How to Get from Saranda to Butrint National Park
Butrint National Park is truly an undiscovered jewel of continental Europe. This UNESCO region is one of the most interesting and complete historical sites in the Balkans. Some of the highlights include roman baths, an amphitheatre, an acropolis dating back to the 8th Century BC and, our favourite, the relatively complete basilica from the 6th century. In this post, we detail how to get from Saranda to Butrint, provide some practical tips and some useful local knowledge.
Public Transport in Albania
Albania is not yet a popular tourist destination. However, this seems to be changing rapidly. As such, there is not really an efficient public transport network in place. But, if you plan ahead and leave plenty of time, it is possible to travel around Albania using public transport – usually a furgon.
What is a Furgon?
A furgon is a mini bus that will work 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.
How to Buy your Bus Ticket
For our trip from Saranda to Butrint, we bought our ticket 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. Tickets cost 100Lek (€1.50) and must be paid in cash. The journey takes around 40 minutes depending on stops. The route is windy but the views are spectacular, especially when passing Ksamil!
There are frequent buses from Saranda to Butrint on a daily basis. Currently, there are buses departing Saranda every 30 minutes between 6:30 am and 6:30pm.
The Bus from Saranda to Butrint
Taking the bus from Saranda to Butrint is the easiest and cheapest way to get there. From the port of Saranda, it’s easy to find the bus stop on foot. On exiting the port turn right and walk for about 220m until you see a roundabout with a huge tree in the middle. It can also be reached easily on foot from the town centre. Here is a quick summary for taking the bus from Saranda to Butrint.
- The bus departs from HERE
- The bus goes from Saranda to Ksamil to Butrint
- There is roughly one departure every half hour between 6.30am – 6.30pm
- The bus from Saranda to Butrint takes about 30 – 40 minutes
- The cost is 150 lek (€1.20) for a one way ticket
- You will pass at least two ATMs between the port and the bus stop
- You will need cash for the bus ticket (don’t forget the way back)
- Tickets are bought onboard
- The return journey from Butrint to Saranda is just the reverse
You can find the most up to date bus timetable from Saranda to Butrint AND Butrint to Saranda HERE.
Our return journey took slightly longer, however. Our driver misjudged the distance between his bus and an oncoming car resulting in lots of shouting and an unexpected walk back to our flat.
Practical tip
There isn’t really an accurate timetable but locals and other tourists will keep you right.
Useful Tips when Travelling from Saranda to Butrint 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 Saranda to Butrint by furgon 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 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
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.
Driving from Saranda to Butrint
Driving from Saranda to Butrint is also a great option. It will cut down your travel time and give you flexibility to stop at some pretty amazing locations on the way. However, we always recommend that you take out full insurance (if renting a car) and plan your route well. Albanian driving can be a little erratic and the roads on the route from Saranda to Butrint are quite windy and busy in the summer.
Should I Rent a Car in Saranda?
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… On our last visit to Saranda we spent 3 days in the town and witnessed 2 crashes.
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.
Taking a Taxi from Saranda to Butrint
Another option is to hire a taxi. This can be done easily online and can remove any stress from the journey. Of course, the cost is a lot higher than the other options. However, if you are a group it might be a good idea if you want to save time and any hassle.
- You can book online or hail a cab
- There will be taxis by the bus stop
- It should cost about 2,500 Lek €20, but you might have to negotiate the price
- A taxi will take about 25 minutes, depending on traffic
- You can pay in Euros or Lek
- There are a couple of ATMs by the port if you need to get cash
- Negotiate a price before you get in the car
There is no option to take a train from Saranda to Butrint
How to Get from Saranda to Butrint National Park
If you have a few days in Saranda, a visit to Butrint National Park is a must for history buffs and nature lovers. Walking around the ancient ruins is like stepping back in time. It is a well preserved area and there are not nearly as many tourists as you would find in similar locations throughout Europe. We visited in August and had large portions of the park to ourselves. Even if we did nearly melt in the heat, it was well worth it!
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.
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 Saranda or Vlore? 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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