What is the closest airport to Ksamil? Corfu airport, Corfu-Saranda ferry to Ksamil

If you are looking for the closest airport to Ksamil, this blog is for you. I will describe how you can fly to the closest airport and travel to Ksamil by bus, taxi and ferry.

What is the closest airport to Ksamil? The closest airport to Ksamil is Corfu Airport. Corfu airport is located on the Greek Corfu island, close to the Albanian coastline. Fly to Corfu airport, take a bus/taxi to the Port of Corfu(20 min), ferry from Corfu to Saranda (30-65 min), bus/taxi from Saranda to Ksamil (15min).

In this blog post, I will describe how you can travel from Corfu airport to Ksamil. I will detail taxi/bus prices to the Port of Corfu, booking a ferry ticket from Corfu to Saranda, and travelling from Saranda to Ksamil by bus/taxi. I will also compare Corfu airport to Ksamil vs. Tirana airport to Ksamil, so you can make the best choice for you.

The closest airport to Ksamil

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

Albania does have an airport in Tirana, the capital city. However, Tirana airport is a 5 hour and 15 minute drive from Ksamil. Therefore, Corfu airport is much closer. 

There are plans to build an airport in Saranda in Albania, which is very close to Ksamil. However, the airport in Saranda is not finished yet. So at the moment, Corfu Airport is the closest airport to Ksamil.

To get from Corfu airport to Ksamil, you must take these steps:

• Step 1: Fly to Corfu airport
• Step 2: Taxi/Bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu (20 min)
• Step 3: Ferry from Corfu to Saranda (30-65 min)
• Step 4: Taxi/Bus from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil (15 min)

Step 1: Fly to Corfu airport

The closest airport to Ksamil is Corfu Airport. So start by booking a flight to Corfu airport. 

Corfu airport offers a lot of connections to European airports. However, many of these flights only operate in the summer months, since this is the tourist high season. This is something to bear in mind especially if you are planning to travel in the off-season. 

Step 2: Taxi/Bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu (15 min)

Once you arrive at Corfu airport, you need to take a taxi or bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu. Then once you arrive at the Port of Corfu, you can get on the ferry from Corfu to Saranda.

• 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.

A taxi from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu costs 22-25 euros. A bus ticket from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu costs between 1.20 euros and 1.70 euros depending on whether you buy your ticket before you board or onboard the bus. From Corfu airport, you can take bus line number 15 to the Port of Corfu.

Step 3: Ferry from Corfu to Saranda (35-65 min)

Once your taxi or bus drops you off at the Port of Corfu, it is time to board the ferry from Corfu to Saranda.

There are 2 x ferry companies that operate ferry boats between Corfu and Saranda, these are Ionian Seaways and Finikas Lines. Their offerings are very similar. You can book a ferry ticket online before you travel or you can buy a ferry ticket in person at the ticket office at the Port of Corfu. 

• 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.

A ferry ticket from Corfu to Saranda costs between 19-25 euros per person one-way. Prices vary between 19-25 euros depending on the season you are travelling, the summer months being 25 euros per person. 

When you book a ferry boat, there is a choice between the faster hydrofoil “Flying Dolphin” boat and the car ferry/passenger ship. The Flying Dolphin hydrofoil is the faster ferry, so it will take only 35 minutes. The passenger ship, which also transports cars onboard, takes longer. It will take you 65 minutes to get from Corfu to Saranda.

Either way, after a 30-65 minute journey on board the ferry, you will be dropped off at the Port of Saranda. 

Step 4: Taxi/Bus from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil (15 min)

Once you arrive at the Port of Saranda, you will need to take either a taxi or bus to get 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

You can choose to take a bus from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil. There is a bus stop at the Port of Saranda, where you can get on the bus to Ksamil and Butrint UNESCO. You can see the location of the bus station at the Port of Saranda on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Scs7Nx9SVK9LD8fJ7 

A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.30 euros) per person. You are expected to pay cash onboard the bus. An employee of the bus company will pass through the bus collecting cash payment. So it is best to exchange a small amount of Euros for Albanian Leke before you get on the bus. Of course, having exactly 150 Leke ready is the easiest. Especially, since the bus for Ksamil can get busy and crowded in the summer months.

