How do I get from Shkoder to Shala River? Boat, Bus, Taxi, Car

If you are planning to get from Shkoder to the Shala River, this blog post will give you all the details. I will describe how to get from Shkoder to Shala River by bus, by taxi, by rental car and by boat.

How do I get from Shkoder to Shala River? You can get to Shala River by bus (7 euros per person) + boat (18-25 euros per person) or you can take a private taxi (70 euros) + boat (18-25 euros per person). Buses and private taxis depart from Shkoder at 6:30 AM, drop you at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where the Shala Riverboats depart.

In this blog post, I will explain how you can get from Shkoder to the Shala River by bus, by taxi, by rental car and by boat. I will give you all the details about bus tickets, booking, taxi prices and the itinerary of the Shala Riverboat tour. 

How do I get from Shkoder to Shala River?

You can get from Shkoder to the Shala River by minibus, by private taxi or by rental car. You will be driven to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, which is where the Shala riverboat departs. The remote Shala River can only be reached with a small boat from Koman.

1. Shared minibus + Shala riverboat
2. Private taxi + Shala riverboat
3. Rental car + Shala riverboat

The shared minibus departs from Shkoder at 6:30 AM. A bus ticket from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal costs 7 euros per person. You can request pick-up from your guest house or hotel in Shkoder. Or if you did not communicate the name of your hotel beforehand, you can go to the bus station. 

The address of the bus station is Bus Station to Koman, Valbonë, Gur i Zi,  Rruga Revolucioni Antikomunist Hungarez, Shkodër, Albania. You can see the location of the bus station on Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/nwppYfisAhJGDcFc7 

You can also book a private four-wheel drive taxi from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, which costs 70 euros per taxi. The taxi driver will pick you up from your hotel or guest house, between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM. 

A rental car in Albania will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day. However, the road from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal is a sandy dirt track with potholes and rocks on the surface of the road, so please consider the condition of your rental car.

The bus or private taxi from Shkoder will drop you off at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal before 9 AM. The small boats to the Shala River depart from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal around 9:30 AM. 

The boat trip on the Shala River is absolutely stunning. The Shala River is also known as the “Thailand of Albania”. Because of the stunning azure water, lush nature and rough mountain landscape. 

After a boat trip of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will be dropped off at Shala Beach. At Shala beach, you can swim, sunbathe and have some lunch. Boats will return to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal between 14:00 PM and 15:00 PM. For your journey back to Shkoder or Tirana.

Sometimes, you will find online “Shkoder to Lumi i Shales”, Lumi i Shales is the Albanian language for Shala River. 

How do I get from Shkoder to Shala River by bus?

You can get from Shkoder to the Shala River by bus at 6:30 AM.

The bus from Shkoder to the Shala River departs from this bus station: Bus Station to Koman, Valbonë, Gur i Zi. The address of the bus station is Bus Station to Koman, Valbonë, Gur i Zi,  Rruga Revolucioni Antikomunist Hungarez, Shkodër, Albania. You can see the location of the bus station on Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/nwppYfisAhJGDcFc7 

However, if you are staying in a guest house or hotel in Shkoder, you can also request pick-up from your accommodation in Shkoder. When you book your Shala Riverboat ticket on the website of Komani Lake Ferry, you can also request a bus service. Of course, you must mention the name of your hotel in Shkoder whilst booking, so you would need to book your accommodation beforehand. Pick-up from hotels in Shkoder starts at 6:30 AM. 

The bus from Shkoder to the Shala River will drop you off at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal before 9 AM. The Komani Lake Ferry Terminal is where two types of boats depart: small boats to the Shala River and the larger Komani Lake Ferry to Fierze. Shala Riverboats depart between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, so you might wait a while at the ferry terminal before you board the boat to the Shala River.

Your trip from Shkoder to Shala River will cost you 25-32 euros depending on how you pay. A bus ticket from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry terminal costs 7 euros per person. And the Shala River boat trip costs 18 euros if you pay via Paypal or 25 euros if you pay in cash. 

• Bus ticket Shkoder to Komani Lake Ferry Terminal = 7 euros or 800 Leke per person

• Shala Riverboat ticket = 18 euros (via Paypal) or 25 euros (cash payment) per person

IMPORTANT! The Shala Riverboat does NOT operate every day of the year. According to the Komani Lake website, the Shala River boats operate between 15 May and 1 October. However, you cannot be sure the Shala Riverboat operates daily between May and October. 

Sometimes, weather conditions, mud in the Shala River or too few bookings for the Shala Riverboat, causes the Shala River boat not to operate. So check with the boat operator before you travel! Should the Shala River boat not operate, the alternative is the Komani Lake Ferry from Koman to Fierze (and back).

