How to get from Ksamil to Tirana? Bus, Taxi, Car, Prices

If you are planning to travel from Ksamil to Tirana, this blog post is for you. I will describe how you can travel from Ksamil to Tirana by bus, by taxi or by car in detail.

How to get from Ksamil to Tirana? You can get from Ksamil to Tirana by bus (switch buses), by taxi or by rental car. First, take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda (1.40 EUR). Then, take a bus from Saranda to Tirana (15.50 EUR). A taxi from Ksamil to Tirana costs 200-230 EUR. A rental car costs at least 20-25 EUR per day.

In this blog post, I will give you all the details you need to travel from Ksamil to Tirana with confidence. I will give you bus timetables from Ksamil to Saranda and Saranda to Tirana. I will also share bus stations, bus ticket prices and the time required. Furthermore, I will compare taxi prices from Ksamil to Tirana and give you an insight into what you can expect to pay for a rental car. I will also discuss travelling to either Tirana airport or Corfu airport from Ksamil.

Ksamil to Tirana by bus, by taxi, by car

In this paragraph, I will give you a quick summary of how you can get from Ksamil to Tirana by bus, by taxi or by car. Scroll further down for more details on bus stations, timetables and price comparisons of taxi prices and car rentals.

Ksamil to Tirana by bus (summary)

• There is no direct bus from Ksamil to Tirana. 
• Step 1: Take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda
• Step 2: Take a bus from Saranda to Tirana
• The bus from Ksamil to Saranda departs every 30-60 minutes between 7 AM and 8 PM. A bus ticket from Ksamil to Saranda costs 150 Leke (1.40 euros) per person.
• The bus from Saranda to Tirana departs at 5:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 13:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 18:00 PM and 22:00 PM. A bus ticket from Saranda to Tirana costs 15.50 euros per person.
• The bus from Saranda to Tirana will drop you off at the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania, which is located at a 15-minute drive from Tirana’s city centre.

Ksamil to Tirana by taxi (summary)

• A taxi from Ksamil to Tirana will cost you between 200-230 euros per taxi. 
• Below, I do have a price comparison of what individual taxi drivers in Saranda charge for a ride from Ksamil to Tirana.
• The official Tirana airport taxi service charges 207 euros for a ride from Tirana airport to Ksamil. That is usually a good indication of what you can expect to pay for the distance.

Ksamil to Tirana by car (summary)

• A rental car in Albania will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for a basic rental car.
• Car rental rates can be high in July and August, so do your research before you travel. 
• The inland road from Ksamil via Saranda, Kardhiq, Tepelene, Fier, Lushnje and Durres to Tirana is the quickest driving route. 
• However, the coastal road from Ksamil via Saranda, Himare and Vlore is a more beautiful driving route with sightseeing stops along the way.
• Driving in Albania can be a challenge as a foreigner due to the chaotic driving style of the Albanian drivers, so you must be an experienced and confident driver.

How to get from Ksamil to Tirana by bus?

There is no direct bus from Ksamil to Tirana. So you must take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda and then a bus from Saranda to Tirana. 

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

Step 1: Take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda

Ksamil Beach is located between Butrint and Saranda. So the bus from Butrint to Saranda makes stops in Ksamil en route to Saranda. 

• Butrint -> Ksamil -> Saranda bus

The bus from Butrint departs 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. 

Approximately 5-10 minutes later, the bus from Butrint will stop in Ksamil. Then from Ksamil, the bus will drive onwards to Saranda.

A bus ticket from Ksamil to Saranda costs 150 Leke (1.40 euros) per person. You are expected to pay for your bus ticket in cash whilst you are on the bus. An employee from the bus company will make his way through the bus to collect cash payments. So bring some small coins or notes of Albanian Leke with you before boarding the bus.

You can get on the bus from Ksamil to Saranda at one of the 4 x bus stops in Ksamil. 

The first Ksamil bus stop 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 stop 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 stop 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 stop 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 

The bus from Butrint via Ksamil to Saranda makes several stops in Saranda. Get off the bus in the city centre of Saranda. There is a bus stop near SOS Bar on Rruga Skenderbeu or Skenderbeu Street. You can see the location of the bus stop in Saranda’s city centre on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/CnEbsFwL7fat2uvM7 

The bus journey from Ksamil to Saranda takes only 10-15 minutes. However, heavy traffic on the roads in July and August can slow your journey down significantly. 

Step 2: Take a bus from Saranda to Tirana

Once you have arrived in Saranda, you can get on a bus from Saranda to Tirana. 

The bus from Saranda to Tirana departs at 5:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 13:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 18:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Tirana costs 15.50 euros per person. 

