During our trips to North Macedonia, we mostly travelled by bus, with hundreds of routes offering easy access to towns, cities and villages across the country. However, there is a small and efficient train network connecting Skopje with cities such as Veles, Bitola and Prilep.
During our trip, we had arrived in Prilep from nearby Krushevo by bus. It was our final stop before returning to Skopje, and we had originally planned to catch a bus back to the capital. However, when we discovered that a direct train existed, we knew we had to check it out.
From buying tickets to an overview of our onboard experience, here’s how to travel from Prilep to Skopje by train.
Prilep to Skopje by train – a summary
The route: The full train route connects Skopje with Bitola. The train from Prilep to Skopje begins at Bitola, about 45 minutes away from Prilep by train.
Duration: The train from Prilep to Skopje takes 2 hours and 42 minutes. This is broadly similar to most bus routes between the two cities.
Cost: As of October 2023, a single ticket for the train from Prilep to Skopje costs 249 MKD (£3.50 / $4.45). This is substantially cheaper than the bus, with a single bus ticket costing 560 MKD (£7.85 / $10).
Timetable: When we were researching the trains, we could not find an accurate online timetable. From our experience, the best way to guarantee the correct train times is to visit the ticket office. There will be a printed timetable in the window.
Frequency: As of October 2023, there are 3 trains each day from Prilep to Skopje. The services departed at 04:00, 13:35 and 19:11.
Luggage storage: The train has overhead shelves which will fit small and medium-sized suitcases and most backpacks.
Onboard toilet: Yes, there is a toilet on the train from Prilep to Skopje. It was working during our journey.
Unique selling point: The train network in North Macedonia is not extensive, so catching the service between Prilep and Skopje is a great way to experience it. The train journey is also much cheaper than the bus.
Why it’s worth getting the train from Prilep to Skopje
For most intercity journeys in North Macedonia, the bus is the best form of public transport. North Macedonia’s intercity bus network is extensive, with the busiest routes, such as Skopje to Tetovo, offering dozens of services each day.
However, whilst we enjoy catching the buses, there’s something exciting about a train journey.
For a start, the train is cheap. With a one-way ticket costing just 249 MKD, this amounts to just over 90 MKD per hour and is a substantial saving compared to catching the bus, which will set you back 560 MKD.
Secondly, the train doesn’t get that busy. Most people use the service to travel between smaller towns and cities, which means there are always seats becoming available. And when you’re on the train, you can stretch your legs and wander around the carriage – something which isn’t as easily done on a bus.
How to get from Prilep city centre to Prilep train station
Prilep’s train station is a 1.5-kilometre walk from the city centre. It should take you about 20 minutes, and the route is straightforward.
From the central Town Square, head west along Gotse Delchev Boulevard. This busy road is the main traffic artery cutting through Prilep’s city centre.
Follow the boulevard as it runs in a straight line. Eventually, you will reach a big roundabout. From here, carry straight on and stay on Gotse Delchev Boulevard.
Before long, you will reach Prilep’s bus station on your left. Walk past the bus station and you will see the train station building down a short road on your left.
Click here for a map of the route from Prilep city centre to the train station.
Buying tickets for the Prilep to Skopje train
When you arrive at Prilep train station, it’s time to think about buying your ticket to Skopje. We were travelling on the 13:35 service, which was due to arrive in Skopje at 16:15.
Ticket sales begin 30 minutes before the train is due to depart. When the time comes to put the tickets on sale, a small queue forms. Only one ticket office window was open when we visited, but the queue moved quickly enough.
When it was our turn, we found that buying the ticket was straightforward. We initially began the conversation by using our basic Macedonian, before confirming in English that we wanted a one-way ticket to Skopje. The staff spoke enough English that we had no problems communicating.
Food and drink near Prilep train station
There is nowhere in Prilep train station to buy food and drink. Since the train to Skopje takes over two and a half hours, it’s worth stocking up on water and snacks before your journey. This is particularly true on a hot summer’s day.
To buy water and snacks to take on the train, there are two main options near the station:
- There is a small petrol station next to the bus station. You can buy drinks and select from a small range of snacks – mostly crisps – inside. We poked our heads through the door but decided we wanted more choice.
- We ended up going to a small supermarket that was an extra three or four-minute walk down the main road. The shelves were packed with countless snacks and sweets, fruit and drinks – an impressive range for a relatively small space. We paid the friendly lady at the cash desk and headed back to the train station.
An excellent cafe a stone’s throw from the station
If, like us, you arrive with a lot of time to kill before your train, there is a very pleasant cafe attached to the bus station. Whilst bus station cafes in North Macedonia can often be of dubious quality, this one – Kino – was an excellent find.
We sat ourselves down at a table next to the window. There was plenty of room to store our rucksacks next to us.
Straight away, a friendly young waiter came and took our order. A few minutes later, our drinks arrived – espresso and an orange juice for me, tea for Lucy. And an extra toffee caramel cheesecake to share.
