How to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster? Bus, Car, Taxi, prices

If you are staying in Ksamil, it is definitely worth visiting Gjirokaster. In this blog post, I will describe how you can get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus, by taxi or by car. 

How to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster? You can get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus, by taxi or by rental car. First take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda (1.30 EUR, 7AM-20PM), then a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster (3.50 EUR, 8AM-17PM). A taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster costs 50-90 EUR. A rental car is at least 20-25 EUR per day.

In this blog post, I will detail how you can get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus, by taxi or by car. I will detail bus timetables, bus stop locations, bus timetables, booking bus tickets and travel times. I will also compare what taxi drivers charge for a ride from Ksamil to Gjirokaster, and stopping at the Blue Eye spring on route. And I will explain what you can expect when you rent a car and drive from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.

Getting from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus, by car or by taxi

Let me give you an overview of how you can get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus, by taxi or by car. I will have more detailed information further down below in the blog post.

Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus (quick summary)

  • There is no direct bus from Ksamil to Gjirokaster, so you must take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda and then transfer onto a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster.
  • The bus from Ksamil to Saranda costs 150 Leke (1.30 euros) per person. And the bus departs every 30-60 minutes between 7 AM and 20 PM.
  • The bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster costs 400 Leke (3.50 euros) per person. And the bus departs every 30-60 minutes between 8 AM and 17 PM.
  • You must transfer buses at Rruga Flamurit (Flamurit Street), which is located between Friendship Park and the archaeological ruins of the Synagogue – Basilica, in the centre of Saranda.

Ksamil to Gjirokaster by car (quick summary)

  • A rental car in Ksamil or nearby Saranda will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for a basic rental car.
  • In July and August, it is the tourist high season, so car rentals can be much more expensive.
  • Do your research before you travel by reaching out to car rentals via WhatsApp, email or online inquiry.
  • If you drive from Ksamil to Gjirokaster, you can make a 1-2 hour stop at the Blue Eye spring. The Blue Eye spring is a tourist highlight best visited in the early morning.

Ksamil to Gjirokaster by taxi (quick summary)

  • A taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster costs 50-90 euros depending on the taxi driver.
  • By taxi, it takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.
  • It is worth asking the taxi driver to make a 1-2 hour stop at the Blue Eye spring which is on the route from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.

How to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus?

There is no direct bus from Ksamil to Gjirokaster, so you must transfer buses in Saranda. 

  • Step 1: Take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda.
  • Step 2: Take a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster.

You can transfer buses in the centre of Saranda. There is one street called “Rruga Flamurit” in the centre of Saranda, from where the buses depart. 

This “Rruga Flamurit” street is located in between Friendship Park and the Archeological Remains of the Synagogue – Basilica. There is no bus terminal as such, but rather all the buses make a stop alongside this street. You can see the location on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ML2GYrNY3HatwEhM8 

Step 1: Ksamil to Saranda bus

To travel from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by bus, you must first take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda. 

Basically, there is a bus that drives from Butrint via Ksamil to Saranda. This bus departs from Butrint between 7 AM and 20 PM every 30-60 minutes. After departing from Butrint, the bus will make stops in Ksamil approximately 10 minutes later.  

Saranda to Ksamil bus timetable – The bus departs from Butrint and drives via Ksamil 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. The bus will be in Ksamil 10 minutes after it departs Butrint. Then the bus drives on to Saranda, it normally takes only 15 minutes. But in the summer months, traffic can be heavy which will slow the bus down significantly. 

A bus ticket from Ksamil to Saranda will cost you 150 Leke (1.30 euros) per person. You are expected to pay for your bus ticket in cash onboard the bus. An employee from the bus company will pass through the bus to collect the cash payment. So it is best to bring the correct amount of cash with you, 150 LEK, so that you can pay easily during the bus ride. 

You cannot book your bus ticket in advance or pay online. You can only pay in cash once you are onboard the bus.

You can get on the bus from Ksamil to Saranda at one of the 4 x bus stops in Ksamil. These bus stops are called Ksamil 1st bus stop, Ksamil 2nd bus stop, Ksamil 3rd bus stop and Ksamil 4th bus stop on Google Maps. 

All the bus stops are located alongside the main road from Butrint via Ksamil to Saranda. Below I have added the links to Google Maps so that you can easily find your way to the bus stops.