How do I get from Shkoder to Shala River by taxi?

You can also get from Shkoder to Shala River by taxi. You can reserve a private 4-wheel drive taxi to pick you up from your hotel in Shkoder and bring you to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. Then from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, you take one of the small boats to the Shala River. 

A private taxi from Shkoder to Shala River will cost you 70 euros per taxi. And a boat trip on the Shala River will cost you 18 euros per person if you pay via Paypal or 25 euros per person if you pay cash. 

• Private taxi from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal = 70 euros per taxi

• Shala Riverboat ticket = 18 euros (via Paypal) or 25 euros (cash payment) per person

The private taxi will pick you up from your hotel in Shkoder between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM. You will be dropped off at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal before 9:00 AM. Shala Riverboats depart between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, so you might wait a while at the ferry terminal before you board the boat to the Shala River.

Why book a private taxi? The road from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where the Shala Riverboat departs is a dirt track. The road is a sandy road with potholes and rocks on the surface of the sandy road. So a private 4-wheel drive taxi will be more comfortable, than the shared mini-bus. Of course, there is a large difference in price between the private taxis and the shared mini-bus, so it also depends on your holiday budget.

How do I get from Shkoder to Shala River by rental car?

You can also hire a rental car and drive from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where the Shala Riverboats depart. A rental car in Albania will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for a basic rental car. Prices for rental cars tend to be higher in July and August as it is the high season.

IMPORTANT! Before you drive from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal independently, it is important to consider the condition of the road. The road from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal is a sandy dirt track. 

The surface of the road is loose sand with potholes and rocks on the road. So the question is: Are you confident driving on such a road? And what is the condition of your rental car? Always leave Shkoder at 6:30 AM or earlier to give yourself time to navigate this dirt-track road.

I have reached out to some of the car rental companies in Tirana and at Tirana airport and compared their rates below. So that you can get a good insight into what you can expect to rent in Albania for 20-30 euros per day. 

• Avis Rent a Car Tirana charges 25 euros per day for an Opel Corsa Manual 2022. A Green Card for Montenegro costs 15 euros.
• G Rentals Tirana airport charges 20 euros per day for an Opel Corsa 2021. It is allowed to take the car to Montenegro.
• Green Motion Tirana airport charges 20 euros per day for a Skoda Fabia. Plus an additional 50 euros for a cross border fee.
• Eagle Car Rental Tirana charges 25 euros per day for a Hyundai i10. A Green Card for Montenegro costs 15 euros at the border.
• Sixt Car Rental Tirana charges 25 euros per day. A Green Card at the border with Montenegro costs 15 euros. And you need to pay 15 euros extra to get permission from Sixt to cross the border.
• Easy Rent Tirana charges 30 euros per day for a Fiat Panda. It is allowed to drive the car to Podgorica, but it costs an additional 10 euros per day for authorization to drive in a foreign country. You will need to buy a Green Card at the border yourself.
• Albania Airport Rent a Car charges 20 euros per day for a Skoda Fabia 2019. And a Green Card costs an additional 15 euros. 
• Hertz Tirana Airport charges 22 euros per day for an Opel Corsa, 10 euros for full insurance and 15 euros for a Green Card. 
• City Rent Albania charges 25 euros for a Ford Fiesta. And a Green Card for Montenegro costs 15 euros, which you pay at the border.
• ARA Auto Rental Albania charges 20 euros per day for a Fiat Punto 2018. And Green Card Insurance costs 15 euros at the border with Montenegro.

And a final note of caution on driving in Albania. The Albanian drivers do have a chaotic and aggressive driving style. This means that as a foreigner driving in Albania can be daunting and challenging. Of course, there are rules on the road, but Albanian drivers often do not follow these rules. That being said, you are the only one who can judge your driving experience and ability. But I will say that if you have any doubts about driving in Albania, I recommend you take a bus or taxi instead.

Shala River map

You can see the location of the Shala River on a Google Map below. The Shala River is a remote river in the North of Albania. This location can only be reached by boat from the Komani Lake Ferry terminal. 

You can see the location of the Shala River on a map here: https://goo.gl/maps/oNGT3SauoAomD7GL8 

(I have linked to the location of a guest house on Shala beach)

You can see the location of the Komani Lake Ferry terminal on a Google Map here: 

https://goo.gl/maps/FZ14QuE1iaGiAu6c7 

This is the location where the Komani Lake Ferry departs to Fierze, as well as the Shala Riverboats to the Shala River.

How much does it cost to get from Shkoder to Shala River?

It does cost 7 euros for the bus per person, 70 euros for a private taxi and 18-25 euros for the Shala Riverboat. 

