Tesla Model 3 SR+ on Long Journeys

EV Basics in the Balkans – Charging and Internet

Switching from internal combustion cars, it feels almost reflexive to expect 600–1000 km on a single tank or charge. In the world of EVs, though, things work differently. Models capable of such range often end up being expensive and oversized for daily use, while for the average 70–100 km per day a smaller battery is more than enough.

So the question comes up: is a more compact, affordable EV – like a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range – good enough for family vacations and long road trips? That's exactly what this post is about. I'll share the experience of a 5,000 km Balkan tour, where a Model 3 SR+ proved what it can really do on long journeys.

⚠️ Note: This blog post is longer than the average article you'll find these days. I broke it down by country so you can skip to the sections most relevant to you. But if you do read through the whole thing – thank you!

According to its own "promise," the car offered us 254 km at 80% charge and 315 km at 100%. The route led from Budapest to Greece, then on through Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, before heading back to Hungary via Serbia.

For the Tesla experience in particular, constant internet access is almost indispensable. Once you leave the EU, however, Tesla's online services are no longer available, and roaming fees quickly add up (especially in Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo). Passing through these countries without internet is still doable – just not as convenient. But if you spend several days there, the lack of connectivity quickly becomes a real hassle. To start with: you might not even be able to charge where you need to.

Charging isn't always straightforward either, with various registration requirements or RFID-only stations. That's why it's worth preparing in advance with the right apps and solutions, so your trip stays smooth.

This post is therefore not just a travel diary but also a practical guide: how to cover thousands of kilometers in the Balkans with a Tesla Model 3 SR, and what you should watch out for if you're planning a similar trip.

EV Basics in the Balkans – Charging and Internet

When traveling by EV, the most important thing is to have a reliable source of charging and mapping information. Anyone already driving an EV probably knows Plugshare – both the website and the mobile app. It works well enough, but don't expect it to always be fully up to date. That's why it helps if you keep your eyes open and contribute fresh information to Plugshare yourself – it helps everyone!

Tesla drivers are used to relying on the Supercharger (TSC) network whenever possible. On the Balkans, though, this is limited: Greece has a few, but in North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo there are none at all. Here you'll need to use alternative providers, most of which operate on a prepaid basis. That means you top up your balance in advance and the charging costs are deducted from it – and refunds are not always guaranteed.

👉 Tip: If you go for a prepaid system, stick with one provider and make sure you actually use up the credit during your trip. Splitting small amounts across several networks won't work out.

Internet and Music on the Road

Driving across Serbia can feel endless, so unless you're a fan of local folk radio, prepare alternatives:

• download some MP3s or podcasts in advance, or

• secure a steady mobile data connection.

This isn't just for entertainment – your Tesla needs internet for maps, navigation, Spotify, and all its online services.

How to stay connected? Example: Orbit Mobile eSIM
Local tourist SIMs are available in nearly every country, but a universal eSIM provider covering multiple countries is far more convenient. There are several options now, and we ended up choosing Orbit Mobile – a good decision.

It worked flawlessly, so I can honestly recommend it:

• Download the app

• Register

• Install and activate the secondary eSIM

• As soon as you cross the border, your phone switches to the local network automatically.

If you've purchased data packages for Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, etc. in advance, you'll have 5G right away in each country. You can even share the connection via hotspot – including with your Tesla. That's exactly what we needed!

This way, your Tesla works just like in an EU country: full maps, navigation, Spotify, and all premium features available.

👉 Note: Don't buy the "Global $1.00" data package – it won't work outside the EU. Always check the validity, data cap, and country list for each package. You can have several active at once – the correct one will kick in automatically when you cross a border.

Country by Country Experiences

🇭🇺 Hungary – a safe start with predictable charging

🔌 Charging and infrastructure
We started our trip from Dunakeszi with a full 100% battery. The first stop (195 km) was the Tesla Supercharger near the Auchan in Szeged, along the M0–M5 route. For anyone who's driven in Hungary, this part of the journey needs little explanation. The one thing worth noting is timing the border crossing, because it sets the rhythm for later charging stops as well.

In summer, countless travelers head towards Greece, and on top of that, Turkish workers living in Austria, Germany, or France all drive home in convoys. At every border this creates long queues – traffic jams are basically guaranteed.

That's why we decided to leave in the evening and drive overnight.

Pros:

• lower energy use for air conditioning

• lighter traffic on roads and at borders

• cheaper charging rates  (Tesla Szeged pricing: 

  00:00–04:00 – 0,25 €/kWh, 

  04:00–08:00 – 0,25 €/kWh, 

  08:00–23:00 – 0,40 €/kWh, 

  23:00–00:00 – 0,25 €/kWh. 

