How to get from Vlore to Ksamil? Bus, Boat, Train, Taxi, Car Rental, Prices

If you are looking for the best way to travel from Vlore to Ksamil, this blog post is for you. I will discuss how you can get from Vlore to Ksamil by bus, by taxi or by car.

How to get from Vlore to Ksamil? You can get from Vlore to Ksamil by bus, by taxi or by rental car. No train/boat. No direct bus. First take a bus from Vlore to Saranda (2 hours, 9.65 EUR), then a bus from Saranda to Ksamil (15 min, 1.45 EUR). A taxi from Vlore to Ksamil costs 80-120 EUR. A rental car costs at least 15-20 EUR per day.

In this blog post, I will give you all the information you need to get from Vlore to Ksamil. I will discuss how you can travel by bus from Vlore via Saranda to Ksamil. I will share bus ticket prices, bus station locations and how to book and pay for your ticket. I will also compare taxi prices from Vlore to Ksamil. And discuss how much it costs to rent a car and drive. Finally, I will discuss related questions, like the closest airport to Ksamil, boat travel and train travel. 

Getting from Vlore to Ksamil by bus, taxi, car, boat or train

Let me give you a quick overview of the best ways to get from Vlore to Ksamil. I will give you a summary of travelling from Vlore to Ksamil by bus, taxi, rental car, boat or train. More detailed information can be found further down in the blog post. 

Vlore to Ksamil by bus (summary)

• There is no direct bus from Vlore to Ksamil. You must transfer buses in Saranda.
• Step 1: Bus from Vlore to Saranda. 
• The bus from Vlore to Saranda costs 1000 Leke (9.65 euros) per person. 
• Buses from Vlore to Saranda depart at 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:30 from the Bus Terminal Vlora.
• Step 2: Bus from Saranda to Ksamil. 
• The bus from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.45 euros) per person.
• Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00 and 21:30. 

Vlore to Ksamil by taxi (summary)

• A taxi from Vlore to Ksamil costs between 80-120 euros. There is a price comparison of taxi prices below.

Vlore to Ksamil by rental car (summary)

• A rental car in Albania costs at least 15-20 euros per day for a basic rental car. 
• However, in July and August, car rentals can be much more expensive due to the tourist high season. 
• Reach out to rental car companies before you travel via email or WhatsApp.
• If you are flying to Tirana Airport, you can find a list of car rental agencies on the website of Tirana Airport. 

Vlore to Ksamil by boat (summary)

• There is no ferry boat from Vlore to Ksamil. 
• There is no ferry boat alongside the Albanian Riviera coastline.

Vlore to Ksamil by train (summary)

• There is no train from Vlore to Ksamil.
• There are no railways to the South of Vlore, as these were never constructed.
• The railway that leads from the North to Vlore is currently not in use.

How to get from Vlore to Ksamil by bus?

You can get from Vlore to Ksamil by bus, but you must transfer buses in Saranda en route. So you first take a bus from Vlore to Saranda and then a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. 

• Step 1: Take a bus from Vlore to Saranda
• Step 2: Take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil

Step 1: Vlore to Saranda bus

The first step is taking a bus from Vlore to Saranda so that you can then travel onwards from Saranda to Ksamil.

The bus from Vlore to Saranda departs from the “Bus Terminal Vlora”. Bus Terminal Vlore is located in Rruga Demokracia (Demokracia Street) in Vlore. You can see the location of the bus terminal on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZFEcipH7kxAGkeoW6 

When you arrive in Demokracia Street, you must look for a signage of “Interbuz Vlora”. Buses stop alongside the street to let passengers board.

A bus ticket from Vlore to Saranda costs 1000 Leke (approximately 9.65 euros) per person. You are expected to pay for your bus ticket in person in cash. Booking bus tickets online and paying for your bus ticket online is not possible, it is not common practice in Albania and not what the locals do. 

There are buses from Vlore to Saranda at 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:30. It takes approximately 2 hours by bus to get from Vlore to Saranda. 

The bus driver will drop you off at the Saranda Bus Terminal in the centre of Saranda. The buses stop alongside Rruga Flamurit (Flamurit Street) near Friendship Park in Saranda. You can see the location of the Saranda Bus Terminal on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7Lmwe3trVMC9wLm18 

Once you are at the Saranda Bus Terminal, you must walk towards the coastline. Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart at the end of Flamurit Street near SOS Bar. 

