Greece-Macedonia border
 

Hi everyone,

Going to Macedonia this summer, but will be flying to Thessaloniki in Greece as it's much cheaper than flying to Skopje or Ohrid. Plan is to hire a car or motorcycle when there.

What rules are there for taking vehicles across borders, as a general rule? Has anyone crossed this particular border? Tips on Macedonia and this part of Greece - what to see and do - also much appreciated! Can you rent bikes in Thessaloniki?

Many thanks,

Stuart

Hi there Stuart!

Don't know about the borders and regulation regarding rented vehicles. About Macedonia, a must see is lake Ohrid and town of Ohrid with 365 churches situated by the lake. Then National park Galicica which is between lake ohrid and lake Prespansko. Ride by the river of Black Drim is great one also :thumbup1: .

Have fun and if You need some aditional info don't hesitate to ask for

A lot of EU based car hire companies will not let you take their vehicles out of the EU, and many have lists of East European countries where you can't go either; it is often because of insurance issues or the risk of theft.

Motorbike hire companies are very likely to be even more restrictive (from memory, some I have looked at don't let you cross any international borders).

Other than that, the northern bit of Greece adjacent to that border is named "Macedonia"; the country you are referring to is properly known as FYROM - Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
It may not make much difference to you in day to day talk, but the Greeks are very sensitive to this issue.

Thanks for the replies folks, but I think I'm either going to go to Iceland or just take the 650 Dakar I'm looking at buying, which negates the problems.

Walkabout - I'm referring to the country whose capital is Skopje...and the Macedonians are very keen you don't call their country FYROM! The joys of the Balkans...

That's the case
 

Exactly so, and I am referring to the same country - they will say that, but the Greeks will disagree with you, quite vehemently, and the official title of the country to the north of the 3 Greek regions named "Macedonia" (West, Central and East) is still FYROM; it is an internationally agreed name for that area.

we crossed from Macedonia to Greece in October, and if my memory serves me right, werent stopped at customs on either side of the border. All they cared about was passports, so basically the bike could´ve been rented (or stolen) and we would´ve got through.

I dont know if it would be the same the other way round.. or if you´d be in trouble, if they stop you once your inside Macedonia. Probably be a good idea to at least get from the rental company an authorisation letter to take the vehicle across. Might be hard to get such a letter, though.

You can take mine
 

Hello Stuart,

When are you planning to take this trip?
I can rent you my bike R1200GS since I'm a marine engineer and I will be working abroad most of the summer.
My bike has insurance and all the nesessary papers for the trip.
The only problem is that you will have to pick the bike up from my home in Athens.
Let me know if I can help.

Mike
Life is a journey.....Better done on a motorcycle.

mike.celebrity@gmail.com

About the Macedonian issue
 

The oficial name that is used in the UN is FYROM and Alexander the Great was Greek.
But dont forget that this is a motorcycle forum ant there is no nationality when traveling on a bike.

Mike.

Life is a journey.....better done on a motorcycle.

It's a nice sentiment Mike, but international borders need a nationality and, usually, a passport.

I do agree, politics and religion don't belong in here: I outlined the situation because it can lead to confusion otherwise - any map that I have seen still uses "FYROM".

It's still FYROM for now
 

The discussions continue:-
BBC NEWS | Europe | Two countries at odds over a name

Greek - Fyrom border
 

Crossed from Greek Macedonia to Fyrom seven or eight years ago
by bike. No particular problem going in that direction but I wouldn't expect
it to be possible in a rented vehicle. (at least without issues..)
Can't say anything about crossing back the other way..
DF

No end in sight for FYROM
 

It appears that there won't be a new name in the nearish future:-

BBC NEWS | Europe | Greece to veto Macedonia Nato bid

I know this discussion is about... well, it seems to be about a lot of things. But, about crossing the border into (let's call it) Macedonia... I got stopped when I tried crossing from Albania (with a Canadian passport). I was told I needed some sort of paperwork. The explanation was not clear, but I gathered that I may have needed a visa. Anyway, I didn't argue. It was raining in Macedonia, so I just went to Greece instead.