How to get from Saranda to Butrint? Bus, Taxi, Prices, Rental Car

If you are wondering how to get from Saranda to Butrint, this blog post will show you how you can get from Saranda to Butrint by bus, by taxi or rental car.

How to get from Saranda to Butrint? You can get from Saranda to Butrint by bus, by taxi or by rental car. A bus ticket from Saranda to Butrint costs 200 LEK (1.90 EUR), buses depart between 6:30 AM and 19:00 PM. A taxi costs 38-50 EUR one-way or 75-90 EUR two-ways. A rental car in Saranda costs at least 20-25 EUR per day. 

In this blog post, I will give you all the information you need to travel from Saranda to Butrint. I will describe bus ticket prices, bus stops and bus timetables from Saranda to Butrint. I will compare taxi rates for one-way or two-way journeys from Saranda to Butrint. And I will give you an overview of what you could rent in Saranda for 20-25 euros per day. 

How to get from Saranda to Butrint by bus, by taxi or by car?

In this paragraph, I will give you a quick summary of how you can travel from Saranda to Butrint by bus, by taxi or by rental car. You will find more detailed information by scrolling further down.

Saranda to Butrint by bus (quick summary)

• A bus ticket from Saranda to Butrint costs 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per person. 
• You are expected to pay cash for your bus ticket inside the bus. 
• The bus departs from Saranda between 6:30 AM and 19:00 PM. The detailed bus timetable can be found below.
• There are bus stops near the Port of Saranda, the centre of Saranda and near Hotel Butrinti in Saranda, where you can get on the bus from Saranda to Butrint. 

Saranda to Butrint by taxi (quick summary)

• A taxi from Saranda to Butrint will cost you 38-50 euros for a one-way taxi journey. 
• You can also choose to hire a taxi from Saranda to Butrint and back to Saranda, this will cost you 75-90 euros. 
• If you choose to pay for the two-way journey Saranda-Butrint-Saranda, the taxi driver will wait for you for 2-3 hours outside Butrint National Park. And once you have visited Butrint, the driver will drive you back to Saranda. 

Saranda to Butrint by car (quick summary)

• A rental car in Saranda costs at least 20-25 euros per day.
• Car rental rates can be high in July and August, due to the tourist high-season. So reserve a rental car before you travel, via for instance WhatsApp.
• It takes only 20 minutes to drive from Saranda to Butrint.
• There is clear signage in Saranda indicating the road to Butrint.
• Driving in Albania can be a challenge for a foreigner, as Albanian drivers do have a chaotic style of driving.

How to get from Saranda to Butrint by bus?

You can get from Saranda to Butrint by bus between 6:30 AM and 19:00 PM. There are bus stops near the Port of Saranda, near SOS Bar in the centre of Saranda and near Hotel Butrinti in Saranda. A bus ticket costs 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per person to get from Saranda to Butrint. 

Saranda to Butrint bus ticket price

A bus ticket from Saranda to Butrint costs only 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per person for a one-way journey. 

The bus starts from Saranda and drives via Ksamil to Butrint. A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.40 euros) and a bus ticket from Saranda to Butrint costs 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per person. 

You will need to pay for your bus ticket from Saranda to Butrint in cash. So prepare beforehand and bring some coins or small notes Albanian Leke with you. 

You do not need to buy a bus ticket from Saranda to Butrint beforehand. Instead, an employee on the bus will walk around the bus and collect money from each passenger during the bus ride. For this reason, having the correct amount of Leke in coins or cash is easiest. 

Saranda to Butrint bus timetable

The bus from Saranda to Butrint 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. 

This is the official bus timetable for buses from Saranda to Butrint. However, in the summer months, traffic on the roads in Saranda, Ksamil and Butrint can be heavy. Therefore, the bus may be late, if the bus gets stuck in traffic.

The bus departs from the Port of Saranda, it makes a couple of stops in Saranda. Then the bus drives onwards to the Ksamil coastal village. And the final destination of the bus is Butrint UNESCO National Park. So it makes sense to combine Butrint in the early morning with a visit to Ksamil in the afternoon. 

