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. Tirana can be reached by coach from: Istanbul, Turkey (20hr, €35 one-way), Athens, Greece (12 hr, €30-35), Tetovo, Republic of Macedonia (7 hr, € 15), Prishtina, Kosovo (4,5 hr, € 10 ).
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.
By train
Rail is not an option for getting into or out of Albania. Trains, on the other hand, operate throughout the country. Despite the fact that the service is limited, it is inexpensive. There is no direct rail service to Tirana due to the closure of the capital’s single train station. The restored Kashar station, which is located 10 kilometers west of Tirana, currently serves the city.
Regular buses go from Ioannina to the Kakavia border (9 per day, €5.70, 1 hour). From there, it’s just a short walk to the Greek and Albanian checkpoints. Simply don’t be late, since the furgon (minibus) to Gjirokastra will not wait for another passenger, leaving you to haggle with shady taxi drivers. In Gjirokaster, you may buy a bus ticket to Athens, Greece, or wherever in between. The buses are contemporary, affordable, and air conditioned, with stops near gas stations.
By boat
Ferries to Durres depart from Bari (9 hours, €50) and Ancona (19 hours, €70). From Bari, a high-speed service (3 hours, €60) is available.
Skenderbeg Lines and European Seaways have also been operating two dependable overnight ferry trips from Brindisi to Vlore since May 2015.
Every day, ferries go from Corfu to Saranda.
European Seaways re-established a ferry service between Brindisi and Shengjin in June 2015, running twice a week throughout the summer.
By car
You may drive to Albania from anywhere in the world, passing via important cities in neighboring countries such as:
Podgorica, Montenegro
Ohrid, Macedonia
Prizren, Kosovo
Thessaloniki, Greece Thessaloniki is far away from Albania
Ioannina, Greece
To enter the country, you must ensure that your International Motor Insurance Card is valid for Albania (AL), together with the Car Registration and a Power of Attorney from the vehicle’s owner, if you do not own the vehicle. The border patrol is quite strict about permitting automobiles to pass without these documents.
The highway (E853/SH4) between Ioannina, Greece and Tirana, Albania is in excellent condition. Construction between Tepelene and Fier is almost finished. The additional segment between Rrogozhine and Durres is also nearing completion. This is the main north-south highway between Montenegro with Greece.
The route (E852/SH3) between Struga, Macedonia, and Tirana is in good condition. Due to the large number of slow-moving vehicles on the winding, mountainous route, extra caution is essential, especially near corners and while passing. A new motorway is now being constructed between Elbasan and Tirana.
The quality of the road between Prizren (Kosovo) and Tirana (Albania) (E851/A1/SH5) is equivalent to that of roads in other parts of Europe. Some bridges along the border with Kosovo should be avoided since they have not been widened, and uncontrolled entrance locations are becoming more dangerous. Also, be cautious that cows graze freely on the roadway, since there is no fence and they utilize the road to return home before dusk.
The road between Shkoder (the border with Montenegro) and Tirana (E762/SH1) is passable, although there are a lot of slow-moving cars and uncontrolled access points, so extra caution is essential, especially while passing. A portion of the roadway between Milot and Thumane has been renovated to dual carriageway standards as of 2012.
In the north, Albania has two border crossings with Montenegro. The narrow, twisting highway (E851/SH41) between Ulcinj, Montenegro and Shkoder through Muriqan/Sukobin is mostly employed by locals. In 2014, the new Montenegrin section near the Albanian border was completed. To avoid the heavier traffic on the freshly completed main highway (E762/SH1) between Hani Hotit and Shkoder, it is worth a try. Ask any Shkoder police officer to point you in the right direction. They are kind, accommodating, and nice.
By taxi
Geographically, Albania is a small country, and as a result, it is simple to travel by cab.
Taxi fare from downtown Pogradec to the Macedonian border at Sveti Naum is roughly 5 euros (and less than 10 minutes). After completing the Albanian exit procedures, go about 0.5 kilometers to the Macedonian border check. The picturesque Sveti Naum church is close by, and from there you may get a bus to Ohrid circumnavigating the lake to the north (110 denars).
The cost of a taxi from Ulcinj, Montenegro, to Shkoder, Albania, is around €30. It takes an hour. There will be no need for a transfer at the border since the taxi will transport you there.
Some cabs will transport you into Greece, but the majority will only take you to Ioannina.
Albania will definitely stimulate all of your senses with its idyllic beaches, magnificent castles, and the excitement of visiting a nation that just opened its doors to the rest of the globe. From the historical sites you may visit to the
Albania is still one of the most undervalued vacation spots in Europe, but each year more tourists discover the country's beauty, particularly its beaches.
