How do you get from Saranda to Ksamil? Bus, Taxi, Car

If you are wondering how to get from Saranda to Ksamil, this blog post is for you. I will describe how you can get from Saranda to Ksamil by bus, by taxi or by rental car.

How do you get from Saranda to Ksamil? You get from Saranda to Ksamil by bus, by taxi or by rental car. The bus from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 LEK (1.30 EUR), buses depart between 6:30 AM and 18:30 PM near the Port of Saranda. A taxi costs around 13 euros. A rental car in Saranda costs at least 20-25 euros per day.

In this blog post, I will help you find the best way to get from Saranda to Ksamil. I will describe the bus ticket price, the bus stations in Saranda, the bus stations in Ksamil and bus timetables. I will compare taxi rates from Saranda to Ksamil. And compare car rental rates for affordable car rentals. And I will also discuss train travel in Albania, Ksamil islands, if Ksamil is worth visiting and whether Saranda or Ksamil is a better place to stay.

The best ways to get from Saranda to Ksamil

To help you find the best way to get from Saranda to Ksamil, I will answer these questions in this blog post:

  • How to get from Saranda to Ksamil by bus?
  • Saranda to Ksamil bus ticket price
  • Saranda to Ksamil bus timetable
  • Saranda to Ksamil bus station
  • Ksamil to Saranda bus timetable
  • Ksamil bus station
  • How much is a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil?
  • How much does it cost to rent a car and drive from Saranda to Ksamil?
  • Is there a train from Saranda to Ksamil?
  • How do you get to the Ksamil islands?
  • Is Ksamil worth visiting?
  • Is it better to stay in Saranda or Ksamil?

How to get from Saranda to Ksamil by bus?

You can get from Saranda to Ksamil by bus. Below, I will share the bus ticket price, the bus timetable and the locations of the bus stops in Saranda.

Saranda to Ksamil bus ticket price

A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs only 150 Leke (1.30 euros) per person for a one-way journey. You will need to pay for your bus ticket in cash to the driver of the bus. So I do recommend that you prepare some cash Albanian Leke, in coins or small notes, beforehand.

Saranda to Ksamil bus timetable

The bus from Saranda to Ksamil departs at 6:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:30 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:30 PM and 18:30 PM. 

If you want to take the bus from Saranda to Ksamil, you are basically taking the bus from Saranda via Ksamil to Butrint. So the final destination of the bus is actually Butrint, but you are getting off the bus in Ksamil beforehand.

Saranda to Ksamil bus station

The bus from Saranda to Ksamil departs from the bus stop near the ferry terminal. Basically, you will need to find the bus stop on Rruga Jonianet near the Port of Saranda, there is a roundabout with a big tree near to the bus stop. You can see the location of the bus stop on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/72d1s2Smdt4Rngv69 

If you want to get a seat on the bus, it is best to get on the bus at the Port of Saranda ferry terminal. Because the bus to Ksamil and Butrint gets filled up quickly, and therefore, you may need to stand in the bus if you get on at a later station. 

That being said, you can also get on the bus in the city centre of Saranda. The bus stop is near SOS Bar on Rruga Skenderbeu. You can see the location of the city centre bus stop on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/CnEbsFwL7fat2uvM7 

And there is another bus stop near Hotel Butrinti in Saranda. You can see that bus stop on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/y9mhjFgrBFgPb3nk9 

It will only take you 20-25 minutes by bus to get from Saranda to Ksamil. Of course, it all depends a bit on how much traffic there is on the road. You can definitely expect it to be busy in high-season months, like July and August. 

Ksamil to Saranda bus timetable

You can also take the bus back from Ksamil to Saranda. The bus departs from Butrint, which is just to the South of Ksamil. From Butrint, it drives via Ksamil to Saranda. The bus departs from Butrint at 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:30 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:30 PM, 18:30 PM and 19:30 PM. 

Ksamil bus station

There are several bus stations in Ksamil, where you can get on the bus to Saranda or Butrint. 

The first Ksamil bus station is called “1st Bus Stop Ksamil – Bus Butrinti to Saranda”. You can see the location of the Ksamil bus station on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/hzFivZuWYhueSgeP6 

The second Ksamil bus station is called “2nd Bus Stop Ksamil – Bus Butrinti to Saranda”. You can see the location of the Ksamil bus station on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/w6bMoovLB8GTXa4J6 

The third Ksamil bus station is called “3rd Bus Stop Ksamil – Bus Butrinti to Saranda”. You can see the location of the Ksamil bus station on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/JupWNyZiDnZwchpr5 

The fourth Ksamil bus station is called “4th Bus Stop Ksamil – Bus Butrinti to Saranda”. You can see the location of the Ksamil bus station on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/4a6t4V1hHT9D4hWf8 

How much is a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil?

A taxi from Saranda to Ksamil costs around 13 euros for a one-way ride. To give you a good insight into the taxi prices from Saranda to Ksamil, I reached out to several taxi drivers in Saranda and compared their taxi prices.

