How to get from Ksamil to Blue Eye? Taxi, Bus, Car, Prices

If you are planning a trip from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring, this blog post is for you. I will describe how to get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring by taxi, bus or car.

How to get from Ksamil to Blue Eye? You can get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye bus, by taxi or by car. A taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye costs 48-70 euros for a round trip. By bus, first take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda (1.30 EUR) and then a bus from Saranda to Blue Eye (3.85 EUR). A rental car costs at least 20-25 EUR a day.

In this blog post, I will describe how you can get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. I will detail where the buses from Ksamil to Saranda depart, where to transfer buses in Saranda, bus timetables, ticket prices and where to buy bus tickets. I also have a detailed price comparison of what taxi drivers offer for a round trip from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring and back. And I discuss what you can expect when renting a car in Saranda and driving to the Blue Eye spring.

How to get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring? By taxi, by bus or by car

Let me give you a quick overview of the best ways to get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring. These are summaries of how to get to the Blue Eye by taxi, by bus or by car. I have more detailed information further down below.

Ksamil to Blue Eye by taxi (summary)

  • A taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye costs 48 – 70 euros depending on the taxi driver you book. 
  • Below I have a detailed price comparison of what taxi drivers charge for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. 
  • Ask the taxi driver how long he is willing to wait for you at the Blue Eye spring. You will need 1-2 hours to visit. And then the taxi driver will drive you back to your hotel in Ksamil.

Ksamil to Blue Eye by bus (summary)

  • You can get by bus from Ksamil to Blue Eye, but you must transfer buses in Saranda. So first a bus from Ksamil to Saranda AND then a bus from Saranda to the Blue Eye.
  • The bus from Ksamil to Saranda costs 150 Leke (1.30 euros) per person. 
  • The bus departs from Ksamil every 30 minutes between 7 AM and 20 PM.
  • In Saranda, you must take a bus from Saranda via the Blue Eye spring in the direction of Gjirokaster.
  • A bus ticket from Saranda to the Blue Eye spring costs 400 Leke (3.85 euros)
  • Buses depart from Rruga Flamurit (Flamurit Street) in the centre of Saranda at 7:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 13:00 PM and 14:15 PM.

Ksamil to Blue Eye by car (summary)

  • A rental car in Albania will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day. Car rental rates are at an all time high in July and August due to the high season, so compare rates before you travel.
  • The route from Ksamil to the Blue Eye is straightforward. There is signage in Ksamil indicating Saranda. And in Saranda, there is signage indicating the Blue Eye.
  • The car park at the Blue Eye spring costs 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per car. 
  • You must walk approximately 2 kilometres from the car park to the Blue Eye spring, so bring sun protection in the summer.

Insider Tip! Get to the Blue Eye spring in the early morning, to avoid crowds and to have a more enjoyable experience!

How much is a taxi from Ksamil to Blue Eye?

A taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye costs between 48 – 70 euros. The taxi driver will drive you from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring, wait for you at the Blue Eye spring and then drive you back to your hotel in Ksamil.

  • Taxi Electric Shpetimi in Ksamil charges 60 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. The taxi driver will wait 1 hour and 30 minutes for you to visit the Blue Eye spring. And then drive you back from the Blue Eye to Ksamil.
  • Taxi Bino Ksamil charges 5000 Leke (48 euros) for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. The taxi driver will wait for you to visit the Blue Eye spring. And then the taxi driver will drive you back from the Blue Eye to Ksamil.
  • Taxi Saranda 251 charges 70 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. The taxi driver will wait 1 hour for you to visit the Blue Eye spring and then drive you back to Ksamil.
  • Taxi Rayan in Saranda charges 60 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. The driver will wait for you at the Blue Eye spring and then drive you back to Ksamil afterwards.
  • Mandi Taxi Ksamil charges 50 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. The taxi driver will wait for you for 2 hours at the Blue Eye spring before driving you back to Ksamil.
  • Saranda Taxi Aldo 24H charges 40 euros per person for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. So if you travel with 2 x persons, it will be 80 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. The driver will wait for you at the Blue Eye and drive you back afterwards.

It is important to check with the taxi driver how long he is willing to wait for you whilst you visit the Blue Eye spring. You only need 1-2 hours to visit the Blue Eye spring. But of course, you do not want to feel stressed or pressed for time during your holiday. 

