Renting a car in North Macedonia is already affordable compared to Western Europe, but these tips will help you get even more value from your rental.
1. Book Online for 10% Off
Most car rental companies in Macedonia charge walk-in rates that are 10-15% higher than online prices. At Relax Rent a Car, online bookings automatically receive a 10% discount — no promo code needed.
2. Choose the Right Vehicle Size
North Macedonia's roads are well-maintained, but cities like Ohrid have narrow streets. An economy or compact car is perfect for 90% of trips. You'll save on the daily rate and fuel costs.
| Trip Type | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City + airport | Economy (Hyundai i10 Automatic) | Easy parking, low fuel cost |
| Lake Ohrid circuit | Compact (Volkswagen Polo) | Comfortable for 2-4 people with luggage |
| Mountain + Galicica | SUV (Dacia Duster 4x4) | AWD for gravel sections and mountain roads |
| Family / group | Van (Dacia Jogger / Peugeot Rifter) | 7 seats + large boot for groups |
3. Consider Weekend Packages
If you're renting Friday to Monday, our weekend packages offer significant savings:
- Economy: from €78 (vs €165 at daily rate — 3 days × €55)
- Compact: from €95 (vs €180 at daily rate — 3 days × €60)
4. Fuel Up Before Returning
Returning a car with less fuel than you received means paying a fuel surcharge — typically at a premium rate. Fill up at a station near the airport (there's a Makpetrol station 2 km from SKP airport) to avoid this.
5. Skip the GPS — Use Your Phone
Our GPS rental is €3/day. If budget matters, skip it and use your phone instead:
- Download Google Maps offline maps for North Macedonia (free, works without data)
- Or buy a local SIM card at the airport for €5 with 10GB data
6. Book Longer for Weekly Discounts
Our weekly rates are 35-50% lower than the equivalent daily rate. Even if you only need 5 days, check if the weekly rate is cheaper — it often is.
7. Choose Full Insurance Wisely
Our basic rental includes standard third-party liability. CDW insurance (€7/day) reduces your excess to €200. Full insurance (€15/day) removes the excess entirely — zero liability for any damage. For mountain road driving, CDW at minimum is strongly recommended.
8. Avoid Airport Desk Walk-Ins
The convenience of booking at an airport counter comes at a cost — typically 15-25% higher than pre-booked rates. Always book online in advance and use the free airport meet-and-greet pickup included with your reservation.
9. Travel Outside Peak Season
July and August see the highest demand for rental cars in North Macedonia, particularly 7-seat vans for families visiting Ohrid. Prices for the most popular vehicles can be 10-15% higher and availability drops significantly. If your schedule is flexible, May, June, September, and October offer the best combination of good weather and lower prices.
10. Share the Driving Legally
If multiple people will drive, add them as an additional driver (€2/day) rather than letting an unlisted person drive. Insurance becomes void if an unlisted driver is involved in an incident. At €2/day, it's the cheapest insurance you can buy on your trip.
Bonus: Book with Free Cancellation
All our online bookings include free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Book early to lock in availability, cancel if plans change — there's no financial risk to reserving ahead.
Summary: How Much Can You Actually Save?
A family renting a Peugeot Rifter 7-seat for a week in September vs August walk-in rates:
| Approach | Cost |
|---|---|
| Walk-in, August, daily rate | ~€595 |
| Online booking, September, weekly package | €430 |
| Savings | ~€165 (28%) |
Stack multiple tips and savings add up quickly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Booking through an aggregator instead of direct. Rentalcars.com, Kayak, and similar platforms show marked-up rates because they take a commission. Always book directly at Relax Rent a Car for the best price and the automatic 10% online discount.
Paying for extras you already have. Check your credit card benefits before the trip. Some gold and platinum cards include rental car CDW — though read the fine print, as cards typically only cover you after you've also added CDW from the rental company.
Not adding extra drivers. Letting an unlisted person drive invalidates your insurance. At €2/day, adding a second driver is the cheapest peace of mind available.
Ignoring the condition report. Always review and photograph the vehicle before you leave the lot. This protects you from being charged for pre-existing damage. Our condition report process is thorough — we walk the vehicle together and sign off together.
Returning late without notice. If your return will be significantly delayed, call us. Late returns that aren't communicated in advance can be charged at the daily rate for additional time.
Understanding Fuel Grades and What to Use
North Macedonia uses European fuel grades. At Makpetrol, Lukoil, OKTA, and Shell stations, you will typically find:
- A-95 (Euro 95 petrol) — standard unleaded petrol, suitable for all economy and compact cars
- A-98 (Euro 98 petrol) — premium petrol, suitable for performance vehicles (you won't need this for our fleet)
- D-Eurodizel (diesel) — used in the Peugeot Rifter and Dacia Duster
Always check the fuel type on the key fob or inside the fuel flap before filling. Misfuelling (putting petrol in a diesel or vice versa) is a driver's fault and not covered by any insurance. All our vehicles have the fuel type clearly labelled.
For the Dacia Duster 4x4 and Peugeot Rifter, diesel is the correct fuel — identified by the green diesel nozzle at Macedonian stations.
How to Read a Macedonian Fuel Receipt
If you need to claim fuel costs as a business expense, petrol receipts from Macedonia include:
- Фискална сметка — fiscal receipt (the one you want)
- Количество — quantity in litres
- Цена/литар — price per litre
- ДДВ 18% — 18% VAT included in the price
Keep the fiscal receipt for business expense claims — it is the only receipt with VAT detail.
When Is the Best Time to Book?
| Season | Best vehicle | Booking lead time |
|---|---|---|
| June–August (peak) | All categories | 3–4 weeks ahead |
| May, September (shoulder) | All categories | 1–2 weeks |
| October–April (low) | Same-day available | Day-of or 1–2 days |
Summer availability for 7-seat vans (Peugeot Rifter, Dacia Jogger) drops fastest — these are the most popular vehicles for family Ohrid holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to book a car rental online or in person? Online is always cheaper — Relax Rent a Car applies an automatic 10% discount to all online bookings. There is no way to get this discount by walking in. Beyond the discount, online booking guarantees your vehicle class is available on arrival, which is especially important in peak season.
What is the cheapest car rental option in North Macedonia? The Hyundai i10 economy class at €55/day is the lowest daily rate. For stays of 5+ days, the weekly package (€280 total) reduces the effective daily rate to €40. Add CDW insurance (€7/day) for peace of mind and the total for a week is approximately €330 — under €50/day all-in.
Does booking early save money on car rental in North Macedonia? In summer (July–August), yes — by 3–4 weeks, automatic vehicles and 7-seat vans are often the only categories left, and their daily rates are higher. In low season (October–April), same-day availability is common and prices are identical to advance bookings.
Is it worth paying for full insurance on a rental car? For most travellers, yes. Full insurance (€15/day, zero excess) removes all financial risk from damage, including minor scratches and cracked windscreens. CDW (€7/day) covers major damage but leaves a €200 excess. For a 7-day trip, the difference between CDW and full insurance is €56 — often worth the certainty.
Can I reduce my rental cost by choosing a manual car? Not automatically — in our fleet, the Hyundai i10 Automatic is actually the cheapest vehicle at €55/day. The manual VW Polo is €60/day. Where manual saves money is in the mid-range: the manual Dacia Jogger (7 seats, €70/day) versus no equivalent automatic 7-seater at a lower price. The real savings come from choosing a smaller class vehicle rather than manual vs automatic.
Related: Budget car rental guide | Weekly & long-term car rental rates | Automatic vs manual: which is cheaper? | Local vs international rental chains: which is better value? | How to rent a car | Weekend packages
