Tirana Airport to Ksamil – By bus, by taxi, prices, timetables, by car

If you are flying to Tirana airport and looking for a way to get from Tirana airport to Ksamil, this blog post is for you. I will describe how you can get from Tirana airport to Ksamil by bus, by taxi or by car.

Tirana airport to Ksamil – A taxi costs 210 EUR. A rental car is at least 20-25 EUR. No direct bus. Option 1: Tirana airport to Bus Terminal bus -> Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda bus -> Saranda to Ksamil bus (19.50 EUR). Option 2: Tirana airport to Vlore bus -> Vlore to Saranda bus -> Saranda to Ksamil bus (26.50 EUR).

In this blog post, I will share all the information you need to travel from Tirana airport to Ksamil confidently. I will share bus routes from Tirana airport to Ksamil, including bus timetables, bus ticket prices, bus station information and where to transfer buses. I will also discuss what you can expect when hiring a taxi or rental car and compare prices. 

How to get from Tirana airport to Ksamil? By bus, by taxi or by car

You can get from Tirana airport to Ksamil by taxi (direct), by bus (2 bus transfers) or by car. There is no train or ferry connection. Let me give you a quick overview of your travel options. 

Tirana airport to Ksamil by bus

• There is no direct bus from Tirana airport to Ksamil. So you have two possible routes.
• Option 1: 
• Tirana airport to Tirana Bus Terminal by bus (20 min, 3 euros)
• Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda by bus (5 hours, 15 euros)
• Saranda to Ksamil by bus (15-30 min depending traffic, 1.50 euros)
• Option 2: 
• Tirana airport to Vlore by bus (2.5 hours, 12-15 euros)
• Vlore to Saranda by bus (2-2.5 hours, 10 euros)
• Saranda to Ksamil by bus (15-30 min depending traffic, 1.50 euros)
• You can find more detailed bus information below.

Tirana airport by Ksamil by taxi

• A taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil costs approximately 210 euros. 
• The official Tirana airport taxi service charges 210 euros. 
• Use WhatsApp to ask Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Lux Taxi, Green Taxi or City Taxi for their prices and compare the rates.
• UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. Taxi apps offer regular taxi prices, no discounted rates.

Tirana airport to Ksamil by car

• A rental car at Tirana airport will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for the most basic rental car available. 
• Of course, rental car rates are much higher in July and August due to the tourist season. 
• Driving from Tirana airport to Ksamil takes 5.5 hours via the inland route. You could drive from Tirana airport via Durres, Fier, Tepelene and Saranda to Ksamil.
• Driving from Tirana airport to Ksamil takes a full day via the coastline route. The coastline route offers beautiful views and opportunities to take pretty pictures. You could drive from Tirana airport via Durres, Fier, Vlore, Himare and Saranda to Ksamil.

Tirana airport to Ksamil by train

• There is no train from Tirana airport to Ksamil. Because there is no railway connecting Tirana airport and Ksamil. 
• Train travel within Albania’s borders is very limited. At the moment, there are 2-3 trains a week between Durres and Elbasan. And 1 x train a week between Shkoder and Lac. These routes do not bring you to Ksamil or Saranda or the coastline. 
• A new railway is under construction between Durres, Tirana airport and Tirana. However, this train and railway connection won’t be opened until 2026. 

Tirana airport to Ksamil by ferry

• There is no ferry from Tirana to Ksamil.
• There is no ferry from Durres to Ksamil. 
• There are no ferries at all to Ksamil. 
• There are ferries between Saranda and Corfu island. So if you fly to Corfu island, you can take a ferry to Saranda (30min-1:15 hours, 19-25 euros) and then take a bus/taxi to Ksamil.

How to get from Tirana airport to Ksamil by bus?

There is no direct bus from Tirana airport to Ksamil. And there is no direct bus from Tirana’s city centre to Ksamil either. 

To get from Tirana airport to Ksamil by bus, you can either take a bus from Tirana airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal, then get on a bus to Saranda and finally a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. Or, the alternative option is taking a bus from Tirana airport to Vlore, then a bus from Vlore to Saranda and finally a bus from Saranda to Ksamil.

