Tirana to Ksamil – Bus, Taxi, Car, Ferry, Flight, Prices

If you are planning a journey from Tirana to Ksamil, I will share the best way to get from Tirana to Ksamil by bus, by taxi, by car, by flight or by ferry.

Tirana to Ksamil – You can get from Tirana to Ksamil by bus, by taxi or by car. Step 1: Bus from Tirana to Saranda, Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania between 5:30 AM-22:00 PM, price 15 EUR. Step 2: Bus from Saranda to Ksamil costing 1.50 EUR. A taxi costs around 210 EUR. Rental car at least 20-25 EUR a day. 

In this blog, I will give you all you need to know before travelling from Tirana to Ksamil. I will include bus timetables, bus station locations, bus transfer information and bus ticket prices. Moreover, I will compare taxi prices and rental car prices. I will also discuss an alternative route via the Corfu ferry and discuss flying to Tirana airport vs Corfu airport to get to Ksamil. 

How do I get from Tirana to Ksamil?

You can get from Tirana to Ksamil by bus (transfer in Saranda), by taxi or by car. There is no train from Tirana to Ksamil. And there is no ferry from Tirana to Ksamil. Let me give you a quick overview of the best ways to get from Tirana to Ksamil.

Tirana to Ksamil by bus

• There are no direct buses from Tirana to Ksamil, so you must transfer buses in Saranda. 
• Step 1: You must get from Tirana’s city centre to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, where buses depart. Take the city bus to Instituti that departs behind the National Historical Museum to get to the Tirana Bus Terminal.
• Step 2: Take a bus from the Tirana Bus Terminal to Saranda. Price: 1500 LEK (15 EUR). Buses depart at 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. Duration: 4 hours 20 min / 5 hours. 
• Step 3: Take a bus from Saranda to Ksamil. Price 150 LEK (1.50 EUR). 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. Duration: 15 min+, since traffic can slow the bus down significantly. 

Tirana to Ksamil by taxi

• A taxi from Tirana to Ksamil will likely cost you around 210 euros. 
• This is the price the official Tirana airport taxi service charges for a taxi from Tirana to Ksamil. 
• Journey time: 5.5 hours
• UBER Taxi does not exist in Albania.
• Request taxi prices via WhatsApp from companies like Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, Lux Taxi, Green Taxi or City Taxi.

Tirana to Ksamil by car

• A rental car at Tirana airport or in Tirana city 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 city 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 city to Ksamil via the coastline route takes a full day. 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 to Ksamil by train

• There are no trains from Tirana to Ksamil.
• There are no railways leading to Saranda or Ksamil so train travel is not possible. 
• Train travel within Albania’s borders is very limited with only 2-3 trains in operation between Elbasan and Durres per week and 1-2 trains between Shkoder and Lac.
• A new railway between Tirana-Tirana Airport-Durres will open in 2026.
• No railways to the South of Albania in operation or under construction.

Tirana to Ksamil by ferry

• There are no ferries from Tirana or Durres to Ksamil. 
• There are no ferries along the Albanian coastline from one Albanian city to another.
• You can fly to the Greek Corfu island, then take a ferry from Corfu island to Saranda and then take a bus/taxi to Ksamil.
• But this only applies if you fly to Corfu island, if you fly to Tirana airport you can only travel to Ksamil by bus/taxi/car.

Tirana to Ksamil flight

• There are no flights from Tirana to Ksamil.
• Ksamil does not have an airport.
• A new airport is under construction in Saranda, near Ksamil, however, this airport in Saranda has not opened yet.
• Instead of flying to Tirana airport, you can fly to Corfu airport on the Greek Corfu island. And then take a taxi/bus to the Port of Corfu. Take a ferry from Corfu to Saranda. And finally, a taxi/bus from Saranda to Ksamil.

How to get from Tirana to Ksamil by bus?

There is no direct bus from Tirana to Ksamil, but you can take a bus from Tirana to Saranda and then another bus from Saranda to Ksamil.

Bus travel from Tirana via Saranda to Ksamil

• Step 1: Bus from Tirana to Saranda
• Step 2: Bus from Saranda to Ksamil

Step 1: Bus from Tirana to Saranda

To get from Tirana to Ksamil, you must first take a bus from Tirana to Saranda.

Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. This bus terminal is located outside the city centre of Tirana. You can take a short taxi or a city bus to get from the city centre to the bus terminal. 

You can see the location of the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/33WN9i4z4Z5ppFuU7 

A taxi ride from the city centre of Tirana to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania takes 15-20 minutes, but it depends on traffic. Taxi drivers do not offer set rates, they will switch on the taxi meter and charge you accordingly. 

Alternatively, you can take a city bus from the city centre of Tirana to the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania. Walk to central Skanderbeg Square. On Skanderbeg Square, you will see the National History Museum and you must walk to the back of the museum to Rruga Ded Gjo Luli. Locate the bus stop and take bus line 5B to “Instituti” or “Instituti Bujqesor”, this bus will stop at the bus terminal.