Saranda to Butrint bus stop

There are several bus stops in Saranda, where you can get on the bus from Saranda to Butrint.

• Bus Stop near the Ferry Terminal of Saranda
• Bus Stop in the city centre of Saranda
• Bus Stop near Hotel Butrinti in Saranda

The bus from Saranda to Butrint departs from a bus stop near the Ferry Terminal of Saranda (Port of Saranda). The bus stop is located on Rruga Jonianet or Jonianet Street near the Port of Saranda. There is a roundabout with a big tree near the bus stop, so that is a point of recognition for you. You can see the location of the bus stop on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/72d1s2Smdt4Rngv69 

In the summer months, particularly July and August, the bus from Saranda to Butrint gets really busy. Therefore, it is best to get on the bus at the Port of Saranda, so that you still have a chance to get a seat on the bus. If you hop on the bus at a bus stop further along the route, there is a big chance you have to stand in the crowded bus. Because the bus will fill up quickly. 

You can also get on the bus near 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 city centre bus stop on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/CnEbsFwL7fat2uvM7 

There is another bus stop to get from Saranda to Butrint near Hotel Butrinti in Saranda. You can see that bus stop on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/y9mhjFgrBFgPb3nk9 

The bus journey from Saranda to Butrint will take you approximately 30 minutes. However, it really depends on traffic. In July and August, Saranda and Ksamil are in the middle of the tourist high season. So the city tends to be full of traffic, this may delay your bus journey from Saranda to Butrint. 

I always recommend you visit Butrint in the early morning. Butrint is a beautiful UNESCO and nature park, but it is most enjoyable if you get there first in the early morning. By leaving early, you will enjoy Butrint more, experience less traffic and avoid the heat of the afternoon in the summer months. 

How to get from Saranda to Butrint by taxi?

A taxi from Saranda to Butrint will cost you 38-50 euros for a one-way taxi journey. You can also choose to hire a taxi from Saranda to Butrint and back to Saranda, this will cost you 75-90 euros. 

If you are going to hire a taxi from Saranda to Butrint, you can hire a taxi for a 

• One-way journey from Saranda to Butrint
• Two-way journey from Saranda to Butrint, where the taxi driver waits for you whilst you visit Butrint and drives you back to Saranda afterwards

Saranda to Butrint taxi one-way prices

• Taxi Enea Saranda charges 50 euros for a one-way taxi trip from Saranda to Butrint.
• Taxi Saranda 251 charges 40 euros for a one-way trip from Saranda to Butrint.
• Taxi Rayan Saranda charges 4000 Leke (38 euros) for a one-way trip from Saranda to Butrint. 
• Gerti Taxi Saranda charges 4000 Leke (38 euros) for a one-way trip from Saranda to Butrint. 
• Saranda Taxi Aldo 24H charges 40 euros for a one-way trip from Saranda to Butrint.

Saranda to Butrint taxi two-way prices. The taxi driver waits for you whilst you visit Butrint and brings you back to Saranda after you visit Butrint.

• Taxi Enea Saranda charges 90 euros for a two-way trip from Saranda to Butrint.
• Gerti Taxi Saranda charges 8000 Leke (75 euros) for a two-way trip from Saranda to Butrint. The taxi driver will wait for you to visit Butrint for 2 hours and then drive you back to Saranda.
• Saranda Taxi Aldo 24H charges 80 euros for a two-way trip from Saranda to Butrint. 
• Taxi Rayan Saranda charges 8000 Leke (75 euros) for a two-way taxi trip from Saranda to Butrint. The driver will wait 2-3 hours for you to visit Butrint and then drive you back to Saranda.

How to get from Saranda to Butrint by rental car?

You can get from Saranda to Butrint by rental car. For a basic rental car in Saranda, you can expect to pay at least 20-25 euros per day. This would be the cheapest car rental the agency has available. 