Option 1: Tirana airport -> Bus Terminal -> Saranda -> Ksamil

• Step 1: Tirana airport to Tirana Bus Terminal by bus 
• Step 2: Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda by bus
• Step 3: Saranda to Ksamil by bus/taxi

Option 2: Tirana airport -> Vlore -> Saranda -> Ksamil

• Step 1: Tirana airport to Vlore by bus
• Step 2: Vlore to Saranda by bus
• Step 3: Saranda to Ksamil by bus/taxi

Let me explain these two travel routes in more detail and discuss the bus timetables below.

Getting from Tirana airport to Ksamil by bus via the Tirana Bus Terminal and Saranda

One way to get from Tirana airport to Ksamil is taking a bus to the Tirana Bus Terminal and getting on a bus to Saranda, which is near Ksamil.

Step 1: Tirana airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania by bus

From Tirana airport, you can take a bus that brings you to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. 

Buses from Tirana airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania 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. The bus journey from Tirana Airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania takes 20 minutes. 

A bus ticket costs 300 Leke (3 euros). You are expected to pay cash for your bus ticket upon boarding the bus. Buses from Tirana Airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania are operated by Luna Travel. 

Step 2: Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania to Saranda by bus

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

Buses from the Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda depart at 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. Bear in mind that the bus journey from Tirana to Saranda takes approximately 5 hours. And usually bus drivers drive from Tirana to Saranda via the inland road, as this is quicker than the coastline road. The inland route is Tirana via Durres, Fier and Tepelene to Saranda. 

A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 15 euros per person. And you must pay cash for your bus ticket with the bus driver upon boarding the bus. I always recommend you carry some cash euros and cash Albanian Leke whilst travelling by bus in Albania.

The bus from Tirana to Saranda will drop you off in the city centre of Saranda near Friendship Park. 

Step 3: Saranda to Ksamil by bus

Once you have arrived in Saranda, you can take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart near SOS Bar and Friendship Park in the city centre of Saranda. You can see the location of the bus stop on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/o5FzaUTf6mbQiZuW8 

Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart at 6:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 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 and 17:30 PM. 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.50 euros) per person. Someone will pass through the bus to collect payment on board the bus, so you must have cash with you. 

IMPORTANT! The distance from Saranda to Ksamil is short, perhaps 15 minutes. However, traffic can be very heavy in the summer months and it can take much longer if the bus is delayed by traffic. The bus can be extremely full as well, since it is such a popular destination in the summer months. You might consider going to the Port of Saranda and boarding the bus there, so you could perhaps have a seat.

Getting from Tirana airport to Ksamil by bus via Vlore and Saranda

Another way to get from Tirana airport to Ksamil is taking a bus from Tirana airport to Vlore and transferring onto a bus to Saranda and finally taking a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. 

Step 1: Tirana airport to Vlore by bus

Since there is no direct bus from Tirana airport to Saranda, you can take a bus from Tirana airport to Vlore first and then transfer buses. 

Buses from Tirana airport to Vlore depart at 00:45 AM, 3:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 16:00 PM, 18:00 PM, 20:00 PM and 22:15 PM. 

A bus ticket from Tirana airport to Vlore costs 1200-1500 Leke (12-15 EUR). Buses departing during the night at 00:45 AM, 3:30 AM and 22:15 PM cost 1500 Leke (15 euros). And the remaining day time buses cost 1200 Leke (12 euros) per person.

The bus journey from Tirana airport to Vlore takes approximately 2.5 hours. Buses are operated by Hermes Airport. 

Step 2: Vlore to Saranda by bus

Once you are in Vlore, you can transfer onto a bus to Saranda. Buses from Vlore to Saranda depart from the “Vlore Bus Terminal”, which is located in Rruga Demokracia in Vlore. You can see the location of the bus terminal on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N16wyrrD5emEqYXH7 

Buses from Vlore to Saranda depart at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 13:00 PM and 14:30 PM. A bus ticket costs 1000 Leke (10 euros) per person. You must pay for your bus ticket in cash with the bus driver upon boarding the bus. You cannot book this bus online.

The buses at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM and 13:00 PM drive via the inland route which is quicker, maybe 2-2.5 hours. The buses at 11:30 AM and 14:30 PM drive via the beautiful coastline route, which takes longer. Buses are operated by Interbuz Vlore. 

