How to Get to Albania — All Routes Compared
How to travel to Albania — flights, ferries from Italy and Corfu, buses from Kosovo / Macedonia / Greece, driving from Montenegro. Routes, prices, time.
Albania is more accessible than its "hidden" reputation suggests. There are direct flights from most European capitals, fast ferries from Italy and Greece, and overland routes from all four neighbours.
Here are all the ways in, ranked by speed, cost and ease.
By plane — fastest
Tirana International Airport (TIA), also called Mother Teresa Airport, is the country's main hub. Located 17 km from Tirana centre.
Direct flight cities (sample 2026 prices, return)
| From | Airline | Price (advance) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (STN/LTN) | Wizz Air, Ryanair | €80–180 | 3h |
| Rome (FCO/CIA) | Wizz Air, Ryanair, Albawings | €60–130 | 1h 50min |
| Milan | Wizz Air, Ryanair | €70–160 | 1h 50min |
| Paris (BVA/ORY) | Wizz Air, Transavia | €120–250 | 2h 30min |
| Berlin | Wizz Air | €100–200 | 2h 20min |
| Munich | Lufthansa | €180–350 | 2h |
| Vienna | Austrian, Wizz Air | €100–200 | 1h 40min |
| Bucharest | FlyOne, Wizz Air | €100–200 | 1h 30min |
| Istanbul | Turkish, Pegasus | €150–300 | 1h 30min |
| Athens | Aegean | €100–180 | 1h |
| Frankfurt | Lufthansa | €180–320 | 2h 20min |
| Zürich | SWISS, Albawings | €200–350 | 2h |
Other airports
- Kukës (KFZ): small airport in north Albania. Few seasonal flights. Mostly unused.
- Vlorë: under construction (planned 2026/2027 opening).
Airport transfer
- Rinas Express bus: €4, 30 min, hourly to Tirana centre
- Taxi: €20 fixed price to Tirana centre
- Bolt app: €15–18
- Rental car pickup: at the airport — book in advance
By ferry — scenic
From Greece
Corfu → Saranda (the most popular tourist route)
- Operators: Ionian Seaways, Finikas Lines
- Time: 30–75 minutes (different boat speeds)
- Frequency: 2–6 daily, April–October; limited year-round
- Price: €23–35 each way
- Bring passport — border check on arrival
From Italy
| Route | Operator | Time | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bari → Durrës | GNV / Ventouris | 8–9h overnight | 1 daily | €50+ |
| Ancona → Durrës | Adria Ferries | 15–17h overnight | 3–4 weekly | €75+ |
| Trieste → Durrës | Adria Ferries | 25h | 1–2 weekly | €95+ |
| Brindisi → Vlorë | Skenderbeg Lines | 6h | Seasonal Jun–Sep | €60+ |
Cabins or deck class. Cars allowed (extra €40–120). Book on directferries.com 2–4 weeks ahead in summer.
By bus — cheapest international
Daily long-distance buses connect Albania to all neighbours and beyond.
| From | Hours | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pristina (Kosovo) | 5h | 6+ daily | €12 |
| Skopje (N. Macedonia) | 6h | 2–3 daily | €18 |
| Podgorica (Montenegro) | 4h | 4+ daily | €18 |
| Athens (Greece) | 14h | 1–2 daily | €40 |
| Istanbul (Turkey) | 24h | 4 weekly | €60 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 12h | 3 weekly | €40 |
Most arrive at Tirana's South Terminal or North Terminal depending on origin.
By car — for road-trippers
From Montenegro
Border crossings:
- Han i Hotit (Podgorica → Shkodër): main, busy in summer
- Sukobin–Muriqan (Ulcinj → Shkodër): smaller, often faster
- Vermosh (mountain crossing): off-road in places
Distance Podgorica → Tirana: 4 hours.
From Kosovo
Border: Morinë–Vërmica (Prizren → Kukës). Fast crossing. The new SH4 motorway has cut Tirana–Pristina to 4–5 hours.
From North Macedonia
Borders: Tushemisht (Ohrid → Pogradec), Qafë Thanë (Struga → Pogradec). Both pretty mountain drives.
From Greece
Borders: Kakavija (the main crossing into Gjirokastër), Kapshticë (into Korçë), Sagiada (into Saranda — small, passenger-only at times).
Driving in Albania
- EU-rented cars: get a "green card" insurance extension (some companies don't allow Albania entry)
- Petrol: €1.50/litre (similar to EU)
- Roads: highways are decent; mountain roads are slow but improving
- Police: occasional checkpoints; have papers ready
Visa & passport
- Visa-free for: EU/Schengen, US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan + many more — 90 days in any 180
- Passport: must be valid 3+ months past entry
- Stamp: you'll get an entry stamp at any border or airport
- Visa needed: India, China, Russia (some exceptions), most African countries
Check your situation at e-visa.al for the latest rules.
Insurance & SIM
Before you arrive:
- Travel insurance: €1.50–4/day. Compare options.
- Local SIM (€10/30GB) at the airport, or Airalo eSIM before you fly.
Best route by origin
From the UK
Direct flight from London Stansted/Luton to Tirana. €80–180.
From Italy
Cheapest: direct flight Rome/Milan. Or overnight ferry Bari–Durrës if you want to bring a car.
From Greece
Ferry Corfu → Saranda (30 min, €23) — combine with a Corfu holiday. Otherwise direct flight Athens.
From Romania / Eastern Europe
FlyOne / Wizz Air direct from Bucharest, Cluj. From Pristina, take a bus.
From the US / Canada
Connect via London, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Rome or Istanbul. No direct flights to Tirana yet.
From Australia
Connect via Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Vienna.
Onward travel
- Corfu day trip: from Saranda, ferry there at 9am, back at 6pm
- Pristina (Kosovo): 5h bus, easy weekend addition
- Ohrid (N. Macedonia): 3h, cross via Pogradec
- Bay of Kotor (Montenegro): 4h drive
Plan your arrival
Tours & activities in Albania
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