How to get from Tirana to Saranda? Bus, Taxi, Timetable, Prices

If you are looking for the best way to get from Tirana to Saranda, look no further. In this blog post, I will outline how you can get from Tirana to Saranda by bus, by taxi or by car. 

How to get from Tirana to Saranda? You can get from Tirana to Saranda by bus, by taxi or by car. A taxi from Tirana to Saranda costs 200 EUR. The bus from Tirana to Saranda costs 15 EUR, 5:30 AM – 22:00 PM, duration: 5 hours. Buses depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. A rental car costs at least 20-25 EUR/day.

In this blog post, I will give you all the information you need to travel from Tirana to Saranda with confidence. I will share taxi prices, journey times, driving routes, car rental info, bus timetables, bus ticket prices, bus station locations and much more. So let’s dive in.

How to get from Tirana to Saranda?

You can get from Tirana to Saranda by taxi, by bus or by rental car. There are no flights or trains to Saranda. Let me give you a summary of the best ways to get from Tirana to Saranda.

Tirana to Saranda taxi

• A taxi from Tirana to Saranda costs around 200 euros.
• The Tirana Airport Taxi Service charges 200 euros for a taxi from Tirana Airport to Saranda, which is a very good indication of what taxi drivers in Tirana may charge.
• Of course, individual taxi drivers will set their own prices, but around 200 euros would be reasonable as it is a 5 hour one-way drive.
• UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. 
• You can request taxi prices quickly via WhatsApp.

Tirana to Saranda bus

• Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. 
• This bus terminal is located outside the city centre and not within a walking distance. 
• Take a short metered taxi ride or city bus to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, then get on a bus from Tirana to Saranda.
• Tirana to Saranda Bus Timetable: 5:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 
• A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 1500 LEK (15 EUR).
• Some buses take the quicker inland highway (4H20min-5hours), and other buses drive along the scenic Albanian Riviera route (6 hours plus)
• You can find more detailed bus information from Tirana to Saranda below. 

Tirana to Saranda bus timetable

• Tirana to Saranda bus timetable: 5:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 
• Buses via the quicker inland route depart at 5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. Duration: 4H20min – 5 hours. Operated by Tisa Travel.
• Buses via the scenic Albanian Riviera coastline road depart at 7:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 15:30 PM. Duration: 6 hours plus. Operated by Olgeno Travel and Tours.
• Bus tickets from Tirana to Saranda cost 15 EUR per person.

Tirana to Saranda road

• You can drive from Tirana to Saranda via two routes: the inland highway or the Albanian Riviera coastline road.
• The quickest way to get from Tirana to Saranda is via the inland highway. The route is from Tirana via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Tepelene and Kardhiq Castle to Saranda. This route takes around 5 hours to drive. 
• That being said, it is worth planning a road trip along the beautiful Albanian Riviera coastline. This route is longer of course, but worth it due the beautiful views.
• The Albanian Riviera coastline route is from Tirana via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Vlore and Himare to Saranda. 
• After Vlore, you can either take the Llogara Pass, which offers nice views or take the Llogara Tunnel, which cuts 45 minutes off your journey time.
• Driving from Tirana via the Albanian Riviera coastline road to Saranda takes a full day from 8:30 AM until 19:00 PM, with stops en route for sightseeing.

Tirana to Saranda rental car

• A rental car in Albania costs at least 20-25 euros per day.
• However, in the summer months a rental car can be much more expensive due to the tourist high season.
• I highly recommend you book a rental car in advance, so that you won’t be surprised with high prices at Tirana Airport.
• You can find a helpful list of car rental companies on the website of Tirana Airport with phone numbers and email addresses, so that you can reach out to different providers before you travel. 

Tirana to Saranda flight

• At the moment of writing this blog post, you cannot fly from Tirana to Saranda. 
• Although a new airport is under construction in Saranda, this airport has not opened yet. 
• A new airport is under construction in Vlore as well, but this airport is not operating flights yet either. 
• So right now, you can fly to Tirana Airport and take a bus/taxi/car to Saranda.
• Or you can fly to Corfu Airport on the Greek Corfu island and take a ferry to Saranda. Ferry duration: 35 min for speed ferries or 1H15min for car ferries. Ferry price: 19-25 EUR per person.