The bus from Saranda to Tirana departs from the city centre of Saranda. The bus stop is located between Friendship Park and the archaeological remains of the Synagogue – Basilica. It is not a bus station, but rather a bus stop along the Rruga Flamurit or Flamurit Street in the centre of Saranda. You can see the location of the bus stop in the centre of Saranda on Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/CVzcNHSsmh6fzU1X8 

The bus from Saranda to Tirana will drop you off at the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania in Tirana. The bus terminal is located outside of the city centre. So if your hotel is located in the city centre of Tirana near Skanderbeg Square, you will need to take a taxi for 10-15 minutes to get to the city centre. You can see the location of the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania on Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/hXbFKomXQGJYtKw9A 

The bus journey from Saranda to Tirana will take approximately 4.5 – 5 hours depending on traffic on the road.

How to get from Ksamil to Tirana by taxi?

A taxi from Ksamil to Tirana will cost you between 200-230 euros, depending on which taxi driver you book. 

To give you an indication of what a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana will cost you, I have reached out to several taxi drivers from Saranda. Below, you will see a price comparison of what independent taxi drivers in Saranda charge for a ride from Ksamil to Tirana.

• Taxi Saranda 251 charges 230 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana.
• Taxi Saranda on Rruga Butrinti charges 200 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana.
• Saranda Taxi Aldo 24H charges 300 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana.
• Taxi Enea Saranda charges 230 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana.
• Taxi Rayan Saranda charges 200 euros for a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana.

The official Tirana airport taxi service charges 207 euros for a taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil. 

So as you can see, a reasonable taxi price for a ride from Ksamil to Tirana is between 200 and 230 euros. Of course, taxi rates in Albania are relatively high, especially when compared to bus ticket prices.

How to get from Ksamil to Tirana by car?

A rental car in Albania will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for a basic rental car. Below you will see a price comparison of what car rental companies in Saranda charge per day for a basic rental car.

• 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 Motorcycles 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.

Driving in Albania can be challenging or daunting as a foreigner. Albanian drivers do have quite a chaotic and aggressive style of driving. So I would only recommend renting a car if you are an alert and experienced driver. 

Car rental rates do go up in the tourist high season. Mainly in the months of July and August, you can expect the car rental rates to be high. So I always recommend you reach out to some car rental companies before you travel to get a price quotation and to reserve a car before you travel.

The quickest driving route from Ksamil to Tirana is Ksamil -> Saranda -> Kardhiq -> Tepelene -> Fier -> Lushnje -> Durres -> Tirana. This route will take you between 5 and 5.5 hours depending on traffic. 

You could also drive from Ksamil to Tirana alongside the coastline. This is a longer, but very beautiful driving route. Ksamil -> Saranda -> Himare -> Vlore -> Fier -> Lushnje -> Durres -> Tirana. The coastal road between Saranda and Vlore is absolutely stunning. There are many beautiful view points and sightseeing spots, like the Castle of Ali Pasha in the Bay of Porto Palermo, the Llogara Pass and Zvernec Island. But it does take more time of course.

Can I get from Ksamil to Tirana by train?

You cannot get from Ksamil to Tirana by train. Actually, Ksamil does not have a train station. And Tirana does not have a train station either. 

Tirana used to have a train station in the past. But the train station was demolished in 2013. It is currently 2023, and the train station in Tirana has not been rebuild yet.

Only a handful of trains are in operation within Albania’s borders. The railways and trains were built in the communist period in Albania. Between the end of the Second World War and 1992, Albania was a communist country. In this period the railways were constructed for the first time. 

In the communist period, there were railways connecting Shkoder, Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Podgradec and Vlore. However, currently most of those railways are not in service, due to a lack of investment, interest and maintenance. 

Should you wish to take a train, you must do so out of interest and curiosity. Because the trains are not a fast or effective way of transportation within Albania. There is a reason why the locals always travel with the Furgon minibuses instead of trains. 

In any given week, there may be 1-2 trains in operation between Elbasan and Durres. And 1 train per week between Lac and Shkoder.

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

It will take you approximately 5.5 hours to get from Ksamil to Tirana by bus, by taxi or by car.

First, you will drive from Ksamil to Saranda. Usually, it will take you only 10-15 minutes to drive from Ksamil to Saranda. However, in July and August, when it is the tourist high season, traffic in and around Saranda can be heavy. 

Then from Saranda, the quickest route to Tirana is via the inland road. The road from Saranda via Kardhiq in the direction of Tepelene is quick. Then from Tepelene, you drive via Fier and Durres to Tirana. This is the route that taxi drivers and bus drivers take when driving from Saranda to Tirana. The drive from Saranda to Tirana takes 4.5 – 5 hours depending on traffic.