The bus from Ksamil to Saranda will make several stops in Saranda. You must get off the bus near SOS bar in the centre of Saranda. From the bus stop, you walk into Rruga Flamurit (Flamurit Street) where you can then take a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster.

Step 2: Saranda to Gjirokaster bus

After you take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda, you can transfer onto a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster.

The bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster departs from Rruga Flamurit (Flamurit Street) in the centre of Saranda. Rruga Flamurit is the street between Friendship Park and the archaeological ruins of the Synagogue – Basilica. There is no bus terminal, but rather it is a street where buses stop alongside the road. You can see the location on Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/baKcb7hbrWJGBvJU7 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Gjirokaster costs 400 Leke (3.50 euros). You are expected to pay cash money, so it is always smart to carry some cash euros and a small amount of Albanian Leke with you whilst travelling through Albania.

The buses from Saranda to Gjirokaster depart only during the daytime hours, between 6AM and 5PM. 

There are many different bus operators that offer buses from Saranda to Gjirokaster. For instance, Butrinti Travel & Tours has a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster that departs at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM and 13:00 PM. Argjiro Shpk has a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster at 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 13:00 PM, 14:00 PM and 17:00 PM. Best Travel Gjirokaster has a bus departure from Saranda to Gjirokaster at 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 13:00 PM and 17:00 PM. And Trans Dea has a bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster at 8:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 13:00 PM and 15:00 PM. 

What is going to happen, is that you will arrive at the street between the Friendship Park and the archaeological ruins of the Synagogue – Basilica. You will then need to approach different bus agencies and bus drivers to ask at what time the next bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster will depart. 

Although bus timetables are published online on the  Gjirafa Autobus website, the buses may or may not depart according to those timetables. Of course, you can travel from Saranda to Gjirokaster by bus, but you will need to ask around at the bus station and wait for the next bus departure. It may feel confusing and unorganized as a foreigner, compared to bus travel in the USA or Western Europe, but this is how bus travel in Albania works.

The bus from Saranda to Gjirokaster will drop you off at the Gjirokaster bus terminal. This bus terminal is located alongside the SH4 highway that that leads from the Kakavije border with Greece via Gjirokaster in the direction of Tepelene. You can see the location of the Gjirokaster bus station on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/x5e1iKewRbwaxhp48 

The bus station is located at the foot of the hill. And the old town centre and UNESCO site is on the top of the hill. So it is a long and steep climb up to the old town. It is definitely worth taking a city bus or taxi to the town centre, to save yourself the steep hill climb.

Insider Tip! If you are travelling from Ksamil via Saranda to Gjirokaster, it is worth making a stop at the Blue Eye spring en route. The Blue Eye spring is a breath-taking bright blue spring and a tourist highlight. The spring is located between Saranda and Gjirokaster, so you may as well make a 1-hour stopover on your way to Gjirokaster. If you are travelling by bus ask the driver if he driving via the Blue Eye spring. Because the old road via Muzine leads by the Blue Eye spring. But the newer road via Kardhiq Castle does not pass by the Blue Eye spring.

How to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by car?

You can get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by car in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. A rental car in Ksamil or nearby Saranda will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for a basic car rental. 

Below I have a price comparison of what you can expect to pay for a rental car in Ksamil/Saranda. Bear in mind that these are the cheapest and most basic rental cars available. 

Rental car prices in Saranda/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 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.

If you are travelling in July or August, I highly recommend you book or reserve a rental car before you travel. Since July and August are the tourist high season, car rental rates can be very high, especially since basic rental cars won’t be available anymore. So do your research, and reach out to several car rental companies via email or WhatsApp or make an inquiry online.

A note of caution. Driving in Albania can be daunting and challenging as a foreigner. Albanian drivers do have a chaotic and aggressive style of driving. So you must be an alert and experienced driver comfortable with driving abroad.

From Ksamil, you must first drive to Saranda via the SH81 national road. This is a beautiful and good-quality road with clear signage. Then in Saranda, you can make a choice, you either take the newer road via Kardhiq Castle, which is quicker. Or you take the old road via Muzine and the Blue Eye spring. The Blue Eye spring is a tourist highlight. If you can visit the Blue Eye spring in the early morning for 1-2 hours before you drive onwards to Gjirokaster.

