How to get from Tirana to Shkoder? Bus, Timetables, Taxi, Prices, Car Rental, Train, Duration, Distance

In this blog post, I will help you plan your journey from Tirana to Shkoder. I will share the best ways to get from Tirana to Shkoder by bus, by taxi or by car.

How to get from Tirana to Shkoder? You can get from Tirana to Shkoder by bus, by taxi or by car. No operational trains. A taxi from Tirana to Shkoder costs around 70 EUR. Buses depart between 7AM and 18PM every 30-60min from Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. Bus ticket = 500 LEK / 5 EUR p.p. Rental car at least 20-25 EUR/day.

In this blog post, I will share all the information you need to plan your trip from Tirana to Shkoder. I will include bus timetables, bus ticket prices, how to book the bus, how to get to the bus station, bus journey times and more. I will also explain what you can expect to pay for a taxi and how to book a taxi. And more like train information, car rental prices and buses from the airport to Shkoder. So let’s get started with a summary of all the best ways to get from Tirana to Shkoder.

How to get from Tirana to Shkoder?

In this first paragraph, I will give you an overview of all the best ways to get from Tirana to Shkoder. Of course, there will be much more detailed information further down below.

Tirana to Shkoder bus

• Tirana to Shkoder bus price = 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person
• Tirana to Shkoder bus timetable: 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.
• Buses from Tirana to Shkoder depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, which is outside the city centre of Tirana and not within a walking distance. 
• You can take a metered taxi or city bus to get to the Tirana Bus Terminal. City buses depart behind the National History Museum (more info below).
• The bus journey from Tirana to Shkoder lasts approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic of course. 

Tirana to Shkoder taxi

• A taxi from Tirana to Shkoder will cost you around 70 EUR.
• This price is based on the price list of the Tirana Airport Taxi Service and it is a good indication of what you can expect to pay for a taxi in Tirana.
• To get taxi price quotes, I recommend contacting taxi drivers via WhatsApp. You can try popular taxi companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Lux Taxi, Green Taxi or City Taxi. Or you can find individual taxi drivers via Google Maps. 
• UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. Local taxi companies, like Merr Taxi and Speed Taxi, have created taxi apps but these do not offer reduced rates like UBER does abroad.

Tirana to Shkoder train

• There are no operational trains between Tirana and Shkoder.
• In the communist period (before 1992), there were trains between Tirana and Shkoder. 
• However, since the fall of communism in 1992, the trains have not been invested in or maintained.
• As a result, many old railway tracks are visible in the landscape, but not operational.
• There may be a few operational trains between Durres and Elbasan. And perhaps 1 x train per week between Shkoder and Lac.
• The good news is that a new railway is under construction between Tirana Airport, Durres and Tirana. Perhaps this new railway will open in 2026.

Tirana to Shkoder 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 with phone numbers and email addresses.
• I recommend you message a handful of car rental companies from the list on Tirana Airport’s website on WhatsApp and ask for some prices. 
• To find local car rental companies, you can also try typing “makina me qera tirane” into Google Maps and then message these companies via WhatsApp for pricing.

Tirana to Shkoder distance

• The distance from Tirana to Shkoder is 99.4 kilometers. 
• Google Maps underestimates the driving time at 1.5 hours. I would say that 2 hours is more realistic. And in the summer months, when traffic is heavy to Shengjin Beach near Shkoder, it might take 3-4 hours to drive this route. 
• The route combining SH2, A1 and E762 is the most straightforward road to get to Shkoder. 

Tirana to Shkoder journey time

• It takes about 2 hours to drive from Tirana to Shkoder.
• Google Maps underestimates the driving time at 1.5 hours, you cannot realistically drive from Tirana to Shkoder in 1.5 hours, it is at least 2 hours, more if you face traffic. 
• Bear in mind that in the summer months, it may take you 3-4 hours to drive from Tirana to Shkoder. Because there is a beach called Shengjin Beach in between Tirana and Shkoder and traffic to/from the beach will be heavy. 
• Moreover, a large portion of the road to Shkoder is a two lane road with one lane for each direction, so when it is busy you cannot overtake this road. 

How to get from Tirana to Shkoder by bus?

You can take a bus from Tirana to Shkoder by going to the “Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania”. Once you are at the Tirana Bus Terminal, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Shkoder. Buses from Tirana to Shkoder depart between 7AM and 18:00PM, the journey takes around 2 hours and a ticket costs 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person.

• Step 1: Getting to the “Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania”
• Step 2: Bus from Tirana to Shkoder

Step 1: Getting to the “Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania”

The “Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania” is located outside the city centre of Tirana and it is not within a walking distance of the city centre. 

Therefore, you must take a taxi or city bus to get to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. Once you arrive at the bus terminal, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Shkoder.

• 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.

If you want to take the city bus to get to the Tirana Bus Terminal, 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. 

Step 2: Bus from Tirana to Shkoder

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

• Tirana to Shkoder bus timetable: 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 from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania.
• Tirana to Shkoder bus price = 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person

A bus ticket from Tirana to Shkoder costs 500 LEK (5 EUR) per person. You must pay cash for your bus ticket. You can pay in the local currency Albanian Leke or you can use foreign currency like euros. Euros are widely accepted in Albania. I do recommend you carry some cash euros and exchange a small amount of Albanian Leke upon arrival in Albania. 

The vast majority of intercity buses in Albania cannot be booked online or paid online. Buses are often independently owned. Meaning the bus driver owns the bus himself. These independent bus drivers often do not have a website or booking system. So you cannot book online. Often you can only pay cash to the bus driver when you board the bus.

The bus journey from Tirana to Shkoder takes roughly 2 hours. In the summer months, it may take 3 hours if heavy traffic to beaches like Shengjin Beach will slow your journey down. 