  Idle fee: max. 1,0 €/min)

• kids sleep through most of the drive (not relevant for us, but useful for families)

Cons:

• the Szeged Auchan closes at 21:00, so no toilets or services at the charger.
  This was one of the recurring downsides of night travel at other stops too.

Useful notes:

📶 Internet and digital solutions:

In Hungary and Greece, mobile internet for both your phone and Tesla is straightforward. Outside the EU, it's not that simple – the wrong package can be not only expensive, but useless. I'll detail each country's experience later in this post.

🚗 Driving, experiences and tips:
The Budapest–Szeged distance is quick and easy, but don't rush. Drive faster and you'll pay for it at the charger: a more drained battery means longer, more expensive charging. Whatever you gain on the road, you lose at the plug – and this lesson applies to every country ahead.

🇷🇸 Serbia – Long stretches and questionable restrooms

🔌 Charging and infrastructure
There are two Tesla Superchargers in Serbia, both free to use for Tesla owners. There are other alternative chargers as well, but since we didn't use them on this trip, I won't go into detail here.

This year, Hungarian border control really stepped up – instead of the usual 8–10 hours of waiting, in 2025 we crossed into Serbia in just 15 minutes. Even the official "Határinfo" border crossing information pagesite proved surprisingly accurate. No need to hunt for small border crossings to cut the line, which could have put the battery at risk anyway. With a full charge from Szeged, Belgrade (250 km) was just within reach without detours.

📶 Internet and digital solutions
If you've bought mobile data, turn it on immediately at the border and share Wi-Fi with your Tesla. If you forget, just a few kilometers past the Hungarian border the car will only show the cached map outline – all the way to Greece. A 3 GB package is ideal for the return trip as well, while 1 GB will definitely run out, especially if kids are using the hotspot. Keep your phone plugged in: Wi-Fi sharing drains the battery fast.

Serbian highways are packed with speed cameras. Not only fixed radars but also average speed checks along stretches. If you're caught speeding, police vans will stop you and issue the ticket on the spot. The good news: they take bank cards, and if you settle multiple violations at once, they even offer a discount – personal experience. This year I didn't try to play in the "grey zone," instead kept a steady, energy- and cost-efficient pace to Belgrade.

On the Belgrade bypass, at the AVA shopping mall, there's a Tesla Supercharger: 8 stalls, 250 kW on paper, but in reality only about half of that. Locals warned us that the two stalls on the far left are slow, barely 125 kW. The upside: charging is still free for Tesla owners here. During the day, you can shop while charging, but at night everything is closed – even the toilets.

🍔 Tip: If you want a sandwich, stop at the McDonald's Drive before charging – they don't serve walk-ups. At night, all fast-food joints are closed, so you'll rely on gas stations. Sadly, the OMV and MOL restrooms nearby were awful, but a Gazprom station about 20 minutes further was clean, open 24/7, and far more pleasant.

The second Serbian Supercharger is in Aleksinac, in the Hotel Boshporus parking lot (195 km further). These 4 stalls are always crowded – a "5-minute wait" can easily turn into an hour. Taxi drivers often leave their cars plugged in since there's no idle fee. On paper, the stalls offer 125 kW, but with a full house you'll only see around 56 kW. During the day you can still use the hotel facilities, but at night that's not an option.

🤔 Remember: in Belgrade, 8 Teslas finish charging and then everyone heads to the next stop – only 4 stalls in Aleksinac. If you're moving at a similar pace, you'll arrive together and fight for fewer spots.

This stop is 600 km from Budapest, so it could be a good overnight option. The hotel is 4-star, but not available via Booking – only direct booking. We didn't stay here; we pushed on towards North Macedonia (210 km).

🚗 Driving, experiences, and tips
Drive carefully – Serbian highways are heavily monitored by fixed speed cameras, and fines are enforced quickly. Road quality is generally okay, but driving culture is far from polished: expect right-lane overtakes, hard braking in front of you, even drivers coming from the shoulder. Unfortunately, that's part of the local "normal."

The next proper stop will be Kumanovo (210 km). On Serbian highways, you'll find small 1-stall chargers after most toll booths – theoretically for emergencies only. In practice, you'd only need one if there's a major accident blocking the road or if you've had to make a detour.

🇲🇰 North Macedonia – A positive surprise in charging quality

At the border, you'll be asked for your vehicle registration papers and, most likely, your international insurance (Green Card). If it's a company car, they'll also want proof that you're authorized to drive it. Don't forget: they also check the registration again when you leave the country.