It is important to book or agree on a car rental price before you travel. Especially, if you are travelling in July and August. July and August are the top of the tourist season in Saranda. And you may only be offered higher car rental rates, as the cheaper cars have already been reserved or rented.

To give you an insight into what a rental car costs in Saranda, I have reached out to several independent car rental companies in Saranda. Here is an overview of their car rental 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 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 Saranda to Butrint is straightforward. There is clear signage in Saranda indicating popular nearby destinations, like Butrint, Ksamil, Gjirokaster or 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. 

Can I get from Saranda to Butrint by train?

You cannot get from Saranda to Butrint by train. Because there is no railway between Saranda and Butrint. 

Actually, Saranda does not have a train station. So Saranda is not connected to any other city or country by train. 

Whilst you travel through Albania, you may see some of the old railway tracks in the landscape. However, many of these railways are currently not in use. 

The former communist regime, who ruled Albania from the end of the Second World War until 1992, constructed the railway network. In that period, there were operational trains between Durres, Elbasan, Tirana, Vlore, Pogradec and Shkoder. However, many of these railways are currently not in use, due to a lack of maintenance and investment. 

If you do want to experience one of the old trains, you may be able to take a train between Elbasan-Durres (1-2 times a week) or Shkoder-Lac (1 time per week). You can check the train timetables on the website of “Albanian Railways” or “HSH Hekurudha Shqiptare”.

How long does it take to get from Saranda to Butrint?

It does take approximately 30 minutes to get from Saranda to Butrint by bus, by taxi or by car. That being said, traffic will be heavy in Saranda and Ksamil in the high season. The top of the season for Saranda and Ksamil are the months of July and August. So your bus, taxi or car journey from Saranda to Butrint will take longer due to traffic. 

Is Butrint worth visiting from Saranda?

Butrint is absolutely worth visiting if you are staying in Saranda. Butrint is a UNESCO site and a beautiful archaeological park. 

Butrint is an archaeological park that is set on an “almost-island” or peninsula. The site is surrounded by water. From the Butrint entrance gate, you will go on a circular walking route across the island and explore archaeological ruins along your walk. 

Butrint was a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. It was also a part of the Byzantine Empire and occupied by the Venetians. When you explore the ruins of Butrint, you will see ruins dating back to each of those periods. 

But above all, Butrint is a nature park. The ruins have been overgrown and they are surrounded by lush nature. There is a stunning lake around with beautiful views. And walking through this park is like exploring and an adventure. So even if ruins and archaeology are not your biggest interest, you will certainly enjoy a 1-2 hour visit to Butrint!

Go to Butrint in the early morning, especially in the summer months. So that you can avoid the heat of the day and enjoy this site before it gets busy. Then spend your afternoon swimming in Ksamil on your way back to Saranda.

How to get from Butrint to Saranda by bus?

You can get from Butrint to Saranda by bus between 7:00 AM and 20:00 PM. A bus ticket from Butrint to Saranda costs 200 Leke (1.90 euros) per person. You can pay for your bus ticket in cash onboard the bus. 

Butrint to Saranda bus timetable

The bus from Butrint to Saranda 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. 

This is the official bus timetable from Butrint to Saranda. However, it is important to bear in mind that traffic on the roads in Saranda, Ksamil and Butrint can be heavy. Especially, in the summer months, like July and August, the bus might be late due to being stuck in traffic. 

How to get to Butrint from Ksamil?

You can get to Butrint from Ksamil with the same bus. The bus departs from the Port of Saranda, it makes several stops in Saranda, then makes stops in Ksamil and its destination is Ksamil. 

Bus from Ksamil to Butrint

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

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 

Related Questions

Ksamil to Saranda bus timetable – Ksamil is a bus stop in between Butrint and 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 the bus will make stops in Ksamil 5-10 minutes later. 

Saranda to Ksamil bus – The bus from Saranda to Butrint drives via Ksamil. The bus departs from Saranda 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. You can get on the bus at the Port of Saranda, SOS Bar near the centre of Saranda or Hotel Butrinti. A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.40 euros) per person. 

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