How to get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder
Tirana Airport is situated in Rinas, about 20km north west of Tirana. Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza is also sometimes known as Rinas International Airport and has the airport code TIA. If you are arriving in Tirana Airport and wish to get to beautiful Shkoder, this blog post is perfect for you! We provide details about how to get from Tirana Airport to Shkoder and back by furgon, bus, car and taxi.
How to Get From Tirana Airport to Shkoder By Furgon
Travelling from Tirana airport to Shkoder by furgon is probably the easiest and cheapest way to get there. But, first things first… What is a furgon!?
What is a Furgon?
A furgon is a mini bus that will run loosely to a timetable but will sometimes only depart when full. These buses are small and usually old but they will (almost) always get you from A to B. They are usually a cheap way to travel and a great way to experience how locals get around. Remember, you can only pay by cash. Sometimes euros are accepted but you might not get a favourable exchange rate. We would advise carrying Albanian Lek.
How to Get From Tirana Airport to Shkoder By Furgon
The journey from Tirana Airport to Shkoder by furgon typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hour and costs between €8 to €12 per person (though this can vary depending on the time of year).
Furgons are not always scheduled like regular buses, so they tend to leave when they fill up, but there are often regular departures, particularly in the morning and afternoon. The minibus to Shkoder usually sits to the right of the Tirana buses as you walk out of the arrivals hall of Tirana airport.
If you’re struggling, you can ask at the information desk or look for signs that point to furgon services. If you don’t find a direct furgon to Shkodra at the airport, you may need to take a taxi or bus to the Regional Bus Station in Tirana. From here you can catch a furgon to Shkodra. More details on this method below.
Furgons are generally available without the need for reservations. However, it can be helpful to check in advance by asking the airport staff or contacting a local travel agency if you’re concerned about availability.
Just keep in mind that furgons may not always have a set timetable. They depart when they are full, so you may need to wait a bit, or it could be a quick departure if the furgon is nearly full. If you are on a tight schedule, one of the other options below (bus, rental car, taxi) might work out better for you.
How to Get From Tirana Airport to the City Centre By Bus
There are no direct buses from Tirana Airport to Shkoder. However, there are many buses from Tirana airport to the city of Tirana, and from there, you can catch a bus to Shkodra. The bus from Tirana to Shkodra typically departs from the Tirana Regional bus station. This definitely adds a bit of time on to your journey as the airport bus takes you right into the centre of the city – not close to the bus station!
The bus to Tirana departs from the airport every 30 minutes, between 7am and 2am.The cost of the bus from Tirana airport to the city centre is 400Lek (€4) one way. There is no option to buy a round trip ticket.
To find the bus, exit the arrivals hall and walk straight on. You will see a car park and the bus will depart from there. It is quite well signed. The bus operator is Luna Shpk and the destination will be in the windscreen.
Tickets are bought from the ticket collector on the bus and they now take card, hurrah! Although, I would still carry cash…just in case… Also, this is the only bus in Albania that we have used that actually takes card. There is now also WiFi on the bus, however, it doesn’t always work.
The journey from Tirana Airport to the city centre by bus should take about 30 minutes. However, it could be longer if traffic is heavy. The bus will drop you near Skanderbeg Square in the centre of Tirana. So this is when you will need to make your way back out to the Regional Bus station either by taxi or city bus.
You can also take a taxi to the Regional bus station from the airport to cut out this step. This will cost about €15
When you arrive at the Tirana Regional Bus Station there will be buses everywhere! Look for the ones with “Shkoder” in the window. It takes under 2 hours to travel from Tirana to Shkoder by bus. Buses depart from Tirana to Shkoder every 30 minutes between 6:30 AM and 17:00 PM.
The bus from Tirana to Shkoder departs at 6:30, 7:00, 7:15, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:18, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00. A one-way bus trip from Tirana to Shkoder costs 400 Leke (€4) and you can buy your ticket on the bus. Remember to have cash for the ticket!
How to Get From Tirana Airport to Shkoder by Car
Driving from Tirana Airport to Shkoder is quite simple. It usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours and the scenery is beautiful as you go further north. Rental car services are available at the airport, and you can reserve a car online in advance or at the airport.
Should I Rent a Car in Tirana?
This is really down to personal preference. Albania’s public transport is cheap and cheerful and most places are accessible by bus. However, there are very few railways in Albania. The buses – or furgons – are great for travelling between towns and cities. However, the timetable can be a bit restrictive. If you can haggle, a taxi driver will take you anywhere!
If you decide to rent a car in Albania, please make sure you take out the full insurance. Drivers in the Balkans have their own unique style…
There are several car rental outlets at Tirana airport. It is definitely worth booking in advance if you can. That should get you a better deal. Try not to pay over €25 for a standard car in the off season. During July and August prices will go up.
Roads in and around Tirana are in pretty good shape. However, when you drive further north, remember to plan your journey in advance as there are many small roads that are not more than dirt tracks. Several mountain routes can be perilous if you do not plan ahead and take great care.
Shkoder to Tirana Airport by Car
The same goes for the return leg. By this point, you might have become more accustomed to the Albanian style of driving. Always leave plenty of time, especially if you are returning a rental car.
How to Get From Tirana Airport to Shkoder By Taxi
If you are in a hurry and don’t want the faff of a bus or the responsibility of a rental car, a taxi might be the option for you. The drive from Tirana Airport to Shkoder takes between 1.5 to 2 hours (depending on traffic) and will typically cost between €50 to €70. Prices may vary, so it’s a good idea to confirm the price before departure. Taxis are available at the airport’s designated taxi stand outside the arrivals terminal.
The Tirana Airport official Taxis sit right outside the airport. There are convenient but will charge more. They are yellow and say Tirana Airport Taxi on the side.
As far as we know, most companies only take cash.
There is currently no Uber in Albania. However, there are some Taxi booking Apps you can try – UPS Taxi App, Speed Taxi App or Taxi.al App. A good option for booking the return from Shkoder to Tirana Airport is Luxe Taxi Shkoder (+355 67 212 2619).
It is also common in Albania to share a taxi with another traveller. This is a great way of cutting costs.
Late Arrivals/Early Departures
We seem to get a lot of awkward flight times in and out of Tirana. If you don’t fancy travelling late at night or super early, we would recommend staying at one of the hotels near the airport.
We often use Hotel Vila Zeus or N Hotel by Noshi. Both are clean, comfortable, very affordable and you can walk to the airport in 5-10 minutes.
The Albanian Language
Just a little side note for your visit to Albania –
Many Albanians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Albanian. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers, but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
Hello Tungjatjeta (toon-jah-TYEH-tah)
Please Ju lutem (yoo LOO-tehm)
Thank you Faleminderit (fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet)
Yes Po (poh)
No Jo (yoh)
Goodbye Mirupafshim (meer-oo-PAHF-sheem)
Your Visit to Albania
If you have not visited the amazing country before, you are in for a real treat. Even regular visitors are often surprised at what they might find on their next visit. Make the most of your trip by experiencing the culture and hospitality of Albanian people, they really are incredibly friendly and welcoming.
There is so much history in the small country as well as incredible nature to explore. Don’t forget to sample some of the amazing foods throughout the different regions.
Whatever you end up doing with you visit, enjoy! You will be back again sooner than you think…
Where to go next
Preparing for your Shkoder adventure? Why not try check out these Amazing thing to do in Shkoder? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Shkoder.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Shkoder or Albania? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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