I need help with a tricky part of my upcoming itinerary. I'm hoping to travel from Skopje to Prizren by bus...any info on bus times would be welcomed, but the next leg in my journey is really where the issue is...I want to then proceed to Belgrade.
Apparently there is a huge issue with traveling between Kosovo and Serbia (as Serbia doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence). How can this be done? Is there a quick or simple way around if that border crossing cant be done?
Thanks!
Rome2Rio.com lists a couple of bus options, at least one of which involves a detour into Montenegro. I have no idea how real-world those possibilities are.
My usual cautions about bus travel, especially in the Balkans: The most accurate information will be obtained at the bus station in the departure city. International buses are relatively uncommon, so it's prudent to buy the ticket ahead of time if you can. Most such buses I've taken have headed out full or nearly full. Take water and snacks with you, though the bus will typically stop about every 2 hours at a place where you can find something to buy. This may be a challenge if you don't have the local currency, however. Toilets at the rest stops may have a minder, in which case there will almost certainly be a small fee.
Planning this route on a tight schedule isn't something I'd be willing to do, but I'm a cautious 67-year-old. How much time do you have?
Thanks...I think I will need to be flexible on this entire leg of my journey
How about going back to Skopje and flying to Belgrade? Is that possible?
Long ago, we went to Mostar as a daytrip from Dubrovnik. We were on a ship-tour with a Croatian small-ship cruise line, that did the trip all the time. Even so, our CHARTERED bus had to wait in a customs/immigration line for over an hour to enter Bosnia/Herz. It was because of border friction between the two countries. This is out of your control.
It did appear that private cars might have had a shorter border line, but that's not an option you mentioned. And who knows, they could open up the doors to look for contraband inside!
Tim's reply reminded me that I encountered the same situation on the RS Adriatic tour, when travelling from Croatia to Bosnia (Mostar). The bus had to stop at the border, the guide collected all the Passports and disappeared into the border check building for about 20 minutes and after that we continued our trip.
It would be nice if they could settle their differences in that area, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. The tour stop in Mostar was a real "eye-opener".
Yes, I recall our stop at (RS Adriatic Tour) the border last year. Our tour guide had warned us of a possible delay. He said, "you never know." It ended up being about 45 minutes. Our experience in Mostar was a memorable highlight of the tour.
I believe that Kosovo-Serbia is a difficult crossing, and many report having to go through a neutral 3rd party (Montenegro, North Macedonia).
There is no “conflict” between Croatia and Bosnia. A 20 minute international border crossing is completely normal. A longer timeframe is also not strange for a large bus load. There is nothing to “resolve.”
I've decided to bypass Kosovo this summer. I will go directly from Northern Macedonia to Serbia by bus. I will figure out the bus route when I arrive in Skopje. Next summer I will more than likely attempt to visit Prizren / Kosovo from either Montenegro or Albania. Thanks!
