Taxi from Skopje to Popova Šapka
Nature & outdoors Polog region ≈ 65 km from Skopje
Private transfer from Skopje to Popova Šapka
Car 1–3 · van 4–8 passengers · Door to door · ≈ 1 h 25 min
Taxi from Skopje to Popova Šapka: about 65 km and ≈ 1 h 25 min by car. Fixed price €75 by car for up to 3 passengers or €95 by van for 4–8 — the same in both directions. Book at least 24 hours ahead.
Updated
-
Fixed price per vehicleAgreed when you book — no meter, no surprises.
-
Door to doorPicked up at your address, hotel or Skopje Airport.
-
Made for day tripsThe driver waits up to 6 hours; the same-day return is 65% of the price.
Popova Šapka is North Macedonia's highest ski resort, set on the slopes of Šar Mountain above Tetovo, and just as lively for hiking once the snow melts. A private car from Skopje takes you straight to the resort car park without a change in Tetovo, and you can book the trip back down in the same request, at a discounted rate.
The drive up the mountain
The route runs on the A2 motorway to Tetovo, then climbs a switchback road up to the resort at around 1,750 metres. In summer and autumn any car manages it fine, but from November to March winter tyres or chains are required on part of the climb, and the road is cleared regularly. The car takes you all the way to the resort car park — there's no walking stretch at the end. There's no fuel station on this stretch, so fill up in Tetovo before heading up.
The ski season
The resort runs from December to March, with six ski lifts and three cable cars, over 6 km of lift lines and more than 17 km of marked runs across all difficulty levels. A six-seater chairlift installed in recent years has cut queue times noticeably on busy powder weekends. Pack warm layers for the car — the temperature up top is noticeably colder than in Skopje.
Summer on Šar Mountain
Outside ski season, Popova Šapka is a starting point for hiking on Šar Mountain — trails up to the higher peaks and the glacial lakes above the resort start right from the village. The air is cooler and clearer than in the city below, and the views open up across the whole Polog valley. Summer also means fewer crowds than a good snow weekend. The whole of Šar Mountain is a national park, and the trails around the resort are marked and maintained for hikers of different levels.
Plan your visit
January and February give the most reliable snow for skiing; summer and early autumn suit hiking best. A day is enough for skiing or a shorter hike, and many visitors combine the trip with Tetovo's old bazaar or the Arabati Baba Tekke, an Ottoman-era Bektashi dervish lodge in town. Check current road conditions before a winter trip.
Taxi or bus
There's no scheduled public bus running all the way up to Popova Šapka — public transport gets you as far as Tetovo, and beyond that it depends on a seasonal shuttle that may or may not be running that day. A private car from Skopje is effectively the only reliable way to reach the resort directly with skis and luggage, no change in Tetovo.
Return and combining with other places
Book the return to Skopje in the same request — a same-day return is discounted, with the driver waiting on site for up to 6 hours, the first hour free and every started hour after that charged; a later return is booked as a separate one-way transfer at the normal price. Many groups combine the day with Mavrovo or with Tetovo on the way back, and the driver can continue straight there instead of returning to Skopje — just name the final stop when you book.
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 → Popova Šapka · ≈ 65 km · ≈ 1 h 25 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 is a taxi to Popova Šapka?
It depends on the vehicle: from €75 by car for up to 3 passengers, or €95 by van for 4–8, the same price both ways.
How far is Popova Šapka and how long is the drive?
It's 65 km from Skopje, and the trip takes ≈ 1 h 25 min, including the switchbacks above Tetovo.
Is the road open in winter?
The road is cleared regularly, but winter tyres or chains are required on the climb above Tetovo; in heavy snow the drive can take longer than usual.
Is there room for skis and gear?
The boot fits skis, poles and bags — mention how much gear and how many people are travelling when you book, so we send a car (up to 3 passengers) or a van (4–8) with enough room.
Can I book the return trip for the same day?
Yes, request the return to Skopje in the same booking, for the same day or later. A same-day return is discounted, with the first hour of waiting free and every started hour after that charged; a later return is booked as a separate one-way transfer at the normal price.
Does it run early for first lifts?
Yes, the service is available 24/7, including early departures before the lifts open.
How do I pay?
Cash to the driver or online via PayPal, whichever you prefer.
More trips from Skopje
Photos: Деан Лазаревски (CC BY-SA 4.0), kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0), kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0), Деан Лазаревски (CC BY-SA 4.0)