Tirana to Saranda train

• You cannot take a train from Tirana to Saranda, because there are no railway tracks leading to Saranda.
• Saranda never had a train. So there are no railways. And there is no train station in Saranda. 
• Train travel within Albania’s borders is very limited. At any given time, there may be as little as 2-3 trains per week in operation in the entire country. That is why locals travel by bus or car, not by train.
• A new railway is under construction between Tirana – Tirana Airport – Durres, which is set to open in 2026. 

Tirana to Saranda distance

• The distance from Tirana to Saranda is 265 kilometers if you drive via the inland highway.
• It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Tirana to Saranda if you drive via the inland highway.
• The quickest route is Tirana via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Tepelene and Kardhiq Castle to Saranda. 
• If you would like to drive along the pretty Albanian Riviera coastline road and make some stops for pictures, sightseeing and lunch, that will take you a full day starting at 8:30 AM and ending up in Saranda around 19:00 PM. 
• The Albanian Riviera route is from Tirana via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Vlore, Llogara Pass / Llogara Tunnel and Himare to Saranda. 

Is there a bus from Tirana to Saranda?

There are buses from Tirana to Saranda, departing from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. This bus terminal is located outside of the city centre of Tirana along the highway between Tirana Airport and the city centre of Tirana. 

If you are staying in a hotel in the city centre of Tirana, you must take a city bus or short taxi ride to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, where you can then get on a bus to Saranda. Unfortunately, the Tirana Bus Terminal is not within a walking distance of the city centre.

• You can see the location of the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qdGb6MEF1yjaY6K4A 
• In the Albanian language, this bus terminal is called: Terminali i Autobusave të Jugut dhe Veriut

Taxi drivers usually switch on the taxi meter if you want to get to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. It is only a 15-20 minute drive from the city centre, but traffic can slow the journey down quite a bit. 

If you want to take the city bus, walk to the central Skanderbeg Square, then walk to the back of the National History Museum to the Rruga Ded Gjo Luli (Ded Gjo Luli Street) and locate the bus stop. You must take a bus to “Instituti”, this bus will make a 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 a bus from Tirana to Saranda. 

From the Tirana Bus Terminal, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Saranda. 

• Tirana to Saranda Bus Timetable: 5:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 
• Buses from Tirana to Saranda are operated by Tisa Travel and Olgeno Travel & Tours. 
• Buses operated by Tisa Travel drive via the quickest route, which is the inland highway. Therefore these only take 4H20min or 5 hours. 
• Buses operated by Olgeno Travel & Tours drive via the scenic Albanian Riviera route, which takes 6 hours plus. 

Tisa Travel bus from Tirana to Saranda

•  Tisa Travel offers a quicker bus that drives from Tirana to Saranda via the inland route. This route is from Tirana via Durres, Fier, Tepelene and Kardhiq Castle to Saranda. This inland route takes between 4 hours and 20 min and 5 hours. 
• The buses from Tirana to Saranda via the inland route operated by Tisa Travel depart at  5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 
• A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 1500 LEK (15 EUR).
• The bus driver will expect you to pay in cash in person at the ticket office or with the bus driver upon boarding the bus at the Tirana Bus Terminal.

Olgeno Travel & Tours bus from Tirana to Saranda

• Olgeno operates a bus that drives from Tirana via the Albanian Riviera coastline to Saranda. This route is from Tirana via Durres, Fier, Vlore and Himare to Saranda. This route is longer and may take 6 hours or more. But it is worth taking this bus for the beautiful views of the coastline!
• The bus from Tirana to Saranda via the Albanian Riviera coastline operated by Olgeno departs at 7:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 15:30 PM. 
• A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 1500 LEK (15 EUR).
• The bus driver will expect you to pay in cash in person at the ticket office or with the bus driver upon boarding the bus at the Tirana Bus Terminal.

