How to get from Durres to Tirana? 2025 Bus, Taxi, Train, Car UPDATE

If you are planning a trip from Durres to Tirana, this blog is for you. I will describe how you can get from Durres to Tirana by bus, by taxi, by car or by train.

How to get from Durres to Tirana? You can get from Durres to Tirana by bus, by taxi or by car. Railway is under construction. A bus ticket costs 1.80-2.50 EUR, buses depart from the Durres Bus Terminal between 5 AM and 10 PM. A taxi costs 40-50 euros. A rental car will cost at least 20-25 EUR a day, more in the summer months.

In this blog post, I will give you all the information you need to travel from Durres to Tirana confidently. I will share bus terminal locations, bus timetables, bus ticket prices and how to pay for your bus ticket. I will outline taxi and rental car prices. And discuss the new railway under construction between Durres and Tirana. 

How to get from Durres to Tirana? By bus, by taxi or by car

You can travel from Durres to Tirana by local bus, by taxi or by rental car. The new railway between Durres and Tirana is still under construction, and the opening date is not set. Let me give you a quick overview of the best ways to get from Durres to Tirana.

Durres to Tirana by bus (summary)

• Buses from Durres to Tirana depart from the Durres Bus Terminal near the Port of Durres. 
• Buses from Durres to Tirana depart between 5:00 AM and 22:00 PM. 
• A bus ticket from Durres to Tirana costs 180-250 Leke (1.80-2.50 euros) per person. You must pay cash with the bus driver upon boarding the bus.
• A bus journey from Durres to Tirana will take you approximately 40 minutes depending on traffic.
• The bus from Durres to Tirana will drop you off at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, which is located outside the city centre of Tirana. So you will need to take a city bus or taxi to get to the centre of Tirana.

Durres to Tirana by taxi (summary)

• The Tirana airport taxi service charges 30-35 euros for a taxi from Tirana airport to Durres. 
• However, Tirana’s city centre is further from Durres than the airport. So anywhere between 40-50 euros would be a reasonable price for a taxi from Durres to Tirana. 
• Of course, individual taxi drivers set their own rates independently.

Durres to Tirana by car (summary)

• A basic rental car at Tirana airport or in Durres will cost you at least 20-25 EUR a day.
• Of course, car rental rates are higher in July and August, due to the tourist season. 
• It will take you approximately 45-60 minutes to drive from Durres to Tirana depending on traffic on the main SH2 highway.
• Below you will find a price comparison of rental car prices at Tirana Airport. 

Durres to Tirana by train (summary)

• As of 2024, a new railway is under construction between Durres, Tirana airport and Tirana. 
• However, in early 2025, the railway is still under construction and not operational yet. 
• Right now, it is not possible to travel from Durres to Tirana by train.
• The only public transport available between Durres and Tirana is the local bus.

How to get from Durres to Tirana by bus?

You can get from Durres to Tirana by bus. Buses from Durres to Tirana depart from the Durres Bus Terminal near the Port of Durres. 

Bear in mind that there are two bus terminals in Durres: The Durres Bus Terminal and the Plepa Bus Station. Buses to Tirana depart from the Durres Bus Terminal. The Plepa Bus Station offers buses to the South of Albania to places like Berat. 

The Durres Bus Terminal is located near the Port of Durres. You can see the location of the Durres Bus Terminal on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VdFzdV425g3Vee8i7 

Buses from Durres to Tirana depart at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00, 21:30 and 22:00. 

A bus ticket from Durres to Tirana costs 180-250 Leke (1.80-2.50 euros) per person. You must pay cash with the bus driver upon boarding the bus. You cannot book your bus ticket online in advance as the bus drivers do not have a website and do not have an online booking system. 

The bus journey from Durres to Tirana will take approximately 40 minutes depending on traffic. Sometimes the highway between Durres and Tirana is busy at the end of the day and you may find the journey takes around 1 hour.

The bus from Durres to Tirana will drop you off at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. The Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania is located outside the city center in the Kamez neighbourhood near the Casa Italia Mega Outlet. 

You can take a short taxi ride (metered taxi) or a city bus to the city centre of Tirana. Exit the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. And cross the street to the petrol station on the other side of the road. There is a bus stop in front of the petrol station and “Terminal Hotel”. Get on a bus to “Qender” which means “city centre” and get off near the central Skanderbeg Square.

How much is a bus from Durres to Tirana?