🔌 Charging and infrastructure
There's no Tesla Supercharger network in North Macedonia, so you'll have to rely on alternative providers. One EVN charging station is located just 30 km from the Serbian border, at the Kumanovo Makpetrol 013 gas station. Don't miss it – the next one is at Skopje International Airport, where both entry and time spent at the airport are subject to fees (just like parking at Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport).

📶 Internet and digital solutions
If you bought data valid in Serbia, don't log off yet – the Serbian signal still reaches this far. If you also have a North Macedonia data package, you're in luck. But if you have no mobile data at all, you're in for trouble: without internet, you won't be able to start the charging session.

You might try connecting to the gas station café's Wi-Fi (SSID: EatNgo, password: eatngo2021). Unfortunately, it's slow, unstable, and not reliable. Since the local staff usually can't help with EV charging, let me walk you through the process step by step.

Despite the station advertising 150 kW output and having only two CCS2 plugs, there's almost always a free stall. Surprisingly, you really do get close to the promised 150 kW here – charging is fast once you know how to start it.

👉 Note: With Orbit Mobile, 1 GB of data costs $3.50, and that's more than enough for your travel needs across North Macedonia.

🔋 How charging works
At each stall you'll find a QR code. Scan it to access the payment page. If you don't read Cyrillic, you can switch the website to English in the top right corner.

The system asks for a quick registration: basically, you only need to provide your email address so they can send you the invoice. Other details are optional.

⚠️ Beware of QR code scams! Just like anywhere else in the world, fake payment pages do exist here as well. Always stay cautious – and use a disposable digital card (e.g., Wise) for payments.

EVN will send you email confirmations for your registration, your top-up, and again when the session ends with the actual amount charged.

This is what one of the stall QR codes looks like. In fact, it allows you to start a charging session from anywhere. The QR code directs you to the registration and start page, while the alphanumeric string below the code identifies the charger – ensuring that your top-up of 2,000 or 3,000 MKD is delivered through the correct plug.

One charger requires the ID MKEVNE241916*1, the other MKEVNE241916*2.

You'll need to decide whether to top up around €32 or €50 worth of credit. In reality, the smaller amount will be enough, but banks may take anywhere from 1 to 10 days to refund the difference.
The rate is 40 MKD per kWh, plus 1.70 MKD per minute after 60 minutes.

Once your MKD balance is successfully topped up, you can start the charging session either from your phone or directly on the charger's touchscreen. (If you're stuck on weak Wi-Fi, the touchscreen is faster and more reliable.)

This setup isn't exactly cheap, but at the time we thought we needed a full 100% charge to reach the Tesla Supercharger in Thessaloniki (240 km away). As it turned out, 80% would have been plenty – we still arrived there with +21% remaining.

🚗 Driving, experiences, and tips
North Macedonia's highways are full of speed limits! Even though, as I mentioned earlier, we rarely exceeded 110 km/h, in many places that already felt too fast. The stretch near Skopje Airport requires particular caution – in the past 1–2 years, it's been lined with 80 km/h signs and is regularly monitored by police. They use both handheld radar and fixed cameras.

You'll notice how slowly local NMK-plate drivers go – and there's a reason for it. If you have the patience for slow driving, and you manage not to unleash the horses once you cross into Greece, you won't need to worry about your arrival charge level either.

🇬🇷 Greece – Our main destination

🔌 Charging and infrastructure
Driving an EV in Greece is already much more convenient. While Tesla Superchargers are not everywhere, the country has several well-developed charging networks, especially around major cities and highways.

For our trip, we needed to use Tesla Superchargers at three locations to reach Athens. At each one, we arrived with about 15% more charge than the car's prediction – a nice buffer.

Since Greece is an EU country, your domestic mobile data plan works again, and so does Tesla's online connectivity. This makes route planning and listing available chargers very easy.

We ended up visiting all six Tesla Supercharger stations in Greece (Thessaloniki, Larissa, Atalanti, Athens, Psathopyrgos, Ioannina), plus we also charged at our accommodation. The chargers were the same high quality you'd expect anywhere else. The only exception was Ioannina: twice, all stalls rebooted after delivering 26 kWh for a few minutes to everyone.

Independent (non-Tesla) chargers are also widely available (see Plugshare.com), though we didn't need to use them.

👉 Tip: The faux-leather seats under the glass roof heat up quickly in the sun. A set of sunshades that cover the full roof is a worthwhile investment before heading off.

The road quality in Greece is excellent, and driving feels far more comfortable than in the previous countries. This was where we truly felt that the Tesla Model 3 SR's range is more than enough.

