Away With The Steiners

Crossing Kosovo North Macedonia Border Pristina (RKS) To Skopje (MKD).

Sarah Steiner

Are you considering Kosovo or North Macedonia on your Balkans itinerary? Here is everything you need to know about the Kosovo North Macedonia border crossing from Pristina to Skopje. 

We really enjoyed visiting both cities on our trip around Europe.  Kosovar hospitality is outstanding. And despite the adversely low number of tourists that visit Kosovo there is no shortage of things to do and sights to see.  

Skopje is a bustling capital city in North Macedonia and is considered one of the cheapest cities to visit in Europe.  From accommodation to transport and even dining out – which is unusual for a capital city!

So, in case you are considering whether to add Kosovo and North Macedonia to your road trip itinerary; definitely do.

About the Kosovo North Macedonia border

North Macedonia has 158.7 km (98.6 mi) long border with Kosovo.

In general – and for the purpose of travel between the two countries – Kosovo and North Macedonia had good bilateral relations.  

Though it is worth noting that North Macedonian and Kosovo relations have existed for only couple of years, because earlier Kosovo did not have status of an independent state.  

Since April 2016, Kosovo and North Macedonia citizens have been able to cross borders with only their ID cards, after an agreement was hatched to facilitate travel between the two countries.

However, for non-local travellers it is required to show your passport at the border crossing between Pristina and Skopje. 

Parking for motorhome in Pristina.
One last glimpse of the Brtulaist architecture view from our park up in Pristina.

What about travel from Serbia to Kosovo and North Macedonia? 

The borders of Kosovo within Europe are slightly more complicated due to the independence status of the country.  

It is not advisable (or doable) to enter Kosovo via the Serbian border and continue on towards North Macedonia, Albania or Montenegro.  Similarly, you cannot enter Kosovo from these countries and continue through to Serbia.  

Ultimately, we suggest that if you enter Kosovo via the Kosovo-Serbia border, you also exit Kosovo via the same Kosovo-Serbia border. 

If you want to visit Kosovo without continuing to Serbia, entering Kosovo through Montenegro, Albania or North Macedonia is your best option.  Or at the airport in Pristina!  

Farewell Pristina.

Options for crossing the Kosovo North Macedonia border

Today there are four land border crossings between Kosovo and North Macedonia. 

This is the border crossing we used from Pristina to Skopje.

The primary border crossing point used for travel from Pristina to Skopje is located at Eliz Han (Kosovo) and Blace (North Macedonia).  

Though there are three other border crossing points: 

Note that there have been some changes in 2025 with the two larger checkpoints.  Border control at the Hani i Elezit-Blace and Glloboqice-Jazhince checkpoints will soon be carried out at a single office at Elez Han.  Check for updates before you cross as border information can change quickly. 

The following is all the information you need to know for the Kosovo North Macedonia border crossing from Elez Han – Blace connecting the capital cities of Pristina to Skopje.  

Our last day in Pristina was spent wandering around the markets and drinking coffee aplenty!

Travel options from Pristina to Skopje

Using the Eliz Han – Blace border crossing there are several ways to travel from Pristina to Skopje: 

We travelled with our EU registered motorhome (Netherlands) over the Eliz Han – Blace border. 

Documents needed for the border crossing from Pristina to Skopje

Crossing the border from Kosovo to North Macedonia with a private vehicle you will need to provide: 

You will also need to check you have vehicle insurance for North Macedonia.  Note that vehicle insurance for Kosovo is not included in your valid Green Card insurance for Europe.  

North Macedonian flags at the The Church of Saint Clement of Ohrid in Skopje.

The drive from Pristina to the Kosovo North Macedonia crossing

Elez Han (or Hani I Elezit) is a municipality located in southern Kosovo on the border with North Macedonia.  It has historically served as a gateway for travellers passing through the Kacanik Gorge from Pristina to Skopje. 

The drive to Elez Han from Pristina is fast and smooth along the new highway. 

Once in Elez Han you are pretty much right on the entry to the border crossing terminal.  

The Kosovan border town of Elez Han

There is a small bakery and service station on the left hand side that was great for a coffee and Burek before we crossed. 

Signs by the bakery before the border crossing at Elez Han to Skopje.

Exiting Kosovo to North Macedonia – Pristina to Skopje

Drive forward to the Kosovan border terminal. There are two lanes for private vehicles and EU registrations plus one lane for trucks and passenger buses. 

There was just a few cars in the queue when we crossed.  We exited from Kosovo in less than 10 minutes. 

Documents requested on exiting from Kosovo to North Macedonia:

Both the Kosovo side and the North Macedonia side of the border were friendly and swift.  

Entering North Macedonia – Pristina to Skopje

Entering North Macedonia also took less than 10 minutes on the other side.  This too was an easy and friendly process. 

Is a vignette required for North Macedonia? 

No, North Macedonia does not use a vignette system for its motorways.  Instead, you pay tolls at toll booths based on the vehicle category and distance travelled. 

Driving from the Pristina Border Crossing at Blace to Skopje

It is only a short drive from the border terminal to Skopje. 

The drive is smooth on the main highway though the traffic is notably congested on entering Skopje. 

Parking and motorhome parking in Skopje

Albeit the dirving is much more chaotic (compared to Pristina) on entering urban Skopje.  But we were fairly set on heading straight into the city centre to find a park for the night. 

We ended up staying the night at an unusual restaurant carpark.  Which I might add has limited reviews on Park4Night and from what I could see they were actually reviews by random North Macedonians.  The names of the people reviewing the place didn’t have any other reviews on Park4Night which did raise a few suspicions as we arrived. 

Though it actually turned out to be fine for the night.  Plus it was in easy walking distance to all the things to do in Skopje city centre. 

SKOPJE – Mirche Acev

This was a shock for the cost compared to previous guarded carparks in Kosovo.  However I do admit it was a safe place to leave the van and we had a decent night of sleep outside the restaurant. 

Inside the famous Old Bazaar in Skopje.

The verdict? Thoughts on the border crossing Pristina to Skopje? 

Well there you have it.  It was a smooth and pretty darn quick border crossing and a nice drive from Pristina to Skopje. 

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