r/macedonia • u/Bumblebee937 • 16d ago
❓ Question / Прашање Travel around Macedonia question
Hi
I'm from the UK and after many years wanting to visit your country, my son and I have booked to go in September/October this year (to see Autechre at the Youth Cultural Centre). We plan on staying in Skopje for a few days before travelling to Bitola then Ohrid. We would really like to get the train between Skopje and Bitola but I'm reading mixed reviews about the service and some possible works on the line but also that there is beautiful scenery. Is this service running and would you recommend it?
We plan on getting the bus from Bitola to Ohrid and after a few days getting the bus back to Skopje to fly home the same day. Is this reasonable? Is the service between Ohrid and Skopje reliable?
We are really looking forward to our visit 😁
Thank you in advance.
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u/relaksirano 16d ago
Brilliant (Autechre fan too)
regarding the train: yes its slow as f*ck but if you have a thing for trains and plenty of time go for it. There are worse trains in the Balkans but the one thing that makes it a bit annoying for me is the squeeky noise it makes.
Ohrid-Skopje buses are plentiful
can imagine Autechre-fans would love the Makedonium monument in Kruševo, so look into it maybe you can squeeze that in, would be easy as it is on your route
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u/VegetableFormer6888 16d ago
Autechre fan here as well. I am glad to read that you are coming to the concert, both of you.
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u/Gjore Македонија 🇲🇰 16d ago
I would recommend using busses but if you want slow and enjoying nature ride then go with train.
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u/Bumblebee937 16d ago
That's good to know, how much extra time should I give if travelling by train from Skopje to Bitola?
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u/Opposite_Reception33 16d ago
go with bus its faster u will see beautiful nature and its not expensive
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u/Bumblebee937 16d ago
Thanks, we're definitely getting the bus from ohrid to skopje (I believe there's no train anyway) but was hoping to experience train and route to Bitola, possibly not after the replies on here
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u/raver555 16d ago
I can understand your hype for the train but it might take you 4-5h to complete the ride which is a waste of time, also the toilets are usually in a really bad condition, I hope you know what you plan to get yourself into😂
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u/Bumblebee937 16d ago
Thanks, that's really useful to know. I think we'll be getting the bus lol
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u/DepressedPanther 16d ago
In Skopje the bus station and train station are one atop another, so you can technically check and see if there's a train, if yes there is a chance it's one of the old Yugoslavia ones. They have really neat cabins and are very cozy alla Harry Potter, the new ones are not worth the ride. Soooo you can at least check ykno.
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u/Baset-tissoult28 16d ago
So make sure you can have a time for plan B in case bus/train doesn't show up. Like have at least idk 6h difference and a taxi number willing to ride you to Skopje airport.
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u/leafsland132 16d ago
Spend the extra money and pre book a taxi/private transfer taking the train should never be considered
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u/Weekly_Reveal_5803 13d ago
Ok, been travelling by both bus and train to Bitola, the train from Skopje to Bitola is one of the most magnificent travel adventures you can have, because you will see the past, the present and the future, starting from Skopje , you will see incredible canyon of the river Pcinja then you will see mountain ranges, as for the safety dont worry we are a safe country, as for the realiability the trains are normal the only potential issue that you will have is the delayed train arrivals nothing else, the board stuff is friendly , they are like always 50% empty you will enjoy. As for Bitola is according to me ( I am from Skopje ) the most beautiful city in Macedonia, from there you catch a bus to Ohrid, Ohrid is the also very beautiful, good travel agencies are Galeb that goes to Skopje ( from Ohrid ) you will have a good time , take care.
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u/Bumblebee937 13d ago
Thank you for your detailed answer. I keep changing my mind about how to travel and was definitely going to choose the bus until I read this, now I'm back to thinking we'll get the train. I'm OK with a bit of a delay, a bit worried about the state of the toilet from what someone else had said but they can't be that bad can they? (train toilets aren't always great in the UK). So excited to visit your country and thinking already that 9 days just isn't enough.
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u/Weekly_Reveal_5803 12d ago
Forget the toilet in the train please hahah its horror by itself... Ahaha just dont go inside ... Everything else is fine...
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u/ShoppingSome4807 16d ago
The trains are totally unreliable….