Step 2: Saranda to Ksamil bus

After you have taken a bus from Vlore to Saranda, you can take another bus from Saranda to Ksamil.

The bus from Saranda to Ksamil departs from the “Bus station for bus Sarande-Ksamil-Butrint”. This location is at the end of Rruga Flamurit (Flamurit Street) in front of SOS Bar. You can see the location of the bus stop on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kPHxML1jmEQyb1ST9 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.45 euros) per person. You must pay in cash onboard the bus. An employee will pass through the bus to take cash payments. It is not possible to book this bus online or pay for this bus by card. 

Saranda to Ksamil bus timetable – The bus from Saranda to Ksamil departs at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00 and 21:30. 

In the summer months, the bus from Saranda to Ksamil can get very busy. You may not be able to board the bus or you may have to stand onboard the bus, as all seats may be taken. 

It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to get from Saranda to Ksamil by bus depending on traffic.

How much is a taxi from Vlore to Ksamil?

A taxi from Vlore to Ksamil costs between 80 and 120 euros, depending on the taxi driver you book. 

Here is a quick overview of what some of the taxi drivers in Vlore charge for a taxi from Vlore to Ksamil.

• Amber Taxi Vlore charges 80 euros for a taxi from Vlore to Ksamil.
• Taxi Vlore Tani charges 100 euros for a taxi from Vlore to Ksamil.
• Taxi Vlore 010 charges 120 euros for a taxi from Vlore to Ksamil.
• Vlora Taxi Ledi charges 9000 Leke or 87 euros for a taxi from Vlore to Ksamil.
• Taxi Vlora 24 charges 12000 Leke or 115 euros for a taxi from Vlore to Ksamil.

I will mention that taxis can be pricier in July and August, due to the tourist high season, as demand for taxis along the coastline is higher.

How to get from Vlore to Ksamil by boat?

There is no ferry boat from Vlore to Ksamil. There are no hop-on-hop-off ferries alongside the coastline. There are ferries from the Greek Corfu island to Saranda or from Italy to Durres. However, large cruise ships or ferry boats come to either Durres or Saranda as these cities have big ports. 

How to get from Vlore to Ksamil by train?

You CANNOT travel from Vlore to Ksamil by train. There are no railways to the South of Vlore. So areas like Ksamil, Saranda or Gjirokaster have no railways at all, so train travel to the South of Albania is simply impossible. Ksamil has no railways and no train station.

Vlore does have railways, however, these are not in use. In the communist period, a railway network was built in Albania. In the period between the end of the Second World War and 1992, railways were created connecting Vlore, Durres, Elbasan, Tirana, Pogradec and Shkoder. 

However, since the fall of communism in 1992, there has been little investment and little interest in train travel. As a result, most railways are not in use. There are 2 x trains a week between Durres and Elbasan. And there is 1 x train a week between Shkoder and Lac. The remaining railways are visible in the landscape but are not used.

How much does it cost to rent a car and drive from Vlore to Ksamil?

It does cost at least 15-20 euros per day to rent a car in Albania. However, that would be the starting price for the most basic rental car. Of course, car rental prices can be much higher in the tourist high season, like in July and August.

If you are flying to Tirana Airport, you can have a look at the Tirana Airport website for a list of car rental companies. I highly recommend you reach out to them via email or WhatsApp before you travel, so that you know what you will be charged. Some tourists have shared they paid between 50-70 euros per day for a rental car, which is a lot.

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. 

If you plan on driving to Ksamil, you have a decision to make about the route. The coastal route from Tirana airport via Durres, Lushnje, Vlore, the Llogara Pass, Himare and Saranda to Ksamil is very beautiful, but it takes longer. You could make stops for sightseeing and pictures. It would be a day-long road trip and you would arrive in Ksamil in the evening. 

If you want to drive from Tirana to Ksamil or Vlore to Ksamil more quickly, you can take the inland road via Fier and Tepelene. This road is much quicker. Whereas the coastal road turns and twists along the mountains and coastline, the inland road is a straight highway, so quicker as a result. Tirana to Ksamil would take you approximately 4 hours. Or Vlore to Ksamil approximately 2.5 hours.