Although you may be used to booking your bus tickets online in your country, I highly recommend you pay for your bus tickets in cash euros. In Albania, the locals pay for 99% of their expenses by cash money, so I suggest you do as the locals do. 

I recommend you carry some cash euros, which are widely accepted and exchange a small amount for Albanian Leke once you are in the city centre. The bus driver will expect you to pay cash for your bus ticket upon boarding the bus. 

Online bus tickets are not the norm in Albania, paying by cash is the expectation. And on many national routes there are no booking websites and no online tickets available. 

Upon arrival in Saranda, the bus driver will drop you off in the city center near Friendship Park and the archaeological ruins of the Synagogue-Basilica. And from there you can walk or take a taxi to your hotel in Saranda.

Tirana to Saranda bus timetable

This is the bus timetable from Tirana to Saranda.

• Tirana to Saranda Bus Timetable: 5:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 
• Quick buses via the inland highway: 5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. These buses drive from Tirana to Saranda in 4H20min – 5 hours. 
• Scenic buses via the Albanian Riviera coastline: 7:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 15:30 PM. These buses drive from Tirana to Saranda in 6 hours or more. You will enjoy beautiful views of the Albanian Riviera.
• Buses are operated by Tisa Travel (via the inland highway) and Olgeno Travel & Tours (via the Albanian Riviera).

Tirana to Saranda bus ticket price

A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 1500 LEK (15 EUR) per person. You are expected to pay cash in person when boarding the bus. You can pay in Euros or Albanian Leke.

In Albania, it is not common practice to book buses online. The Albanian people pay for all of their expenses by cash. So you will see all the passengers on the bus pay for their bus tickets in cash. So I recommend you do the same. 

Bring some euros cash with you and exchange a small amount for Albanian Leke at a currency exchange office. Carry cash so that you can pay for your bus ticket in cash. 

Tirana to Saranda bus terminal

Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. This bus terminal is located outside of the city centre of Tirana, along the highway that connects Tirana Airport to Tirana’s city centre.

• You can see the location of the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qdGb6MEF1yjaY6K4A 
• In the Albanian language, this bus terminal is called: Terminali i Autobusave të Jugut dhe Veriut

The Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania is not within a walking distance of the city centre. So you must take a short taxi ride or a city bus to get to the bus terminal. 

From Skanderbeg Square walk to the back of the National History Museum to Rruga Ded Gjo Luli and locate the bus stop. Get on a bus to “Instituti”, which will stop at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. Once you are at the bus terminal, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Saranda.

Can I pay for my bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda in euros?

You can pay for your bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda in euros. Euros are widely accepted within Albania, so you can pay with euros in Albania, including for your bus ticket. 

Albanian people accept common foreign currencies like euros, pounds and dollars, as these can easily be exchanged at an exchange office. Moreover, many Albanian families have a family member working abroad sending them foreign currency. So the Albanian people are very used to having foreign currency and exchanging currency at an exchange office nearby. 

In Albania, cash payments are strongly preferred. So it is a great idea to bring some cash euros with you for your trip to Albania. And plan to pay for your bus tickets in cash with euros or Albanian Leke, both are fine.

Is the bus from Tirana to Sarande reliable?

Buses from Tirana to Saranda are reliable, in the sense that buses operate regularly within Albania. You can be sure there will be buses departing from the Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda. 

That being said, as a foreigner, you might find that bus travel in Albania is quite chaotic. When you get to the bus terminal, you will literally see minibuses parked everywhere. And drivers might approach you asking where you are going, as they are trying to get more passengers on their bus. 

Many buses in Albania are privately owned, older minibuses. So travelling by bus is often acceptable as a cheap means of transport, but not a luxury for sure. 

As a foreigner travelling in Albania, you will need to be patient. Bus drivers may wait a little while longer to get a few more passengers on the bus, as more passengers means more money for the driver. 

