How to get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder? Bus, Timetable, Ticket, Taxi, Car, Prices

If you are planning a trip from Tirana Airport to Shkoder, this blog post is for you. I will describe how you can get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder by bus, by taxi or by car.

How to get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder? You can get a bus, taxi or car. The bus from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 10-13 EUR and departs at 00:30 AM, 2:30 AM, 5:00 AM, 9:20 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 15:30 PM, 17:30 PM, 20:10 PM and 22:15 PM. A taxi from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 70 EUR. A rental car is at least 20-25 EUR a day.

In this blog post, I will give you all the information you need to plan your journey from Tirana Airport to Shkoder. I will include bus timetables, ticket prices, bus station information, taxi rates, how to book, car rental prices, sightseeing information and more. Let’s dive in.

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

You can get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder with the direct airport bus (10-13 EUR per person), a taxi (70 EUR) or by rental car (starting from 20-25 EUR a day). There is no train.

Tirana Airport to Shkoder by bus

• There is a direct bus from Tirana Airport to Shkoder city. 
• Buses depart from Tirana Airport to Shkoder at 00:30 AM, 2:30 AM, 5:00 AM, 9:20 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 15:30 PM, 17:30 PM, 20:10 PM and 22:15 PM. 
• A bus ticket from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 1000 LEK – 1300 LEK (10-13 EUR) per person. 
• In Albania, the expectation is that you pay for your bus ticket in cash. So I recommend you bring some cash euros, which are widely accepted in Albania.
• The bus journey from Tirana Airport to Shkoder usually takes 2 hours. But it can take 3 hours in the summer holidays or Christmas holidays, due to heavy traffic on the road.

Tirana Airport to Shkoder by taxi

• A taxi from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 70 EUR.
• This is the price of the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service operated by Auto Holiday Albania.
• The official Tirana Airport Taxis have the airport logo displayed on both sides of the taxi and are always waiting at the taxi bay in front of Tirana Airport. 
• The advantage of the official taxi service is that they have a set price list on their website, so you know in advance you will be charged 70 EUR. 
• You can also quickly request taxi prices via WhatsApp from companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Green Taxi, Lux Taxi and City Taxi.
• UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. Alternative taxi apps do exist, but do not charge reduced rates like UBER does.

Tirana Airport to Shkoder by car

• A rental car at Tirana Airport costs at least 20-25 EUR per day. 
• However, car rentals will be more expensive in the summer months between May-September, due to the tourist high season.
• These car rental companies have an office at Tirana Airport: AA Rent a Car, Auto Rental Albania, Avis, Enterprise Rent A Car, G Rentals, Hertz, Okmobility, Pepa Rent, Prishtina Rent, Rent Point, Rinas Car Rental, Sixt, Sky rentals, Superior Rental, Teresa Car Rental and Viaggiare Rent.
• You can find a list of phone numbers and email addresses for each car rental on the website of Tirana Airport. 
• I recommend you reach out to car rental companies via WhatsApp to get quotes quickly and so that you can compare pricing before you travel.

Tirana Airport to Shkoder by train

• There is no train or railway between Tirana Airport and Shkoder, so it is not possible to take a train to Shkoder. 
• In the communist period, there used to be a railway connection between Shkoder and Tirana. 
• However, due to a lack of maintenance and little investment in trains, there are no trains in operation between Shkoder and Tirana.
• That being said, a new railway is under construction between Durres, Tirana Airport and Tirana said to open in 2026. So there is some renewed attention and investment in train travel within Albania.

How to get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder by bus?

There are direct buses from Tirana Airport to Shkoder. Buses depart from Tirana Airport to Shkoder at 00:30 AM, 2:30 AM, 5:00 AM, 9:20 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 15:30 PM, 17:30 PM, 20:10 PM and 22:15 PM. 