  • Taxi Saranda Transfers, Private Tours & Shore Excursions charges 1500 Leke (13 euros) for a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.
  • Taxi Blerim charges 1500 Leke (13 euros) for a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.
  • Taxi Saranda charges 1500 Leke (13 euros) for a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.
  • Taxi in Saranda charges 1200 Leke (10.50 euros) for a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.
  • Taxi Saranda 251 charges 1700 Leke (15 euros) for a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.

How much does it cost to rent a car and drive from Saranda to Ksamil?

It costs at least 20-25 euros to rent a car and drive from Saranda to Ksamil. To give you a good insight into the prices of car rentals in Saranda, I have reached out to several car rental companies in Saranda and compared their rates.

  • Leka Tours & Rent a Car Sarande charges 20 euros per day for a Citroen C1 or 25 euros per day for a Suzuki Swift.
  • Saranda Holiday Rent a Car charges 200 euros per week, so approximately 28.50 euros per day, for a Fiat Panda or a Toyota Yaris.
  • Moto Adventure Cars and Motercycles Rental charges 140 euros per week, so 20 euros per day, for a Toyota Yaris.
  • Centrum Rent a Car Saranda charges 25 euros per day for a Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet Spark or Volkswagen Polo. 
  • Brilant Car Rental Sarande charges 20 euros per day for a Toyota Yaris.
  • Saranda Center Scooter and Car Rental charges 200 euros per week, so approximately 28.50 euros per day, for a Toyota Yarris 1.4 Diesel.
  • Iri’s Car Rental charges 20 euros per day for a Nisan Note.

Of course, if you are travelling to Albania in July or August, car rental rates may be higher, because that is in the middle of the high season. 

Is there a train from Saranda to Ksamil?

There is no train from Saranda to Ksamil. There is no railway in this area, so it is not possible to travel by train from Saranda to Ksamil.

Train travel within Albania is very limited, with as little as 2-3 operational trains per week in the whole country. This is mainly due to the fact that the railway network was constructed by the former communist regime between the end of the Second World War and 1992. Since 1992, there has been little or no investment in the railways and trains. As a result, many old railways are visible in the landscape but not currently in use. Albania does not offer international passenger trains, since the Albanian railways are not connected to the European network.

How do you get to the Ksamil islands?

You can get to the Ksamil islands by swimming or renting a small boat on Ksamil beach. The Ksamil islands are very close to the main beach of Ksamil. Therefore, you can actually swim to the nearest island. You can also rent a little boat or water bike on the beach at Ksamil and use this to visit for instance the twin islands, which are two little islands connected by a narrow strip of land.

Is Ksamil worth visiting?

Ksamil is worth visiting, because Ksamil is the most beautiful beach in Albania. Ksamil is known as the “pearl of the Albanian Riviera”, so it is the prettiest beach in Albania. Ksamil is a paradise-like beach with perfect blue water, little wooden shutters leading into the sea and 4 little islands right in front of the sea. 

That being said, Ksamil beach is actually best in May or June or September. Because in July and August, Ksamil beach can get very busy. Of course, July and August are the high season months, so the most beautiful beach “Ksamil”, will get the busiest. So try to visit Ksamil beach in May, June or September, so that you can enjoy it most!

If you are travelling in July or August, then you may want to look for more remote beaches, like Gjipe beach, which is more difficult to reach and therefore quieter.

Is it better to stay in Saranda or Ksamil?

If you want to stay in a big coastal city with all the facilities, restaurants, clubs, bars and shops, then Saranda is a better place to stay. If you are looking for a beach village and you want to go swimming every day, then Ksamil is a better choice. 

Saranda is a natural harbour. The city centre of Saranda is a place with many restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels. So if you want to spend your evenings going out or eating out, you will enjoy Saranda. There is also a promenade alongside the water, so you can walk alongside the sea and take pictures of little boats. Of course, Saranda is a buzzing place in July and August.

Ksamil is a beach village. If you want to go swimming every day, then I would recommend staying in Ksamil. Because Ksamil is more suited for swimming, whereas Saranda is more of a harbour. Ksamil can get crowded in July and August, as it is the high season. So if you really want to enjoy the village, then May, June or September are good months to visit. 

From both Saranda and Ksamil, you can make day trips to Butrint UNESCO archaeological park, the Blue Eye spring and Gjirokaster UNESCO town. These destinations are very beautiful and they are highlights in the South of Albania. 

Also depending on your travel route, the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda/Ksamil is very beautiful, so if you have the opportunity to make a road trip along this coastal road, it is worth 1 x full day with many little stops for pictures and quick swims!

About me

About me

I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania. I arrange your transportation and I am your English speaking guide. So that, you get to experience the most beautiful places in Albania!
Kind regards, Manon

Welcome to Albania!

I am a Tour Guide in Albania

I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania.

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