Best Ways: How to Get from Tirana to Saranda

Are you looking for the best ways to get from Tirana to Saranda? Saranda is a great place to explore the Albanian Riviera, from where you can easily take a day trip to the famous Blue Eye, Ksamil, Butrint National Park, or Gjirokastra, so don’t miss it on your Albania Itinerary.

Getting to Saranda may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can easily get to Saranda by taxi, bus, rental car, or private transfer.

In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get to Saranda, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much it costs to get to Saranda.

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Tirana to Saranda Distance

The distance between the two cities is about 265 km, which is 3.5-5 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. There is no train service between Saranda and Tirana.

Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or bus ticket will cost.

Tirana Airport to Saranda

The nearest airport to Saranda is Corfu International Airport (airport code CFU) in Greece, so you can fly there and then take the ferry from Corfu to Saranda.

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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights.

One of the best ways to get to Saranda is by air-conditioned minivan. The journey time takes 3.5-4 hours, depending on traffic. The minivan leaves only once a day, at 10 AM. A shuttle minivan from the airport to Saranda (any hotel) starts from 48 EUR. Get Minivan Tickets through Bookaway.

Embarking on a journey to Albania?

With our guide, you will not only save a lot of time, but you will also make sure that don’t miss out on any spots.

grab your e-book here

Car Rental in Albania

The best way to get around Albania is by car, as you can easily reach the best places and hidden gems. We did our Albania Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace. Once you arrive at Tirana International Airport (airport code TIA), you can easily rent a car at the airport or pick up your pre-booked car.

Buy an eSIM and data package for Albania.

The car rental costs will be different when you travel to Albania in high season (June to September) or low season and rent a car in advance or at the last minute. You will spend around 30-50 EUR daily for a standard car with full coverage.

Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

The drive time between Tirana and Sarandë is usually 3.5-4 hours, depending on traffic. The roads are in good condition. Always wear your seat belt and obey the speed limit!

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If you have enough time, we recommend driving the longer coastal road, as the views along the way are fantastic.

Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.

Tirana to Saranda by Taxi

One of the easiest and fastest ways to get to Saranda is by taxi. The journey takes 3.5-4 hours, depending on traffic.

The taxi price from Tirana to Saranda is between 15.000-18.000 LEK (150-180 EUR). Uber is currently not available in Albania. But you can use taxi apps such as Speed Taxi or Merr Taxi.

Be sure you negotiate the price with the driver before you get in the taxi. Taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money (LEK) or EUR.

Alternatively, book a private transfer to Saranda.

Discover the natural and historic wonders of the Saranda region on a full-day tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Butrint, the Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle, and the Ksamil Islands.

Book this excellent day tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.

Tirana to Saranda by Bus

The cheapest way to get to Saranda is by bus. Buses depart from the Tirana Bus Terminal. The bus terminal is located outside the city center, about 15-20 minutes by taxi. The buses do not have numbers but have signs showing where they are going, such as Saranda, Berat, Shkoder, or Himare.

The journey time takes 4.5-5 hours, depending on traffic. We found traveling by bus in Albania easy and safe. The buses are air-conditioned and have comfortable seats and big luggage compartments.

Good to know
There is no direct bus service from the airport to Saranda.

See also → Ksamil

Tirana to Saranda Bus Timetable & Ticket Price

The bus ticket to Saranda costs 1555 LEK (15.5 EUR) per person. You can buy your bus ticket on the bus and pay only in cash (EUR or LEK).

Direct buses depart 8 times a day between 5:30 AM and 10 PM.

05:30-09:45
07:30-11:45
08:30-12:45
09:45-14:00
12:30-16:45
14:15-18:30
16:00-20:15
22:00-02:15

Since the bus timetable may change, check the current schedule HERE.

Where is the bus station in Saranda?

The Saranda bus station is located in Rruga Onhezmi, near Friendship Park. You can find the Google location here.

Where to Stay in Saranda

Although you can take a day trip to Saranda, we recommend you spend at least 3 days in this vibrant coastal town.

Saranda has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. Alternatively, stay in Ksamil, a 30-minute drive away. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Saranda

Luxury: Yacht Premium Hotel
Mid-Range: Demi Hotel or Rozafa Palace Hotel
Budget: Keos Hotel

more hotels in Saranda

Best hotels in Ksamil

Mid-Range: Colosseum Hotel or Hotel Denoel
Budget: Hotel ABA

Recommended post → Where to Stay in the Albanian Riviera

more hotels in Ksamil

We hope our post on how to get from Tirana to Saranda will help you plan your next trip to Albania. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Best Ways: How to Get from Tirana to Saranda