A bus ticket from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 1000 LEK – 1300 LEK (10-13 EUR) per person. The best way to pay for bus tickets is by cash in euros or Albanian Leke. Since you will just be arriving at Tirana Airport, you won’t have any Albanian Leke yet. So simply bring some cash euros and pay for your bus ticket in cash.

I know that in most countries it is necessary to book your bus ticket online in advance. However, this is not common practice in Albania. In Albania, the locals pay for all of their expenses in cash. So I suggest you do as the locals do, and pay for your bus ticket in cash. 

The bus from Tirana Airport to Shkoder is operated by Hermes Airport. The bus departs from the Tirana Airport Bus Station. When you arrive at the airport, you will exit the airplane and board a bus to the Airport Terminal Building. You will then pass through Passport Control and Luggage Collection and walk into the Arrivals Hall. Take the exit to your left to the Parking Area and Bus Station.

Upon arrival in Shkoder, you will be dropped off in the city center near the Hermes Airport Ticket Office, which you can see on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7YmxXoXrF6ZuqK2fA 

Tirana Airport to Shkoder bus timetable

The bus timetable from Tirana Airport to Shkoder is: 00:30 AM, 2:30 AM, 5:00 AM, 9:20 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 15:30 PM, 17:30 PM, 20:10 PM and 22:15 PM. 

The bus journey from Tirana Airport to Shkoder takes approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. However, in the summer months or Christmas holiday period, the bus journey may take 3 hours as there is heavy traffic on the road to Shkoder.

Tirana Airport to Shkoder bus ticket

A bus ticket from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 1000 LEK – 1300 LEK (10-13 EUR) per person. The bus ticket costs 1000 LEK (10 EUR) during day time hours. And 1300 LEK (13 EUR) if you take a bus during the night, like at 00:30 AM or 2:30 AM or 5:00 AM. 

Hermes Airport Shkoder

The bus from Tirana Airport to Shkoder is operated by Hermes Airport. The buses from Hermes Airport are waiting at the Tirana Airport Bus Station. Bus drivers take cash payment upon boarding the bus. Booking and paying for your bus ticket online is not common practice in Albania. So I recommend you pay by cash in Euros or Albanian Leke.

How do I book a bus ticket from Tirana Airport to Shkoder?

I have gotten many questions over the years about booking bus tickets online for a bus journey in Albania. And I do not actually recommend booking bus tickets online for your travels through Albania. 

Because in Albania it is common practice to pay for your bus ticket in cash with the bus driver upon boarding the bus. So therefore, I recommend you bring some cash euros with you and pay for your bus ticket in cash. Then once you are in the city center, you exchange a small amount of foreign currency for Albanian Leke for little expenses like bottled water, bread or pastries. 

If you book your bus ticket online, you will see that you will be one of the very few people who does that. Locals don’t book bus tickets online in Albania, they will be paying cash on the spot.

How much is a taxi from Tirana Airport to Shkoder?

A taxi from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 70 EUR. This is the price that the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service charges. The Tirana Airport Taxi service has taxis that are always waiting in front of the Airport Terminal Building. The Tirana Airport Taxi service has a price list on their website that states a taxi from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 70 EUR. 

• Tirana Airport to Shkoder taxi – 70 EUR (official Tirana Airport Taxi Service)

Of course, you can check taxi prices with other taxi companies too. The easiest way to get taxi prices quickly would be via WhatsApp. You can drop a message via WhatsApp to Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Green Taxi, City Taxi or Lux Taxi. 

Is there Uber at Tirana Airport?

There is no Uber taxi at Tirana Airport. Because Uber Taxi does not exist in Albania. Although there are some taxi apps in Albania, those taxi apps do not charge reduced taxi rates like Uber does. 

If you want to get a good price on a taxi, I recommend you message taxi companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Green Taxi, City Taxi or Lux Taxi via WhatsApp and compare their prices before booking a taxi.

How much does renting a car and driving from Tirana Airport to Shkoder cost?