How to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by taxi?

You can get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by taxi for 50-90 euros. To give you an insight into what you can expect to pay for a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster, I reached out to several taxi drivers in Ksamil and Saranda via WhatsApp. Here is a price comparison.

Taxi prices from Ksamil to Gjirokaster:

  • Mandi Taxi Ksamil charges 90 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.
  • Taxi Saranda 251 charges 70 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.
  • Saranda Taxi Aldo 24H charges 80 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.
  • Taxi Electric Shpetimi Ksamil charges 80 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.
  • Taxi Bino Ksamil charges 6000 Leke (57 euros) for a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.
  • Taxi Rayan Saranda charges 50 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster.

Insider Tip: If you are taking a taxi from Ksamil to Gjirokaster ask the taxi driver what it would cost to make a 1-2 hour stop at the Blue Eye spring. The Blue Eye spring is a tourist highlight located between Ksamil and Gjirokaster. Taxi drivers in Ksamil and Saranda often offer a service where they wait 1-2 hours at the Blue Eye spring whilst you visit and then drive you either back to Ksamil, back to Saranda or onwards to Gjirokaster. The Blue Eye spring is definitely is worth visiting, especially in the early morning before the crowds arrive!


Is there a train from Ksamil to Gjirokaster?

There is no train from Ksamil to Gjirokaster. Ksamil does not have a train station and Gjirokaster does not have a train station either. 

Actually, there are no train stations in the South of Albania. Ksamil, Butrint, Saranda and Saranda all do not have train stations. 

Overall, train travel within Albania is very limited. In any given week, there may be 2 x trains between Durres and Elbasan. And 1 x train between Shkoder and Lac. And that describes the available trains in the entire country.

Albania used to have a more extensive railway network connecting Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Pogradec, Vlore and Shkoder. However, although these railway tracks remain visible in the landscape, many of these old railway tracks are not in use at the moment. 

During the communist period, from the end of the Second World War until 1992, all the railway tracks were being used. But since the fall of communism in 1992, train travel has become less and less. Due to a lack of interest, lack of investment and lack of maintenance, these railways cannot be used. 

How long does it take to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster?

It takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster. 

From Ksamil to Saranda there is only a 15-minute drive via the SH81 road. 

Then from Saranda, there is a choice of two routes to drive to Gjirokaster. You can take the new road via Kardhiq Castle, which is newly asphalted and quicker. Or you can take the old road called SH99, which passes by the Blue Eye spring, which is a tourist highlight. So if you drive the old road, you could make a 1-2 hour stop at the Blue Eye spring on your way to Gjirokaster.

How far is Ksamil from Gjirokaster?

Ksamil is 68 kilometres from Gjirokaster by road. It will take you 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from Ksamil to Gjirokaster by car or by taxi. By bus, it may take you longer as you must transfer buses in Saranda. 

Is Gjirokaster worth visiting?

Gjirokaster is definitely worth visiting. Gjirokaster is one of the two UNESCO cities in Albania. The old town centre is charming and rustic. There is an impressive grand castle on the mountain top, from where you get a beautiful view of the old town centre and its stone houses. 

Within Albania, Gjirokaster is known as a “museum city”. And that is what Gjirokaster is truly like. You walk through the old town centre and you really get a feel of what life was like during the 17th century in Albania. When Albania was a part of the Ottoman Empire, just like the rest of the Balkans. 

Gjirokaster is known for its stone houses, and the typical tower houses. Many of the old houses in Gjirokaster are very grand and important. Because the regional governor Ali Pasha used Gjirokaster as his government city, so many of the rich and influential government officials built their large houses in Gjirokaster. 

What to do in Gjirokaster?

These are the best things to do on your visit to Gjirokaster. I will start with the main sights like the Gjirokaster Castle and the Old Bazaar Market. Then I will go into some of the museums you can pick and choose from during your visit to Gjirokaster, like Skenduli House, Zekate House and the Cold War Tunnel. 

Gjirokaster Castle

The Gjirokaster Castle is a large fortress on the top of a hill in the city. The fortress has a spectacular view of the historical city and the traditional stone houses of Gjirokaster. It is one of the biggest hilltop castles in the Balkans and it dominates the city. The castle was originally built in the 12th century by the local Byzantine government. But it was renovated and additions were made during the Ottoman Empire and the government of King Zog. From 1930 onward, it was mainly used as a prison for people who were resistant to the government.

