Are you considering a trip to Kosovo and exploring other destinations within this small country, such as Mitrovica? In September 2023, I had the opportunity to visit Kosovo, marking my fortieth country visited. Being a passionate traveler, I wanted to experience more than just the bustling capital city of Pristina!
However, it wasn’t quite as easy as I expected because there is nothing about transport to Mitrovica from Pristina on the internet. Here’s a straight-to-the-point guide to help you avoid stress and waste time like I did!
A Few Words About Mitrovica
Mitrovica is a city located in the northern part of Kosovo. It is an interesting and unique city with a rich history and a diverse population. It is true that the city is not as interesting as Priznen, and none of the local people recommended it to me because, according to their words, “there is nothing to see.” I still wanted to go there.
Now, the city is divided into two parts, with the Ibar River serving as the natural border between the northern and southern parts. The northern part of Mitrovica is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Serbs, while the southern part is mostly populated by ethnic Albanians. These two communities have a complex and sometimes tense relationship, which is reflected in the physical division of the city.
Maybe it’s just my personal impression, but the southern part of Mitrovica (the Albanian one) looked nicer, at least to me as a tourist. It’s also worth noting that if you speak any of the Slavic languages like Serbian or Russian, you’re at an advantage in the northern part.
Without further ado, here’s how to get there.
Pristina To Mitrovica
One day before my trip, I started searching on the internet how to get to Mitrovica from Pristina. Reddit, Rome2Rio, and other similar sites claim that buses to Mitrovica depart from the Pristina bus station. This is NOT TRUE!
The next day, I packed my backpack and went to the bus stop. I spent almost 40 minutes walking here and there, looking for a bus, but there was none. I asked a few people, and no one knew.
Before I gave up, I went inside the station and asked at the counter where the tickets were sold. The saleswoman didn’t speak English, but I understood that the bus was located somewhere else. She told me that the buses leave from the “parking lot.”
I walked around the station for the next 30 minutes, and unfortunately, I didn’t find any bus. That’s why I came back to Pristina. At my hotel, I opened the gjirafa page, which is an Albanian website with timetables and tickets, and according to them, the bus is located at the bus station. “How come I could not find it?” I wondered.
How To Get To Mitrovica From Pristina
Before I almost gave up, I thought to ask on Reddit, and lo and behold, I found my answer! A local person told me that buses from Pristina to Mitrovica do not leave from the bus station but from a parking lot nearby. This is because most of those small vans are driven by independent drivers who do not want to pay bus station taxes.
The next day I went to that place and, voilá, I found it! The bus from Pristina to Mitrovica departs from the parking lot near the bus station. HERE is the exact location.
Essentially, when you are standing on the side of the road near the bus station, you will see a bridge in front of you. Pass under it and keep along the road on the right. Once you see the road to the left (Ilaz Kodra Street), head there. There, you will see small vans that will take you to Mitrovica.
Times And Prices
A one-way ticket to Mitrovica from Pristina costs 1.8 EUR. The first bus (minivan) leaves at 07:00 and the last at 20:45. The ticket from Mitrovica to Pristina cost me 2 EUR, so the price varies from carrier to carrier.
Total trip duration is something between 50-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Those minivans aren’t the most luxurious, but they aren’t uncomfortable either.