So in summary, buses in Albania do operate regularly. You can surely find a bus to Saranda at the bus terminal. But you would need to be patient and adapt to the Albanian-style of the bus drivers and bus terminals. 

Should I book the bus from Tirana to Saranda online?

I recommend you don’t book your bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda online and instead pay cash with the bus driver.

Albanian people pay for their bus tickets in cash. In fact, Albanian people pay for 99% of their expenses in cash. So when you come to Albania as a foreign tourist, I recommend you pay for your bus tickets in cash, just like the locals do.

Moreover, the bus driver will expect you to pay cash. Booking bus tickets online is not common practice. And paying by card onboard the bus is often not possible, as older buses do not have a card machine. So simply carry some cash euros and a small amount of Albanian Leke with you whilst travelling through Albania. 

How much does a taxi cost from Tirana to Saranda?

A taxi from Tirana to Saranda costs around 200 euros. This is the price that the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service charges for a taxi from Tirana Airport to Saranda. The Tirana Airport Taxi Service has a price list on their website, which is a very good indication of what you can expect to pay for a taxi in Albania.

• Tirana to Saranda taxi price = 200 euros

Of course individual taxi drivers set their own prices. But a price around 200 euros for a taxi from Tirana to Saranda is reasonable. Especially because it is a 5 hour drive from Tirana to Saranda one-way, so it will take the taxi driver 10 hours in total to drive back and forth.

Can I pay for my taxi from Tirana to Saranda in euros?

You can pay for your taxi from Tirana to Saranda in euros. Euros are widely accepted in Albania. So Albanian taxi drivers will definitely accept payment in euros. 

Other common foreign currencies like dollars and pounds are also accepted by Albanian taxi drivers, as those can be easily exchanged too. In general, Albanian people and businesses are open to accepting foreign currency and may give you change in Albanian Leke if applicable.

Can I take an Uber from Tirana to Saranda?

You cannot take an UBER Taxi from Tirana to Saranda, because UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. Although there are local taxi apps, like UPs Taxi App, Speed Taxi App, Taxi AL, those do not charge reduced rates, like UBER. 

If you would like to reserve a taxi and get a good rate, I recommend you reach out to several taxi drivers via WhatsApp beforehand. You can find taxi driver phone numbers on Google Maps or try popular taxi companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, City Taxi, Green Taxi or Lux Taxi. Message several taxi drivers via WhatsApp and you usually get quotes in minutes.

How is the road from Tirana to Saranda?

There are good quality highways leading from Tirana to Saranda. The quickest route to drive from Tirana to Saranda is from Tirana via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Tepelene and Kardhiq Castle to Saranda. This road is mainly highways and a lot of them are very new roads. 

Now of course, as a tourist, you may want to drive along the Albanian Riviera. Because a roadtrip along the Albanian Riviera is very beautiful and a touristic highlight. To drive this route, you would need to drive from Tirana via Durres and Fier to Vlore, and then get on the coastline road from Vlore to Saranda. 

The coastline road is a good quality road, but it cannot be driven quickly, as it turns and twists along the beaches and mountains. You could plan stops en route at Vlore Beach, Zvernec island, the Llogara Pass, Dhermi Beach, Jale Beach, Himare Beach, the Castle of Porto Palermo Bay and Borsh Beach.

Driving along the Albanian Riviera from Tirana to Saranda will take you a full day starting at 8:30 AM and finishing at 19:00 PM. 

How much is a rental car from Tirana to Saranda?

A rental car in Tirana city or at Tirana Airport will cost you at least 20-25 EUR a day. However, in the summer months, car rentals are more expensive, due to the tourist high season.

Therefore, I recommend you message several car rental companies via WhatsApp or Email before you travel. So that you can agree on a price beforehand.

There is a helpful list of car rental agencies on the website of Tirana Airport, that includes direct phone numbers and email addresses for the car rental agencies. Use the phone numbers to connect via WhatsApp for price quotes. 