Old Bazaar of Gjirokaster

The Old Bazaar of Gjirokaster is the traditional marketplace in Gjirokaster. The bazaar was originally built in the Middle Ages. There are a variety of craftsmen shops, souvenir shops and coffee houses along the Bazaar. You can buy handmade wooden pieces, handwoven rugs and delicate lace items. The street of the Bazaar is made of cobblestones and it is set on a steep hillside. 

Skenduli House

Skenduli House is a highlight for visitors to Gjirokaster. It is an original family house, which is more than 300 years old. During your visit, you will get a unique insight into what life was like for a rich family during the Ottoman period. The house has 9 fireplaces, 6 bathrooms, 12 rooms, 44 doors, 64 windows and 4 Hamam Turkish baths. The house has been owned by the same family for generations. The family will show you around the house and tell you stories about its history. One of the highlights is the room used for wedding ceremonies, with beautiful stained glass windows, carved wooden ceilings and a fireplace decorated with pomegranates, which symbolize fertility. 

Zekate House

Zekate House is a historical townhouse in Gjirokaster city. It is a beautiful example of a traditional tower house. The house was built in 1812, and it is “one of the greatest examples of Gjirokaster architecture in the Ottoman style”. Impressive houses like Zekate House, used to only belong to the wealthy people, like government officials and merchants. Inside the house you can see the original interior and imagine what it was like to live there during the Ottoman period. There are beautiful stained-glass windows, wooden ceilings and wall frescoes. 

Cold War Tunnel in Gjirokastra

The Cold War Tunnel is a gigantic bunker underneath the castle of Gjirokaster. It was built by the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha. The dictator was paranoid about a foreign invasion or a nuclear attack. In fact, he was so convinced an attack was imminent, he constructed 173.000 bunkers all over Albania. The Cold War Tunnel bunker was constructed in secret in the 1960s, and it remained a secret for the locals until the 1990s. The Cold War Tunnel is 800 m long and it has 59 rooms, therefore, it could hold up to 300 people if needed. The bunker is empty, but the use of the rooms have been displayed on the doors. There were rooms for government ministries, interrogators, party elites, power generation, water storage, sleeping, decontamination and air filtration. 

Museum of Weapons Gjirokastra

Inside the castle walls of Gjirokaster’s castle, you can visit the Museum of Weapons. The museum site was originally a prison. Albania’s former King Zog constructed the prison in 1932. During the Second World War, the prison was used by the Italian and German forces. After the war, the communist regime used the prison to hold political prisoners. The Museum of Weapons displays arms used during the Albanian Independence struggle in 1912 and from the struggle against the Italian and German occupations from 1939 to 1944. 

Ethnographic Museum of Gjirokastra

The Ethnographic Museum gives you an insight into the traditional lifestyle of a wealthy family in Gjirokaster. The museum’s building is on the location, where the former dictator Enver Hoxha’s childhood home was. However, the original building was destroyed by a fire. Inside the museum, you can see a display of artefacts, household items, folk costumes, clothing and kitchenware from the past. 

Related Questions

Is it better to stay in Saranda or Ksamil? If you prefer staying in a big coastal city with all the facilities, then I would recommend Saranda. However, if you prefer staying in a smaller beach village with sandy beaches, then Ksamil is for you. Saranda has a promenade along the coastline with many restaurants, clubs, restaurants and bars. Ksamil is more of a beach village vibe and is a smaller setting.

Which is better Berat or Gjirokaster? Berat and Gjirokaster are 1 x UNESCO site together. They both show the typical architecture of a city dating back to the Ottoman Empire. Berat is pretty, picturesque and romantic with little white houses on the slope of the hill. Gjirokaster is more grand, with large tower houses and a history as a regional government town.

Bus from Gjirokaster to Tirana – You can take a bus from Gjirokaster to Tirana at 5 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM, 8:30 AM, 10 AM and 15:30 PM. A bus ticket from Gjirokaster to Tirana costs 12 euros per person. The bus from Gjirokaster to Tirana departs from the Gjirokaster Bus Terminal -> See on Google Maps -> https://maps.app.goo.gl/yTKFidgmfevVbGr66 

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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