As an added bonus, the cafe had a toilet that was free to use. An excellent idea ahead of a long train.
The Prilep to Skopje train: our onboard experience
In summary, we had a great experience from start to finish. The train wasn’t too busy, the seats were comfortable and the views from the window made for an interesting journey.
Read on for a detailed breakdown of our experience.
Boarding the train
Our train from Prilep to Skopje had started in Bitola, 40 kilometres to the south. Most people arrived with plenty of time to spare and either waited inside in the small ticket office or under the shade of the station room outside.
A few minutes before the train was due to arrive, everybody dragged their bags over the nearest track to the low platform. As an estimate, there were probably around two dozen people waiting for the train when we travelled.
After heading to the platform, it didn’t take long before we heard the distant rumble of the heavy locomotive on the tracks. A short burst on the horn signalled the train’s arrival, and everyone fumbled to gather their belongings.
The train – a modern unit from Chinna painted in sleek red, white and black – rolled around the corner. Thankfully, it wasn’t busy. A small crowd of people disembarked, leaving plenty of room onboard. We jumped on and grabbed a pair of seats.
Enjoying the journey to Skopje
The train from Prilep to Skopje was very comfortable. Sure, it might take a while, but the number and variety of stops means the journey is an experience in itself.
We placed our backpacks on the luggage rack above our heads. Given the train wasn’t busy, most people with bags chose to place them on the seats next to them.
The seats, bedecked in a dark red fabric, were comfortable enough for the long journey and had decent legroom. Plush headrests were a nice addition, especially for those wanting to take a nap.
We chose a pair of seats on an elevated position towards the back of one of the carriages, next to a big bright window that gave us brilliant views throughout the journey.
The train was just over half full for most of the trip. The majority of people were travelling shorter distances, hopping between the towns and cities along the route between Prilep and Skopje.
The ticket inspectors came around once or twice. They checked our tickets at the beginning of the journey, but otherwise left passengers to their own devices.
The rest of the journey passed in a blur of countryside views, people-watching at stations and the occasional 15-minute power nap.
How to get from Skopje train station to Skopje city centre
Like Prilep train station, Skopje train station is right next to the bus station.
In fact, Skopje’s bus and train stations are part of the same gargantuan building. If you’re travelling around North Macedonia, it’s likely that you have already passed through the huge complex known as Transportation Center Skopje, which was built after the 1963 earthquake destroyed the city’s old train station.
Read next: How to catch the bus from Skopje to Ohrid.
Admiring the station and the trains
Today, Skopje’s railway platforms stand on a vast concrete bridge above a busy main road and the bus station. When the train pulls in, everyone spills off the carriages in unison, dragging their suitcases along the platform towards the steep staircase.
If you’re not in a hurry, it’s worth spending a couple of minutes on the platform to check out any other trains that may be standing on the tracks. Some classic international services stop off at Skopje, such as the Hellas Express night train from Belgrade to Thessaloniki. These services are dragged along by monolithic locomotives that are a train enthusiast’s dream.
Architecturally, the station itself is quite striking – even if it isn’t the most conventionally pretty. Enormous arches frame the covered section of the platform, whilst huge towers of concrete stand baking in the Skopje sun further down the tracks.
Before we left the platform, we spotted a train that must hold the world record for the most graffiti per square inch. It was covered from front to back – quite an impressive feat.
When it was time to descend, we headed towards the stairs. The steep steps lead you from the platform to the station building, which is dark and fairly unloved. A handful of ticket booths stood mostly empty. There weren’t many people around, so we headed through some grubby glass doors and into the bus station before exiting towards the city.
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The walk to Macedonia Square
From the train station, Skopje city centre is a 1.6 kilometre walk that should take just over 20 minutes.
When you leave the station building, cross the traffic lights and head west down the busy Boulevard Kuzman Josifovski Pitu. You will pass a shopping centre on your left, which has free public toilets and a well-stocked supermarket.
On the corner next to the supermarket, it’s time to cross another busy intersection. From here, we recommend making your way to the path along the Vardar River, which will be easy to spot.
Once you’ve reached the riverside walk, keep following the route towards the city centre. After passing opulent buildings, pirate ships and bridges adorned with statues, you will arrive at Macedonia Square in the heart of Skopje.
Click here for a rough map of the walking route from Skopje train station to Macedonia Square.
Would we recommend the train from Prilep to Skopje?
In summary, yes – we would certainly recommend catching the train from Prilep to Skopje.
We found the train to be an interesting and welcome change to the intercity buses, with lots to see from the window as we trundled through the countryside towards Skopje.
And, at 249 MKD for the journey, the train proved excellent value for money. It’s an ideal choice for budget travellers.
With comfortable seats and plenty of opportunities to buy snacks and drinks before the journey, it was a relaxed and pleasant experience. If we travel to Prilep again in the future, we will certainly travel by train.