According to a UNDP “Hospitality and Tourism in Albania 2022” report 20% of all arrivals to Albania were by plane and the share of arrivals by air is only growing - it used to be 12% in 2019.
For example, in high season due to cheap flights from London to Tirana there are 3 arrivals per day by Ryanair only and in total there are more than 70 direct flights to Albania from all over Europe.
So taking into account that in 2024 Albania only has 1 international airport - Tirana - you’re likely to land there!
How to get from Tirana airport to Saranda
Renting a car in Albania
The best way to explore Albania in 2024 is to rent a car. We advise you to take full advantage of the freedom your car gives to you and choose between 2 roads on your way from Tirana to Saranda:
You can drive through Vlore, Llogara Pass and along the seacoast to see all the Albanian Riviera: Palasa Beach, Dhermi, Himare, Porto Palermo, Qeparo, Lukova Beach.
When you will be heading back to Tirana, choose another route and visit Gjirokaster, Tepelene and Vjosa river, Apollonia Archaeological Park.
Prices to hire a car in Albania is 25 - 30 Euro with unlimited mileage in summer time and 15 - 20 Euro in Low Season. Fuel is quite expensive in Albania in 2024 - 1 liter of diesel costs 1.9 Euro.
By taxi
From Tirana Airport to Saranda 260 km and 4 hours drive. The price varies between 150 - 180 Euro depending on taxi service (download application and try Speed Taxi).
Book a transfer from your accommodation.
But the price will be the same as if you take a taxi.
Good news: in March 2025 one more international airport will start operation in Vlore.
And by the end of 2024 the Llogara Pass tunnel should be open. It will cut travel time between Saranda and Vlora by approximately 40 minutes and enhance road safety as there will be no need to go up to a 1000 altitude of Llogara pass and then go down to Palase. The tunnel will connect the Saint Eliza Bridge in Dukat to the Palasa Bridge across Llogara.
When it all starts functioning in Albania in 2025 it will take you around 2 hours to get from Vlore airport to Saranda!
How to get from Tirana city center to Saranda by bus:
You take a taxi to Tirana South and North Bus Terminal. The price will be around 6 Euro, driving time - 20 minutes.
Then take a bus to Saranda which goes 6 times a day: 7:30 / 8:30 / 9:45 in the morning, 12:30 and 16:00 during the day and the last one at 22:00.
Ticket price is 15 Euro and it is a 5 hour ride.
There is one more way to get to Saranda - by Riviera Bus - which positions itself as “greater comfort than public buses and cheaper than private taxis”.
It starts from Tirana Parking - Stadiumi Dinamo and drives through all popular summer destinations of Albanian Riviera: Vlore, Dhermi, Jale, Himare, Qeparo, Borsh, Saranda, Ksamil.
The price for the ticket is 50 Euro and it will take you 6.5 hours to get to Saranda as it enters all of the resorts mentioned above:)
The bus is indeed much more spacious and comfortable than public ones and it runs from 1st of June to 29th of September on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
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How to get from Corfu airport to Albanian Riviera
Saranda is a lucky beach resort to have Corfu island with an international airport just 15 km away. So instead of flying to Tirana and then driving 4-5 hours south to Saranda you can fly to Corfu airport, jump on a public bus which goes several times per hour to the ferry port for 2 Eur and take one of 30+ daily departures Corfu ferry to Albania at a price of 25 EUR. Then enjoy the Ionian sea views and in 30 minutes you will start your Albania Saranda 2024 vacation.
Ryanair, Wizzair and EasyJet all have direct flights to Corfu.
How to get from Italy to Saranda by ferry
If you plan to visit Saranda from Italy, you can easily do it using ferry:
You start from Bari at 10PM and get to Durres at 8AM the next day at a price of 40 Euro. And then from Durres to Saranda.
You can take a ferry from Brindisi to Igoumenitsa (9 hours) and then 1:30 hour by bus to Saranda.