Skopje to Kriva Palanka transfer
City Northeast region ≈ 99 km from Skopje
Private transfer from Skopje to Kriva Palanka
Car 1–3 · van 4–8 passengers · Door to door · ≈ 1 h 30 min
Taxi from Skopje to Kriva Palanka: about 99 km and ≈ 1 h 30 min by car. Fixed price €115 by car for up to 3 passengers or €140 by van for 4–8 — the same in both directions. Book at least 24 hours ahead.
Updated
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Fixed price per vehicleAgreed when you book — no meter, no surprises.
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Door to doorPicked up at your address, hotel or Skopje Airport.
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Made for day tripsThe driver waits up to 6 hours; the same-day return is 65% of the price.
Kriva Palanka is a border town under Osogovo Mountain, the last sizeable town before the Deve Bair crossing into Bulgaria. A private car from Skopje takes you straight to the centre, or to the St. Joachim of Osogovo Monastery just above town.
The drive to Kriva Palanka
The route runs on the A1 motorway through Kumanovo, then continues north on the same road toward the Bulgarian border. It's flat and fast for almost the whole way, with a gentle climb near the end as the terrain rises toward Osogovo Mountain. The driver stops in the centre or at the address you gave.
The town and its surroundings
Kriva Palanka has long been a trading town on the road between Skopje and Sofia, with the remains of the old Kale fortress above town and a clock tower in the centre. Just above the town, a few kilometres up a paved road, is the Osogovo Monastery complex, set into the oak forest of Osogovo Mountain. The mountain also offers further hiking trails, including up to the Carev Vrv peak.
The town is also a border point - the Deve Bair crossing into Bulgaria is another ten kilometres or so further on. That makes Kriva Palanka a frequent last stop for travellers continuing toward Sofia or Kyustendil.
Planning your visit
Half a day covers the centre and a short visit to the monastery above town. Kriva Palanka is a good last stop before the border if you're continuing into Bulgaria, or a good starting point for a longer day on Osogovo Mountain. Summer is more pleasant for walking around; winter brings snow to the mountain.
Taxi vs. bus
A bus route to Kriva Palanka runs a few times a day from Skopje's bus station, taking around two hours. For travel at a set time, with luggage, or if you plan to continue to the monastery above town the same day, a private taxi is more predictable and goes straight to the door instead of waiting at a station.
The return trip and onward day trips
The return leg to Skopje is booked in the same request — for a same-day return the driver can wait up to 6 hours at a discounted rate, the first hour free and then billed per started hour, while a later return is booked as a separate one-way transfer at the normal price. The same car can also continue on to the Osogovo Monastery, or back via Kratovo and Kumanovo, if you're planning a wider look at the region.
Kriva Palanka for business travel
As a border municipality, Kriva Palanka occasionally draws business travellers connected to customs and cross-border cooperation, as well as people simply passing through on the way to Bulgaria. A price fixed before you leave and pickup at the exact time you booked keep an early meeting predictable, and you can book on behalf of a colleague by giving their contact details instead of your own.
What's included
- Private car or van — just your group
- Car for 1–3, van for 4–8 passengers
- Room for your luggage
- Any time, day or night
- Pay cash or via PayPal
- Driver's name and phone before pickup
- Book for a guest or colleague
- Same-day return at a reduced price
Where you'll go
Skopje → Kriva Palanka · ≈ 99 km · ≈ 1 h 30 min
Prices and rules
- Prices are one way, from Skopje city, and the same in both directions.
- Pickup at Skopje Airport: +€25 by car, +€35 by van.
- Same-day return: the driver waits up to 6 hours and the return leg is 65% of the one-way price.
- Waiting: the first 1 hour is free, then €12 for every started hour.
- Returning later than that? It is booked as a second one-way transfer at the normal price.
- Book at least 24 hours before pickup.
Things to know
How much does a taxi from Skopje to Kriva Palanka cost?
The price depends on the vehicle: from €115 by car for up to 3 passengers, or €140 by van for 4-8, agreed before you leave, no meter. A same-day return is at a discounted rate; the booking form shows the exact total.
How far is Kriva Palanka and how long does the drive take?
It's 99 km, and the drive takes ≈ 1 h 30 min under normal conditions.
Can we book the return trip to Skopje too?
Yes - the return leg is booked in the same request. For later the same day, the driver can wait up to 6 hours at a discounted rate — the first hour free, then billed per started hour; for another date, it's booked as a separate one-way transfer at the normal price.
Can the car reach the St. Joachim of Osogovo Monastery?
Yes, the monastery is only a few kilometres above town on a paved road - you can add it to the same booking on the way.
Is there a bus to Kriva Palanka?
A few buses run daily from Skopje, taking around two hours. For a fixed schedule or continuing to the monastery the same day, a private taxi is more practical.
Is Kriva Palanka a good stop before continuing to Bulgaria?
Yes - the town is the last sizeable stop before the Deve Bair border crossing, and is often used as a final break or transfer point on a longer trip.
Can we continue from Kriva Palanka to Kratovo or Kumanovo?
Yes, the same car can continue the same day - give the full route when you book so a single price can be agreed.
More trips from Skopje
Photos: Edal Anton Lefterov (CC BY-SA 3.0), Rašo (CC BY-SA 3.0), Robssmk (CC BY-SA 4.0)