Something worth considering is that the Blue Eye spring is on the way to Gjirokaster. So it makes sense to visit the Blue Eye spring in the early morning for 1-2 hours and then travel onwards to Gjirokaster UNESCO city. Gjirokaster is a beautiful historical town with an Old Bazaar Market and a gigantic castle on the top of the hill. 

How to get from Ksamil to Blue Eye by bus?

You can get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye bus, but you must transfer buses in Saranda. 

  • Step 1: Take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda
  • Step 2: Take a bus from Saranda via Blue Eye spring to Gjirokaster

Step 1: Take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda

To get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring by bus, you must first take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda. 

The bus from Ksamil to Saranda costs 150 Leke (1.30 euros) per person. You are expected to pay cash for your bus ride onboard the bus. So it is best to bring the correct amount of Albanian Leke with you. So that you can easily give it to the bus employee who passes around the bus collecting payments.

The bus departs from Butrint, which is a UNESCO site to the South of Ksamil and approximately 10 minutes later this bus stops in Ksamil and then drives onwards to Saranda. 

The bus departs from Butrint at 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:30 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:00 PM, 17:30 PM, 18:00 PM, 18:30 PM, 19:00 PM, 19:30 PM and 20:00 PM. And will make stops in Ksamil approximately 10 minutes later on the way to Saranda. 

You can get on the bus from Ksamil to Saranda at one of the 4 x bus stops in Ksamil. All the bus stops are located alongside the main road from Butrint via Ksamil to Saranda. Below I have included links to the bus stops on Google Maps.

The bus journey from Ksamil to Saranda takes approximately 15 minutes, but it depends on traffic. In July and August, traffic between Ksamil and Saranda is heavy, which will slow your journey down.

To travel onwards from Ksamil via Saranda to the Blue Eye spring, you must get off the bus in the centre of Saranda. The bus stop is located near SOS Bar, Rruga Flamurit and Friendship Park. If you get off the bus at this bus stop, you can transfer buses nearby. This is the location of the bus stop where you must get off the bus: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nSzGSTfV3Y6KsjNe7 

Step 2: Take a bus from Saranda via Blue Eye spring to Gjirokaster

So you get off the bus from Ksamil to Saranda in the centre of Saranda, and then you transfer onto a bus to the Blue Eye spring.

The bus from Saranda via the Blue Eye spring to Gjirokaster is operated by the Trans Butrinti Bus Agency. Trans Butrinti Bus Agency is located on Rruga Flamurit 4 (Flamurit Street number 4). You can see the location on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HiUenZZ2kxdGXfMW9 

So when the bus from Ksamil to Saranda drops you off at the bus stop near SOS Bar, you must walk into Rruga Flamurit and go to the Trans Butrinti Bus Agency. The agency is near the crossing of Rruga Flamurit (Flamurit Street) and Rruga Onhezmi (Onhezmi Street).

A bus ticket from Saranda via the Blue Eye spring to Gjirokaster costs 400 Leke (3.85 euros) per person. You are expected to pay cash money, so carry a small amount of Albanian Leke and some cash euros. I do not recommend booking a bus ticket online, it is more reliable to get a bus ticket in person in Albania. And paying cash in hand is common practice.

The bus timetable from Saranda to the Blue Eye is 7:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 13:00 PM and 14:15 PM. As always, I recommend you get to the bus agency early. So that you allow time to find the bus agency and the bus stop and time for waiting in line. Also buses in Albania are “first come first serve”, so get there early so you can get a seat on the bus.

The bus journey from Saranda to the Blue Eye spring takes approximately 45 minutes.

How to get from Ksamil to Blue Eye by car?

A rental car in Ksamil or Saranda will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day. Now of course, 20-25 euros per day is a starting price for the most basic and the cheapest rental car available. You can obviously spend much more.

Moreover, car rental rates tend to be very high in July and August, due to the tourist high season. So it is important to reach out to several car rentals via email or WhatsApp for instance and compare the rates. Book upfront, especially for July or August!

Here is an overview of what you can expect to rent for 20-25 euros in Saranda or Ksamil:

  • 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 charge 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.

