Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Macedonia expensive to visit?
Macedonia is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Macedonia is reasonably affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 25% of countries in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable countries such as Ukraine, but there are also more expensive countries, such as Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands.
In Macedonia, budget travelers spend $56 (MKD2,916) per person per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $127 (MKD6,609) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $236 (MKD12,270) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Macedonia.
No matter your travel style or budget, Macedonia has plenty of sights, activities, and places to stay that will meet your needs. Budget-conscious travelers will find affordable hotels, but there are also luxury hotels for those seeking more opulence, as well as mid-range hotels for families or couples.
Macedonia offers a luxury experience, but you can still keep your spending in check with strategies like eating at less expensive restaurants and enjoying free activities.
For more details, see Is Macedonia Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Macedonia?
The average Macedonia trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Macedonia travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Macedonia cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to manage your expectations when it comes to your travel budget. While many people like to see themselves as "budget" travelers on a shoestring budget, most find this type of travel uncomfortable. Think about what you enjoy and how you've traveled previously. Are you drawn to resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or do you prefer hostels, instead? How important is eating out to you? And what type of transportation do you prefer? Your answers to these questions will greatly affect your overall travel budget.
Who are Budget Travelers?
It's common to hear that a visit to Macedonia can cost just $56 a day, but unless you're willing to forgo many comforts, expect to spend significantly more.
Backpackers often find ways to stick to this tight budget, but it generally means staying in hostel dorms, grabbing meals at the cheapest spots or fast food places, relying on public transport or walking, and visiting only free attractions.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
For families and couples traveling for fun, staying in a mid-range hotel, eating at popular restaurants, and visiting famous museums and attractions with entry fees is typical. You'll want to visit the major attractions, sights, and landmarks. As you can expect, most of these experiences come at a price, so it's safer to plan for a trip budget around $127 per person each day.
With so many hotels and vacation rentals in Macedonia, you'll have no trouble finding a place that suits your needs. If you're splitting the cost with a partner, friend, or kids, you'll be able to reduce the daily per-person costs, too. You'll find plenty of family-friendly areas like Ohrid and Bitola where hotels and restaurants cater to little ones. Consider staying at Villa Dislievski in Ohrid or Bela Kuka Hotel in Bitola for a kid-friendly experience. Couples heading to Mavrovo should look into Hotel Sport Resort Mavrovo for a cozy and romantic stay. Find more hotel options for families and couples in our hotel costs guide for Macedonia here.
Want to Experience a Luxurious Trip?
For a lavish experience with the highest level of comfort and service, expect a price tag around $236. Booking five-star hotels, dining at top restaurants, splurging on once-in-a-lifetime excursions, and hiring private drivers will put you in the luxury travel tier. You'll be enjoying the good life in places like the major cities and resort areas. Also, make the most of your time by booking a high-end multi-day tour such as Photo tour of unrevealed Macedonia - offered by Experience Balkan.
Accommodation Budget in Macedonia
Macedonia has a surprising range of hotel prices. During peak season, everything gets more expensive, so visit in the off-season for better deals. There's also a big gap between budget and luxury options, but booking early helps keep costs down.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Macedonia for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $133 (MKD6,906). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $66 (MKD3,453) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Macedonia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Food Budget in Macedonia
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Macedonia can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Macedonia is $48 (MKD2,478) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$48
MKD2,478
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Macedonia is about $48 (MKD2478) per person. Previous travelers have typically spent from $20 to $101 per day. Generally, breakfast and lunch will cost less than dinner, but that will vary based on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Macedonia are as follows:
- Breakfast: $9 to $14
- Lunch: $7 to $24
- Dinner: $17 to $38
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $8
If you're eating out with children, seek out restaurants that provide a kids menu. This can significantly reduce your dining expenses, as those options are generally lower priced. Some places may not showcase their kids' meals, so it's always smart to ask the waiter before ordering.
Many hotels include breakfast in their price, while some add it on as an extra charge. The price and quality can vary depending on the hotel. Knowing ahead of time can help you decide if you need to spend even more money. Maybe it's worth your money for the delicious buffet at the hotel. Or, perhaps you should just go to a nearby bakery or cafe that's much cheaper.
Keep a water bottle with you instead of constantly buying drinks. It's a good way to help the environment as well.
When preparing for a tour, make sure you know in advance what meals are included. You might be responsible for paying for some food, which can raise your costs.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Macedonia. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Ohrid cooking classes for $76 details
- Six course dinner & Macedonian wine pairing in the Skopje center for $70 details
- Ohrid 2 in 1 - old town tour and cooking class for $137 details