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How to Take the Bus from Tirana, Albania Across the Border to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Updated: 5 days ago
In this post (with video), we're going to show you how to take the bus from Tirana, Albania to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia by border crossing.
This is a great way to see the beautiful Lake Ohrid and the Macedonian countryside!
If you're looking for a budget-friendly way to travel in this region, then this is the post for you.
So let's take a closer look at how we got through the Albanian / Macedonian border crossing into Ohrid.
Oh and by the way, we highly recommend a visit to Ohrid if you are in the Albania area. It truly is spectacular!
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Our Journey from Tirana to Ohrid
Border crossings can be daunting at the best of times and this was only the second time we have taken a land border crossing in Eastern Europe as we typically fly.
Previously we took a cab and walked across the border between Georgia and Türkiye which was equally as easy.
This one was even better though as the bus company took care of everything; we only had to get out of the bus once to get our passports checked and that was on the way into Macedonia.
Other than that, it was an enjoy-the-view situation.
It was a pretty smooth process all around really, including the online booking process. The hardest part was finding Tirana Bus Station believe it or not!
GPS was not entirely helpful so we have added a pin drop here to help you out.
It is easy to get a little bit spooked when you haven't done a border crossing before as you do not get a lot (if any) information from the driver or at the border.
But here you do not need it... the driver takes care of everything and it went very well for us.
Speaking to other passengers, it seems that this process is normal, so we hope you will have the same experience!
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Essential Tips for Crossing the Albania / North Macedonia Land Border
Here are some valuable tips to ensure a smooth journey, making your travel experience not only enjoyable but also hassle-free!
● Make sure you are allowed in the country (sounds obvious but always double check Visa Requirements to be on the safe side).
● Check your visa requirements and how long you can stay as a visitor.
● Only use reputable bus or coach companies (always read reviews).
● Be prepared that bus trips may be longer than expected; delays are always possible so if you arrange any transport for the other side give yourself some wriggle room.
● Bring a paper copy of your tickets if possible - not all companies accept digital versions on a phone.
● It is unlikely that you will have WiFi on the bus/coach (even though they may advertise this).
If you need to contact anyone in your forwarding country be sure to do it before getting to the border, organize roaming, or use an eSim.
● Bring cash in both currencies, this is always helpful as stop-offs may only be at very local places that will not take electronic payments.
● You will also be charged a Tourist Tax at the bus station on leaving, which is calculated at 40 Macedonian Denar per day per person.
We stayed for 5 days so between the two of us this came to around USD 7.
● Bring toilet paper or disposable wipes as public bathrooms do not always have it. They also tend to charge a small fee for usage.
How to Find Tirana Bus Station
As we mentioned in the video, it can be a little tricky to find the Tirana Bus Station. It is not highlighted well in the area as it is an open-air station.
There are not any official signs, or even obvious ticket offices, so do check the terrain map to get a better idea of the surroundings.
It is the best way to recognize it on arrival!
How to Book Tickets for Tirana to Ohrid
We took our journey with EuroBus, a Macedonian international bus company that provides regular and charter bus services between North Macedonia and several European countries, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Albania.
The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Struga, North Macedonia.
EuroBus operates a fleet of modern and comfortable buses, all of which are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and reclining seats.
The company also offers a variety of amenities on board including snacks, drinks, and a bathroom. They are experienced at handling border crossings smoothly too.
We paid 34 euros for return tickets for 2 adults (at the time of writing). We felt this was very reasonable and the bus was very comfortable and well maintained as advertised.
While there are several other operators for this route, if you do find yourself with EuroBus we do recommend them!
⪢ Consider a Tour
Check out a host of different tour options from Tirana to Ohrid with Get Your Guide.
No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination. Book your tickets here.
⪢ Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go
We have partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs.
Through booking.closerlives.com, you can easily compare prices and schedules, and book tickets for the journey from Tirana to Ohrid.
12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip.
Watch Our Journey from Tirana to Ohrid on YouTube
In this video, we show you how to take the bus from Tirana, Albania to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia by land-border crossing.
This is a great way to see the beautiful Lake Ohrid and the Macedonian countryside!
If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like and subscribe!
Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world!
Easily Find Hotels in Albania and North Macedonia
Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from various reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com.
Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination.
Your FREE Interactive Map of Albania
Check out all of the places we visited in Albania courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog.
Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more.
Wanderlog is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel, and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends.
Closer Lives Travel Hub – Destinations, Tips & Essentials
Head over to our Travel Hub – it’s packed with free country guides, helpful travel blogs, videos from the road, and tips to help you travel smarter (and cheaper!).
Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already out exploring, we've got resources to help you every step of the way.
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