How to get from Tirana airport to Durres?

When I was planning a recent trip to Durres, I started wondering how to get from Tirana airport to Durres? And when I searched online, I found very little information, therefore, I wrote this blog post.

How to get from Tirana airport to Durres? You can get from Tirana airport to Durres by bus, by taxi, by private car or by rental car. There is no train connection. The bus cost 480 LEK (€4.00) and departs 5 times a day. A taxi or private transfer costs €23-€30 one way. Driving to Durres with a rental car will take you 30-40 minutes.

However, whether it is best to take the bus, book a private car, a taxi or a rental car, depends on your arrival time, the number of people and the drop off location. Let’s dig a little deeper, so that you can choose what is right for you.

Transportation from Tirana airport to Durres

The cheapest way to get from Tirana airport to Durres is by bus. The 35-minute bus journey from the airport to Durres will cost you only 480 LEK (€4). There is a daily bus that departs five times a day from the Tirana airport to Durres. The departure times are 10:00am, 12:00pm, 15:30pm, 17:00pm and 22:00pm. However, you need to ensure that your arrival time at the airport matches up with any of these bus departure times, to avoid a long wait at the airport. The bus is operated by Adis Travel & Tours.

You can also choose to travel from Tirana airport to Durres by taxi. Official TIA taxis have a set price for an airport transfer. A trip from the airport to Durres will cost you 3000 LEK (€25). However, if you want to be dropped off at the Durres beach or Durres Golem, the price is slightly higher at 3500 LEK (€30). All official Tirana Airport Taxis are yellow coloured. Moreover, the official licenced taxis have an airport logo, as well as an Auto Holiday Albania logo.

Alternatively, you have the option to book a private car or private transfer between Tirana airport and Durres. A private car will cost you between €23.00 – €25.00 for 1-4 people. If you travel with 5-8 people, you will be charged €46.00 for the transfer.

And finally, you have option to rent a car at the airport. The drive from the Tirana airport to Durres will take you 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. The route from the airport to Durres is very straightforward. From the “Rruga e Aeroportit” Street at the airport, you can immediately access the SH2 highway. This highway will lead you straight to Durres. You can expect clear signage indicating the direction of Durres.

How far is Durres from the airport?

Durres is located 35 kilometres from the Tirana International airport. The journey from the airport to Durres will take you between 30-40 minutes. Since Tirana airport and Durres are connect by the SH2 highway, the travel times do not really vary between a taxi, private car, bus or rental car.

When you decide on your transportation, it is most important to consider your arrival time. The bus transfers between the airport and Durres starts at 10:00am and finish at 22:00pm. Therefore, if you arrive very early in the morning or very late at night, you will only be able to take a taxi.

How to rent a car at Tirana airport?

There are several car rentals, that have an office at Tirana airport. You can rent a car from Eurocar rentals, Enterprise rent-a-car, Europcar, Avis, Sixt and Hertz. You can expect to pay between €20-€30 per day for an average car rental in Albania. Obviously, a premium car will cost you more, depending on the model and make.

When you plan on renting a car, you need to decide if you will drive to the mountains in Albania. Since the roads in the mountainous areas can be gravel instead of asphalt, you will need to rent a four-wheel drive for the mountain roads. The road from Tirana airport to Durres and the roads along the Albanian Riviera are in a good condition and do not require a four-wheel drive.

Can I pay my airport transfer in Euros?

At the Tirana airport, you can pay the taxi, the car rental or the bus in Euros. It is a good idea to bring some cash euros with you for your holiday in Albania. Most of the hotels in Albania quote their prices in euros and will accept payment in euros. Moreover, it will be easy to exchange your euros at a currency exchange agency. In case you need LEK, you can always use the ATM in the arrival hall at the airport.

Can you use credit cards in Albania?

You can only use a credit card in Albania in the larger hotels, bigger shops and at travel agencies in the big cities. Therefore, it is a good idea to bring some cash euros, pounds or dollars with you on your trip. Since Albania is not a part of the European Union, it might be relatively expensive to withdraw cash from an ATM machine. Because the bank will charge you for the exchange rate. And since Albania is not a part of the European Union, there are no transparency rules to inform the ATM user of the fees.

Exchanging cash at a currency exchange agency in Albania is very cheap. In general, you will be charged less than 1% for a fee.

Is Tirana closer to the airport than Durres?

Tirana is a little bit closer to the airport, but the travel time is roughly the same. The airport is located between the two cities. The SH2 highway is a direct road between Tirana and Durres. Basically, the airport is located next to the highway, halfway between Tirana and Durres.

Tirana is located 17 kilometres from the Tirana airport. Durres is a little bit further from the airport at 35 kilometres. However, traffic in the capital city Tirana can slow your journey down. A regular trip from the airport to Tirana will take you 30 minutes, considering you will not be stuck in traffic. A journey to Durres is a bit longer usually 30-40 minutes.

Whether you should choose to stay in Tirana or Durres, depends on what type of city you prefer. Durres is a beach city with many restaurants, cafes and hotels directly along the seaside. Tirana on the other hand offers more museums and historical sights.

Is there Uber in Albania?

Uber did not launch in Albania. Although there was some chatter in 2015 about Uber launching in Albania. It has not happened yet. Therefore, you will only be able to use a regular taxi service in Albania.

Is there a train from Tirana airport to Durres?

There is no train connection between Tirana airport and Durres. Regardless, when it comes to planning any travel in Albania, it is better to choose for a bus, a taxi or a rental car.

Although, there are some rails between Tirana and Durres, from the communist period in Albania. These trains and rails need an investment and a refurbishment. Although numerous plans were written about train and rail improvements, these investments have not taken place yet.

Simply said, if you plan on taking a train in Albania, do it for the experience or the adventure. However, if you are looking for a quick and effective way to visit a touristic attraction, you should choose a taxi, a bus or a rental car instead.

Related Questions

Where is the Tirana International bus station? The Tirana International bus station is on Rruga Ali Kolonja Street in Tirana. At the International bus station, you can get on a bus to cross the border. From Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, you can walk along the Rruga e Durresit Street for 20 minutes, when you cross the roundabout it is your left.

How do I get from Tirana airport to the city Centre? You can get from Tirana airport to the city centre of Tirana by shuttle bus, taxi or rental car. There is no train connection. The shuttle bus costs 250 LEK (€2), takes 30 minutes and operates between 6am-6pm. A taxi costs €18 one way and will take you to the city centre in 25 minutes.

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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

Welcome to Albania!

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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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