Renting a car in Albania only makes sense if you are planning a round trip. For instance Tirana via the Albanian Riviera to Saranda and then back via Gjirokaster and Berat to Tirana. Because dropping a rental car off in a different location, like Saranda, is often very pricey. You will find that the rental car company wants to charge you several hundred euros additionally, if a rental car must be pick-up elsewhere.  

IMPORTANT: Driving in Albania can be challenging as a foreigner. The Albanian drivers have a chaotic style of driving and sometimes their driving style is aggressive. So you must be a confident and alert driver to drive in Albania. If you have any doubts about driving, I recommend you take a bus or taxi instead. Safety comes first.

Can I book a flight from Tirana to Saranda?

You cannot book a flight from Tirana to Saranda, because there is no airport in Saranda yet. Albania’s prime minister Edi Rama has announced that a new airport will be built in Saranda. However, as of right now the new airport in Saranda is still under construction. 

Therefore, you cannot book a flight from Tirana to Saranda. Your two options at the moment are: 

• Option 1: Flying to Tirana Airport and taking a taxi/car/bus to Saranda
• Option 2: Flying to Corfu Airport on the Greek Corfu island and taking a ferry to Saranda in Albania.

Option 1: Flying to Tirana Airport and taking a taxi/car/bus to Saranda

The main airport in Albania is Tirana Airport. Although new airports were announced and are under construction in Vlore and Saranda, these airports are still under construction and not operational. 

If you fly to Tirana Airport, you can take a taxi, bus or car to Saranda. A direct taxi from Tirana Airport to Saranda costs 200 euros and it takes around 5 hours. 

There is no direct bus from Tirana Airport to Saranda, so you would need to take the airport shuttle bus to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. Shuttle bus: 3 EUR, 20 min. Then once you are at the Tirana Bus Terminal, you can take a bus from Tirana to Saranda. Price: 15 EUR, 5 hours.

Option 2: Flying to Corfu Airport on the Greek Corfu island and taking a ferry to Saranda in Albania.

It is worth checking if your country offers direct flights to Corfu Airport and checking if their price is lower in comparison to a flight to Tirana Airport. 

If you book a flight to Corfu Airport, you can take a taxi or short bus ride from Corfu Airport to the Port of Corfu. Then from the Port of Corfu, you can take a ferry from Corfu to Saranda. 

There are speed ferries called “Flying Dolphins”, which only take 35 minutes from Corfu to Saranda. And there are traditional car ferries, which take 1 hour and 15 minutes from Corfu to Saranda. A ferry ticket costs between 19-25 euros depending on the season. Ferries between Corfu and Saranda are operated by Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways.

Can I take a train from Tirana to Saranda?

You cannot take a train from Tirana to Saranda, because there are no railway tracks leading to Saranda. There never were any railway tracks to Saranda. Saranda never had a train station. And there are no plans to build a new railway to Saranda, so train travel to Saranda is impossible.

In the communist period in Albania, there used to be trains and railways connecting Shkoder, Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Pogradec and Vlore. However, over the past 20-30 years these railways have fallen into despair. Due to a lack of investment and maintenance, many of those old railways are currently not operational.

At the moment, as little as 2-3 trains per week are operational within the entire country. Sometimes tracks between Durres and Elbasan or Shkoder and Lac offer a 1 x per week train. With most of the old railway tracks being completely out of order.

That being said, there is a new railway under construction between Tirana, Tirana Airport and Durres. This new railway is set to open in 2026. So that is a very positive development for the Albanian Railways.

How far is it from Tirana to Saranda?

The distance from Tirana to Saranda is at least 265 kilometers, if you drive via the inland highway. And the journey will take you at least 5 hours, if you drive the fastest route and don’t make a lot of stops en route.

• The distance from Tirana to Saranda is 265 kilometers
• It takes 5 hours to drive from Tirana to Saranda via the inland highway. 

Of course, there are different routes you could drive from Tirana to Saranda. The quickest way to drive would be from Tirana via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Tepelene and Kardhiq Castle to Saranda. 

