The congestion at the borders towards Greece and Croatia during the season can extend the journey by several hours. In order not to waste time in a queue, use this guide as your “command center” during the trip. The biggest delays are at the crossings of Preševo and Evzoni, but with the proper use of alternatives, you can save a significant amount of time and avoid major congestion.

• Updated: April 2026.

Two things to avoid congestion at the borders

Before deciding which border crossing to take:

• 1. check the live camera feeds (links in the text).
• 2. check the status on Google Maps for each crossing (links in the text).

and only then make the best decision.

STRATEGY: How to choose the fastest border crossing?

Do not choose a crossing at home, but 30 minutes before exiting the highway based on the status of the cameras and Google Maps.

Quick guide:

• Preševo: more than 90 minutes → turn to the Prohor Pčinjski crossing.
• Congestion at Evzoni → Dojran is often a faster option for the Thessaloniki region, Sithonia, and Thasos, but may be less practical for Kassandra (if Evzoni is passable).
• Going to Lefkada, Corfu, or Epirus? → Medžitlija (Niki) is the most practical choice.
• Traveling through Bulgaria? → Use the Gradina or Strezimirovci crossings.

LIVE CAMERAS: Real-time border conditions

North Macedonia

• All crossings: Official cameras (Tabanovce, Bogorodica, Dojran…)
• Serbia (Exit): Preševo / Serbia – North Macedonia

Macedonia - Greece:

• Bogorodica – Evzoni

Serbia – Bulgaria:

• Gradina (AMSS)
• Gradina (Alternative feed)

Bulgaria – Greece:

• Kulata - Promahonas
• Note: passport control is no longer performed, but you can still monitor traffic frequency at this crossing from Bulgaria to Greece.

Serbia – Croatia:

• Batrovci - Bajakovo Border Crossing
• Return to RS - Bajakovo - Batrovci

Additional cameras to view:

• AMSS cameras of border crossings

Border crossings by travel routes with links to Google Maps

1. Route: Serbia – North Macedonia

Main crossing: Preševo - Tabanovce

• Live cameras
• Working hours: 00–24h
• Frequency: Most burdened crossing, especially on weekends and in season
• Advantage: Direct connection to the highway
• Disadvantage: Frequent delays and bottleneck during peak times
• Navigation on Google Maps

Alternative: Prohor Pčinjski - Pelince

• Location: Turn near Vranje towards the Prohor Pčinjski Monastery
• Working hours: 00–24h
• Characteristics: Less congestion, but narrower road and more curves.
• Navigation on Google Maps

If the wait at Preševo exceeds 90 minutes, this alternative can often save you more than an hour.

2. Route: North Macedonia – Greece

Main crossing: Bogorodica - Evzoni

• Live cameras
• Working hours: 00–24h
• Frequency: Extremely high
• Biggest congestion: Early morning hours and tourist shifts
• Navigation on Google Maps

Alternative 1: Medžitlija - Niki

• Location: Near Bitola. Most practical option for those heading to Lefkada, Corfu, and the Epirus region.
• Detailed guide: Route to the Ionian coast through the Niki crossing
• Navigation on Google Maps

Alternative 2: Dojran - Doirani

• Location: Near Valandovo. Often significantly less congestion than at Evzoni.
• Detailed guide: Route to Greece through Doirani – experiences and route
• Navigation on Google Maps

For the north of Greece (Thassos, Kavala, Asprovalta), Dojran is often the most efficient option.

3. Route: Serbia – Bulgaria

Main crossing: Gradina - Kalotina

• Live cameras
• Working hours: 00–24h
• Frequency: High due to transit to Turkey
• Navigation on Google Maps

Alternative: Strezimirovci (Vlasina)

• Location: Near Vlasina Lake. Excellent option for those who want to avoid congestion and enjoy nature.
• Detailed guide: Route to Greece through Vlasina Lake and Bulgaria
• Navigation on Google Maps (enter your location)

Use this option only if there is a major delay at Gradina, as the access road is slower.

4. Route: Serbia – Croatia

Main crossing: Batrovci - Bajakovo

• Live cameras
• Working hours: 00–24h
• Frequency: Very high, especially during holidays and peak season.
• Navigation on Google Maps

Alternative: Šid (Tovarnik)

• Working hours: 00–24h.
• Quick alternative, but queues can easily form here too.
• Navigation on Google Maps

Other crossings:

• Bačka Palanka, Bogojevo, Bezdan – open 00–24h
• Sot, Ljuba, Neštin – smaller crossings, check working hours before departure.

Traveler tips (from practice)

• Check live conditions: Before each highway exit towards the border, check the situation. It can change within 30 minutes.
• Have a plan B: Always have at least one alternative in mind — especially at Preševo and Evzoni.
• Bring water and fuel: Delays of 1–2 hours are not uncommon during peak season.
• Choose departure time: Detailed advice on how to time your trip can be found here: By car to Greece – how to best plan your trip.

The fastest crossing does not exist in advance — there is only the one that is least burdened at that moment. That’s why a combination of real-time information and knowledge of alternatives is key to a faster and less stressful journey to Greece.

During the season, our tourists and members regularly report on the conditions at border crossings, so we recommend that you like our Facebook page by clicking here: Nikana.gr to receive the latest information we publish. We also share information on our:

• Instagram,
• TikTok, and
• group Live from Greece

Have a good trip and let us know the status as soon as you cross!