North Macedonia switched from the Macedonian denar to euro-denominated pricing in many tourist establishments starting in 2023, though the official currency remains the denar at approximately 61 denars to one euro. ATMs in Skopje, Ohrid, and Bitola dispense denars and accept international cards. Exchange offices operate in all cities with rates that vary by location—those near Skopje's bus station typically offer less favorable rates than those on Macedonia Street in the city center. Credit cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Skopje and Ohrid but remain uncommon in villages and smaller towns. A meal at a local restaurant costs between 200 and 400 denars. A long-distance bus from Skopje to Ohrid costs approximately 400 denars. Grocery prices align with regional Balkan averages—bread costs 30 to 50 denars per loaf, bottled water 30 to 40 denars for 1.5 liters.
The official visa policy permits citizens of the European Union, United States, Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom to enter without a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Official requirements appear at www.mfa.gov.mk under consular services. Citizens of countries requiring visas must apply at North Macedonian embassies abroad—the country maintains embassies in 32 countries including neighboring states. Land borders operate at Tabanovce with Serbia, Blace with Kosovo, Deve Bair and Kafasan with Bulgaria, Bogorodica and Novo Selo with Greece, Qafe Thane and Stenje with Albania. The Tabanovce crossing sees the heaviest traffic for travelers moving between Skopje and Belgrade. Border wait times range from 15 minutes during off-peak hours to over two hours during summer weekends at the Bogorodica crossing to Greece.
Skopje Alexander the Great Airport lies 17 kilometers from the city center. A taxi to central Skopje costs between 1,200 and 1,500 denars on the meter—drivers sometimes quote higher prices to arriving passengers unfamiliar with local rates. Vardar Express operates an airport shuttle bus for 180 denars that stops at the main bus station. Wizz Air maintains the most frequent international connections with flights to Vienna, Dortmund, Memmingen, Milan, and Malmö. Austrian Airlines flies daily to Vienna. Turkish Airlines connects through Istanbul. The airport added a new terminal in 2011 that increased capacity to two million passengers annually. The domestic aviation market does not exist—the country's size makes ground transport sufficient for all internal routes.
Intercity buses provide the primary public transport between cities. The Skopje bus station sends departures to Ohrid every 90 minutes during daylight hours with a journey time of three hours. Buses to Bitola depart hourly and take two and a half hours. The route to Prilep takes 90 minutes. Companies operating these routes include Galeb, Balkan Express, and Debar. Seat reservations prove unnecessary except during major holidays like New Year and Orthodox Easter. Buses arrive and depart on time more often than in neighboring Albania but less reliably than in Serbia. North Macedonia privatized its railway system in stages between 2007 and 2018. Passenger trains run from Skopje to Bitola once daily with a journey time of four hours—the same route takes two and a half hours by bus. The Skopje to Kičevo line operates twice daily. Rail infrastructure dates primarily from Yugoslav-era investment and has seen limited modernization. The planned rail connection to Bulgaria through Kumanovo remains incomplete as of 2024.
Car rental agencies in Skopje include international companies like Sixt, Europcar, and Budget alongside local operators. Daily rates start at 25 euros for compact vehicles during off-season and rise to 50 euros in July and August. North Macedonia requires an International Driving Permit for non-EU license holders—enforcement varies by location. Road quality differs substantially between main highways and secondary routes. The A1 motorway connecting Skopje to the Greek border at Bogorodica opened in sections between 2010 and 2014 and maintains two lanes in each direction with a toll of 100 denars for the full route. The road from Ohrid to Bitola through Resen follows the lake shore and climbs through Galičica National Park with sharp turns and narrow sections. Winter snow closes high-elevation roads including the Galičica route between December and March most years. The road from Skopje to Mavrovo National Park remains open year-round but requires snow chains from November through March. Fuel costs approximately 80 denars per liter for gasoline and 75 denars for diesel.