How to get from Tirana airport to Durres? 2024 UPDATE, bus, taxi, rental car, prices

If you are looking for the best way to get from Tirana airport to Durres, this blog post is for you. I will detail how you can get from Tirana Airport to Durres by bus, by taxi or by rental car. 

How to get from Tirana Airport to Durres? You can get from Tirana Airport to Durres by bus, by taxi or by rental car. The direct bus from Tirana Airport to Durres departs at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00. A bus ticket costs 600 LEK (5.75 EUR). A taxi costs 23-30 EUR. A rental car costs at least 15-20 EUR a day.

Let me give you all the information you need to get from Tirana airport to Durres, I will describe bus stations, bus ticket prices, and how to book and pay for your bus ticket. I will also compare the taxi prices of popular taxi drivers and taxi companies in Tirana. I will show you an overview of basic rental car prices of car rental agencies based at the airport. Finally, I will discuss the distance and time required to travel to Durres and whether or not it is worth visiting Durres.

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

You can get from Tirana Airport to Durres by bus, by taxi or by rental car. In this first paragraph, I will give you a quick summary of the ways you can travel from Tirana Airport to Durres. There is more detailed information further down in the blog post.

Tirana airport to Durres by bus (summary)

• There is a direct bus from Tirana Airport to Durres at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00. 
• A bus ticket costs 600 Leke (5.75 euros) per person. 
• You must pay cash for your bus ticket.
• The airport bus will drop you off at the Durres Bus Terminal in the city centre of Durres. The bus terminal is near the Port of Durres.

Tirana Airport to Durres by taxi (summary)

• A taxi from Tirana Airport to Durres costs between 23-30 euros. 
• Durres is a very long city, so distances from the airport vary. The city centre of Durres is closest to the airport, Durres Beach is a bit further to the South and Golem Beach is even further to the south. Therefore, taxi prices vary slightly based on your exact location in Durres.
• If you scroll down, you will find a price comparison for taxis from Tirana airport to Durres. 

Tirana Airport to Durres by rental car (summary)

• Renting a car at Tirana Airport costs at least 15-20 euros per day for the cheapest rental car available. 
• Of course, car rental can be very pricy in July and August, as cheaper cars may not be available due to the high season.
• Driving in Albania can be challenging and daunting for a foreigner.
• If you scroll down, you will find a price comparison of rental cars at Tirana Airport.

How to get from Tirana airport to Durres by bus?

You can get from Tirana airport to Durres by bus. There is a direct bus from Tirana Airport to Durres that departs at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00. The bus journey from Tirana Airport to Durres takes 30 minutes. You can buy a bus ticket from the bus driver. A bus ticket costs 600 Leke (5.75 euros) per person. You must pay cash for your bus ticket. The bus will drop you off at the Durres Bus Terminal near the Port of Durres.

Is there a shuttle bus from Tirana Airport to Durres?

There is a shuttle bus from Tirana Airport to Durres. The shuttle bus from Tirana airport to Durres departs at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00. A bus ticket costs 600 Leke (5.75 euros) per person. 

Tirana Airport to Durres bus timetable

The bus from Tirana Airport to Durres departs at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00. A journey from Tirana Airport to Durres takes roughly 30 minutes. The bus will drop you off at the Durres Bus Terminal (in the Albanian language: Stacioni i Autobuzave Durres) in the centre of Durres.

You can also take a bus back from Durres to Tirana Airport. The bus from Durres to Tirana airport departs at 08:00, 09:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00. 

Tirana airport to Durres ticket price

The bus from Tirana airport to Durres costs 600 Leke (5.75 euros) per person. You can buy a bus ticket in person from the bus driver. You are expected to pay cash for your bus ticket. 

Booking bus tickets online or paying by card is not common practice in Albania. I recommend you do as the locals do. You pay cash in person when you board the bus.

Tirana Airport bus station

The bus from Tirana Airport to Durres departs from the parking area at Tirana Airport. When your aeroplane lands, you will board a bus to get to the Terminal Building. You will first pass through the security and have your passport checked. Then you pass through the luggage collection area. And next, you walk into the Arrivals Hall. In the Arrivals Hall, take the exit to your immediate left to the parking and bus station. 

The bus from Tirana airport to Durres is operated by Adis Travel & Tours. 

Durres bus station

The bus from Tirana Airport to Durres will drop you off at the Durres Bus Terminal. In the Albanian language, the bus terminal is called “Stacioni i Autobuzave Durres”. You can see the location of the bus terminal on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qvx4pv2yUDvKM4ck7 

The Durres Bus Terminal is near the Port of Durres and the city centre of Durres. It is important to note that Durres Beach and Golem Beach are further to the South. So if your hotel is near the beach area, you must still take a taxi to get to your hotel from the bus terminal. As it may not be within easy walking distance.

How much is a taxi from Tirana airport to Durres?

A taxi from Tirana Airport to Durres costs between 23-30 euros. It is important to bear in mind that the city centre of Durres and the Port of Durres are closer to Tirana Airport. Whereas the beach areas of Durres Beach and Golem Beach are further to the South, so slightly further away from Tirana Airport. Therefore, a taxi driver may ask you for an exact location in Durres before quoting a price. 

Tirana Airport to Durres taxi price:

• Speed Taxi Tirana charges 2500 Leke or 25 euros for a taxi from Tirana Airport to the Port of Durres. 
• Tirana Taxi Company charges 30 euros for a taxi from Tirana Airport to Durres.
• City Taxi Tirana charges 2700 Leke (26 euros) for a taxi from Tirana Airport to the Port of Durres.
• Smart Taxi Tirana charges 2400 Leke (23 euros) for a taxi from Tirana Airport to Durres.
• Green Taxi Tirana charges 2500 Leke (24 euros) for a taxi from Tirana Airport to the city centre of Durres or 2800 Leke (27 euros) for a taxi from Tirana Airport to the beach zone of Durres.
• Ciao Taxi Tirana charges 30 euros for a taxi from Tirana Airport to Durres.