Once you are at the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, you can get on a bus from Tirana to Saranda. Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart at 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. The bus journey from Tirana to Saranda takes approximately 5 hours. 

A bus ticket from Tirana to Saranda costs 15 euros per person. You pay cash for your bus ticket in person when boarding the bus.

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

Step 2: Bus from Saranda to Ksamil

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.

Tirana to Ksamil bus timetable

There is no direct bus from Tirana to Ksamil, so you must transfer buses in Saranda. Let me give you the bus timetables from Tirana via Saranda to Ksamil. 

• Step 1: Bus timetable from Tirana to Saranda.
  Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart at 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. The bus journey from Tirana to Saranda takes approximately 5 hours. 
• Step 2: Bus timetable 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. 

How much is a taxi from Tirana to Ksamil?

A taxi from Tirana to Ksamil will likely cost you around 210 euros. This is the price the official Tirana airport taxi service charges for a taxi from Tirana to Ksamil. 

The taxi price of 210 euros may seem high, but bear in mind that it is a 5.5 hour drive from Tirana to Ksamil, so it will take the taxi driver all day, considering the driver must drive back to Tirana after dropping you off. 

• Tirana to Ksamil taxi cost – 210 euros approximately

The price above is based on 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 can I rent a car and drive from Tirana to Ksamil?

A rental car at Tirana airport or in Tirana city 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.

Driving from Tirana to Ksamil

You can drive from Tirana city 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. If you were to start from Tirana at 8:30 AM, I would expect you to arrive in Ksamil around 19:00 – 20:00 PM. 

Can I get from Tirana to Ksamil by train?

You cannot travel from Tirana to Ksamil by train. Because there is no railway track leading to Ksamil. 

There are also no railway tracks to nearby places like Saranda or Gjirokaster. In the past, there were trains to Vlore, which is the start of the Albanian Riviera, but now there are no trains on these old railway tracks to Vlore. 

In essence, it is not possible to travel to Ksamil by train at all.

Train travel within Albania is very limited. There may be 2-3 old communist trains a week between Elbasan and Durres and there are 1-2 old communist trains between Shkoder and Lac. 

A new railway is under construction between Tirana, Tirana Airport and Durres. This new railway is set to open in 2026. 

Can I get from Tirana to Ksamil by ferry?

You cannot get from Tirana to Ksamil by ferry. There are no ferries along the Albanian coastline that can take you from Tirana to Ksamil. 

That being said, you may consider flying to Corfu Airport on the Greek Corfu island. From Corfu island, you can take a ferry to Saranda. The ferries take between 35 minutes and 1H15 minutes depending on whether you take the speed ferry or the slower car ferry. Once you are in Saranda, you can take a taxi or bus to Ksamil. 

• Step 1: Fly to Corfu airport
• Step 2: Taxi/Bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu
• Step 3: Ferry from Corfu to Saranda (19-25 euros per person, 35min-1H15min)
• Step 4: Taxi/Bus from Saranda to Ksamil (15 min + depending on traffic)

By flying to Corfu Airport on Corfu airport, you save yourself a 5.5 hour bus/taxi/car journey from Tirana airport to Ksamil. 

Can I fly from Tirana to Ksamil?

You cannot fly from Tirana to Ksamil. Ksamil does not have an airport. And nearby Saranda and Gjirokaster do not have an airport either. 

At the moment, a new airport near Saranda is under construction. Construction work is still on its way and it is unclear when exactly the new airport in Saranda will open. So perhaps in the future flying to Saranda will be an option. 

Right now, you could book a flight from a European country to Corfu island. Corfu is a Greek island in front of the Albanian coastline. 

From Corfu island, you can take a ferry to Saranda. The ferries take between 35 minutes and 1H15 minutes depending on whether you take the speed ferry or the slower car ferry. Once you are in Saranda, you can take a taxi or bus to Ksamil. 

By flying to Corfu Airport on Corfu airport, you save yourself a 5.5 hour bus/taxi/car journey from Tirana airport to Ksamil. 

What is the best way to get to Ksamil?

You can get to Ksamil by flying to either Tirana airport or to Corfu airport. These are your options:

Option 1: Tirana airport to Ksamil

• Step 1: Fly to Tirana Airport 
• Step 2: Taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil (210 EUR) or car to Ksamil. 
• Cheaper Alternative: Bus from Tirana airport to Bus Terminal (3 EUR), bus from bus terminal Tirana to Saranda (15 EUR), bus from Saranda to Ksamil (1.50 EUR)
• Duration: This journey will take you 5.5 hours on the road. By bus, you must calculate for extra waiting time as you transfer buses.

Option 2: Corfu airport to Ksamil

• Step 1: Fly to Corfu airport 
• Step 2: Take a bus/taxi to the Port of Corfu (20 min) 
• Step 3: Ferry from Corfu to Saranda (35-1H15 min) (19-25 EUR)
• Step 4: Take a bus/taxi to Ksamil (1.50 EUR for the bus). Taxi drivers may charge you 25 euros or more.