A bus ticket from Durres to Tirana costs 180-250 Leke (1.80-2.50 euros) per person. You must pay cash with the bus driver upon boarding the bus. Therefore, I always recommend you carry some cash euros and a small amount of Albanian Lek in cash with you whilst travelling by bus in Albania. 

• Durres to Tirana bus price – 180-250 Leke (1.80-2.50 euros) per person.

You cannot book your bus ticket online in advance as the bus drivers do not have a website and do not have an online booking system. 

Durres to Tirana bus station

Buses from Durres to Tirana depart from the Durres Bus Terminal. The Durres Bus Terminal is located near the Port of Durres. You can see the location of the Durres Bus Terminal on Google Maps online here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dMwMs9VvgyXgYrh56 

How much is a taxi from Durres to Tirana?

A taxi from Durres to Tirana may cost you 40-50 euros on average. Of course, independent taxi drivers set their own rates and will discuss their rate with you upon boarding the taxi. 

One of the ways to get a good insight into taxi prices in Albania is looking at the price list of the Tirana Airport Taxi Service on their website. The Tirana Airport Taxi Service charges 30-35 euros for a taxi from Tirana Airport to Durres. 

However, Tirana airport is closer to Durres, than the city center of Tirana. So a taxi from Tirana’s city centre to Durres may cost you between 40-50 euros. 

Durres to Tirana taxi prices

• The Tirana airport taxi service charges 30-35 euros for a taxi from Tirana airport to Durres. 
• However, Tirana’s city centre is further from Durres than the airport. So anywhere between 40-50 euros would be a reasonable price for a taxi from Durres to Tirana. 

Can I get from Durres to Tirana by train?

Right now, you cannot get from Durres to Tirana by train, because the railway is under construction. 

As of 2024, a new railway is under construction between Durres, Tirana Airport and Tirana. However, this railway has not opened yet. In early 2025, you can see the railway works alongside the main highway connecting Durres and Tirana. However, the railway is not finished yet. 

Perhaps the new railway connecting Durres and Tirana will open later in 2025, but as of right now, there is no set date yet. 

Since the new railway is not open yet. The only public transport from Durres to Tirana is the local bus departing from the Durres Bus Terminal as described above.

How much will it cost to rent a car and drive from Durres to Tirana?

You can rent a car at Tirana Airport or in Durres’ city centre and drive from Durres to Tirana. A rental car at Tirana airport will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for the most basic rental car available. Of course, rental car rates are much higher in July and August due to the tourist season. 

There is a helpful list of car rental companies on the website of Tirana Airport. You can find mobile numbers and email addresses for all the car rental companies at Tirana Airport. I highly recommend that you reach out to several car rental companies at Tirana Airport before you travel to get a good deal. 

To give you an insight into what it would cost to rent a basic rental car, I did reach out to several car rental companies at Tirana Airport.

Tirana Airport car rental prices (starting from):

• Albania Airport Rent a Car charges 20 euros per day for a manual Skoda Fabia from 2018.
• Avis Rent a Car Tirana Airport charges 20 euros per day for a manual Opel Corsa or 25 euros per day for an automatic Opel Corsa. 
• Pepa Rent a Car Tirana Airport charges 20 euros per day for an economy car, like a Skoda.
• RCA Rent a Car in Albania Tirana Airport charges 15 euros per day for a small manual car, like a Mitsubishi Spacestar or Citroen C1 or Peugeot 108.
• Green Motion Rent Car Tirana Airport charges 15 euros per day for the economy category. It can be an Opel Corsa or Dacia Sandero or Skoda Fabia.
• Viaggia Rent Tirana Airport charges 18 euros per day for a manual Fiat Panda from 2023.
• ARA Auto Rental Tirana Airport charges 17 euros per day for a small manual car or 20 euros per day for an automatic car. Brands like Citroen or Peugeot are available.
• G Rentals Tirana Airport charges 20 euros per day for a Dacia Stepway.
• Sixt Car Rental Tirana Airport charges 15 euros per day for a Mitsubishi Space Star. 

Of course, it is important to bear in mind that car rental rates can be a lot higher in the tourist high season. The summer months like July and August are the top of the high season, so car rental can be a lot pricier. Especially, since the basic or cheap rental car may not be available anymore and only a more luxurious and expensive car is available. 

Do reach out to several car rental companies before you travel. I have spoken to tourists who paid 50-70 euros a day for a rental car. So it is best to do your research before you travel.

