Tirana’s Central Bus Station isn’t just for domestic routes — it’s also the main departure point for overland travel into North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. If you’re doing the Balkans overland circuit, here’s what to expect on the routes to Ohrid, Skopje, and Pristina.
Tirana to Ohrid
Buses to Ohrid, North Macedonia run a few times a day, mostly in the morning and early afternoon. The journey takes around 3.5–4 hours including the border crossing, and fares are typically €15–20. Ohrid is one of the most popular stops on the Balkans backpacker route thanks to its lake and old town, so seats can fill up in peak summer — buy your ticket at the station a day ahead if you’re traveling July–August.
Tirana to Skopje
Direct buses to Skopje, the Macedonian capital, run daily, with the trip taking roughly 5–6 hours depending on border wait times. Fares run around €20–25. Some services route through Ohrid or Struga first, so check whether your bus is direct or has a transfer before you book.
Tirana to Pristina
Buses and furgons to Pristina, Kosovo depart several times daily and are among the most frequent international routes from Tirana, reflecting how much traffic moves between Albania and Kosovo. The trip takes about 3.5–4.5 hours and costs roughly €15–20. This is generally the easiest of the three international routes to book last-minute, even in high season.
What to expect at the border
All three routes cross at least one international border, and the bus will stop for passport checks — EU, US, UK, and most other passports get a straightforward stamp with no visa needed for short stays, but keep your passport (not a photocopy) easily accessible. Border waits vary from a few minutes to over an hour depending on traffic and time of day; morning departures tend to clear borders faster than afternoon ones.
Booking tickets
None of these international routes can be booked online through the station — you buy tickets in person at the ticket counters (bileta) at Tirana’s Central Bus Station, in cash, usually in Lek or euros. For summer travel on the Ohrid or Skopje routes, it’s worth buying your ticket the day before rather than showing up right at departure time.
Before you cross the border
If you’ve got a few hours in Tirana before an international departure, you don’t need to sit at the station with your bags. Drop them with us — we’re a short walk from the Central Bus Station, so you can see Skanderbeg Square and the surrounding sights and still make your bus with time to spare.
Heading somewhere within Albania instead? See our guide to domestic routes from Tirana’s Central Bus Station, or if you’d rather skip the bus altogether, IAT Taxi can arrange a private transfer.