How far is it from Tirana to Ksamil?

Tirana is 278 kilometers from Ksamil if you drive via the inland route. The quickest route to drive from Tirana to Ksamil is from Tirana via Durres, Fier, Tepelene, Kardhiq castle and Saranda to Ksamil. This journey will take you 5.5 hours. 

• Tirana to Ksamil distance – 278 kilometers

If you have a full day available, it is worth driving via the coastline. The coastline road between Vlore, Himare, Saranda and Ksamil offers beautiful views. It will take you a full day to drive along the coastline road. If you start at 8:30 AM, you will most likely be in Ksamil around 19:00 or 20:00 PM. Since the coastline road turns and twists along the beaches, it is not possible to drive fast on this route.

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

It takes at least 5.5 hours to get from Tirana to Ksamil by car or by taxi. The distance is 278 kilometers. 

Bear in mind that Google Maps underestimates how long it takes to drive through Albania. According to Google Maps it takes 3 hours and 53 minutes to get to Ksamil. That is too short. Buses that regularly drive from Tirana to Saranda offer 4 hours and 20 minutes via the inland highway. And a journey from Tirana to Gjirokaster in the South takes 4 hours. Ksamil is a bit further than Gjirokaster and Ksamil, so a realistic estimate is 5.5 hours of travel time.

If you travel by bus from Tirana to Ksamil, you will spend more than 5.5 hours, because you will need to transfer in Saranda. And you may spend additional time waiting at the bus stop and finding the bus stop.

How to get from Ksamil to Tirana?

You can get from Ksamil to Tirana by bus (transfer in Saranda), by taxi or by car. 

By bus, you must first take a bus from Ksamil to Saranda. The bus departs from Butrint and will be in Ksamil about 10-15 minutes later. Buses depart from Butrint at 7:05, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30 and 19:00. Approximately 10-15 minutes later these buses stop in Ksamil en route to Saranda. 

To board the bus from Ksamil to Saranda, you can go to this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AMkyECiDyVW5b5Kh9 

A bus ticket from Ksamil to Saranda costs 150 LEK (1.50 euros). You will be expected to pay in cash onboard the bus, so bringing the exact amount in cash is best. 

The bus journey from Ksamil to Saranda takes around 15 minutes, but the busy summer season and heavy traffic on the road can slow the bus down quite a bit.

Get off the bus from Ksamil to Saranda near SOS Bar and Friendship Park in the city centre of Saranda. From there you can walk to Butrinti Travel and Tours Agency which operates buses from Saranda to Tirana. 

Buses from Saranda to Tirana depart at 5:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, 14:00 PM, 17:00 PM and 22:00 PM. These buses take the quicker route to Tirana via the inland road/highway. It may take 4 hours and 20 minutes to get to Tirana. A bus ticket costs 1500 LEK (15 euros) per person. And you are expected to pay cash in person. 

How much is a taxi from Ksamil to Tirana?

If you want to take a direct taxi from Ksamil to Tirana, you can expect to pay around 210 euros. Of course, the prices of individual taxi drivers may vary. You can easily find taxi drivers on Google Maps and request prices via WhatsApp. Or you can ask your hotel in Ksamil to organize a taxi driver for you. 

Insider Tip: Because the distance between Tirana and Ksamil is so large, you may consider going on a one-way trip only. You could book a flight to Tirana Airport and fly back via Corfu Airport. From Tirana Airport, you make your way to the south, making stops in Berat (1 night) and Gjirokaster (1 night) or you could take the route along the Albanian Riviera coastline for stunning views. After spending some time on Ksamil beach, you travel to Saranda and take the ferry to Corfu and fly back home from Corfu airport, which avoids another 5.5 hour bus journey/taxi journey back to Tirana.

Is it worth going to Ksamil?

Ksamil is worth going to, as it is considered the most beautiful beach in Albania. Ksamil is also known as the “pearl of the Albanian Riviera”. Because it is paradise-like with beautiful sandy beaches, wooden shutters leading into the water and 4 little islands in front of the beach. 

That being said, Ksamil is a small beach village, so due to its popularity it can become crowded and busy in the summer months. Particularly in July and August. So if at all possible a better period to visit would be in the spring season or autumn season. 

Ksamil is mainly a beach destination. You can go snorkelling, swimming or take a boat to visit the little islands. You can have lunch or dinner in a restaurant overlooking the seaside. Near Ksamil, you can also go on a Mussel Tour to taste the local mussels. And you can visit the Butrint UNESCO park for about 1-2 hours in the early morning (to avoid the heat).

Related Questions

How to get from Tirana to Saranda? You can get from Tirana to Saranda by bus, by taxi or by car. Buses depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal North and South Albania, outside the city centre. A bus ticket costs 15 euros. Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart at 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 16:00 PM and 22:00 PM. Duration 4 H 20 min – 5 hours. A taxi costs around 200 euros.

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