Arrival to Albania

By Air To Albania

There has been significant growth in air travel to Albania in recent years. In fact, low-cost airlines now use Tirana International Airport as a hub, providing a vast array of flights from European cities. Prices start at less than 30 Euro.

The Mother Teresa International Airport in Tirana (TIA), also known as Rinas, is 20 km from the capital. From the airport, the centre of Tirana can be reached by taxi (2,500 leks or 25 euros) or shuttle bus (400 leks), a journey that takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on traffic.

The Lu-na shuttle bus leaves the airport on the hour, 24/7. From the centre, buses leave from the stop behind the National Opera and Ballet also on the hour. Tickets can be bought on-line on Gjirafa website.

There is also a bus service from the airport to Durrës (at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00), and in the opposite direction (from the Durrës bus station) at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00. The journey takes 30-40 minutes and costs 600 lek. A taxi will cost you about 30 euros.

A direct bus also runs from the airport to Vlorë (03:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:15 and 00:45; back from Vlorë at 1:30, 3:30, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 20:00), to Fier (9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 16:30, 17:30, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00; back from Fier at 3:00, 5:30, 8:30, 10:30, 13:30, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00 and 00:00) and Shkodër (7:30, 11:00, 14:00, and 16:00; back from Shkodër at 11:15, 12:45, 17:30, and 20:10);

You can book a private transfer from Tirana airport and other places in Albania, including Sarandë, Himarë, Ksamil, Durrës or Golem.

Another international airport is under construction at Vlora, which would significantly shorten the journey to the Albanian Riviera.

Kukës in northern Albania welcomed the opening of its second international airport in 2021. However, all airlines had already ceased offering flights to this city close to the Kosovo border by 2023. When or if the airport will reopen is unknown.

Tourists heading to Albania’s Ionian coast can use the airport on the Greek island of Korfu. From there, the Albanian city of Sarandë can be reached easily by ferry.

The airport in Ohrid in Northern Macedonia can serve those planning to visit eastern and southeastern Albania. Northern Albania can be reached by air via Podgorica in Montenegro or Pristina in Kosovo. Low-cost airlines operate to all three of these airports from many cities throughout Europe.

 

To Albania by Car

When travelling by car, Albanian border control requires an internationally valid insurance certificate (Green Card) and a vehicle registration certificate. While there are differences in information regarding the necessity of an international driver’s licence for travel to Albania, holders of EU, US and UK driving licences are exempt from this requirement in practice.

 

By Train to Albania

You can’t get to Albania by train, since the Albanian railways are not connected to the international rail network. But you can take the railway to Podgorica or Bar in Montenegro and continue by bus from there. The final stretch is a beautiful scenic route full of tunnels and bridges in beautiful mountain terrain. You can also use the rail link to Skopje in Northern Macedonia and then take a bus from there.

 

By Bus to Albania

Regular bus services to Tirana operate from neighbouring countries of Albania as well as from Germany, Austria and other EU countries. International buses to Tirana arrive at the international terminal.

Very useful, though incomplete, is the Gjirafa bus search engine. Tickets on some domestic and international lines can be bought here.

TIP: International ticket prices are usually much higher than domestic ones. You can save money by crossing the border on foot – cheap taxis or minibuses are usually waiting on both sides of border crossings to take you to the nearest town with bus services.

From Montenegro, buses run from the capital of Podgorica to Tirana about three times a day via Shkodër, the ride takes four to five hours. Kotor also has a direct bus connection to Tirana. From Ulcinj, a minibus runs two to three times a day to Shkodër.

Skopje in North Macedonia is well connected with Tirana (about seven times a day, journey time 7-9 hours). Some buses also stop in Tetovo, Gostivar and Struga.

From Pristina and other Kosovo cities, Tirana can easily be reached thanks to a newly built highway. Some of the buses stop in Prizren and Kukës. There are about 20 buses a day from Pristina to Albania (Tirana and Durrës), the journey takes about four hours. When visiting the Albanian Alps in the north of the country, a minibus can be used between the Kosovo town of Gjakova and Bajram Curri in Albania (3 daily, 1 hour).

There are direct bus services to Tirana from Greece, namely Athens (at least three times a day, 13 hours), Thessaloniki (three times a day, 10 hours) and Ioannina (three times a day, 5,5 hours). Korçë in southeastern Albania can be reached by bus several times a day from Kastoria (Greek) and also from Thessaloniki. South Albanian Gjirokastër has a direct daily bus service to Ioannina.

Buses operate also from Zagreb in Croatia (via Split, Dubrovnik and Montenegro, once a day). You can also get to Albania from Istanbul in Turkey (once daily, 20h, via Sofia, Bulgaria). There are also direct bus lines to Tirana from in European countries with a strong Albanian communities such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and others. 

 

By Ferry to Albania

You can take a boat to Albania from the Italian ports of Bari, Ancona and Terst to Durrës. The line is operated by Adria Ferries, takes around nine hours and costs around 50 Euro per person. The ferry can also carry cars.

South Albania’s Vlorë has a direct ferry to the Italian port of Brindisi, which is operated by Red Star Ferries. The cruise takes just over six hours.

Ferry lines also operate between the Greek island of Korfu and Sarandë. With Red Star Ferries, you can also get to Sarandë from Brindisi during high season.

Private yachts can dock in Albanian ports of Orikum, Sarandë, Vlorë, Durrës and Shengjin.

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