Step 3: Saranda to Ksamil by bus

Once you have arrived in Saranda, you can take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart near SOS Bar and Friendship Park in the city centre of Saranda. You can see the location of the bus stop on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/o5FzaUTf6mbQiZuW8 

Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart at 6:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 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 and 17:30 PM. 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.50 euros) per person. Someone will pass through the bus to collect payment on board the bus, so you must have cash with you. 

IMPORTANT! The distance from Saranda to Ksamil is short, perhaps 15 minutes. However, traffic can be very heavy in the summer months and it can take much longer if the bus is delayed by traffic. The bus can be extremely full as well, since it is such a popular destination in the summer months. You might consider going to the Port of Saranda and boarding the bus there, so you could perhaps have a seat.

How much is a bus from Tirana airport to Ksamil?

The bus journey from Tirana airport to Ksamil will cost you 19.50 euros – 26.50 euros per person depending on the route you take. 

There is no direct bus from Tirana airport to Ksamil, so you must transfer buses 2 x times. If you travel from Tirana airport to Ksamil via the Tirana Bus Terminal and Saranda, you will spend a total of 19.50 euros on bus tickets per person in cash.

If you travel from Tirana airport to Ksamil via Vlore and Saranda, you will spend 24.50-26.50 euros per person on bus tickets. This is mainly due to the fact that the direct bus from Tirana airport to Vlore costs 12-15 euros per person, which is relatively expensive for Albania.

How much is a taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil?

A taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil may cost you around 210 euros. A taxi to nearby Saranda will cost you 200 euros. These high prices are due to the long driving distance. Driving from Tirana to Ksamil takes approximately 5.5 hours. 

• Tirana airport to Ksamil taxi fare – 210 euros approximately

A taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil costs 210 euros if you book with the Tirana Airport Taxi Service. Of course, you can request prices from other taxi companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Lux Taxi, Green Taxi or City Taxi via WhatsApp. UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania, taxi apps that exist do not offer discounted rates, like UBER Taxi does. So you can simply use WhatsApp or Messenger to hire a taxi driver.

How to reach Ksamil from Tirana airport?

You can reach Ksamil from Tirana airport by bus (transfer 2 x times), by taxi or by car. Ksamil is roughly a 5.5 hour journey from Tirana airport. 

The easiest way to reach Ksamil from Tirana airport is by taxi. A taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil may cost you around 210 euros. 

There is no direct bus from Tirana airport to Ksamil, so therefore, you must transfer buses. First, take a bus from Tirana airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. A bus ticket costs 300 Leke (3 euros). 

Buses from Tirana airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania 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. The bus journey from Tirana Airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania takes 20 minutes. 

Once you arrive at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, you can take a bus to Saranda. Buses from the Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda depart at 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. Bear in mind that the bus journey from Tirana to Saranda takes approximately 5 hours. A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 15 euros per person. 

Upon your arrival in Saranda, you can get on the bus from Saranda to Ksamil. Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart at 6:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 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 and 17:30 PM. 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.50 euros) per person. Someone will pass through the bus to collect payment on board the bus, so you must have cash with you. Buses to Ksamil can be extremely busy in the summer months and traffic may make the usually 15 minute journey much longer.

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

A rental car at Tirana airport will cost you at least 20-25 euros per day for the most basic rental car available. Of course, rental car rates are much higher in July and August due to the tourist season. 

There is a helpful list of car rental companies on the website of Tirana Airport. You can find mobile numbers and email addresses for all the car rental companies at Tirana Airport. You can quickly request car rental prices and ask questions via WhatsApp. Add several car rentals at Tirana Airport on WhatsApp and compare rates.

To give you an insight into what it would cost to rent a basic rental car, I did reach out to several car rental companies at Tirana Airport.

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. 

Of course, it is important to bear in mind that car rental rates can be a lot higher in the tourist high season. The summer months like July and August are the top of the high season, so car rental can be a lot pricier. Especially, since the basic or cheap rental car may not be available anymore and only a more luxurious and expensive car is available. 

Do reach out to several car rental companies before you travel. I have spoken to tourists who paid 50-70 euros a day for a rental car. So it is best to do your research before you travel.