IMPORTANT! Driving in Albania can be challenging for a foreigner. The Albanian drivers do have a chaotic and sometimes aggressive style of driving. So if you have any doubts about driving, do not do it! Hire a taxi, book a tour or travel by bus instead. Safety comes first.

What is the distance from Durres to Tirana?

The distance from Durres to Tirana is approximately 38 kilometers by car. There is a direct highway connecting Durres, Tirana Airport and Tirana called the “SH2 Highway”. It will take you approximately 45-60 minutes to drive from Durres to Tirana. 

• Durres to Tirana distance – 38 kilometres by car via the SH2 highway

It also depends on your exact destination in Durres, because Durres is a very long city spread along the coastline. The city centre and the Port of Durres are closest to Tirana via the highway, whereas Durres Beach and Golem Beach are further to the South. 

In the summer months, the traffic along the coastline in Durres can be very heavy. As many of Tirana’s locals and tourists try to get out to Durres for a day at the beach. If you want to avoid a busy beach and a busy road, you may consider the Bay of Lazli instead of Durres.

How long does it take to get from Durres to Tirana?

It will take you 45-60 minutes to drive from Durres to Tirana. Durres and Tirana are connected via the SH2 highway. However, traffic on this highway can be heavy particularly in the holiday season and summer months. 

The length of your journey also depends on your exact location in Durres. Durres’ city centre and the Port of Durres are the closest to Tirana. Durres Beach and Golem beach are a bit further to the south, so your journey will be a bit longer. Traffic along the coastline beaches can be heavy in the summer months as many Tirana inhabitants go to Durres for a day at the beach.

How to get from Durres to Tirana Airport?

There is a direct bus from Durres to Tirana Airport. The bus from Durres to Tirana Airport departs from the Durres Bus Terminal near the Port of Durres. 

You can see the location of the Durres Bus Terminal on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VdFzdV425g3Vee8i7 

Durres to Tirana Airport bus

• 600 Leke (6 euros) per person
• Departing: 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00
• Durres Bus Terminal

The direct bus from Durres to Tirana airport departs at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00. Buses depart every day of the week and year-round. A bus ticket from Durres to Tirana airport costs 600 Leke (6 euros) per person. You can pay cash for your bus ticket upon boarding the bus, this is common practice in Albania. The bus from Durres to Tirana Airport is operated by Adis Travel. 

Is Durres worth going to?

Durres Beach is the most conveniently located beach in Albania. Because it is close to Tirana airport and close to Tirana city. So if you are staying in Tirana only and you have a limited amount of time, you may consider a day trip from Tirana to Durres Beach. 

That being said, the most beautiful beaches in Albania are in the South of Albania along the Albanian Riviera Coastline. The Albanian Riviera stretches from Vlore to Saranda/Ksamil in the South of Albania. But these beaches are further from Tirana. It takes 2.5-3 hours to drive from Tirana to Vlore and at least 5 hours to drive from Tirana to Saranda via the inland route. If you are planning to drive from Tirana via the coastal road to Saranda and make some stops en route, it will take you 8-10 hours, like a full day.

So whether or not visiting Durres is worth it for you depends on the time you have available and the rest of your itinerary. If you plan on going to the Albanian Riviera, you can probably skip Durres. However, if you only have 1-2 days whilst staying in Tirana, you may be looking for a closer beach to the capital city and choose visiting Durres, Golem or the Bay of Lalzi for instance.

Related Questions

How to get from Tirana to Durres by bus? Buses from Tirana to Durres depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, located outside the city centre. Buses depart between 6 AM and 21:15. A bus ticket from Tirana to Durres costs 180-250 Leke (1.80-2.50 euros) per person. You must pay cash. 

How much is a taxi from Tirana to Durres? A taxi from Tirana to Durres may cost you 30-45 euros. The official Tirana Airport taxi service charges 30-35 euros for a taxi from Tirana Airport to Durres. But the airport is closer to Durres, than Tirana’s city centre. So Tirana’s city centre to Durres may cost 45 euros. 

How to get from Tirana airport to Durres by bus? There is a direct bus from Tirana airport to Durres. Buses depart from Tirana airport to Durres at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00. A bus ticket from Tirana airport to Durres costs 600 Leke (6 euros) per person. You must pay cash. Buses are operated by Adis Travel. 

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