beyond Skopje and Ohrid, renting a car in North Macedonia is highly recommended. The country’s best experiences — monasteries perched above lakes, vineyards in Tikveš, and tiny mountain villages — are scattered and not always served by regular buses.
The road network has improved a lot in recent years, with new motorways linking Skopje to Ohrid, Bitola, and the Greek and Serbian borders. Driving is on the right-hand side, traffic is light outside the capital, and road signs are in both Cyrillic and Latin script.
Car hire is affordable by European standards, with rentals available at Skopje International Airport (SKP) and in major cities.
🚆 Public Transport and Alternatives
North Macedonia’s rail network is functional but limited. Trains connect Skopje, Veles, Bitola, and Kumanovo, but services are slow and infrequent. There’s no cross-border rail to Greece or Albania, though buses fill that gap efficiently, running several times a day to Thessaloniki, Sofia, and Tirana.
For domestic travel, intercity buses are cheap and reasonably reliable. You can reach Ohrid from Skopje in about 3.5 hours by bus, but you’ll miss the flexibility to stop at scenic lookouts or small villages like Galicica or Vevčani.
🏞️ Road Trips and Scenic Drives
With a car, you can experience North Macedonia’s true variety:
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Lake Ohrid – the country’s biggest draw, shared with Albania, surrounded by monasteries, old town charm, and stunning mountain views.
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Mavrovo National Park – a dream for hikers, offering dramatic mountain passes and glacial lakes.
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Tikveš Wine Region – an easy day trip from Skopje, known for hearty reds and traditional food.
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Kratovo – a hillside town built among volcanic craters, known for its stone bridges and towers.
Many of these destinations are off the main bus routes, so a rental car lets you explore without restriction.
🛣️ Driving Conditions and Practical Notes
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Roads are paved and generally in good condition, though rural roads can be narrow or potholed.
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Expect toll stations on motorways — keep small cash handy.
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Petrol stations are frequent along major routes but scarce in remote areas.
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Winter driving (November–March) may require snow tyres or chains in mountain areas.
Within Skopje, driving and parking can be tricky during rush hour, but elsewhere it’s relaxed.
🧭 Summary — Should You Rent a Car in North Macedonia?
Why you should:
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Freedom to explore mountain roads and rural monasteries.
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Cheap rental prices and good roads.
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Public transport can’t reach many scenic spots.
Why you might not:
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You’re sticking to Skopje and Ohrid only.
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You prefer to use organised tours for day trips.
✅ Conclusion: In North Macedonia, renting a car gives you the key to adventure. The distances are short, the landscapes breathtaking, and the roads surprisingly good — making a self-drive trip one of the most rewarding ways to uncover this often-overlooked Balkan gem.