Driving in Albania can be daunting and challenging as a foreigner. The Albanian drivers have a chaotic and sometimes aggressive style of driving. So if you have any doubts, I recommend you hire a taxi or take a bus instead. Safety comes first.

How long does it take to get from Vlore to Ksamil?

It depends on the route you drive from Vlore to Ksamil. If you take the inland route from Vlore via Fier and Tepelene, it may take you 2.5 or 3 hours. However, if you take the coastal road from Vlore via the Llogara Pass and Himare, it may take you 4 hours or more if you make stops along the route for pictures and sightseeing.

What is the closest airport to Ksamil Albania?

The closest airport to Ksamil in Albania is Corfu Airport. Corfu Airport is on the Greek island of Corfu. Although Corfu is a Greek island, it is located in front of the Albanian coastline. 

If you were to fly to Corfu airport, you could take a bus/taxi from the airport to the Port of Corfu. And then take a ferry boat (35-65 minutes) from the Port of Corfu to the Port of Saranda. Once you arrive in Saranda, you can take a bus/taxi from Saranda to Ksamil, which only takes about 15 minutes depending on traffic.

• Option 1: Fly to Corfu Airport. Take a bus/taxi to the Port of Corfu. Take a ferry to the Port of Saranda. Take a bus/taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.
• Option 2: Fly to Tirana Airport. Take a direct taxi to Ksamil. Or if you want to travel by bus, take a taxi to the bus terminal in Tirana. Then a bus from Tirana to Saranda. And finally, a bus/taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.

Corfu Airport to Ksamil

You can get from Corfu airport to Ksamil by a combination of bus/taxi, ferry boat and bus/taxi. 

First, you must take a bus or taxi from Corfu Airport to the Port of Corfu. The journey from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu takes 20 minutes.

• Taxi from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu costs 22-25 euros
• Bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu costs 1.20-1.70 euros per person.

Secondly, you take a ferry from the Port of Corfu to the Port of Saranda. 

• Buy a ferry ticket from Ionian Seaways or Finikas Lines
• Ticket pricing 19-25 euros per person, depending on the season
• Travel time from Corfu to Saranda is 35 minutes for a fast ferry or 65 minutes for a shower ferry.

And finally, you can take a bus or taxi from the Saranda to Ksamil.

• Bus from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.30 euros)
• Taxi from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil costs 13-25 euros

Tirana airport to Ksamil

If you fly to Tirana airport, you could take a direct taxi from Tirana Airport to Ksamil. A taxi from Tirana Airport to Ksamil costs 207 euros. That is the price of the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service. 

Of course, the journey from Tirana airport to Ksamil takes around 5 hours. So it makes sense that the price for a taxi would be 207 euros considering the distance.

However, you could also travel by bus. As there is no direct bus from Tirana Airport to Ksamil, you would need to transfer 2 x times. 

First, take a taxi from Tirana Airport to the “Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania” (20-25 euros). Then, take a bus from the bus terminal in Tirana to Saranda (15.50 euros). And finally, take a bus or taxi from Saranda to Ksamil. 

• Bus from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.30 euros)
• Taxi from Saranda to Ksamil costs 13-25 euros

Related Questions

How do you get to the Ksamil islands? You can swim, rent a boat or kayak to get from Ksamil beach to the Ksamil islands. The Ksamil islands are very close to Ksamil Beach. 

Is it easy to get from Tirana to Ksamil? The easiest way to get from Tirana to Ksamil is a taxi. Tirana airport taxi service charges 207 euros for a taxi to Ksamil. By bus, it is not that easy. You must take a taxi to the “Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania”. The bus from Tirana to Saranda departs at 7:00, 7:30, 8:30, 9:45, 10:30, 12:30 and 16:00. A bus ticket costs 15.50 EUR. Then in Saranda, you take a short bus ride or taxi to Ksamil.

Vlore to Himare bus – There are buses from Vlore to Himare at 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 11:30, 12:30 and 14:30. The buses depart from the Bus Terminal Vlora. Bus Terminal Vlore is located in Rruga Demokracia (Demokracia Street) in Vlore. Look for a signage that says “Interbuz Vlora”.

Vlore to Tirana bus – The bus from Vlore to Tirana departs at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30 and 16:00. A bus ticket from Vlore to Tirana costs 6 euros per person. Buses are operated by Interbus Vlora and Elalba Trans.

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