The alternative is taking the coastal road from Saranda via Himare to Vlore. The coastal route is gorgeous. You will drive along the Albanian Riviera and see many beautiful villages, coastal views, little monasteries, castles and olive groves. This route to Tirana is longer, because the coastal road turns and twists alongside the sea, so driving fast is not possible. It is worth it though from a tourist point of view! Then from Vlore, you drive via Fier, Lushnje and Durres to Tirana.

How to get from Ksamil to Tirana airport?

You can get from Ksamil directly to Tirana airport by rental car or taxi. There is no direct bus from Ksamil to Tirana airport. 

If you hire a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana, you can expect to pay around 207 euros for your taxi. This is the official rate that the Tirana Airport Taxi Service offers for a ride between Tirana and Ksamil. Independent drivers may charge slightly less, but anything around 207 euros would be reasonable considering the driving distance and high petrol prices. 

A rental car in Albania will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day. If you will make a round trip from Tirana airport to Ksamil and back to Tirana airport, you can reach out to some of the car rentals at Tirana airport before you travel. There is a list of car rental agencies on the Tirana airport website, usually, WhatsApp is an effective way to get price quotations. 

There is no direct bus from Ksamil to Tirana airport. So if you wish to take a bus from Ksamil to Tirana airport, you must take 3 x steps. 

• Step 1: Take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda (described in detail above)
• Step 2: Take a bus from Saranda to the bus terminal in Tirana (described in detail above)
• Step 3: Take a taxi from the bus terminal in Tirana to Tirana Airport.

First, you take a 10-15 minute bus ride from Ksamil to Saranda (price: 150 Leke or 1.40 euros per person). Then in Saranda, you get on the bus to Tirana (price: 15.50 euros per person). The bus from Saranda to Tirana will drop you off at the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania. From the bus terminal in Tirana, take a taxi to Tirana airport (price: 23-28 euros per taxi). 

What is the closest airport to Ksamil, Albania?

The closest airport to Ksamil, Albania is Corfu Airport. Corfu is a Greek island in front of the Albanian coastline. From Ksamil, you can take a bus or taxi to Saranda. Then from Saranda, you can take a ferry to Corfu Island. And then from the Corfu Port, you take a taxi or bus to Corfu Airport. 

• Step 1: Take a bus or taxi from Ksamil to Saranda (10-15 minutes)
• Step 2: Take a ferry from the Port of Saranda to the Port of Corfu (35 minutes)
• Step 3: Take a bus or taxi from the Port of Corfu to Corfu Airport (15-20 minutes)

In Albania, the nearest airport is Tirana airport. However, Tirana airport is a 5.5-hour drive from Ksamil. So Corfu Airport on the Greek Corfu island is actually a lot closer to Ksamil.

How to get from Tirana to Ksamil?

You can get from Tirana to Ksamil by bus, by taxi or by rental car. 

There is no direct bus from Tirana to Ksamil, so you must take a bus from the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania to Saranda. And then a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. 

The bus from the bus terminal in Tirana to Saranda departs at 5:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. A bus ticket costs 15.50 euros per person. 

The bus from Saranda to Ksamil departs at 6:30 AM, 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, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:30 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:00 PM, 17:30 PM, 18:00 PM, 18:30 PM and 19:00 PM. A bus ticket costs 150 Leke (1.40 euros) per person.

A taxi from Tirana to Ksamil costs approximately 207 euros. This is the rate that the official Tirana airport taxi service charges and is usually a good indication of what you can expect to pay. 

A rental car at Tirana airport will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for a basic rental car. There is a list of car rental companies on the Tirana Airport website. I highly recommend you reach out to several car rental companies via WhatsApp or email before you travel. Car rental rates can be significantly higher in July and August, due to the tourist high season.

How to get from Tirana to Ksamil by bus?

You can get from Tirana to Ksamil by bus if you switch buses in Saranda. First, take a bus from the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania near Tirana to Saranda (15.50 euros per person). Then, take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil (150 Leke or 1.40 euros per person).

How much is a taxi from Tirana to Ksamil?

A taxi from Tirana to Ksamil costs 207 euros. This is the taxi rate that the official Tirana airport taxi service charges for a ride from Tirana to Ksamil. This is usually a good indication of what independent taxi drivers will charge approximately as well. You can try to reach out to Speed Taxi in Tirana, they usually have competitive rates.

Related Questions

How to get from Tirana to Saranda? You can get from Tirana to Saranda by bus, by taxi or by rental car. The bus from Tirana to Saranda costs 15.50 euros per person. The bus departs between 5:30 AM and 22:00 PM from the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania. A taxi from Tirana to Saranda costs 193 euros. A rental car will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day + 80 euros for petrol.

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