As I mentioned earlier, it's important to carry multiple bank cards. By the time you reach Greece, you'll almost certainly have used your card more than 15 times. However, some banks (for example, Raiffeisen Bank) cap card usage at 15 transactions – and you can't raise this limit, not even for a fee. Imagine the frustration when you can't pay a €2.50 toll because your card gets declined. Calling Raiffeisen's customer support ☠️ was a disaster: endless "all our agents are busy, your call is important to us" 🤖 messages, two clueless operators, and 45 minutes later I was told the 15-transaction maximum is hardwired. Had this happened outside the EU, say in Macedonia, the phone call itself would have cost far more than €2.50. 💩

In Athens, street parking is free. Just don't park in the yellow-marked spots – those are reserved for authorities. In August, most Greeks go on holiday to the islands for 3–4 weeks, leaving the capital practically empty. For tourists, that's perfect: less traffic, easier parking. You can even find a spot near the Acropolis or the Olympic Stadium without much trouble.

Athens has one Tesla Supercharger, located by the 2004 Olympic Stadium, next to the AVENUE and Golden Hall shopping centers, on the outer side of a parking garage. To access it, you have to drive through the garage, then exit to park at the chargers on the roadside.

For non-Tesla drivers, note that the chargers are on the left-hand side of the road. If your car's charge port is on the right, you'll need to face against traffic to connect.

As for speed cameras, there aren't that many in Greece, and enforcement is less aggressive than in some other countries. But if you're caught at a significant speed over the limit, they'll confiscate your vehicle registration and license plates on the spot. Their philosophy seems to be: "Do your thing, we'll let you live. But if you act like an ass, you're out of the game."

From Athens, it's only 90 km to the Corinth Canal, where you can even go bungee jumping off the bridge for €100. And if you've come this far, it would be a shame not to continue another 70 km to Nafplio – Greece's first capital.

After Patras, crossing the Rio–Antirrio Bridge is a special experience. As you approach, slow down for the full effect, prep your camera in time – and don't forget the €15 toll.

🇦🇱 Albania – The big challenge

We've been traveling to Albania since 2010, but this was our very first time with an electric car. The country has gone through astonishing changes – and for us Hungarians, it makes the (re)interpretation of our own domestic development even more striking.

At the border, you'll be asked for your car's registration papers and, most likely, its international insurance (Green Card). If it's a company car, they'll also want proof of your authorization to drive it. I only had Hungarian-language documents with me – they weren't thrilled about it, but they let me through.

📶 Internet and digital solutions
In Albania, Vodafone's mobile network provides such extensive coverage that you essentially have constant, problem-free 5G wherever you go.

You can buy tourist SIM cards in many places, even right at the border, but I'd recommend the more practical eSIM option. In my opinion, you should purchase at least 5 GB of data if you want to see and explore the country's history on your trips, not just look around. If you're staying longer, even 10 GB might not be enough.

In recent years, Albania has gained significant wealth from tourism, and prices for services have gone up drastically. Sadly, they now rival Italian price levels – though with a Balkan twist. In non-coastal regions you can still find big differences in accommodation costs, and locals generally live more modestly.

I'd love to go into detail about the unique flavors of Albanian gastronomy, but that would probably blow the fuse on this post. Let me just say: if you like the taste of Hungarian-style lecsó, try ajvar. And if you want to be a true guru, go for grilled sheep's head.

🔌 Charging and infrastructure
There are no Tesla Superchargers in Albania. Electric cars are used almost exclusively by taxi drivers. The two most widespread networks are Vega and iCharge.

If you think about it:

• Until 1991, Albanian citizens weren't even allowed to hold a driver's license, unless they were state-employed drivers.

• For the average Albanian household, the only electrical device was a 40W light bulb per room. Those born in the 1970s often grew up without a refrigerator or a television at home.

• Until 2010, daily power outages were so common that hotel construction around Saranda and Ksamil was only possible if investors bought electricity infrastructure – and later backup power – directly from Greece.

• Even 4-star hotels had to install their own generators just to ensure guests would have power during the hours-long blackouts.

Today, however, in this country roughly the size of Transdanubia (Western Hungary), there are now over 100 charging stations, most of them delivering at least 125 kW of power.

On this trip, we entered Albania from Ioannina through the Kakavie border crossing. The drive through this section is breathtakingly scenic, but the elevation changes are significant, which means energy consumption is above average. Crossing at Kakavie typically takes 1–2 hours, so keep that in mind. We were lucky this time and got through faster, then continued on the E853 road toward Durrës.

According to Plugshare, I planned to charge at a Vega station after Humelicë. But this time, we hadn't exchanged any cash (LEK), because in previous years we had always managed to pay by card everywhere.

