Getting Around Albania — Transport Guide

Overview

Albania's transport network has improved dramatically since the early 2000s, but it still works differently from most of Western Europe. There are no passenger trains on practical tourist routes. The national rail network is very limited and not useful for most visitors. Instead, the country runs on a combination of:

• Furgons (shared minibuses/microbuses)
• Regional and inter-city buses
• Taxis (metered in cities; negotiate in rural areas)
• Rental cars (increasingly available and recommended for the coast and mountains)
• Ferries (from Italy; Saranda–Corfu)

Furgons

Furgons are the backbone of Albanian internal transport. A furgon is typically a minibus or microbus (8–15 seats) that runs set routes between cities and towns, departing when full rather than on a fixed timetable.

How they work:

• Find the furgon departure point for your route (usually a specific street corner or informal "station" — ask your accommodation)
• Agree on the fare (usually low; comparable to bus prices)
• Wait until the furgon fills, then depart
• They stop anywhere along the route on request

Pros: Frequent, cheap, goes almost everywhere, faster than buses on some routes Cons: No fixed timetable, can be cramped, not always easy to find for first-timers

Buses

Inter-city buses run on most major routes and are generally more comfortable than furgons, with a fixed departure time. Key routes:

Booking: Most buses don't require advance booking — arrive at the departure point early and buy a ticket. In summer, very popular routes may fill up. Ask your accommodation about the current departure points, as these can change.

Departure points in Tirana:

• North bus station (near Zogu i Zi roundabout) — for Shkodër and northern destinations
• South bus station (near Kinostudio) — for Berat, Fier, Gjirokastër, and southern destinations

Important: Schedules change seasonally and can shift. Always confirm current departure times locally on the day before travel.

Taxis

Taxis are widely available in cities and work well for shorter distances or when you need to reach a specific attraction (Butrint from Saranda, the Blue Eye from Saranda or Gjirokastër, Apollonia from Fier).

In Tirana: Use the meter or agree a price before getting in. Apps (some Albanian taxi apps operate in Tirana) can help.

Rural/mountain taxis: Agree a price before the journey. Ask your guesthouse for the going rate before hailing on the street.

Airport transfer from TIA: Official airport taxis are available; agree the price before departing. City buses also run from the airport to the center at low cost.

Rental Cars

A rental car is the best way to explore the Albanian Riviera and the northern mountains. It gives you the freedom to stop at unmarked beaches, visit the Blue Eye without arranging a taxi, and drive the Llogara Pass at your own pace.

Rental availability: Cars are available in Tirana (airport and city) and to a lesser extent in Saranda. Book in advance in July–August.

Road conditions: Main roads (the SH1/A1 north–south motorway, the SH4 to the south, the SH8 coastal road) are in good condition. Secondary roads and mountain tracks can be rough. A standard car handles 95% of tourist routes; a 4WD helps for Theth and other mountain villages.

Driving standards: Drive defensively. Albanian road culture can be unpredictable, and the instincts of other drivers may differ from what you're used to. Speed limits are enforced by cameras on some main roads.

Petrol: Available in all cities and main towns. Fill up before heading into remote mountain or coastal areas.

International driving license: Officially required alongside your national license for non-EU drivers. Check current requirements for your specific country.

Ferries

International ferries:

• Italy–Albania: Regular ferry services connect Bari and Brindisi (Italy) with Durrës (Albania). A popular entry route for travelers arriving from Italy or Croatia. Overnight crossings available. Check schedules with Adriatica or other operators.
• Saranda–Corfu (Greece): Fast ferries (30–45 minutes) operate seasonally between Saranda and Corfu (Kerkyra). Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways are the main operators. Multiple crossings daily in summer; fewer off-season. An excellent option for a Greece–Albania combined trip.

Internal ferries:

• Komani Lake ferry: The most famous internal boat journey — a 2-hour crossing through the spectacular Komani reservoir gorge from Koman to Fierza. Access point for Valbona Valley. The ferry operates in the summer season; confirm schedules locally in Shkodër.

Air Travel

Albania's only functioning international airport is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), 17 km northeast of Tirana. There are no internal domestic flights — Albania is small enough that road transport covers all distances.

Getting from the Airport to Tirana

By bus: A public bus runs from the airport to the city center at low cost. Fast, cheap, and sufficient for most travelers.

By taxi: Official taxis from the rank outside arrivals. Agree the fare before departing or insist on a meter. The journey takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.

By rental car: If picking up a car at the airport, this is your fastest option.

Tips for Getting Around Albania

• Ask your accommodation first — guesthouse owners are always the best source of current bus times, departure points, and taxi prices
• Carry cash — furgons and local buses are cash only
• Start early — many furgons and buses depart in the morning; afternoon connections can be sparse on some routes
• Mountain roads take time — the distances look short on a map but mountain roads (Theth, Llogara, Osum Canyon) take significantly longer than expected
• Verify schedules locally — bus times and departure points change seasonally and can shift; never rely on old information

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a train in Albania? Albania has a limited railway network but it is not practically useful for tourists. No trains run on the major tourist routes. Use buses, furgons, and taxis instead.

How do I get from Tirana Airport to the city? By public bus (cheapest option) or official taxi (more expensive but faster). Agree the taxi fare before departing.

Do I need a car in Albania? Not essential but recommended for the Albanian Riviera and the northern mountains. The main city-to-city routes are served by buses and furgons. A car gives you significantly more freedom in the south.

Are Albanian roads safe to drive? The main roads are in reasonable condition. Drive defensively — driving standards vary and road markings are sometimes inconsistent. Mountain roads require confident driving.

How do I get from Saranda to Corfu? By ferry — approximately 30–45 minutes. Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways operate the route. Multiple daily crossings in summer.

What is a furgon? A shared minibus that operates like a collective taxi — it departs when full rather than on a fixed schedule. The main way Albanians travel between smaller towns and cities.