Planning a trip to North Macedonia with a large family or a group of friends? A standard 5-seater car simply will not cut it. A 7-seater van gives everyone a comfortable seat, space for luggage, and the freedom to travel together in one vehicle instead of splitting into two cars.
At Relax Rent a Car, we offer two purpose-built 7-seater vehicles: the Dacia Jogger and the Peugeot Rifter. Both are modern, well-maintained, and available for pickup at Skopje Airport (SKP) or from our city centre office in Skopje.
Why Rent a 7-Seater in North Macedonia?
North Macedonia is a compact country — about the size of Wales — but the roads between its key destinations reward having the right vehicle. Routes from ohrid">Skopje to Ohrid, Bitola, Mavrovo, or the Kosovo border pass through mountain terrain, and the extra cargo space of a van makes long drives genuinely comfortable.
Travel as one group. Splitting into two cars doubles your fuel costs, requires constant coordination, and means someone is always waiting. A single 7-seater solves all of that.
More luggage space. Ski equipment for Popova Šapka? Beach gear for Lake Ohrid? Camping kit for Mavrovo National Park? 7-seaters have substantially more boot space than saloons or compact SUVs.
Better value per person. At €70–85 per day for the whole vehicle, a group of five or six adults pays far less per person than hiring individual economy cars.
Our 7-Seater Fleet
Dacia Jogger — From €70/day
The Dacia Jogger is a spacious, practical family vehicle with three rows of seating. It is one of the most versatile cars in its class: comfortable for motorway cruising but confident enough on the steeper mountain roads heading toward Mavrovo or Popova Šapka.
Key specifications:
- Seats: 7 passengers
- Fuel type: Petrol (ECO-G natural gas / petrol hybrid option)
- Transmission: Manual 6-speed
- Boot space: 160 litres with all seats up; 708 litres with third row folded
- Daily rate: €70
The Jogger is the budget-conscious choice for groups who need 7 seats without paying premium prices. Its elevated seating position gives passengers a good view of the landscape, which matters on scenic routes like the Mavrovo–Ohrid corridor.
Peugeot Rifter — From €85/day
The Peugeot Rifter is a premium load-lugging van with exceptional interior volume. Its tall roofline and wide doors make it easier to load prams, wheelchairs, or large luggage than a conventional estate car.
Key specifications:
- Seats: 7 passengers
- Fuel type: Diesel (economical on long runs)
- Transmission: Manual 6-speed
- Boot space: 186 litres (all seats occupied); 775 litres (third row folded)
- Daily rate: €85
The Rifter's diesel engine makes it the preferred choice for long-distance trips. If you plan to cross into Kosovo for a day, drive the Via Egnatia route through North Macedonia, or combine Skopje with a Greek day trip to Thessaloniki, the Rifter will cover the kilometres efficiently.
What Can You Do with a 7-Seater in North Macedonia?
Family Road Trip: Skopje → Mavrovo → Ohrid (3 Days)
This classic loop is North Macedonia's best multi-day drive and works perfectly in a 7-seater.
Day 1 — Skopje to Mavrovo (2.5 hrs, 150 km): Pick up the van at Skopje Airport on arrival. Drive west through Tetovo and into the Mavrovo National Park. Stay overnight near the lake.
Day 2 — Mavrovo to Ohrid (2.5 hrs, 130 km): Wind south through mountain roads to Lake Ohrid — the highest tectonic lake in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the afternoon and evening in Ohrid Old Town.
Day 3 — Ohrid to Skopje (via Bitola, 4 hrs, 230 km): Drive south to Bitola, visit the Roman ruins at Heraclea Lyncestis, then return to Skopje for your flight home.
Total fuel cost for this loop: approximately €60–75 in the Rifter (diesel) or €80–100 in the Jogger (petrol), shared across seven passengers.
Group Transfer: Skopje Airport to Ohrid
The airport transfer from Skopje Airport (SKP) to Ohrid is 175 km and takes approximately 2.5 hours. A group of 6–7 people faces a genuine problem: licensed airport taxis cannot legally carry more than four passengers, and private transfers for large groups are expensive.
Hiring a 7-seater van solves the transfer problem and leaves you with the car for the entire trip. See our Skopje to Ohrid one-way rental guide for route details, toll information, and best rest stops.
Ski Season: Skopje to Popova Šapka
Popova Šapka ski resort sits at 1,780 m above sea level, 80 km west of Skopje near the Albanian border. A full ski kit for a family of 7 — skis, poles, boots, helmets, and luggage — requires a vehicle with real cargo space. The Rifter or Jogger handles ski equipment for the whole group without forcing anyone to strap gear to the roof.
Read our Popova Šapka ski guide for current slope information, lift prices, and driving conditions in winter.
Cross-Border Travel with a 7-Seater
Both the Dacia Jogger and Peugeot Rifter are cleared for cross-border travel with the purchase of our Green Card insurance add-on. You can drive into:
- Kosovo (Zone 1, €50 one-off fee) — Pristina is 95 km from Skopje
- Serbia (Zone 1, €50) — Novi Sad is 550 km, but the border at Tabanovce is quick
- Greece (Zone 1, €50) — Thessaloniki is 175 km via the A2 motorway
- Albania (Zone 1, €50) — Tirana is 270 km via Ohrid and Pogradec
- Bulgaria (Zone 1, €50) — Sofia is 250 km via the Gyueshevo crossing
- Zone 2 extension (Kosovo + above + BiH, Montenegro, Croatia): €80
See our Green Card and cross-border driving guide. If you plan to drive to Albania, see our Skopje to Tirana guide for documents required, crossing procedures, and border timing tips.
Booking a 7-Seater in North Macedonia
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
7-seaters are significantly less common than standard 5-seat cars, and our Jogger and Rifter fill up quickly in summer (June–August). For travel between late June and the end of August, book at least 4–6 weeks in advance. In shoulder season (April–May, September–October), 2–3 weeks is usually sufficient.
What Documents Do You Need?
To rent any vehicle from Relax Rent a Car, all drivers must present:
- Valid passport or national ID card
- Full driving licence (EU licences accepted; non-EU licences must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit)
- Minimum age: 18 years with at least 1 year of driving experience
No credit card deposit is required for our standard insurance options.
Longer Rentals Use a Lower Per-Day Rate
Our pricing calendar uses a lower daily rate for 7-day and monthly rentals, so a week-long Peugeot Rifter hire has a better per-day rate than a one-day rental. Check the booking form with your pickup and return dates to see the exact price.
Practical Tips for Driving a Van in North Macedonia
Fuel stations are plentiful on main routes. The A1 Skopje–Thessaloniki and A2 Skopje–Ohrid motorways have regular petrol stations. Remote mountain areas (Mavrovo, Šar Mountains) have fewer stations, so fill up before heading into the hills.
Parking in Skopje. The Dacia Jogger and Peugeot Rifter fit comfortably in standard car park spaces. Skopje's central parking zones accept payment by coin or mobile app. See our parking in Skopje guide for zone maps and hourly rates.
Mountain driving. Both vans handle North Macedonia's secondary mountain roads well. The routes to Mavrovo and Šar Mountain involve sustained climbs with tight bends. Use second gear on steep descents to avoid overheating the brakes.
Toll roads. North Macedonia has two short toll sections: the A2 at Petrovec near Skopje Airport (€1.50) and a section west of Gostivar (€0.80). For a full breakdown, read our toll roads guide.
Quick reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Relax Rent a Car Skopje Airport (since 2001) |
| Pickup location | Skopje Alexander the Great Airport (SKP / LWSK) |
| Hours | 24/7, all flights |
| Payment | Cash (EUR/MKD), Visa, Mastercard |
| Deposit | None (zero credit-card hold on mini/economy/auto/diesel) |
| Insurance included | Basic CDW with €200 excess; Premium €15/day zero excess |
| VAT | 18% included in all prices |
| Phone / WhatsApp | +389 71 390 627 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my rental once it's started?
Yes. Call or WhatsApp 24-48 hours before the original drop-off date. Extension is charged at the same daily rate as the original booking (no upsell). If the calendar season changes mid-rental (e.g., extending from Late Spring into Summer Peak), the new days take the new tariff.
Can I smoke in the rental?
No — strict non-smoking fleet. Smoking inside triggers a €100 cleaning fine to remove the odour from upholstery and ventilation. Vaping has the same rule. Smoking outside the car at a fuel stop or scenic stop is fine; just don't leave butts on the floor or in the door panels.
Why choose a local operator over major international chains?
Daily rates are €22-50 (local) vs €38-70 (chains), no €1,000-1,500 pre-authorisation hold, free airport pickup vs €15-30 chain surcharge, and direct contact with the team that owns the fleet. Chains win only if you specifically need loyalty programme points or company billing through their global system.
What's the process when I return the car?
Bring it to the agreed drop-off location at the agreed time. We check the fuel level (must match pickup), exterior condition, and interior cleanliness. Paperwork takes 5-10 minutes. If everything matches, no further charges. Any damage outside CDW excess is settled on the spot in cash or by card.
What payment methods do you accept on arrival?
Cash in EUR (preferred) or MKD denars. Card (Visa, Mastercard) with a 1.5% processing fee. Bank transfer in advance (zero fees, settled 24-72 hours before pickup). American Express and Diners Club not accepted — Yandex / PayPal not supported on rental payments either.
Ready to Book?
Browse availability and book online to receive your published online rates with VAT included. Both the Dacia Jogger and Peugeot Rifter can be reserved through our online booking form.
For groups of 8 or more, or for multi-vehicle bookings, contact us directly at [email protected] or on WhatsApp at +389 71 390 627.