This was where we had our only negative experience with the eSIM service.

The VEGA network has more than 50 charging points, but connecting to the service requires registration with two-factor authentication. Orbit Mobile does not provide a real phone number for SMS verification. Without RFID or cash, even the gas station operator couldn't help.

So we drove another 60 km to Klos, where a Neri Petrol gas station also hosts one of the iCharge network chargers. The iCharge.app network offers charging at more than 60 locations across Albania.

Downloading the iCharge.app turned out to be a much better choice. Unlike Vega, it doesn't require phone number registration, and signing up is extremely simple and quick.

There's no need to overdo it either – topping up 2,000 LEK (around €20) is sufficient and convenient for a first charge.

🚗 Driving, experiences, and tips
In Albania there are (still) no motorway tolls – though to be fair, the concept of a true motorway and the driving standards that go with it don't really exist either.

Just because you think you're on a highway doesn't mean a small tractor won't pull out directly from a property next to the road — sometimes even heading straight into oncoming traffic.

What really stood out was the sheer number of speed-limit signs placed on intercity roads, often accompanied by police checkpoints. This wasn't the case in previous years — for a long time, Albania's "rule of thumb" was essentially that pedestrians and vehicles without an internal combustion engine never have the right of way against a car, because gasoline is expensive.

Although distances in Albania aren't large and charging stations are fairly dense, you should be prepared for inexplicable traffic jams. Also keep in mind that in this country — which is about one-third the size of Hungary (roughly 29,000 km²) — there are more than 22 mountains over 2,000 meters high, while the western edge of the country stretches 400 km along sea level.

If you're charging in Durrës and also plan to head into the capital, there's no need to overcharge your car. Several shopping malls provide free EV charging. One example is the TEG East Gate Mall, which has four chargers in its underground garage.

You'll need your own cable, and the stations only provide about 6 kW of power, but a "shopping-time" with the girls will drain your watch faster than your car battery.

Parking is paid, and you'll need to have cash in LEK, because the parking machines don't accept cards! And the nearby — yes, again Raiffeisen — ATM will happily charge you 800 LEK in fees just to give you 1,000 LEK in cash. (At the time: €1 ≈ 100LEK + conversion fee.)

Previously, we used to travel towards Serbia via Shkodër – Hani i Hotit and through Montenegro, but this time we decided to head toward Krujë and try the route back to Serbia through Kosovo, toward Niš. We figured this would be a good idea since it would shorten the trip by about 150 km.

After staying at busy seaside hotels, this time we chose a quieter, more modest place. As soon as we arrived at the parking lot, a bellboy rushed over to carry all our luggage up to the room — a small gesture that felt especially pleasant at the end of a long day.

We stayed at the Forest Park Hotel, which cost €56 including breakfast. It was a very quiet and comfortable place. Charging an EV is not yet possible there, but we didn't need it anyway — our battery was still at around 76% when we parked.

One of the most remarkable stops of our Albanian journey was Krujë Castle. Located near Tirana, perched on a 600-meter-high cliff, the fortress is not only visually stunning but also of immense historical significance. It rose to fame in the Middle Ages, as it was from here that the country's national hero, Skanderbeg, directed his battles.

Skanderbeg (born Gjergj Kastrioti, 1405–1468) was taken as a hostage by the Ottomans in his youth and received military training there. Thanks to his outstanding talent as a commander, he was given the name "Iskander Bey", a reference to Alexander the Great. In 1443, however, he turned his back on the Ottoman Empire and organized the Albanian tribes' resistance from Krujë Castle. For nearly 25 years, he successfully repelled the vastly superior Ottoman armies — even Sultan Mehmed II, "the Conqueror," failed to capture Krujë.

Although the resistance collapsed soon after his death, Skanderbeg's figure became an eternal symbol of Albanian freedom. He is also credited with forging unity among the previously divided Albanian tribes.

🇦🇱🇭🇺 An interesting Hungarian connection: Skanderbeg — whom Albanians often refer to as Patriot George — maintained a close friendship with John Hunyadi, one of Hungary's greatest military leaders. Albanians still recall with gratitude that, when pleas for help against the Ottomans went unanswered by the rest of Europe's ruling houses, Hunyadi alone sent Hungarian warriors to fight alongside the Albanian freedom fighters. This alliance laid the foundations for a centuries-long, close friendship between Hungarians and Albanians. In honor of this bond, you will find a monument inside the castle.

Today, the fortress remains one of Albania's most important cultural centers. Within its walls lies the Skanderbeg Museum, where period weapons, paintings, and documents bring the era back to life. Around the castle, the narrow streets of the old bazaar are lined with handicrafts, traditional carpets, and souvenirs — a true time-travel experience into the atmosphere of a medieval Balkan town.

Krujë Castle is not only a symbol of Albania's history, but also a place where visitors can simultaneously relive the heroism of the past and the everyday vibrance of the Balkans — while discovering the deep roots of Hungarian–Albanian friendship.

When we continued our journey, the navigation apps we checked each suggested a different route to Niš. Google Mapsclearly advised avoiding the Kosovo–Serbia border crossings, instead routing us back through Skopje via Hani i Elezit. Apple Maps, with a poker face, simply suggested we go ahead toward Merdare, crossing at the RKS–SRB border to reach Niš. I personally preferred this option — not only would it save about 150 km, but it also meant skipping one border crossing and one extra charging stop in Macedonia (which, by the way, had been the most expensive kilowatt on our trip).

This time, however, even Tesla's built-in navigation wasn't much help — it kept switching every few minutes between the two routes, depending on which it currently estimated to be faster. In our previous travels, we always avoided Kosovo because of its recurring violent conflicts with Serbia. Since Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as an independent country, you even have to juggle whether to show your ID card or passport at the border to be allowed through. It's no coincidence that KFOR has been stationed there continuously since 2006.

But curiosity also pushed us forward — we wanted to see what this country looked like, and to take a look at Pristina as well. According to Plugshare, this "tiny, palm-sized" country is already full of EV charging stations — so what could possibly go wrong?
Answer: Plenty.

To be on the safe side, I wrote an email to our embassy in Belgrade, asking about the anomaly at the border crossing.
I'm sure they usually have plenty on their plate, but even so, it took 12 hours before I received a reply.
Here's what they sent me, verbatim:

Dear Sir,

Google does not avoid that route because of any closure, but due to the disputed status of the national border.

Further information about border crossing between Serbia and Kosovo can be found on the Consular Service portal, country by country:

• Kosovo

• Serbia

Best regards,

Consular Section
Embassy of Hungary, Belgrade
11000 Belgrade, Krunska 72
Tel: +381 11 243 8395
Fax: +381 11 243 8393

We don't have the faintest f**ing clue what's going on either inside the country or at its borders. We have zero contact with the Consulate that supposedly falls under our Embassy (since Serbia doesn't even recognize Kosovo), so we can't ask them anything to actually help Hungarian citizens. In short: You're On Your Own (YOYO)

Dear Sir,

On the Serbian side, we have no information about any closures.

We sent you the Kosovan country information as well, because in the section on entry and residence requirements it lists in detail which border crossings may be used for exiting Kosovo.

For more up-to-date information from the Kosovan side — if such exists — the Consulate in Pristina may be able to assist.

Sincerely,
Consular Department
Embassy of Hungary, Belgrade
11000 Belgrade, Krunska 72
Tel: +381 11 243 8395
Fax: +381 11 243 8393

They didn't bother to write a single damn line like:
"Dear Sir, based on your inquiry we asked the authorities on your behalf…" or
"we checked the Serbian public announcements and found that…" or
"based on our experience, in such cases you can expect that…" 🤯

Meanwhile, we pushed on, steadily heading toward the Kosovo border, not knowing at all what we'd find there. We still had some LEK left over from our last iCharge top-up, so I thought I'd use it at the Autogrill station in Gjakovë along the highway.

According to Plugshare, there were two plugs there: Type2 and CCS2. In reality, there was even a third one. But as it turned out, it didn't matter how many plugs there were — the whole station had "frozen." No matter what I tried — plugging in, unplugging, even twisting the emergency stop — nothing worked. The charger simply refused to start.

The Autogrill itself was a pretty run-down place — definitely not where you'd want to plan a restroom or meal stop. The attendant neither spoke English nor had any clue about EV charging. His ~11-year-old relative, who also happened to be running the cash register 😳, did speak English. He cheerfully offered to sell me a 2,000 LEK RFID card, assuring me it would work because, as he put it, "it's just the app that doesn't start it." Despite his confidence (and surprisingly good English), his technical expertise didn't convince me — so I declined.

I emailed iCharge.app support asking them to restart the charger ASAP, but of course, it must have been that kind of day— their reply only came hours later 🤯, by which time I had already moved on, determined to charge in Kosovo instead.

On the way there, along the SH31 road (running from the Tirana–Durrës area toward Kukës–Morinë and the Kosovo border), we hit the only toll road in Albania.

This stretch is called the "Rruga e Kombit" ("Nation's Road"), symbolizing the Albanian–Kosovar connection. The toll is collected near the Thirrë–Kalimash tunnel, just before Kukës.

The fee for passenger cars is about €5 per direction (≈600 LEK). Payment is possible in cash (LEK or EUR), and at some points by card as well, but cash is always the safer bet.

The road itself is excellent, with smooth pavement and stunning scenery. We drove on with high hopes toward Kosovo, passing by — or rather above — a breathtakingly beautiful lake.

🇽🇰 Kosovo – Surprisingly functional

Of course, we didn't want to be left without internet in Kosovo either. But since our plan was only to transit through the country in a single day, I figured a 1 GB data package would be enough.

📶 Internet and digital solutions
It turned out that choosing a 1 GB data package was the right call — that's what I'd recommend for you too. But then other complications came up, and I had to buy another 1 GB later anyway. You'll see how that unfolded shortly.

First of all, I hadn't managed to start charging at the iCharge station in Albania while I was patiently waiting at the Autogrill, so by the time we were already on the road, I ended up in an email exchange with the iCharge.app operator. He wrote that I should have called them; I replied that calling would not have been cost-efficient. So we basically talked past each other. Still, something good came of it: they promised to improve their support to include chat and email as well, since they understood that the world is moving away from voice calls. And I was happy to stamp my imaginary scout book once again: "I made the world a better place today."

Crossing the Albania–Kosovo border was so quick we hardly noticed it. If I said, "we slowed down a little and kept going," it would almost be true.

At that point, my only worry was that the Tesla estimated we'd arrive in Pristina with -2% charge. My wife, however, said it was no problem and that we should just keep going calmly. Normally, we're more cautious (or so I keep telling myself), so I tucked in behind a truck to ride in its slipstream. And lo and behold, we rolled into Pristina with 19% battery remaining.

🔌 Charging and infrastructure
Kosovo has so many charging stations it's almost unbelievable. Encouraged by this, we drove right into the city center and chose a Fast Charger at a Tesla Taxi station. Of course, internet access was required there too, but as I mentioned, by then it was working flawlessly.

At the charging station, using the QR code and instructions provided, I downloaded the required app — Fast Charger Tesla Taxi (aka EvCharger). After registration, the next step was to top up by card payment. The minimum top-up amount was €10, and you had to enter at least that.

The app stubbornly refused to work with my Wise/Visa digital card through Safari on the iPhone, no matter how many times I tried. But as soon as I entered my physical MasterCard, the payment went through immediately.

We topped up €15, but during charging the system only delivered €10 worth of power to the car before stopping the session.

No big deal — that still brought us up to 78% charge, more than enough to head straight toward Niš–Aleksinac, where we expected to charge for free. Or so we thought at the time.

Since this Tesla Taxi charger is located at the Central Park shopping mall, the charging break inevitably turned into another girls' shopping-hours session.

From the supermarket, I'd recommend one product to all readers who enjoy real loose-leaf black tea: Albi tea. Not for the price — but for the quality.

We also tried Kosovo's equivalent of KFC: a place called Heb's. The second cashier spoke English, so instead of pantomime, we could finally place our order in words — and we got a surprisingly tasty, maybe even oversized portion.

That said, things in Kosovo aren't cheaper than at home. In fact, just like in Albania, prices can sometimes be even higher than in Hungary once you factor in conversions — at least for international brands. Local products are cheaper, but otherwise, no. And when you spend some time here, it becomes clear why so many Kosovars have ended up committing various crimes in Western Europe. The society here is deeply divided and growing more fractured by the day: on one end, extreme poverty screams from every brick and cobblestone; on the other, you'll see a Lamborghini Urus ripping down half-paved or gravel-covered streets. For the younger generation, the paths to a better life are severely limited. Albania has its coastline to draw tourists, but Kosovo, as a "country," still struggles with recognition itself.

🚗 Driving, experiences, and tips
We drifted through traffic among locals driving with low regard for safety, and migrant workers' worn-out cars trying their luck abroad, heading toward the road to Serbia. Tesla's route planner kept suggesting either Skopje or the Serbian border crossings at random, before finally "deciding" on Skopje. But by then we were only about 10 km from the Merdare border crossing. I thought I was smarter than Tesla… turns out, not this time.

We stopped 1.4 km before the border, at the back of the line. Immediately, local "entrepreneurs" swarmed us trying to sell "treasures." The hottest item seemed to be music on USB sticks, which they were selling loose from plastic bags. It was hard for them to grasp that with Tesla's built-in online music services, we had zero interest in buying a sketchy pendrive. Luckily, they were less aggressive than the Bosnian hawkers we'd seen in similar situations, and once we politely declined, they didn't bother us again — so we could safely step out of the car.

After an hour to an hour and a half of waiting, we'd moved forward only 2–3 car lengths — which, judging by the flow, was probably just from people dropping out of line or cutting in. I walked forward over a pile of discarded TIR seals, asking random locals — those who looked like "seasoned veterans" — whether such standstill waiting was normal here, and what they expected for border crossing. The answer: here, the default waiting time is 10–12 hours. That's "normalé." As they said, "today it looks like we'll be moving even slower, but it's completely unpredictable."

I also noticed a common trick: in convoys, only one car waits in line, while relatives or friends hang out elsewhere with the other vehicles. Then, at some point — maybe after a phone call, maybe just after finishing dinner — they all drive up the line and cut in ahead of their "placeholder" car. Thinking back on the last two hours, it was obvious how many cars had gone past like this (even a food delivery driver pulled the stunt once or twice).

After 2.5–3 hours of waiting in place, our data package ran out, and the Serbian package hadn't yet kicked in, since the Serbian signal wasn't within range. Facing the risk of draining the battery too low to reach Aleksinac, we decided to turn back and head offline toward Pristina – Hani i Elezit, then on to Skopje. I emphasize offline, because in a normal country, you can still navigate by road signs if you know where you want to go. As I've written: in a normal country. But in Kosovo, road signage is clearly not high on the list of priorities.

At one gas station, I begged my way onto the Wi-Fi and managed to get online, but Orbit Mobile refused to let me buy a new data package from there. In Pristina, I finally connected to another gas station's Wi-Fi, where I could purchase new packages valid for both Kosovo and Macedonia. From there, we cruised comfortably at our usual pace back into Macedonia.

We didn't even stop in Skopje — we went straight to Kumanovo, where by now we had the charging process down to a science. Confidently and quickly, we filled up and continued on toward Aleksinac.

I'll admit, by this point, Autopilot was a godsend. Even though we napped during charging stops, the long stretch of wakefulness had left us craving real sleep. We briefly considered staying overnight in Aleksinac, but Booking showed no rooms, and with a violent storm raging, we had no desire to dash from the car to a hotel reception soaked to the bone.

🏎️ Like James Hunt, we drove on through heavy rain all the way to Belgrade. With everyone crawling at 100–110 km/h, the group leaving Aleksinac ended up arriving in Belgrade at nearly the same time. In the "final straight," it felt like a real race to see who would grab a free charger first. Out of sportsmanship I won't publish the results — let's just say I made the podium.

Had it been the other way around — with Belgrade's 8 stalls emptying into Aleksinac's 4 stalls instead of vice versa — the wait would have been painful.

As I've already mentioned, Serbian drivers often behave aggressively and dangerously. This video, shot at dawn, shows just how little regard a speeding driver has for the fact that another motorist may be exhausted at that hour.

I can't stress this enough: on Serbian highways, you must respect the speed limit. At the last toll station before Röszke, a small van is parked, and officers with tablets in hand check the license plates of cars exiting the toll. They pull vehicles aside one by one and collect the "fine" on the spot.

And here's the trick: the whole procedure is designed to take longer than whatever time you thought you "saved" by speeding. All the minutes gained over hundreds of kilometers just evaporate while you deal with police paperwork.

On the way back, we had mobile internet again, so about 50 km before Röszke we opened the Határinfo site to see which border crossing would be fastest.

If you don't use the highway crossing, pay close attention to which line the pedestrians, cyclists, and scooters are queuing in. Don't pick that one — locals stream in constantly and are always allowed ahead, so that line will move painfully slowly.

Summary

And finally — let's talk numbers! I know many of you are especially interested in consumption data.

The table below shows the average consumption values of different Tesla models. In my opinion, these figures are perfectly acceptable for most Tesla owners, and real-life experience confirms them as well.

On this trip, our Tesla Model 3 Standard Range averaged 13.9 kWh/100 km.

Unfortunately, I only have the statistics from the last 4,300 km, since I had reset the counter earlier — but even so, the numbers speak for themselves.

From these numbers, anyone can easily calculate the real costs of running such a car — whether for long journeys or everyday home charging.

Our 5,000 km trip proved beyond doubt that even a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range+ is more than capable of handling long Balkan tours. With the right apps (Plugshare, iCharge), prepaid eSIM data packages, and conscious speed choices, we were able to travel the region safely and enjoyably.

Yes, there were challenges — border queues, tricky chargers, card limits — but the experience and the lessons learned were priceless, and none of them had anything to do with battery size or performance.

If you're planning to head to the Balkans with an EV, the two most important keys are planning and flexibility. The journey itself, though, is worth everything.

🙏 Thanks for sharing this post so others can read it too!