Kriva Palanka-Kyustendil border crossing
Kriva Palanka-Kyustendil border crossing
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<map lat='42.215805' lng='22.458115' zoom='10' view='0' float='right' /> | |
Information | |
Countries: | Bulgaria | North Macedonia |
Type: | Road |
Motorway: | E 871 |
The Kriva Palanka-Kyustendil border crossing connects North Macedonia and Bulgaria. One can walk across this border.
The border sees very little traffic on Sundays, only a couple of cars an hour. If you are going from Skopje to Sofia, it may well be faster to go up to Niš in Serbia and then back down into Bulgaria instead of choosing this crossing. However, for going further into Bulgaria, you can take a taxi from the border to Kjustendil and ask the driver to leave you on the road towards your destination.
Crossing the border
When coming from Bulgaria: the guards on the Bulgarian side were very friendly and will probably let you go and wish you a nice day after showing them your passport. But the North Macedonian guards are corrupt and (especially when there is little traffic) will expect a bribe. If you don't want to put some money in your passport for them, be prepared to be patient (they might take your passport, walk away with it and return half an hour later) and to empty your backpack.
Hitchhiking out
Simply position yourself a few meters down from the border crossing, after the police checkpoint and put your thumb out.
Sleeping
Close to Kriva Palanka there is the 'Manastir sv. Joakim Osogovski' a well-known monastery in the green hills east of the city. If you find yourself looking for a place to put up your tent, you are welcome to do this near the monastery. You can also make use of the toilets.