Upon arrival in Shkoder, the bus driver will drop you off near “Sheshi Demokracia” or “Democracy Square”. You can see the location of the bus stops in Shkoder on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hi6JabEhogrNrxVS9 

If you are looking for a good centrally located hotel in Shkoder, I recommend booking a hotel near the “Marubi National Museum of Photography” which is located in the Venetian-style central boulevard. 

How much is a taxi from Tirana to Shkoder?

A taxi from Tirana to Shkoder will cost you around 70 EUR. This price is based on the price list of the Tirana Airport Taxi Service. 

• Tirana to Shkoder taxi price = around 70 EUR

The Tirana Airport Taxi Service has a taxi price list published on their website. Even if you want to use a different taxi service, this price list is still a good indication of what you can expect to pay for a taxi in Albania. 

If you want to book a taxi or compare taxi rates, I recommend you message several taxi companies via WhatsApp. You can search for phone numbers for popular taxi companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Green Taxi, City Taxi or Lux Taxi. Or you can use Google Maps to search for “taxi Tirana” to find independent taxi drivers. When you message taxi drivers via WhatsApp, you usually get a response with a price quote in minutes.

You cannot take an UBER Taxi from Tirana to Shkoder, because UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. Even though some taxi companies in Albania have created a taxi app themselves, like Speed Taxi or Merr Taxi. These local taxi apps do not offer reduced rates like UBER does. These taxi apps offer regular taxi prices. 

Can I travel from Tirana to Shkoder by train?

You cannot travel from Tirana to Shkoder. Since the old railways between Tirana and Shkoder are not operational. Moreover, the Tirana train station was demolished and needs to be reconstructed. 

In the communist period, there were trains between Tirana and Shkoder. However, since the fall of communism in 1992, the old railways have not been maintained or refurbished. As a result, many old railways are visible in the landscape, but not operational. 

At the moment, there are as few as 2-3 operational trains within Albania per week. Sometimes there are 1-2 trains per week between Elbasan and Durres. And sometimes there is 1 x train per week between Shkoder and Lac. If you want to experience the old communist trains, you can check the latest train timetable on the website of HSH Hekurudha Shqiptare (read: Albanian Railways) here: https://hekurudha.al/ 

There is some really positive news though! A new railway is under construction between Durres-Tirana Airport-Tirana. I have personally seen the new railway track that has been laid to my neighbourhood in Tirana. However, as of right now, the new railway connecting Durres, Tirana Airport and Tirana is not operational yet as construction works continue. Perhaps the new railway will open sometime this year (2026). 

What is the distance from Tirana to Shkoder?

The distance from Tirana to Shkoder is 99.4 kilometers. The journey from Tirana to Shkoder will take you at least 2 hours. But in the summer months it may take longer as traffic to nearby Shengjin Beach will slow your journey down.

• Tirana to Shkoder distance = 99.4 kilometers
• Tirana to Shkoder journey time = at least 2 hours
• In the summer, heavy traffic to Shengjin Beach will slow you down. It may take 3-4 hours to drive from Tirana to Shkoder. 

The route combining SH2, A1 and E762 is the most straightforward road to get to Shkoder. A large portion of the road to Shkoder is a two lane road with one lane for each direction, so when it is busy you cannot overtake this road. 

The A1 is a toll road. However, there has been a lot of discussion in Albania about charging a toll for a road and whether or not this is fair. So the toll road has been free of charge for a large portion of time.

How to get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder?

You can get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder by bus, by taxi or by car. A taxi from Tirana Airport to Shkoder costs 70 EUR as per the Tirana Airport Taxi Service price list. 

There are direct buses from Tirana Airport to Shkoder. Buses from Tirana Airport to Shkoder depart 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 1000-1300 LEK (10-13 EUR) per person. If you take a bus during the day, the bus ticket costs 1000 LEK (10 EUR). If you take a bus during the night, the bus ticket costs 1300 LEK (13 EUR) per person. 

The vast majority of passengers will pay for their bus ticket in cash (Albanian Leke or Euros) upon boarding the bus. So I recommend you pay in cash as well, just like the locals in Albania do.

Buses from Tirana Airport to Shkoder are operated by Hermes Airport. Upon arrival at Tirana Airport, you will take a bus to the Airport Terminal Building. Then you will pass through passport control and luggage collection and walk into the Arrivals Hall. From the Arrivals Hall, take the exit to your left to the Parking Area/Bus Station. Where you will find minibuses parked to Tirana, Durres, Fier, Shkoder and Vlore.

Is Shkodra worth visiting?

Shkodra is most definitely worth a visit. For tourists to the Albanian Alps, Shkoder is often an overnight stay before going to the Theth village or taking the Lake Koman Ferry to Valbona. However, Shkoder is really worth a 1-2 day visit to explore the sightseeing and nature locations in and around the 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. 

Shiroke village on the shore of Shkodra Lake

It is worth driving from Shkoder to the little village of Shiroke on the shore of Lake Shkoder. The village has a lovely boulevard along the lake, where you can stroll and take in the breathtaking views over the 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. 

Shiroke is a great place to visit for lunch, as there is a great variety of restaurants with terraces right next to the water. You can enjoy some local Albanian food, a combination of Turkish, Italian and Greek cuisine, whilst sitting on the edge of the lake with wonderful views.

Related Questions

How much is a taxi from Shkoder to Tirana? A taxi from Shkoder to Tirana may cost you around 70 euros. You could message Speed Taxi in Shkoder for a price. You could also search for taxi drivers on Google Maps and message them via WhatsApp. Or ask your hotel in Shkoder to book you a taxi.

Welcome to Albania!

I am a Tour Guide in Albania

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