🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Albania
✈️ Flying to Albania
Main Airport
Tirana International Airport (TIA) - Albania's only international airport, 17km from Tirana near the town of Rinas. Modern, efficient, and well-connected to the city via bus and taxi.
Major airlines serving Tirana include Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Wizz Air, and Turkish Airlines. Direct flights from most European capitals. No direct flights from North America—you'll connect through Europe.
💡 Insider Tip
Wizz Air offers the cheapest flights to Tirana from many European cities. Book early for best prices—flights fill up quickly in summer (June-August).
🚌 From Tirana Airport to City Center
Rinas Express Bus (Cheapest)
Operates 6:00-18:00 daily between the airport and National Museum in central Tirana. Journey time: 25-30 minutes. Ticket: Around 400 lek (€3.50).
Taxi
Official airport taxis (Atex company) available 24/7. Fixed prices. Journey time: 25 minutes. Cost: Around 2,500 lek (€22) to city center. Book online or take from airport rank.
Car Rental
Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Europcar, and local companies operate at the airport. Essential if you want to explore beyond Tirana. Book in advance for better rates.
⛴️ Other Ways In
Ferry from Greece—Corfu to Saranda (30-50 minutes, from €10). Most popular crossing. Finikas Lines, Ionian Seaways, Albania Luxury Ferries. Up to 30 daily crossings in summer. Year-round service. Perfect if you're island-hopping Greece then heading north.
Ferry from Italy—Bari to Durrës (8.5 hours, from €35). Year-round, 1-2 daily in winter, 4 daily in summer. Grandi Navi Veloci, Ventouris Ferries, Adria Ferries. Cabin bookings available. Good for bringing a car.
Brindisi to Vlorë—fastest Italy-Albania route (4.5 hours). Alternative to Bari crossing. Less frequent but quicker.
Ancona to Durrës—longer crossing (16-19 hours, from €78). Up to 7 summer departures. Overnight journey with cabins. Convenient if you're driving from northern Italy.
Land borders: Greece (south), Montenegro (north), Kosovo (northeast), North Macedonia (east). All open for crossings. Bus services operate from neighboring countries. No train connections currently.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Albania offers generous visa-free entry. US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and many other passport holders can enter visa-free for tourism up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Albania is NOT part of the Schengen Area—your Albanian days don't count toward Schengen limits. This makes Albania popular with travelers who've maxed out their Schengen time.
Check visa requirements for Albania →🚗 Getting Around Albania
Furgons (Minibuses)
The most common way Albanians travel. Small minibuses connecting cities and villages. They leave when full, not on strict schedules. Cheap. Authentic. Sometimes chaotic. Ask your accommodation where to catch them—many towns lack formal bus stations.
Long-Distance Buses
Tirana to Saranda: 4.75 hours, around €16, 9 daily departures from South and North Terminal. Tirana to Berat: Similar setup. More comfortable than furgons. Check Gjirafa Travel for timetables.
Rental Car (Recommended)
The best way to explore Albania at your own pace. Roads are improving but can be rough in rural areas. Essential for Albanian Riviera coastal road, mountain villages, and stone cities. Drive on the right. Watch for loose livestock in rural areas.
🎫 Transport Tip
Albanian transport is disorganized but surprisingly efficient and very affordable. Embrace the chaos. Ask locals. Things work out.
🚌 Local Transportation in Tirana
Tirana has city buses connecting all neighborhoods. Single ticket: around 40 lek (€0.35). Buy from driver or kiosks.
Getting Around
- Buses: Cover the whole city, but routes can be confusing for visitors
- Taxis: Cheap and plentiful. Use SPEED Taxi or Taxi Tirana apps for fair prices
- Walking: Tirana's center is compact and walkable—most attractions within 20 minutes of Skanderbeg Square
Most visitors walk around central Tirana and take taxis or buses only for Mt Dajti or outlying areas.
🚙 Renting a Car
Highly recommended for exploring Albania beyond Tirana. The Albanian Riviera, stone cities, and mountain villages are best reached by car.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Roads are improving but expect rough surfaces in rural areas
- Watch for livestock (cows, sheep, goats) on mountain roads
- Speed limits: 40 km/h (cities), 80 km/h (rural roads), 110 km/h (highways)
- Major rental companies at Tirana Airport and city center
- Full insurance recommended due to road conditions
⚠️ Driving in Albania
Albanian drivers can be aggressive. Expect honking, overtaking on blind corners, and creative parking. Stay alert. Drive defensively. It's part of the adventure.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Albania
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Take furgons: Much cheaper than private taxis or rental cars for short distances
- Ferry from Corfu: Cheapest way to enter Albania if island-hopping Greece (€10)
- Book flights early: Wizz Air prices jump as dates approach
- Rent outside airport: City car rentals sometimes cheaper than airport pickup
- Walk in Tirana: Center is compact—save money by skipping taxis
- Use local transport: Albania is one of Europe's cheapest countries for transport