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How to get from Kastoria to Ohrid
Driving is the only practical way from Kastoria to Ohrid: about 2 h 30–3 h for roughly 170 km via Florina, the Niki–Medžitlija border crossing and Bitola. There is no direct bus or train, and public transport would mean several changes and most of a day.
Best option: Car. No direct public transport links the two towns, and the drive with one border crossing takes under three hours.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| car Kastoria to Florina, cross at Niki (Greece) – Medžitlija (North Macedonia), then via Bitola and Resen to Ohrid | about 2 h 30–3 h plus border time | fuel; motorway tolls are small on the North Macedonian side | You need a passport and the car's Green Card insurance valid for North Macedonia. Rental cars need written permission to cross the border. | |
| taxi Private transfer or taxi from Kastoria to Ohrid | about 2 h 30–3 h plus border time | on demand, book ahead | about €150–250 | Agree the price and border arrangements in advance. |
| bus Local buses Kastoria–Florina, onward to the border and Bitola, then Bitola–Ohrid | most of a day | few, poorly connected | about €20–35 | Cross-border public transport here is very limited; check current timetables and expect taxis for some legs. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Queues at the border can be long on summer weekends and holidays; cross early in the day.
- Ask your rental company for a cross-border letter and confirm the Green Card covers North Macedonia (MK).
- Bitola, on the way, is worth a stop for Heraclea Lyncestis and its main street, Širok Sokak.
- North Macedonia uses the denar; card payment is common in Ohrid but carry some cash.
Common questions
Is there a bus from Kastoria to Ohrid?
Not directly. You would need to travel from Kastoria to Florina, cross the border, continue to Bitola and then take a bus to Ohrid. Connections are poor and cross-border services are limited, so it would take most of the day. Check current timetables; a car or private transfer is far easier.
Which border crossing should I use?
The usual crossing is Niki near Florina to Medžitlija, leading to Bitola and on to Ohrid, about 2 h 30–3 h in total. Another option is via Albania at Krystallopigi, Korçë and Pogradec, entering North Macedonia near Sveti Naum, but it involves two borders and is rarely faster.
Can I take a Greek rental car to North Macedonia?
Often yes, but only with the rental company's written permission and insurance that covers North Macedonia. Many companies charge a cross-border fee. Ask when you book, not on the day, and carry the documents with you, as they are checked at the border.
Can I do Ohrid as a day trip from Kastoria?
It is possible with an early start, since the drive is about three hours each way. You would have time for the old town, the Church of St John at Kaneo and the lakefront. Border queues can be unpredictable, so staying one night in Ohrid is more relaxed.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.