How to book a Tirana Airport transfer?

You can book on the website of Tirana Airport Taxi if you would like to use the licenced airport taxi service. However, some of the taxi companies based out of Tirana’s city centre are a bit cheaper. You can reach taxi companies, as Green Taxi, Speed Taxi City Taxi, Ciao Taxi or Smart Taxi via WhatsApp easily. And you will usually get a reply within minutes. Speed Taxi and Merr Taxi also have an app, which you can download from their respective websites.

How much does renting a car at Tirana airport and driving to Durres cost?

Renting a car at Tirana Airport costs at least 15-20 euros per day for the cheapest rental car available. 

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.

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.

Is there a train from Tirana airport to Durres?

There is no train from Tirana airport to Durres. Tirana airport does not have a train station and there are no railways alongside Tirana airport. So train travel from Tirana airport is not possible. 

Durres does have a train station. However, there are very few operational trains. There are 2 x trains per week from Durres to Elbasan and back. These are the only operational trains from Durres train station. 

When you travel through Albania, you may see some of the old railways in the landscape. These railways were built in the communist period. There used to be trains connecting Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Vlore, Pogradec and Shkoder. However, at the moment only the Durres-Elbasan section and the Lac-Shkoder section are in use. The remaining railways are not used, as they require maintenance and refurbishments. 

According to HSH Hekurudha Shqiptare (in English: Albanian Railways) there are plans to refurbish the railway between Tirana and Durres. And to construct a new railway connecting Tirana Airport to Tirana and Durres. However, this is currently only a plan, not a reality (yet).

“The development of safe and sustainable railway transport is one of the strategic priorities of the Albanian Government. In this context, the Albanian Government has enabled the public company “Hekurudha Shqiptare” with necessary financing with loans and grants from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Investment Fund in the Western Balkans for the rehabilitation of the Tirana-Durrës railway section and the construction of a railway connection with Rinas Airport.” Quote from HSH Hekurudha Shqiptare (in English: Albanian Railways)

How far is Durres from the airport?

Durres is 29 kilometres from Tirana airport. It will take you approximately 30 minutes to drive from Tirana airport to Durres. That being said, traffic may slow you down as you get near the coastline in the summer months. Since there is a small single-lane road alongside the coastline which can be packed with cars in the summer months.

Is Durres worth a visit?

In essence, Durres is the most conveniently located beach in Albania as it is only a 30-minute drive from Tirana Airport or a 45-minute drive from Tirana’s city centre. Durres is a big coastal town with all the facilities, like apartments, hotels, restaurants, shops and bars alongside the coastline. There are beach chairs and parasols you can rent as well. 

That being said, Durres Beach can be crowded in the summer months as locals and tourists go to Durres often due to its convenient location. Any local in Tirana will tell you that it can be worth going a bit further down to “Golem Beach” for nicer beaches. My personal preference is “The Bay of Lalzi”, which is a smaller beach with a few small restaurants surrounded by pine trees to the North of Durres. 

Of course, the most beautiful beaches in Albania are alongside the Albanian Riviera. This is the coastline between Vlore and Saranda. However, these beaches of the Albanian Riviera are a longer drive from Tirana. Driving from Tirana to Vlore will take you 2.5 or 3 hours. And driving to Saranda will take you 5 hours. But the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda is very pretty, so worth a road trip if you have the time.

Apart from beaches, Durres has a Roman Amphitheatre which is a UNESCO site. There is a Venetian Tower that remains of the former Durres Castle. And there is an archaeological museum in Durres worth a visit, if that is of interest to you.

Related Questions

Which is the nearest airport to Durres? The nearest airport to Durres is Tirana International Airport. Tirana International Airport is also called TIA, Rinas Airport or Mother Teresa Airport. Tirana International Airport is only a 30-minute drive from Durres.

Tirana to Durres bus – The bus from Tirana to Durres departs from the Bus Terminal North and South Albania. This bus terminal is located about 15 minutes outside the city centre of Tirana, so you can take a short taxi ride or a bus in the direction of Instituti from behind the National History Museum on Skanderbeg Square. Buses from Tirana to Durres depart every 10-30 minutes between 5 AM and 21:00. A bus ticket costs 150-180 Leke (1.45-1.75 EUR).

How to get from the Tirana bus station to the airport? There is no bus from the Tirana Bus Station North and South Albania to Tirana airport. A taxi from the Tirana Bus Station North and South Albania to Tirana Airport costs 12-15 euros. If you are at the International Bus Station behind the “Asllan Rusi” Sports Palace, you can walk to Skanderbeg Square and take the airport shuttle bus behind the Palace of Culture.

Tirana Airport to Tirana – There is a direct bus from Tirana Airport to the city centre of Tirana. The bus departs every hour for 24 hours a day. So there is a bus from Tirana Airport to Tirana at 1:00 AM, 2:00 AM, 3:00 AM, 4:00 AM, 5:00 AM, 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00 and 24:00. The airport shuttle from Tirana Airport to Tirana costs 400 Leke (approximately 3.86 euros) per person. The bus from Tirana Airport to the city drops you off at the bus station behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet. 

Tirana airport to Vlore – There is a direct bus from Tirana airport to Vlore. The bus departs from Tirana airport to Vlore at 00:45, 03:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00 and 22:15. A bus ticket from Tirana airport to Vlore costs 1200 Leke (11.55 Euros). The bus from Tirana Airport to Vlore is operated by Hermes Airport.

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