A taxi from Saranda to Ksamil costs between 13-25 euros. Taxi drivers have quoted me 13 euros for the ride on various occasions. However, I have also heard from tourists that they were charged 25 euros for a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil. Of course, taxi drivers will try to charge more in the summer months, especially for foreign tourists. 

What airport do you fly to for Ksamil?

To get to Ksamil, you can fly to Corfu Airport (the closest airport) or Tirana airport. Ksamil is located in the south of Albania, the closest airport is Corfu Airport. Corfu airport is set on Corfu island, which is a Greek island in front of the Albanian coastline. To get from Corfu airport to Ksamil, you need to take a ferry to Albania. 

The alternative is flying to Tirana airport in Albania. However, it is a 5 hour and 15 minute drive from Tirana airport to Ksamil. 

Option 1: Corfu Airport to Ksamil

The closest airport to Ksamil is Corfu Airport on Corfu island. If you choose this route, you must fly to Corfu airport from your country. 

• Step 1: Fly to Corfu airport
• Step 2: Taxi/Bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu (20 min)
• Step 3: Ferry from Corfu to Saranda (30-65 min)
• Step 4: Taxi/Bus from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil (15 min)

Upon arrival at Corfu airport, you take a bus or taxi from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu. A bus ticket costs 1.20-1.70 euros per person. A taxi costs 22-25 euros per person. Then from the Port of Corfu, you take a ferry from Corfu to Saranda. A ferry ticket costs 19-25 euros per person. Ferries take 30-65 minutes. Upon arrival at the Port of Saranda, you take a bus or taxi to Ksamil. A bus ticket costs 1.30 euros per person or a taxi costs 13-25 euros. 

Option 2: Tirana airport to Ksamil

The other option is flying to Tirana airport and taking a bus, taxi or rental car to get to Ksamil. 

• Step 1: Fly to Tirana airport
• Step 2: Take a taxi, a rental car or a bus to Ksamil (5 hours and 15 minutes)

If you fly to Tirana airport and you want to travel onwards to Ksamil, you can either take a taxi, a rental car or a bus. 

A direct taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil costs between 150-180 euros per taxi. This taxi rate might seem high, but it is a long distance from Tirana airport to Ksamil, so this pricing is fair considering the time and distance required. The drive from Tirana airport to Ksamil will take 5 hours and 15 minutes depending on traffic.

Another option is renting a car at Tirana airport and driving to Ksamil independently. A rental car at Tirana airport will cost you at least 20-30 euros per day for the most basic car rental. Bear in mind that car rental tends to be pricier in July and August, due to the tourist high season. There is a list of car rental agencies on the website of Tirana airport, reach out to them before you travel via WhatsApp or email.

There is no direct bus from Tirana airport to Ksamil. So if you want to travel by public transport, you first need to take a taxi from Tirana airport to the bus terminal. Then a bus from Tirana to Saranda. And finally, another bus from Saranda to Ksamil. 

Travelling by bus from Tirana airport to Ksamil: 

• Step 1: Taxi from Tirana airport to the North and South Bus Terminal near Tirana (23-28 euros)
• Step 2: Bus from Tirana (North and South Bus Terminal) to Saranda (15.50 euros per person)
• Step 3: Bus from Saranda to Ksamil (1.30 euros per person)

Once you get off your flight at Tirana airport, you take a taxi to the North and South Bus Terminal near Tirana city, this will cost you 23-28 euros. Then from the North and South Bus Terminal, you take a bus to Saranda, which will cost you 15.50 euros per person. The bus from Saranda will drop you off in the centre of Saranda between Friendship Park and the archaeological ruins of the Synagogue-Basilica. You must walk to this bus station near SOS Bar and Friendship Park -> https://maps.app.goo.gl/paMBuebGVkqefDb17 to get on the bus to Ksamil. 

What is the best way to get to Ksamil?

The best way to get to Ksamil is by flying to Corfu airport, then taking a bus or taxi to the Port of Corfu, boarding a ferry from Corfu to Saranda and then taking a bus or taxi to Ksamil. 