A rental car at Tirana Airport will cost you at least 20-25 EUR a day. However, in the summer months between May-September, car rentals tend to get more expensive due to the tourist season. 

If you are looking for an affordable rental car, I recommend you have a look at the website of Tirana Airport. On Tirana Airport’s website, there is a list of car rental companies that have an office at the airport. The list includes direct phone numbers and email addresses. And if you message several companies via WhatsApp, you will get car rental prices in minutes. 

These car rental companies have an office at Tirana Airport: AA Rent a Car, Auto Rental Albania, Avis, Enterprise Rent A Car, G Rentals, Hertz, Okmobility, Pepa Rent, Prishtina Rent, Rent Point, Rinas Car Rental, Sixt, Sky rentals, Superior Rental, Teresa Car Rental and Viaggiare Rent.

Driving from Tirana Airport to Shkoder is quite straightforward. From the airport road, you must get on the A1 highway and then drive onwards on the E762 to Shkoder. The drive from Tirana Airport to Shkoder takes 1.5 hours to 2 hours. However, in the summer months or Christmas holiday period, it may take 3 hours due to heavy traffic on the one lane road.

How long does it take to travel from Tirana Airport to Shkoder?

It usually takes 1.5 – 2 hours to travel from Tirana Airport by bus. That being said, it may take 3 hours or more in the summer holidays or Christmas holidays, due to heavy traffic on the road. 

As of right now, the road between Tirana / Tirana Airport and Shkoder is an older national road that has one lane for each direction. Since there is only 1 x lane for each direction any trucks or slower vehicles in front of you will slow you down and it can be hard to overtake on this road due to the limited space.

How to get from Shkoder to Tirana Airport by bus?

There is a direct bus from Shkoder city to Tirana Airport. You can get on the bus from Shkoder to Tirana Airport at the Hermes Airport Bus Agency in Shkoder.

The address of the Hermes Airport Bus Agency in Shkoder is: Rruga Marin Bicikemi, Shkodër, Albania. You can see the location of the bus agency on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c4Qt3RrNpKn2pBTZ8 

Buses from Shkoder to Tirana Airport depart at 3:00 AM, 5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 14:00 PM, 16:00 PM, 18:00 PM, 20:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 

Usually, the bus journey from Shkoder to Tirana Airport lasts 2 hours. However, in the summer holidays or the Christmas holidays traffic can be heavy on the roads, and the journey may last 3 hours. And you must take into consideration that you must be at Tirana Airport 2-3 hours before your flight departs. 

A bus ticket from Shkoder to Tirana Airport costs 1000 LEK – 1300 LEK per person (10-13 EUR). Buses during day time hours cost 1000 LEK (10 EUR), whereas bus departures during the night time hours cost 1300 LEK (13 EUR). 

The expectation in Albania is that you pay for your bus tickets in cash. So I always recommend you carry cash with you whilst travelling by bus in Albania. A combination of some cash euros and a small amount of Albanian Leke usually works best.

Is it worth going to Shkoder?

Shkoder is definitely worth a visit. Within Albania, Shkoder is considered an art and culture city. The city center has a beautiful Venetian-style boulevard. You can visit the nearby Shiroke village on the shore of Lake Shkoder for stunning lake views and a lovely lakeside boulevard. And you can visit historical sites like Rozafa Castle and the Mesi Bridge.

Foreign travellers often visit Shkoder for 1 night and travel onwards to Lake Koman, Valbona or Theth in the Albanian Alps on the next day. But Shkoder is also worth visiting on its own as it is a lovely city.

Rozafa Castle

Rozafa castle is a large castle on the top of a hill near Shkoder city. The castle has a spectacular, panoramic view over Shkoder city and the Lake of Shkodra. The Illyrians originally founded the castle in antiquity, but it was later rebuilt by the Venetians and the Turkish Ottomans. 

There is a famous legend about the castle. Allegedly, three brothers build the castle during the day, however, during the night the walls would fall down. The brothers were told by an old man that a human sacrifice was needed to ensure the walls would stand. The brothers made a deal and decided that the wife, who brought lunch the next day, would be sacrificed. The two older brothers cheated and told their wives. Therefore, the wife of the youngest brother, Rozafa, was sacrificed. She agreed under the condition that her foot, her hand and her breast would be exposed so that she could take care of her infant child. You can see a statue of Rozafa at the entrance of the castle’s museum. 

Venice Art Mask Factory

The Venice Art Mask Factory is a factory and exhibition of Venetian Masks. The factory was started in 1997 by Edmond Angoni, who is originally from Albania, but spent a long period of time in Venice. Back in Albania, he began creating Venetian masks and turned it into a worldwide factory. The factory has eight shops in Venice and one in Las Vegas, and it sells masks in luxury shops in Dubai and Australia as well. 

In the Venice Art Mask Factory, you can see a display of 1700 unique art masks. Each mask is produced by 12 or 13 professionals, who work on the moulding, papier-mache, painting and decorations. The factory produces more than 30.000 masks per year. It is very enjoyable to browse through the beautiful collection of masks. Each mask is a unique work of art. The masks vary in price point, so you might even find a unique souvenir to take home. 

Mesi Bridge

The Mesi Bridge is a cultural monument to the northeast of Shkoder city. It is a historical bridge that was built in the 18th century when Albania was ruled by the Turkish Ottoman empire.

Today, it is the largest remaining bridge from the Ottoman period in Albania. The bridge is a tourist attraction and it was voted the top bridge to visit in Albania by TripAdvisor. The bridge is 108 meters long and it has a total of 13 little arches. It is surrounded by the beautiful mountains in the background.

Venetian Style Boulevard in the city center

Kole Idromeno Street is a famous pedestrian street in the centre of Shkoder city. It is a very pretty boulevard with many terraces. The pedestrian street was designed by a local architect and painter called Kole Idromeno. The architect was schooled in Venice and therefore, the boulevard has a very Italian feel. It has many decorative details like beautiful stones and romantic lighting. The Kole Idromeno boulevard is a lovely place for strolling, shopping for souvenirs or enjoying a beautiful afternoon on the terrace. 

Shkodra Lake

The Lake of Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. It is located on the border between Albania and Montenegro. It is a calming and refreshing area. You can drive along the road to Shiroka and visit the Buna River delta. The lake has crystal clear water and it is a very beautiful location.

How to get from Tirana city to Shkoder by bus?

Buses from Tirana city to Shkoder depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. This bus terminal is located outside the city center of Tirana, so you would need to take a short taxi ride (metered taxi) or a city bus from the city center to the Bus Terminal.

If you want to take a city bus to the Bus Terminal, you must go to the central Skanderbeg Square. You will see the large National History Museum, walk to the back of the Museum to the Rruga Ded Gjo Luli (Ded Gjo Luli Street) and locate the bus stop. You must take a bus to “Instituti” which stops at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. 

Once you are at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Shkoder. 

Buses from Tirana to Shkoder depart at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 13:00 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:00 PM, 17:30 PM and 18:00 PM. 

A bus ticket from Tirana to Shkoder costs 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person. You must pay cash for your bus ticket with the bus driver, both Euros and Albanian Leke are accepted. You cannot book this bus online, as the bus driver does not have a booking website.

Your bus journey from Tirana to Shkoder will last around 2 hours. But it may take longer in the summer holidays or Christmas holidays due to heavy traffic on the road. 

Insider Tip: As a foreigner, the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania may feel chaotic and overwhelming. There are small buses parked everywhere. Bus drivers may approach you asking if you are going to their destination. And you may need to walk around the bus terminal for a while to find the right bus. 

How much is the bus fare from Tirana to Shkoder?

The bus fare from Tirana to Shkoder is 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person. This is the price for a bus ticket from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania in Tirana to Shkoder city.

If you want to take the direct bus from Tirana Airport to Shkoder that costs 1000 LEK – 1300 LEK (10-13 EUR) per person. Direct buses from Tirana Airport are relatively expensive in Albania. But it saves you having to take a bus to the bus terminal and then transfer onto another bus from the bus terminal to Shkoder.

How to get on the bus from Tirana to Shkoder?

The bus from Tirana to Shkoder departs from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. This bus terminal is located on the outskirts of Tirana, so if you are staying in a hotel in the city center, you would need to take a short taxi ride or city bus to get to the bus terminal.

If you want to take the city bus to the bus terminal, you must go to the central Skanderbeg Square. At Skanderbeg Square, you will see the large National History Museum. Walk to the back of the National History Museum to the “Rruga Ded Gjo Luli” (Ded Gjo Luli Street). Locate the bus stop and get on a bus to “Instituti”. This bus to “Instituti” will stop at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania.

Once you are at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, you can get on the bus from Tirana to Shkoder. The bus departs at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 13:00 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:00 PM, 17:30 PM and 18:00 PM. 

A bus ticket from Tirana to Shkoder costs 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person. You must pay cash for your bus ticket with the bus driver, both Euros and Albanian Leke are accepted. You cannot book this bus online, as the bus driver does not have a booking website.

Related Questions

How much is the bus fare from Tirana to Shkoder? The bus fare from Tirana to Shkoder is 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person, and you are expected to pay cash. The bus from Tirana to Shkoder departs from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania outside the city center. Buses depart every 30-60min between 7AM and 18PM.

Is there FlixBus in Albania? There is FlixBus in Albania for international buses from Albania to other countries. The vast majority of local and national buses within Albania do not have a booking website or online reservation system. You can only get on these buses by going to the bus stop and paying cash to the driver.

Is there Uber in Albania? There is no UBER in Albania. Some local taxi apps exist like Speed Taxi App or UPs Taxi or Taxi AL. However, these taxi apps do not offer discounted rates like Uber. So you might also simply contact taxi companies via WhatsApp or Messenger and you won’t need an app. 

Luna Travel Tirana Airport bus timetable – Luna Travel bus timetable from Tirana Airport to Tirana’s city center: Buses depart every hour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Buses depart 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 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:00 PM, 16:00 PM, 17:00 PM, 18:00 PM, 19:00 PM, 20:00 PM, 21:00 PM, 22:00 PM, 23:00 PM and 24:00 PM. 

Tirana to Airport bus – There is a direct bus from Tirana’s city center to Tirana Airport. Buses depart from the bus station behind the Palace of Culture / National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. A bus ticket costs 400 LEK (4 EUR) per person. Buses depart 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 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:00 PM, 16:00 PM, 17:00 PM, 18:00 PM, 19:00 PM, 20:00 PM, 21:00 PM, 22:00 PM, 23:00 PM and 24:00 PM. 

Airport to Tirana bus – There is a direct bus from Tirana Airport to Tirana’s city center. A bus ticket costs 400 LEK (4 EUR) per person. Buses depart 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 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:00 PM, 16:00 PM, 17:00 PM, 18:00 PM, 19:00 PM, 20:00 PM, 21:00 PM, 22:00 PM, 23:00 PM and 24:00 PM. 

Bus from Vlore to Tirana Airport – There is a direct bus from Vlore to Tirana Airport. Buses depart from the Hermes Airport Travel Agency in Vlore. A bus ticket costs 1200 – 1500 LEK (12 – 15 EUR). Buses depart at 1:30 AM, 3:30 AM, 5:00 AM, 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 13:00 PM, 15:00 PM, 17:00 PM and 19:00 PM. 

Bus from Tirana Airport to Vlore – There is a direct bus from Tirana Airport to Vlore. A bus ticket costs 1200 – 1500 LEK (12 – 15 EUR). Buses depart at 00:45 AM, 3:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 17:00 PM, 18:30 PM, 20:00 PM and 22:15 PM. 

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