Train travel in North Macedonia is not a good way to explore the country. In recent years new trainsets manufactured in China were bought, horror movie-like railway station in Skopje was refurbished. It seemed that the quality of passenger service would improve. But many of train connections were suspended and in my opinion railway in North Macedonia is at the brink of collapse or an acquisition by a foreign investor.
Last update: 06.05.2024
The first standard gauge line from Skopje to Thessaloniki was opened in 1873 during Ottoman rule.
In the 1963 earthquake the railway station in Skopje was partially destroyed. It now houses the Museum of the City of Skopje.
There are no trains to Ohrid. There was a narrow gauge railway (600 mm) from Skopje to Ohrid via Kičevo. The section from Skopje – Gostivar was converted to standard gauge in the 1950s. Section Gostivar – Kičevo was regauged later, the remaining 600 mm sections were closed and dismantled by 1966.
Train travel in North Macedonia – domestic trains
Passenger trains in North Macedonia are operated by Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonija Transport and the infrastructure maintained by Makedonski Železnici Infrastruktura. Trains do not reaches many interesting places in the country, so bus is a much better choice.
All passenger trains in North Macedonia start or end in Skopje. In recent years, passenger services on most railway lines was suspended. Currently, there are only two trains a day between the largest cities in North Macedonia – Skopje and Bitola in each direction. Maybe there are no enough multiple units.
Ticket prices are moderate. Train stations are poor maintaned.
Currently passenger trains in North Macedonia run on the following routes:
Skopje – Kumanovo (- Karpoš)
Skopje – Gevgelija via Veles
Skopje – Bitola via Prilep
Passenger traffic from Skopje to Kočani and Kičevo was suspended.
Trains travel at a decent speed. Smoking is prohibited on board. The smoking ban is not always enforced. Trains from Skopje to Bitola are often packed.
Skopje – Bitola route is scenic but as not as most beautiful railway lines in Europe.
Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonija Transport – timetable, prices, information.
Quality of rolling stock varies. Most of the services are provided by diesel or electric multiple units – modern Chinese trainsets equipped with air-conditioning, old-Soviet RVR eletric multiple unit or diesel multiple unit MŽ 712 produced in 80s in former Yugoslavia. Passenger carriages are old but comfortable, only one 1st class passenger carriage was refurbished.
Train travel in North Macedonia – international trains
Currently there are no passenger international trains in Northern Macedonia.
Serbia
The main north–south line from Niš in to Thessaloniki passes through North Macedonia, but due to engineering works in Serbia all passenger services are suspended. There are plans to upgrade railway line from Niš to North Macedonian border to 160 km/h.
Greece
North Macedonia has a two railway connections with Greece: Gevgelija – Idomeni, Bitola – Florina. In 2010 there were two trains from Belgrade to Thessaloniki through Skopje: daytime and overnight train. Several years later daytime train was shortened to Skopje and ceased, overnight train ran as a summer train and was suspended.
There has never been a passenger train between Bitola and Florina and the line from the beginning is used only for freight transport.
Kosovo
For few years the train from Skopje to Pristina ran. Initially direct train was comprised of diesel locomotive, one Macedonian passenger car and one Kosovan passenger car. Later train from Skopje ended at the first station in Kosovo and passengers needed to board the train to Pristina. Trains have not been running for a long time.
Bulgaria
There were direct sleeping cars Skopje – Sofia unhooked at Niš station and connected to Belgrade – Sofia train. Short-lived railway line from Skopje to Sofia was dismantled after World War II.
The construction of the railway line from Kumanovo to Bulgaria is underway, but the progress is very slow and the construction will be completed maybe in a few decades.
Albania
North Macedonia has no a railway link with Albania. On 19 October 2021 Albania and Northern Macedonia signed an agreement to complete Pan-European Corridor VIII. According to the plans Durres – Pogradec line will be rehabilitaded and extended by 3 km to the Northern Macedonia. Albanian railway line from Durrës to Podgradec ended close to the border with North Macedonia but due to the poor condition of the tracks and infrastructure part of the line was closed in 2012.
Related articles:
