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 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): €70
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.
Online Discount
Booking online through our website gives you an automatic 10% discount on the published daily rate. For a 7-day hire of the Peugeot Rifter, that saves €59.50 — enough to cover your Thessaloniki day trip fuel.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit 7 adults and 7 pieces of luggage in the Dacia Jogger? Seven adults will fit comfortably in terms of seating, but luggage space with all three rows occupied is limited to 160 litres — roughly two carry-on bags. For 7 passengers with full-size cases, we recommend folding the third row and limiting the group to 5 seated passengers, or opting for the Peugeot Rifter which has slightly more boot volume in the same configuration.
Is a child seat available for the 7-seater? Yes. We offer child safety seats compatible with both the Jogger and Rifter at €2 per day. Our seats are ISOFIX-compatible and suitable for children aged 1–4 years (Group 1, 9–18 kg). Book this in the extras section when making your reservation.
Can I take the Dacia Jogger or Peugeot Rifter to Greece or Kosovo? Yes, with a Green Card insurance add-on (Zone 1: €50 one-off fee). Cross-border travel must be declared at the time of booking. See our cross-border guide for border documents and procedures.
What is included in the rental price? The daily rate includes unlimited mileage, 24/7 roadside assistance, third-party liability insurance (mandatory minimum), and free pickup and drop-off at Skopje Airport or city centre. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver with €200 excess) is available for €7/day; full zero-excess insurance is available for €15/day.
Ready to Book?
Browse availability and book online to receive your 10% online discount. 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.
