Are you planning a trip from Tirana, Albania to Skopje, Macedonia? Taking the bus is a great option for this scenic journey through the mountains. Here’s a guide on how to make this trip, based on my personal experience in mid-2024.
Finding the Right Bus Company
The first step is to find a reliable bus company. I discovered Hak Bus (H-A-K Bus) through some online research. They offer buses from Tirana to Skopje every day at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. You can easily text them via WhatsApp to make a reservation – just provide your name and they’ll confirm your seat.
The fare is 2,200 Albanian Lek (approximately $20) and they only accept cash.
However, for my journey, I had a change of plans and unfortunately needed to take a different bus company – there are many other bus companies offering this route at the Tirana East Gate bus terminal. It’s a good idea to visit the terminal in person and check out the various options. I found a company that had a bus leaving at 4 p.m., which suited my schedule better. I confirmed that they were going all the way to Skopje and paid 2,000 Lek for my ticket. (Spoiler: It did not go all the way to Skopje.)
At the Tirana Bus Terminal
One advantage of the East Gate terminal is that you can do some grocery shopping or even catch a movie at the Cineplexx while waiting for your bus. It’s also fairly easy to get to using the city bus for just 40 lek, taking line 2 or 8A, check out the full guide here. Just be aware that buses can sometimes be delayed due to traffic in Tirana, especially in the afternoon. My 4 p.m. bus ended up being over 30 minutes, which was a interesting start to the adventure.
The Journey Begins to Skopje
When the bus (which turned out to be more of a sprinter van) arrived, we loaded our luggage and set off. I recommend sitting on the right side of the bus for the best mountain views. We made one stop on the way to the border for the restroom and coffee.
At the border, the driver collected everyone’s passports and took care of the exit and entry formalities, which was a smooth process. (Stamping us into Macedonia) After crossing into Macedonia, we continued on for another two to three hours.
An Unexpected Stopover in Ohrid
To my surprise, the bus terminated in the city of Ohrid, after passing the shores of the beautiful Lake Ohrid, around 9 p.m. This wasn’t my intended destination, but the driver informed me that the bus wouldn’t be continuing to Skopje. I had to quickly find a hostel for the night. This was a bit unexpected and frustrating given I had paid a fare to go to Skopje.
Luckily, there was another bus leaving for Skopje at 5:30 a.m. the next morning. I bought a ticket (yes, I had to pay more), stayed overnight in Ohrid at a hostel, and caught the early morning bus. This second bus was much nicer – a full size bus/coach. We made one stop for a restroom and coffee break and arrived in Skopje between 8:30 and 9 a.m. The bus station had luggage storage facilities, so I could safely leave my bags and head out to explore the city.
Lessons Learned
From this experience, I’ve learned a few valuable lessons for my next trip:
- Always triple-confirm that your bus is going all the way to your intended destination.
- In the future, I’ll be using Hak Bus, as they seem to use premium, full-sized coaches.
- Avoid afternoon departures to minimize the risk of traffic delays. Opt for an early morning or late evening bus instead.
- If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider some motion sickness medication from a pharmacy in Tirana before your trip.
Despite the unexpected overnight stop in Ohrid, this was a beautiful journey through stunning mountain scenery and rural landscapes. With a little planning and flexibility, taking the bus from Tirana to Skopje can be a memorable and enjoyable experience.
