amishra123
Traveller
2 comments
Posted 9 years ago
Hi everyone!
I was hoping that someone would be able to help me!! Kinda panicking at the moment!
I am flying into thessaloniki on the 25th august and have hostels booked in skopje for the 28th August.
I was going to take the hellas express leaving at 17:30 hours on the 28th.
I've just seen on the news about the refugee situation, so am worried if this train is still running or not for passengers/travellers??!
I cant seem to find any information on google , or any websites about the status of the train or travelling for non-refugee people.
Will this be a problem? Any websites I can use? Is there somewhere I can call to check ?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
There is a replacement bus service from Thessaloniki to Gevgelija, the Macedonian border station as apparently the railway tracks are blocked between GR and MK due to the situation.
On the northbound Hellas train normally one carriage remains open for regular travellers from the border onwards while the other one or two carriages are used to carry refugees towards Belgrade.
Flo 8)
amishra123
Traveller
2 comments
Thank you for the quick reply.
I didn't fully understand you. Just to clarify, so theres no train from thessaloniki to skopje anymore? But a bus service from thessaloniki to gevgelija?
And how would you get from gevgelija to skopje?
We were going to carry on to belgrade from skopje on the 31st.
At this stage would it be best to just skip macedonia altogether? Maybe go to sofia then onwards to belgrade?
Also, how did you find this information? I've been googling alot and couldnt find anything!
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Bus: Thessaloniki - Gevgelija
Train: Gevgelija - Skopje - Belgrade
I travelled the opposite direction about one week ago and we arrived in Thessaloniki about 4 hours late (we got most of the delay in Serbia though, not on the MK <> GR border).
Also I read about the Skopje - Belgrade train being 8 (!) hours late, so if you plan on visiting some cities too and not only spend time on the train you actually might think about skipping Macedonia and either travel all the way way through from Thessaloniki to Belgrade on the same train or make the detour via Sofia.
You can find info on the replacement bus for instance on the website of Serbian Railway: [ux]http://www.zeleznicesrbije.com/system/sr-latin/home/newsplus/viewsingle/_params/newsplus_news_id/67559.html[/ux]
cag999
Traveller
1 comments
I am planning to travel from Thessaloniki to Belgrade next. Due to the migrant situation, would this affect border controls and checks, etc. What travel documents required. I have a U.S. Passport, will this be checked in Greece or other countries?
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Well you will need a travel document which of course will be checked at the borders. Your US passport will be enough for entry in both Macedonia and Serbia.