If you decide to travel from Shkoder to the Shala River by bus, the bus ticket will cost you 7 euros or 800 Leke per person. The bus departs from Shkoder at 6:30 AM and you can be picked up from your hotel, guest house or accommodation in Shkoder. 

If you decide to travel from Shkoder to the Shala River by taxi, then you will spend 70 euros on a private taxi. Your taxi driver will pick you up from your hotel in Shkoder between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM. 

The bus driver or taxi driver will drop you off at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. This is where both the Komani Lake Ferry, as well as the smaller boats to the Shala River depart. 

The Shala Riverboat ticket costs 18 euros if you pay online via Paypal or 25 euros if you pay in cash. These prices for the Shala riverboat are per person. For children under 5 years old, the Shala River boat trip is free of charge.

The Shala Riverboats only operate in the summer months / high season, so check before you travel with the boat operator.

Shala River tour

The Shala River tour is a boat trip from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal to the remote Shala River. 

The Shala River is also known as the “Thailand of Albania”. Because it has azure blue water and is surrounded by rugged mountains and lush nature. It is absolutely stunning, very isolated and undisturbed. 

The Shala River Tour costs 25 euros per person if you pay cash or 18 euros per person if you pay online via Paypal. Children under the age of 5 years are free of charge. 

However, you do have to consider that the Shala River boats do depart from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, so you will need to get to this boat terminal first. You can get to the ferry terminal by bus or by taxi from either Shkoder or Tirana.

The Shala River Tour starts around 9:30 AM, the small boats depart from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. The boat journey is so beautiful and breathtaking. You will be dropped off at the remote Shala beach around 10:45 AM. At Shala Beach, you can swim and sunbathe. There are also some small guest houses, where you can have lunch or a coffee on the terrace. 

You spend a couple of hours relaxing at Shala Beach and then the small boats will return around 14:00 PM or 15:00 PM. And bring you back to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. From there you take a bus or taxi back to Shkoder or Tirana.

At what time should I leave Shkoder to get to Shala River?

You should leave Shkoder at 6:30 AM to get to the Shala River. The Shala Riverboats depart from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal in the Koman village. Shkoder is the closest city to Koman, however, it does take 2 or 2.5 hours to get from Shkoder to Koman. 

This driving time is required because the road is a sandy dirt track with potholes and rocks on the surface of the road. The road also turns and twists alongside the lake. As a result, bus drivers and taxi drivers have to drive slowly on this road to get you to your destination safely.

Can I get from Shkoder to Shala River by train?

You cannot get from Shkoder to the Shala River by train. There are no train tracks or trains in operation on this route. 

Train travel within Albania’s borders is very limited. Currently, as little as 1-3 trains operate in the entire country per week. Many of the old train tracks constructed during communism are visible in the landscape, but are currently not in use, due to a lack of investment, maintenance and refurbishment.

How far is it from Shkoder to Shala River?

Shkoder is 55 kilometres from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where the boats to the Shala River depart. However, the drive from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal will take you approximately 2 hours or 2.5 hours. Since the road is a sandy dirt track with rocks and potholes. The road also turns and twists alongside the Lake, which means that driving slowly is the only safe option.

How long does it take to get from Shkoder to Shala River?

It does take 2 or 2.5 hours to get from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where the boats to the Shala River depart. Then the boat trip from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal to the Shala River takes 1 hour and 15 minutes roughly. 

So you must depart Shkoder at 6:30 AM to get to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal before 9:00 AM. Then the Shala River boats will depart around 9:30 AM. And you will get to Shala Beach around 10:45 AM or 11:00 AM. 

When does the Shala River boat operate?

The Shala Riverboat does only operate in the summer months between 15 May and 1 October. However, you cannot be sure the Shala Riverboat operates daily between May and October. So you must check and reserve your boat ticket beforehand.

Sometimes, weather conditions, mud in the Shala River or too few bookings for the Shala Riverboat, causes the Shala River boat not to operate. So check with the boat operator before you travel! Should the Shala River boat not operate, the alternative is the Komani Lake Ferry from Koman to Fierze (and back).

Related Questions

How do I get to Shala River? You can get to the Shala River by little boat from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. You can start your journey from Tirana at 5 AM. A taxi from Tirana to the boat terminal costs 120 euros or a bus ticket cost 10 euros. You can start your journey from Shkoder at 6:30 AM, a taxi costs 70 euros or a bus ticket costs 7 euros. 

How do I get to Komani Lake Albania? You can get to Komani Lake in Albania by bus, by taxi or by ferry. The bus from Tirana departs at 5 AM and costs 10 euros. A taxi from Tirana to Koman costs 120 euros. The bus from Shkoder departs at 6:30 AM and costs 7 euros. A taxi from Shkoder to Komani Lake costs 70 euros. You can also get to Komani Lake from Valbona.

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