IMPORTANT! Driving in Albania can be challenging for a foreigner. The Albanian drivers do have a chaotic and sometimes aggressive style of driving. So if you have any doubts about driving, do not do it! Hire a taxi, book a tour or travel by bus instead. Safety comes first.

How to drive from Tirana airport to Ksamil?

You can drive from Tirana airport to Ksamil via the quicker inland route (5.5 hours) or via the prettier coastline route (full day).

• Driving from Tirana airport to Ksamil takes 5.5 hours via the inland route. You could drive from Tirana airport via Durres, Fier, Tepelene and Saranda to Ksamil.
• Driving from Tirana airport to Ksamil takes a full day via the coastline route. The coastline route offers beautiful views and opportunities to take pretty pictures. You could drive from Tirana airport via Durres, Fier, Vlore, Himare and Saranda to Ksamil.

How to get from Tirana to Ksamil?

There is no direct bus from Tirana city to Ksamil. So what you can do is take a bus from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania to Saranda. And then take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil.

• Step 1: Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda by bus
• Step 2: Saranda to Ksamil by bus

Buses from Tirana city to Saranda depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart at 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. A bus ticket costs 15 euros per person. And the bus journey lasts 5 hours. At the end of the bus journey, you will be dropped off in the city centre of Saranda near Friendship Park. 

Once you have arrived in Saranda, you can take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart near SOS Bar and Friendship Park in the city centre of Saranda. You can see the location of the bus stop on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/o5FzaUTf6mbQiZuW8 

Buses from Saranda to Ksamil depart at 6:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 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 and 17:30 PM. 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.50 euros) per person. Someone will pass through the bus to collect payment on board the bus, so you must have cash with you. 

IMPORTANT! The distance from Saranda to Ksamil is short, perhaps 15 minutes. However, traffic can be very heavy in the summer months and it can take much longer if the bus is delayed by traffic. The bus can be extremely full as well, since it is such a popular destination in the summer months. You might consider going to the Port of Saranda and boarding the bus there, so you could perhaps have a seat.

How much is a bus from Tirana to Ksamil?

A bus ticket from Tirana via Saranda to Ksamil will cost you 15 euros + 1.50 euros = 16.50 euros in total. First you take a bus from Tirana to Saranda, which costs 15 euros. And then, you take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil, which costs 1.50 euros.

How much is a taxi from Tirana to Ksamil?

A taxi from Tirana to Ksamil may cost you around 210 euros. This is the price that the official Tirana airport taxi service charges for a taxi to Ksamil. Of course, independent taxi companies set their own prices.

If you want to compare taxi prices, the easiest thing to do is find some taxi drivers on Google Maps or search for companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Lux Taxi, Green Taxi or City Taxi. Once you have found some phone numbers send a WhatsApp message to multiple drivers and compare the rates. 

There is no UBER taxi in Albania. Although taxi apps like the Speed Taxi App, UPs taxi App or Taxi AL App exist. These apps do not offer discounted rates, they charge regular taxi prices. 

Driving from Tirana to Ksamil takes approximately 5.5 hours via the quicker inland road. The coastline road between Vlore, Himare, Saranda and Ksamil is a much longer route. Since the coastline road turns and twists along the coastline, it cannot be driven fast as a result. It offers stunning views, but you would need to agree on the route with the taxi driver, as it is a longer route.

Is it worth going to Ksamil?

Ksamil is worth going to because it is considered the most beautiful beach in Albania. That being said, since Ksamil is so popular it can also be busy and crowded, which may take away from your experience. 

Ksamil is a paradise-like beach with perfect white sand and little islands in front of the beach. That is why Ksamil is known as the ‘pearl of the Albanian Riviera’. 

However, tourism in Albania is growing and as a result Ksamil has become busier. And sometimes tourists contact me to say that the bus to Ksamil was busy, there were sun chairs on the beach that needed to be paid for and it was overall crowded. So obviously the period in which you visit Ksamil, like in the summer months, the crowds can take away from your experience. 

Related Questions

How to get from Tirana airport to Saranda? There is no direct bus from Tirana airport to Saranda. You can take a bus from Tirana airport to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, price 300 Leke (3 euros) between 6:30 AM – 22:30 PM. And then transfer onto a bus from Tirana bus terminal to Saranda, price 15 euros per person, departure times 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM.

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