Tirana airport to the city center – Taxi, Bus, Timetable, Price, Book, distance, shuttle bus, train, rental car, uber

If you are looking for the best way to get from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana, this blog post is for you. 

Tirana airport to city center – A taxi costs 22 EUR, official Tirana Airport Taxi Service. The direct bus from Tirana Airport to the city center costs 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person. Buses depart every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. No Uber. No train. Rental cars start 20-25 EUR a day. 

In this blog post, I will give you all the information you need to confidently travel from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana. I will share taxi prices and how to book a taxi. Moreover, I will share bus timetables, bus prices, where to get on the bus, how to book the bus or pay by cash. And I will discuss rental cars, trains and much more. So let’s dive in.

How do I get from Tirana airport to the city center?

You can get from Tirana airport to the city center by taxi (22 EUR) or by direct bus (4 EUR per person) or you can rent a car at the airport starting from at least 20-25 EUR or more.

Tirana airport to city center bus

• There is a direct bus from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana. 
• A bus ticket from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana costs 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person. 
• You can book the bus ticket online on the website of Luna Travel or you can pay cash on the spot.
• In Albania, the locals pay cash for all their bus tickets. You can pay euros or Albanian Leke with the bus driver upon boarding. This is common practice and expected in Albania. If the bus is full, an additional bus will be added. 
• The Tirana airport shuttle bus is operated by Luna Travel, sometimes called Luna AL. 
• Tirana airport to city center bus price = 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person. 
• Buses from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana 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, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00 and 24:00. 

Tirana airport to city bus timetable

• Tirana airport to city center bus timetable: 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, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00 and 24:00. 
• Buses depart from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana every hour on the hour. 
• Buses operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
• Buses depart from the bus station at the parking area of Tirana Airport.

Tirana airport to city center taxi price

• A taxi from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana costs 22 EUR.
• This price is based on the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service. If you go on the website of TIA Taxi, you will see that they offer a taxi from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana for 22 EUR. 
• Taxis from the Tirana Airport Taxi Service are always waiting at the Taxi Bay in front of the Tirana Airport Terminal Building. You can also book online if you like on tiataxi.al 
• Of course, independent taxi drivers in Tirana set their own prices.
• You can usually get taxi prices in minutes if you message taxi drivers via WhatsApp. You can find phone numbers of popular taxi companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Green Taxi or Lux Taxi online. Or you can find individual taxi drivers on Google Maps by searching “taxi Tirana”. 
• UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. Although there are some local taxi apps, those do not charge reduced rates like UBER does abroad.

Tirana airport to city center distance

• The distance from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana is about 18.5 kilometers.
• The city center of Tirana is “Skanderbeg Square”, the central square of Tirana, named after Albania’s national military hero “Skanderbeg”. 
• It takes about 30 minutes to get from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana. 
• Of course, traffic in the city center can slow your journey down. 

Tirana airport to city center train

• A brand-new railway is under construction between Tirana airport and Tirana. 
• The new rails are present in the landscape and I have personally seen work progress.
• However, it is currently the beginning of the summer of 2026, and it is unclear when the new railway and trains will start operating.
• The new railway will connect Durres, Tirana Airport and Tirana.

Tirana airport to city center rental car

• A rental car at Tirana Airport will cost you at least 20-25 EUR a day.
• However, car rental prices are higher in the summer due to the tourist season.
• You can find a helpful list of car rental companies on the website of Tirana Airport. 
• I recommend taking the phone numbers from the list of car rental companies on the Tirana Airport website and messaging them via WhatsApp to get price quotes before you travel.
• At Tirana Airport, these car rental companies have an office nearby: 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.

 

How much is a taxi from Tirana Airport to downtown?

A taxi from Tirana Airport to the downtown or city center of Tirana costs around 22 EUR. That price is based on the official Tirana Airport Taxi Service. 

• Tirana airport to city center taxi price = 22 EUR 

Tirana Airport has an official Tirana Airport Taxi Service. This official taxi service has a price list published online on their website. According to their online price list, a taxi from Tirana Airport to the city center costs 22 EUR. 

The Tirana Airport Taxi Service has taxis waiting in front of the Airport Terminal Building all day and all night. Taxis are now white colored with the airport logo on both sides. That being said, you can also book online on the TIA TAXI website or via WhatsApp.

If you want to get a good deal, you can try to reach out to other taxi companies and taxi drivers in Tirana. You could try popular companies like Speed Taxi, Green Taxi, Lux Taxi or Merr Taxi. Or you can find individual taxi drivers on Google Maps by searching “taxi Tirana” and reading their reviews. 

I recommend you reach out to taxi drivers via WhatsApp, and in my experience, you usually get taxi price quotes within minutes. 