As is customary, precautions should be taken. The local crime scene does not often target foreigners, however pickpocketings do occur. Although bottled water is preferred, tap water is typically safe to use. Albanian cuisine is typically
Albanian history dates back to the 4th century BC, and there are early traces of Illyria in Greco-Roman historiography. The territory that is now Albania was under Roman (Byzantine) dominion until the Slavs began to overrun it in the 7th
Albanian art has a long and dramatic history. Albania, a country in southeastern Europe, has a culture that is unique from that of the rest of Europe. For over five centuries, Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire, which had a tremendous
Albanians are quite friendly. Because of their age, elder men in the Balkans expect to be treated with respect more than the rest of the population. Men, in particular, must be respected in the home. Avoid talking about religion or
In all Albanian cities, there are several shops selling a variety of things, including well-known brands, spectacles, ancient objects, and so on. Tourists go to Kruja, Korca, Shkodra, Gjirokastra, and Tirana's old bazaars, where they may
The cuisine of Albania, like the rest of the Balkans, is greatly inspired by Turkish cuisine. The region's 400-year Ottoman domination has had an influence. Following the fall of communism in the early 1990s, Italy and Western Europe in
Albania is hilly or mountainous for over two-thirds of its geographical area. These provide opportunities for outdoor recreation as well as off-road riding. Adventure tourism is gaining popularity in Albania's well-known destinations
With its gorgeous turquoise seas and several islands strewn along it, such as Saranda, Albania's southernmost coastal city, the shoreline is always a nice place to visit. It's worth mentioning that the Albanian Riviera to the south of
The bulk of the tourist industry is concentrated around the Adriatic and Ionian Sea beaches. The Albanian Riviera, as it is called, has the most beautiful and pristine beaches. The Albanian coastline, including the lagoon area, runs about
Nationals of the United States may enter Albania visa-free for up to one year. Nationals of all European Union and European Economic Area member states, plus Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the
Due to the scarcity of such experiences in Europe today, a train ride is a must-see. The fares are modest and the journeys are long, but the scenery and ambiance are often priceless. People working their land with primitive equipment
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. Tirana can be reached by coach from: Istanbul, Turkey (20hr, €35 one-w
In traditional Albanian culture, the visitor's rank and person are cherished. In return for this position of honor, the guest is required to show respect. Albanians like taking long walks around the city streets, drinking coffee, and
How To Travel To Albania
How To Travel To Albania
By plane
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.
By train
Rail is not an option for getting into or out of Albania. Trains, on the other hand, operate throughout the country. Despite the fact that the service is limited, it is inexpensive. There is no direct rail service to Tirana due to the closure of the capital’s single train station. The restored Kashar station, which is located 10 kilometers west of Tirana, currently serves the city.
By bus
Tirana can be reached by bus from:
Ulcinj, Montenegro, and Shkoder, Greece, presently have a frequent bus service. A shared taxi (minibus) service is also available from Ulcinj’s parking lot, which is near to the market. It leaves at 1 p.m. for €5 and takes 1.5 hours. The stop is not marked, and bookings may only be made by finding the driver at the café on the corner of the parking lot. Because not everyone in the region is aware of this, ask around and be persistent. Additional buses from Kotor to Tirana are expected to stop in Podgorica (at 10:45 a.m.) and Shkoder.
Regular buses go from Ioannina to the Kakavia border (9 per day, €5.70, 1 hour). From there, it’s just a short walk to the Greek and Albanian checkpoints. Simply don’t be late, since the furgon (minibus) to Gjirokastra will not wait for another passenger, leaving you to haggle with shady taxi drivers. In Gjirokaster, you may buy a bus ticket to Athens, Greece, or wherever in between. The buses are contemporary, affordable, and air conditioned, with stops near gas stations.
By boat
By car
You may drive to Albania from anywhere in the world, passing via important cities in neighboring countries such as:
To enter the country, you must ensure that your International Motor Insurance Card is valid for Albania (AL), together with the Car Registration and a Power of Attorney from the vehicle’s owner, if you do not own the vehicle. The border patrol is quite strict about permitting automobiles to pass without these documents.
The highway (E853/SH4) between Ioannina, Greece and Tirana, Albania is in excellent condition. Construction between Tepelene and Fier is almost finished. The additional segment between Rrogozhine and Durres is also nearing completion. This is the main north-south highway between Montenegro with Greece.
The route (E852/SH3) between Struga, Macedonia, and Tirana is in good condition. Due to the large number of slow-moving vehicles on the winding, mountainous route, extra caution is essential, especially near corners and while passing. A new motorway is now being constructed between Elbasan and Tirana.
The quality of the road between Prizren (Kosovo) and Tirana (Albania) (E851/A1/SH5) is equivalent to that of roads in other parts of Europe. Some bridges along the border with Kosovo should be avoided since they have not been widened, and uncontrolled entrance locations are becoming more dangerous. Also, be cautious that cows graze freely on the roadway, since there is no fence and they utilize the road to return home before dusk.
The road between Shkoder (the border with Montenegro) and Tirana (E762/SH1) is passable, although there are a lot of slow-moving cars and uncontrolled access points, so extra caution is essential, especially while passing. A portion of the roadway between Milot and Thumane has been renovated to dual carriageway standards as of 2012.
In the north, Albania has two border crossings with Montenegro. The narrow, twisting highway (E851/SH41) between Ulcinj, Montenegro and Shkoder through Muriqan/Sukobin is mostly employed by locals. In 2014, the new Montenegrin section near the Albanian border was completed. To avoid the heavier traffic on the freshly completed main highway (E762/SH1) between Hani Hotit and Shkoder, it is worth a try. Ask any Shkoder police officer to point you in the right direction. They are kind, accommodating, and nice.
By taxi
Geographically, Albania is a small country, and as a result, it is simple to travel by cab.
Taxi fare from downtown Pogradec to the Macedonian border at Sveti Naum is roughly 5 euros (and less than 10 minutes). After completing the Albanian exit procedures, go about 0.5 kilometers to the Macedonian border check. The picturesque Sveti Naum church is close by, and from there you may get a bus to Ohrid circumnavigating the lake to the north (110 denars).
The cost of a taxi from Ulcinj, Montenegro, to Shkoder, Albania, is around €30. It takes an hour. There will be no need for a transfer at the border since the taxi will transport you there.
Some cabs will transport you into Greece, but the majority will only take you to Ioannina.
Read next…
Nightlife In Albania
Beaches In Albania
Stay Safe & Healthy in Albania
History Of Albania
Culture Of Albania
Traditions & Customs in Albania
Festivals & Holidays in Albania
Money & Shopping in Albania
Food & Drinks in Albania
Things To Do in Albania
Things To See in Albania
Tourism in Albania
Visa & Passport for Albania
How To Travel Around Albania
How To Travel To Albania
Albania – Introduction
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