To get from Corfu airport to Ksamil, you must take these steps:

• Step 1: Fly to Corfu airport
• Step 2: Taxi/Bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu (20 min)
• Step 3: Ferry from Corfu to Saranda (30-65 min)
• Step 4: Taxi/Bus from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil (15 min)

The alternative is flying to Tirana airport in the centre of Albania. However, it will take you 5 hours and 15 minutes to get from Tirana airport to Ksamil by car, by bus or by taxi. The distance between Tirana airport and Ksamil is quite large, as Tirana is in the centre of Albania and Ksamil is in the South of Albania.

Corfu to Ksamil ferry

There is no direct ferry from Corfu to Ksamil. Instead, you must take a ferry from Corfu to Saranda and then a bus/taxi from Saranda to Ksamil.

• Step 1: Fly to Corfu airport
• Step 2: Taxi/Bus from Corfu airport to the Port of Corfu (20 min)
• Step 3: Ferry from Corfu to Saranda (30-65 min)
• Step 4: Taxi/Bus from the Port of Saranda to Ksamil (15 min)

Ferry boats depart from the Port of Corfu and they arrive in the Port of Saranda. A ferry boat journey from Corfu to Saranda takes between 30 minutes and 65 minutes depending on which ferry boat you book. With the faster hydrofoil “Flying Dolphin” boat, it only takes 30 minutes to get from Corfu to Saranda. If you book the shower car ferry/passenger ship, it takes 65 minutes to get from Corfu to Saranda.

When your ferry arrives at the Port of Saranda, you can take a bus or a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil. A bus ticket from Saranda to Ksamil costs 150 Leke (1.30 euros). A taxi from Saranda to Ksamil costs 13-25 euros (some taxi drivers charge more for tourists in high season). 

How long is the ferry from Corfu to Ksamil?

There is no direct ferry from Corfu to Ksamil, you must take the ferry from Corfu to Saranda, which takes 30-65 minutes. 

Although Ksamil is incredibly close to Corfu Island, there is no direct ferry from Corfu to Ksamil. The ferry port is in Saranda, which is a large coastal city to the North of Ksamil.

The ferry from Corfu to Saranda takes 30-65 minutes. There are different types of boats in operation. There are the faster hydrofoil “Flying Dolphin” boats and the slower car ferry/passenger boats. If you book the hydrofoil “Flying Dolphin” boat, your boat journey from Corfu to Saranda will only take 30 minutes. If you book the slower car ferry/passenger ship, your journey will take 65 minutes.

The ferry boats from Corfu to Saranda are operated by Ionian Seaways and Finikas Lines. You can check the ferry timetables on the websites of Ionian Seaways and Finikas Lines. Be sure to check at the bottom of the ferry timetable which boats are faster hydrofoils vs slower car ferries.

IMPORTANT! Corfu Island is in a different timezone than Saranda! Corfu is 1 hour ahead of Saranda. This is because Corfu is a Greek island and Saranda is in Albania, and there is a time difference. This is especially important if you are flying back home from Corfu airport. 

Although the ferry from Saranda to Corfu will take you only 30-65 minutes, you will lose 1 additional hour, due to the time difference. This is vital if you are trying to catch a flight home from Corfu airport!

Is Ksamil Albania worth visiting?

Ksamil in Albania is worth visiting, but it is important to take the month you travel into consideration. 

Look basically, Ksamil Beach and the Ksamil Islands have the prettiest beaches in Albania. It is the reason why Ksamil is known as the “pearl of the Albanian Riviera”, it is the highlight! Look at any picture online and you will see the perfect white sand, little islands, and turquoise water. Ksamil is like paradise in real life and in the South of Europe!

That being said, it is important to take the month you travel into consideration. In July and August, it is the tourist high season and Ksamil gets crowded! Ksamil is a small beach village so when a lot of people are there it feels busy and crowded immediately. And the streets to the beach are packed. 

That is why I always say that the best period to visit Ksamil is at the end of May, in June or in September. In essence, just before the high season or just after the high season. You will enjoy Ksamil so much more when it is quieter. 

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