It takes about 15 minutes to go to Tirana’s “Mother Teresa” International Airport. It is served by a number of European flag carriers, including British Airways, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian, Germanwings, and Belle Air, as well as low-cost carriers Germanwings and Belle Air. A new, larger, and more modern terminal opened in 2007. A tourist information center was erected in 2012.
MerrTaxi Tirana allows you to book a taxi online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for €10,99. To call a taxi from anywhere in the nation, phone 0800 5555. +355 67400 6610 is the international taxi number.
Many taxis are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the airport exit to carry you to the city. Taxis to the city center range in price from €11 to €15. (1500 Lek – 2000 Lek) Taxi rates to other locations may be found here.
The Rinas Express bus connects the airport with Skanderberg Square every hour. It costs 350 lek each way and leaves from both the airport and Skanderberg Square every hour. It is open from about 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. It takes around 25-30 minutes to get there. To find the bus stop, go past the taxi touts and into the parking lot from the airport exit doors. Skanderberg Square’s bus stop is located among other bus stations in the northwest corner. Arrive a few minutes early since the bus is not only on time, but even on occasion early. Don’t be turned off by the absence of signage at the Skanderberg Square stop that says “airport” or anything like. The word “Rinas” indicates that the bus is on its way to the airport. Ask the locals if you’re unsure, and they’ll happily point you in the correct route.
Flying to Corfu and then taking the hydrofoil to Saranda is another less costly and more pleasant way to see the Albanian Riviera in Southern Albania.
Borders
Three border crossing locations with Montenegro are located in Albania’s northwestern region. Locals mostly travel the small route between Ulcinj, Montenegro, and Shkoder, Montenegro, through Muriqan/Sukobin (E851/SH41). The Montenegrin part is still under development as of 2012. However, it’s worth a shot to escape the heavy traffic on the major route (E762/SH1) to Hani I Hotit, which is almost complete. Any police officer in Shkoder would gladly take you in the correct route; they are helpful, kind, and pleasant. The border crossing in the highlands (SH20) near Vermosh is accessible by a 30-kilometer unpaved mountain trail (as of summer 2015), while building work is still underway. Only 4×4 vehicles and off-road motorcycles are permitted to utilize this route.
With Greece, there are several border crossings. The Kakavie Border, around 45 kilometers from Gjirokaster, is the largest and most well-known. Qafe Bote, located after Butrint and approximately 43 kilometers from Saranda, is another border crossing that is less often utilized. This route leads to numerous peaceful beaches in Greece, as well as the city of Igoumenitsa. Tre Urat is a border crossing that should only be utilized if you are travelling to Permet or want to view some beautiful landscape; it is around 35 kilometers from Permet. Bilisht is another key border crossing with Greece. This crossing is used mostly to go to Kastoria, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, and/or other places of Eastern Greece. Korca, the nearest major Albanian city to this border crossing, is roughly 35 kilometers distant.
With Macedonia, there are two main border crossing locations. Qafe Thane is the most well-known and often visited. This border crossing is the quickest route to Ohrid, Macedonia’s Albanian regions, and Skopje. Elbasan is 65 kilometers away, while Pogradec is 30 kilometers away. Tushemisht, the second border crossing, is just 6 kilometers from Pogradec and is mostly utilized by visitors and residents who wish to view the St. Naum Church and the Macedonian sections of Lake Ohrid.