• Uber Taxi from Tirana airport to city center – UBER does not exist in Albania
• Recommendation: Message taxi drivers via WhatsApp for quick price quotes. 

UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania. Although there are some local taxi apps, those do not offer reduced rates like UBER does abroad. So I recommend just using WhatsApp, as it is very popular in Albania. 

How to get from Tirana airport to the city center by bus?

There is a direct bus from Tirana airport to the city center. The bus from Tirana airport to the city center costs 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person. The bus from Tirana airport to the city center departs every hour on the hour. 

• Tirana airport to city bus timetable – 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, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00 and 24:00. 
• Tirana airport to city center bus price = 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person

The bus from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana is operated by Luna Travel. When you arrive at Tirana Airport, a bus will take you from the airplane exit to the terminal building. You pass through passport control and luggage collection. Then you walk into the Arrivals Hall. Take the exit to your immediate left to the Parking Area and Bus Station at Tirana Airport. Buses from Luna Travel will be waiting at the bus station at the back of the parking area. 

• How much is the bus ticket from Tirana airport to the city center? The bus ticket from Tirana airport to the city center is 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person. You can book online on the Luna Travel AL website. However, most locals pay cash to the bus driver, either euros or Albanian Leke, when they board the bus. Therefore, I recommend you pay cash upon boarding the bus as well.  

The bus from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana takes about 30 minutes. But of course, traffic can slow your journey down.

Upon arrival in the city center of Tirana, the bus will drop you off at the bus station behind the Theater of Opera & Ballet / Palace of Culture near Skanderbeg Square. You can see the location of the bus station in Tirana’s city center on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U1BhbDDtgPJchJFh7 

Can I book the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center online?

If you want to book the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana online you can do that on the website of Luna Travel. You can find the booking website here: https://luna.al/aeroport/ 

• How to pay for Luna bus in Albania? You can pay online on the Luna AL website or you can pay for your bus ticket in cash with euros or Albanian Leke. 

That being said, you do not have to book your bus ticket online. In Albania, the locals pay about 99% of their expenses by cash. So the vast majority of passengers will pay for their bus ticket with cash euros or cash Albanian Leke upon boarding the bus. 

If the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana is full, then an additional bus will be added. So you will be able to get on the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center. 

Can I pay cash for the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center?

You can definitely pay cash for the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana. In fact, I recommend you pay cash for all of your bus tickets in Albania. Here is why. 

In Albania, the locals pay 99% of their expenses by cash. So bus drivers expect passengers to pay cash upon boarding the bus. The bus driver can accept euro notes or Albanian Leke or other well-known foreign currencies. 

So within Albania, paying cash is expected and strongly preferred. In Albania, hotels, taxi drivers and bus drivers strongly prefer cash. So I recommend you always have some cash money with you. Usually a combination of euros, which are widely accepted, and a small amount of Albanian Leke is great. 

In many western countries, you must book bus tickets online or pay for hotels by card. This is not the case in Albania. Although some hotels may accept card payment, even many local hotels prefer getting cash at the reception desk.

In short, cash is king in Albania. So carry some cash with you. 

Can I pay by card for the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center?

The bus from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana can be paid by card, according to the website of Luna Travel. 

Where can I find the bus from Tirana Airport to the city center?

The bus from Tirana Airport to the city center departs from the Bus Station / Parking Area at Tirana Airport.

When your flight lands at Tirana Airport, a bus will be waiting to bring all passengers from the airplane exit to the Terminal Building. Inside the terminal building, you will pass through passport control and the luggage collection. Then, you walk into the arrivals hall. In the Arrivals Hall, take the exit to your immediate left to the Parking Area / Bus Station. The buses from Luna Travel are parked at the end of the parking area. 

The bus journey from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana takes about 30 minutes. Of course, traffic can slow the bus journey down.

Upon arrival, the bus driver will drop you off at the bus station behind the National Theatre of Opera & Ballet at the back of the Palace of Culture. This city bus station is very close to the central Skanderbeg Square.

You can see the location of the bus station in Tirana’s city center on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U1BhbDDtgPJchJFh7 

If you book a hotel near Skanderbeg Square, you might be able to walk with your luggage from the bus station to your hotel. 

How far is the distance from Tirana Airport to the city center?

The distance from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana is 18.5 kilometers. The city center of Tirana is Skanderbeg Square. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana by car, by bus or by taxi, depending on traffic of course.

• Tirana airport to city center distance = around 18.5 kilometers
• Journey time: about 30 minutes

Skanderbeg Square is the central square of Tirana. The square is surrounded by landmarks like the National History Museum, the Palace of Culture with the Theatre of Opera & Ballet inside this building, the Et’hem Bej Mosque and the Clock Tower, the office of the Mayor of Tirana and some of the colorful ministry buildings. The bus from Tirana Airport to the city center of Tirana drops passengers off at the Bus Station behind the Palace of Culture and Theatre of Opera & Ballet, literally a 3 minute walk from Skanderbeg Square. 

