How to Travel from Tirana to Saranda
If you are lucky enough to be spending some time in Albania, you will probably start in Tirana, the capital city. While there is plenty to do in this fast developing, slightly enigmatic capital, the beauty of the Albanian Riviera should not be missed. Fortunately, it is easy enough to travel from Tirana to Saranda.
In Saranda you will find a beach resort with a difference. Having been popular with domestic tourists for years, Saranda has only recently started receiving an increase in foreign travellers. As such, the town is surrounded by beautiful, untouched nature and ancient villages. Don’t miss the stunning Blue Eye natural spring or the ancient Ottoman town of Gjirokaster.
In this post, we provide details of different options for travelling from Tirana to Saranda – including by bus, car and taxi. We have also included some useful tips from our own experiences and how to find up to date timetables and prices.
Public Transport in Albania
Albania is fast becoming a popular tourist destination. However, there is not really an efficient public transport network in place in some areas yet. Especially in comparison to the rest of continental Europe. But, if you plan ahead and leave plenty of time, it is possible to travel around much of Albania using public transport – usually 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 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.
Tirana to Saranda by Bus
You can easily get from Tirana to Saranda by bus. The bus (or furgon) departs from the North and South Bus Terminal.. This bus station is one of many in Tirana, so make sure you head to the right one.
On a side note, the North and South Terminal is a few kilometres out from the centre. It is pretty easy to take a city bus and the ticket costs only 40Lek (around €0.40). Check out the Tirana Public Transport app on Android and Apple for the most up-to-date and relevant info. The Tirana IME 2.0 APP is also really useful.
Buses from Tirana to Saranda depart at 7:30, 8:30, 9:45, 12:30, 16:00 and 22:00. Tickets cost 1,600 Lek (€15) per person and the journey usually takes around 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic. You can use the website Gjirafa for timetables for the buses from Tirana to Saranda. However, it is always better to be there in advance as sometimes they are not 100% reliable.
The Tirana to Saranda bus will drop you near the centre of Saranda, just next to the ruins of the old Synagogue HERE.
How to Buy your Bus Ticket
For our trip from Tirana to Saranda, we bought our tickets on the bus. After departing, the bus driver’s assistant will come around and collect the money for your ticket. Sometimes that won’t be until you get off at the other end. There are frequent buses from Tirana to Saranda on a daily basis. 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.
Useful Tips when Travelling from Tirana to Saranda by Bus
If you are new to travelling in Albania, it can seem a little bit daunting. However, with a bit of forward planning, some patience and a sense of humour, you will manage to see a lot of this beautiful country and meet some really nice people. To make your trip from Tirana to Saranda by bus a little easier, we have summarised some super useful tips.
- Pack plenty of water in the summer (the old buses have no AC and it gets HOT)
- Bring snacks that won’t melt easily
- Have a good supply of wet wipes, not just for kids!
- Maybe bring a handheld fan in the hotter months
- An audio book allows you to enjoy the scenery outside
- There isn’t always a luggage hold so pack light and prepare to sit with you bags if they don’t fit in the rack above
- Always have cash for your ticket both ways
- Leave yourself plenty of time and expect delays
- Most drivers will stop for a break at a fuel station if the journey is over about 2 hours. This will give you time to stock up on snacks, get a coffee or use the facilities
- The first part of the journey from Tirana to Saranda is on a highway but there will be a good chunk of the route on windy mountain roads. Keep this in mind if you suffer from travel sickness
Albania is a fantastic country and the more you experience of it the better. Travelling between cities allows you to see very different parts of this small but incredible country.
The Return Bus from Saranda to Tirana
When taking the bus back from Saranda to Tirana, all you need to do is return to the bus station by the old Synagogue. Buses to Tirana depart from Saranda at 5:00, 5:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 14:00 and 22:00. You will be able to locate the correct bus as it will state the destination (Tirana) in the from windscreen. If you can’t see it, just ask someone nearby and they will happily help you out.
Sometimes it is a good idea to ask the bus driver when you get off at Saranda about the return times.
How to Drive from Tirana to Saranda
Many people choose to hire a car for more flexibility and independence. The journey from Tirana to Saranda by car should take around 4 hours. This will depend on the often horrific Tirana traffic and, of course, where you start from in the city.
The route is simple. From the centre of Tirana, head North and take the SH2 towards Durres. Next take the SH4 towards Fier and Vlora before changing onto the smaller E853 road. Come off the E853 and head along the Rruga Kardhiq – Saranda and you are nearly there!
Alternatively, you can follow the SH4 to Vlore and then take the mountain route to Saranda.
There are a few interesting stops on the way if you have some extra time. Kardhiq Castle is about 40 minutes out from Saranda and makes a nice wee top off before your final destination. If you have a lot of extra time, the route will take you passed Apollonia Archaeological Park which you won’t want to miss. If you feel like breaking the journey up completely, an overnight stop in the beach town of Vlora might rejuvenate you.
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!
Hitchhiking in Albania is a popular way to get around and is supposedly perfectly safe. We have not tried this ourselves but have spoken to many successful hitchers.
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…
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.
If you take the plunge and decide that driving is best for you, there are plenty of options 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 €30 per day for a standard car in the off season. During July and August prices will go up.
Take a Taxi from Tirana to Saranda
Taxis are available from Tirana to Saranda and will take about 4 – 5 hours to get there (traffic dependant). Always make sure you agree on a fare in advance. You should expect to pay around €120 – €150 each way for the journey. If you are a small group, or in a hurry, a taxi might be worthwhile.
We would recommend that you call to book a taxi from Tirana to Saranda. We found Do Taxi Tirana (+35545620400) to be the cheapest. 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.
There are no trains from Tirana to Saranda so this is not a travel option in this case.
Tirana to Saranda Travel Options
We have put together a useful table to check out the options for travelling from Tirana to Saranda.
| Travel Time | Cost (1 way) | Distance (km) | Comfort Factor | |
| Bus | 4-5 hours | 15 Euros | 265 | ** |
| Drive | 3.5 – 4 hours | 100 Euros | 265 | ***** |
| Private Hire Taxi | 3.5 – 4 hours | 120-150 Euros | 265 | **** |
Travel Options from Tirana to Saranda
Tirana to Saranda
Travelling from Tirana to Saranda can take a while but it is really worth it to be able to spend some time in this beautiful part of Albania. The contrast between the bustling city of Tirana verses the seaside vibes of Saranda is amazing. The two areas couldn’t be more different! However, one thing that remains the same is the incredible hospitality of the Albanian people.
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not try travelling from Saranda to Vlore? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Vlore. If you need more information about general travel in Albania, Check out our post HERE.
Do you have any travel experiences in Albania? Feel free to share in the comments below. We always love to hear how other travellers do things.
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 Tirana, Saranda or anywhere else in 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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