The driving route from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring is straightforward. To drive from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring, you must drive via Saranda. From Ksamil take the SH81 road to Saranda. Then in Saranda, follow the signage that indicates the Blue Eye spring. You must take the SH99 from Saranda via the Blue Eye spring to Gjirokaster. The SH99 is the old national road that passes by the Blue Eye spring. The new road via Kardhiq does not pass by the Blue Eye spring.

Driving in Albania can be challenging for a foreigner. Albanian drivers do have a chaotic and aggressive style of driving. So if you have doubts about driving abroad, then I do recommend you travel by bus or taxi instead. 

When you arrive at the Blue Eye spring, you must park your car at the parking place. You will pay 200 Leke (1.90 euros) for parking your car for 3 hours, which is plenty of time to visit the Blue Eye. You will pay an additional 50 Leke (0.50 euros) per person to enter the Blue Eye Nature Monument Park. 

  • Parking at the Blue Eye costs 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per car 
  • An entrance ticket for the Blue Eye Nature Monument Park costs 50 Leke (0.50 euros) per person. 

It is important to note here that from the parking place and ticket office, you need to walk 2 kilometres to get to the Blue Eye Spring. There is a nice new boulevard to walk. However, it can get very hot and sunny in the summer months, especially in July and August. So bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunblock and some comfortable walking shoes!

You can also choose to rent an electric scooter at the ticket office so that you avoid having to walk the 2 kilometres to the Blue Eye Spring. A scooter costs 5 euros for a 1-hour rental.

How far is Ksamil from Blue Eye?

Ksamil is 35 kilometres from the Blue Eye spring. It will take you approximately 1 hour to travel from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring by car or by taxi.

How long does it take to get from Ksamil to Blue Eye?

It takes approximately 1 hour to get from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring by car or by taxi. By bus, it can take longer as you will need to transfer buses in Saranda and wait for the connection.

To drive from Ksamil to the Blue Eye spring, you must drive via Saranda. From Ksamil take the SH81 road to Saranda. Then in Saranda, follow the signage that indicates the Blue Eye spring. You must take the SH99 from Saranda via the Blue Eye spring to Gjirokaster. The SH99 is the old national road that passes by the Blue Eye spring. The new road via Kardhiq does not pass by the Blue Eye spring.

What is the Blue Eye Albania entrance fee?

The entrance fee for the Blue Eye Albania is 50 Leke (0.50 euros) per person. You will also pay 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per car if you use the parking at the Blue Eye. 

  • Parking at the Blue Eye costs 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per car 
  • An entrance ticket for the Blue Eye Nature Monument Park costs 50 Leke (0.50 euros) per person. 
  • Optional: Rent an electric scooter at the ticket office. Price 5 euros for 1 hour. 

There is a 2-kilometer walk from the ticket office/parking to the Blue Eye spring. If you visit the Blue Eye spring in the summer, it can be very hot and sunny. So the 2-kilometer walk can feel very long! Therefore, there is an option to rent an electric scooter at the ticket office for 5 euros for 1 hour. 

How much time to spend in Blue Eye Albania?

You need between 1-2 hours to spend at the Blue Eye in Albania. 

You will arrive at the parking lot of the Blue Eye spring and buy a ticket. Then from the ticket office, there is a 2-kilometer walk along a new boulevard to the Blue Eye spring. You spend some time taking pictures and walking around the Blue Eye spring. Then you drink a coffee at the coffee house next to the river. And you walk back 2 kilometres to the parking lot. The total visiting time needed to visit the Blue Eye is between 1-2 hours. 

If you are taking a taxi to the Blue Eye spring from either Ksamil, Saranda or Gjirokaster, it makes sense to ask the driver to wait. The taxi driver will wait 1-2 hours for you at the parking lot and drive you back to your hotel after your visit.

Related Questions

Saranda to Blue Eye bus – The bus from Saranda to the Blue Eye costs 400 Leke (3.85 euros) per person. The bus departs at 7:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 13:00 PM and 14:15 PM. The bus drives from Saranda via the Blue Eye to Gjirokaster. You can buy a ticket from Trans Butrinti Bus Agency at Flamurit Street in the centre of Saranda.

How to get to Blue Eye from Saranda? You can get to the Blue Eye from Saranda by bus, by taxi or by rental car. A bus ticket costs 400 Leke (3.85 euros). A taxi costs 48-70 euros, the driver will wait for you at the Blue Eye spring and bring you back. A rental car costs at least 20-25 euros per day. 

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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

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

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