Can I take a train from Tirana Airport to the city center?

You cannot take a train from Tirana Airport to the city center yet. A new railway connecting Tirana Airport and Tirana is under construction. However, the new railway is not finished yet, so as of the summer of 2026, you cannot take a train from Tirana Airport to the city center.

It is unclear when the new railway connecting Durres, Tirana Airport and Tirana will open. 

There are very few operational trains in Albania. There may be between 0-5 operational trains in the entire country in any given week. At the time of writing this blog post, the HSH Hekurudha Shqiptare (Albanian Railways) shows zero operational trains in the country. Sometimes, there 1-2 trains a week between Durres and Elbasan or between Shkoder and Lac. 

In conclusion, if you are a tourist planning to travel through Albania without renting a car, you will end up taking local buses and some taxis. Intercity buses will take you from bus terminal to bus terminal. Therefore, you may need some shorter taxi rides to get to the city center, sightseeing locations or your hotel. 

Where can I find a rental car to drive from Tirana Airport to the city center?

If you are looking for a rental car at Tirana Airport, you can find a helpful list of car rental companies with contact phone numbers and emails on the website of Tirana Airport.

At Tirana Airport, these car rental companies have an office nearby: 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.

A rental car at Tirana Airport or in Tirana costs at least 20-25 EUR a day for the most basic rental car. That being said, car rental prices are higher in the summer months due to the tourist season. And of course, a larger or more luxurious rental car will cost a lot more. 

I highly recommend you reach out to car rental companies via WhatsApp before you travel. You will usually get price quotes within minutes. And you can ask any questions you may have about insurance, border crossing or routes within Albania quickly as well. And most importantly, you can reserve a car beforehand for a good price.

Related Questions

Tirana airport bus timetable – From Tirana Airport there are direct buses to Tirana’s city center, Durres, Vlore, Shkoder and Fier. I will share the Tirana Airport bus timetable below.

Tirana airport to Tirana’s city center bus timetable – Buses from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana 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, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00 and 24:00. Buses operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Price 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person.

Tirana airport to Durres bus timetable – Buses from Tirana airport to Durres depart at 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 17:00 PM, 19:00 PM, 21:00 PM, 23:00 PM. Price 600 LEK / 6 EUR per person. 

Tirana airport to Vlore bus timetable – Buses from Tirana airport to Vlore depart at 1:20 AM, 3:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 13:30 PM, 14:30 PM, 15:45 PM, 17:10 PM, 18:30 PM, 20:00 PM, 22:10 PM, 23:30 PM. Price: 1200 LEK / 12 EUR during day time or 1500 LEK / 15 EUR during night time.

Tirana airport to Shkoder bus timetable – Buses from Tirana airport to Shkoder depart at 00:30 AM, 2:30 AM, 5:00 AM, 9:20 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:45 PM, 17:30 PM, 19:00 PM, 20:30 PM and 22:15 PM. Price: 1000 LEK / 10 EUR during day time or 1300 LEK / 13 EUR during night time. 

Tirana airport to Fier bus timetable – Buses from Tirana airport to Fier depart at 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 14:00 PM, 15:30 PM, 16:30 PM, 17:30 PM, 19:30 PM, 21:00 PM and 01:00 AM. Price: 1000 LEK / 10 EUR per person. 

Tirana airport shuttle bus – There are direct shuttle buses from Tirana airport to Tirana’s city center, to Durres, to Vlore, to Shkoder and to Fier. If you are looking to travel from Tirana airport to Saranda or Ksamil, you will need to take a bus to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, so that you can get on the bus to Saranda.

How much is the bus ticket from Tirana to the airport? A bus ticket from Tirana’s city center to Tirana airport costs 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person. You can pay cash with the bus driver upon boarding the bus. 

Where is the bus station from Tirana to Tirana Airport? The bus from Tirana’s city center to Tirana Airport departs from the city bus station at the back of the National Theatre of Opera & Ballet / Palace of Culture. You can see the location of the bus station in Tirana’s city center on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U1BhbDDtgPJchJFh7 

TIA to the city center – You can get from TIA (Tirana International Airport) to the city center by bus (400 LEK / 4 EUR), by taxi (22 EUR) or by rental car (starting from 20-25 EUR a day). Buses depart every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. No Uber. No train.

Rinas to the city center – Rinas Airport is also called Tirana International Airport or Mother Theresa Airport. You can get from Rinas Airport to Tirana’s city center by bus for 400 LEK / 4 EUR per person or by taxi costing 22 EUR or by rental car.

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