That being said, as a tourist, you may want to choose driving via the scenic Albanian Riviera coastline route. So that you can stop en route for taking pictures, a swim, sightseeing, a coffee and a lunch break. The Albanian Riviera route is from Tirana via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Vlore, Llogara Pass / Llogara Tunnel and Himare to Saranda. 

Driving from Tirana to Saranda along the Albanian Riviera will take you a full day starting at 8:30 AM and ending up in Saranda around 19:00 PM. 

You could make stops en route at the Lungomare Boulevard in Vlore, Zvernec island, the Llogara Pass, Dhermi Beach, Jale Beach, Himare Beach, the Castle in the Bay of Porto Palermo and Borsh Beach. 

At Llogara, you can either take the Llogara Pass which offers stunning views over the Ionian Sea. Or you could take the brand-new Llogara Tunnel and cut 45 minutes off your driving time.

How do I get from Tirana Airport to Sarande?

You can get from Tirana Airport to Saranda by taxi, by bus or by car. Let me give you a quick overview of the best ways to get from TIA to Saranda. 

Tirana Airport to Saranda taxi

• A taxi from Tirana Airport to Saranda costs 200 euros.
• That is the price of the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service. They have a price list on their website for transparency.
• The taxi journey from Tirana Airport to Saranda takes around 5 hours via the inland highway.
• UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. 
• If you want to compare rates you can send a message via WhatsApp/Messenger to taxi companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, City Taxi, Green Taxi and Lux Taxi.

Tirana Airport to Saranda bus

• There is no direct bus from Tirana Airport to Saranda. 
• To get from Tirana Airport to Saranda by bus, you need to transfer buses at the Tirana Bus Terminal. 
• Step 1: Tirana Airport to Tirana Bus Terminal. Shuttle buses to the bus terminal depart every hour between 6:30 AM and 22:30 PM. Duration: 20 min. Ticket price: 3 EUR.
• Step 2: Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda by bus. Buses depart between 5:30 AM and 22:00 PM. Duration: 5 hours. Ticket price: 15 EUR. 

Tirana Airport to Saranda car rental

• A rental car at Tirana Airport costs at least 20-25 EUR a day. 
• However, rental car prices tend to be much higher in the Summer holidays or Christmas holidays as these are the peak seasons.
• There is a helpful list of car rental companies on the website of Tirana Airport. You can message the companies via WhatsApp to get quotes quickly.
• Inland route: The quickest way to drive to Saranda is from Tirana Airport via Durres, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier, Tepelene and Kardhiq Castle to Saranda. Time required: approximately 5 hours.
• Coastline route: The most beautiful and scenic route leads along the Albanian Riviera coastline road. Drive from Tirana Airport via Durres, Fier, Vlore, Himare to Saranda. Time required: A full day from 8:30 AM until 19:00 PM with stops en route for pictures, foods, drinks and sightseeing.

Is there a direct bus from Tirana Airport to Saranda?

There is no direct bus from Tirana Airport to Saranda. So from Tirana Airport, you must first take a shuttle bus to the Tirana Bus Terminal. Once you are at the Tirana Bus Terminal, you can take a bus from Tirana to Saranda. Since there is no direct bus departing from Tirana Airport, going to the bus terminal is your only option.

• Step 1: Bus from Tirana Airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal
• Step 2: Bus from Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda 

Bus from Tirana Airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal

If you are planning to travel from Tirana Airport to Saranda, you must first take a bus to the Tirana Bus Terminal. 

When your airplane lands you will take a bus to the Airport Terminal Building, 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. 

From the Airport Bus Station, there is a bus that drives to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. The bus journey takes only 20 minutes (depending on traffic). A bus ticket costs 300 LEK (3 EUR). The bus driver will expect you to pay cash either euros or Albanian Leke upon boarding the bus. You cannot book your bus ticket online. 

Buses from Tirana Airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania depart between 6:30 AM and 22:30 PM. 

• Bus timetable from Tirana Airport to Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. 
• Buses depart at 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:30 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:30 PM, 18:30 PM, 19:30 PM, 20:30 PM, 21:30 PM and 22:30 PM. 
• Bus ticket: 300 LEK / 3 EUR per person

The bus from Tirana Airport to Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania is operated by Luna Travel.

Bus from Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda

Since there is no direct bus from Tirana Airport to Saranda, you must get to the Tirana Bus Terminal first with the airport shuttle bus. Once you are at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Saranda.

From the Tirana Bus Terminal, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Saranda. Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart at 5:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 

Buses from Tirana to Saranda are operated by Tisa Travel and Olgeno.

Tisa Travel bus from Tirana to Saranda

•  Tisa Travel offers a quicker bus that drives from Tirana to Saranda via the inland route. This route is from Tirana via Durres, Fier, Tepelene and Kardhiq Castle to Saranda. This inland route takes between 4 hours and 20 min and 5 hours. 
• The buses from Tirana to Saranda via the inland route operated by Tisa Travel depart at  5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. 
• A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 1500 LEK (15 EUR).
• The bus driver will expect you to pay in cash in person at the ticket office or with the bus driver upon boarding the bus at the Tirana Bus Terminal.

Olgeno Travel & Tours bus from Tirana to Saranda

• Olgeno operates a bus that drives from Tirana via the Albanian Riviera coastline to Saranda. This route is from Tirana via Durres, Fier, Vlore and Himare to Saranda. This route is longer and may take 6 hours or more. But it is worth taking this bus for the beautiful views of the coastline!
• The bus from Tirana to Saranda via the Albanian Riviera coastline operated by Olgeno departs at 7:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 15:30 PM. 
• A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 1500 LEK (15 EUR).
• The bus driver will expect you to pay in cash in person at the ticket office or with the bus driver upon boarding the bus at the Tirana Bus Terminal.

Upon arrival in Saranda, the bus driver will drop you off in the city center near Friendship Park and the archaeological ruins of the Synagogue-Basilica. And from there you can walk or take a taxi to your hotel in Saranda.

How much is a taxi from Tirana Airport to Saranda?

A taxi from Tirana Airport to Saranda costs 200 euros. That is the price that the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service charges. The Tirana Airport taxi service has a price list published on their website, so you can be certain that you will be charged 200 euros. 

• Tirana Airport to Saranda taxi cost – 200 euros 

200 euros might seem like a lot but bear in mind that the taxi journey from Tirana Airport to Saranda may take around 5 hours via the inland highway. Due to the long driving journey it will take the taxi driver a full day to drive to Saranda and back. So a taxi price of 200 euros is reasonable.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, there is no UBER Taxi in Albania. What you could do is send a message via WhatsApp or Messenger to several taxi companies based in Tirana. You could try Merr Taxi, Speed Taxi, Lux Taxi, Green Taxi or City Taxi. Then you could book a taxi via WhatsApp or Messenger and ask the driver to wait for you in the airport arrivals hall.

Related Questions

How do I get to Saranda? You can get to Saranda by flying to Tirana Airport and taking a bus, taxi or car. Taxis cost 200 EUR. A bus from Tirana Airport to Bus Terminal is 3 EUR, then a bus from the bus terminal to Saranda is 15 EUR. A rental car is at least 20-25 EUR/day. Or you can fly to Corfu Airport on the Greek Corfu island and take a ferry to Saranda costing 19-25 EUR/person.

Is Sarande worth it? Saranda is a place worth staying in the summer months. You can go to lovely fish restaurants, stroll the boulevard along the bay, go to the Ksamil islands for swimming, visit the UNESCO city of Gjirokaster, make a trip to the Blue Eye spring and go to Butrint UNESCO park. Of course, Saranda is a big coastal city, which is busy in the summer months.

How much is the bus fare from Saranda to Tirana? A bus ticket from Saranda to Tirana costs 1500 LEK / 15 EUR per person. Buses depart in the city centre of Saranda from the Trans Butrinti and Trans Dea bus agencies near Friendship Park. The bus driver will drop you off at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, which is in the outskirts of Tirana.

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I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania.