How to Get from Saranda to Gjirokaster and Back

How to Get from Saranda to Gjirokaster

If you are lucky enough to be spending some time in Saranda, a day trip to Gjirokaster is very much worth considering. The old Ottoman town has loads to offer with its beautiful architecture, castles, history and some tasty places to eat! We have put together a great guide to show you exactly how to travel from Saranda to Gjirokaster and back again. We have also included some useful, practical tips and 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 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.

Saranda to Gjirokaster by Bus

You can easily get to Gjirokaster from Saranda by bus. The bus (or furgon) departs from a stop next to the Synagogue ruins, on Rruga Flamurit, approximately every hour. See it on the map HERE. You can buy the tickets on the bus, the ticket will cost 300Lek (about €2.60) each way and it takes about 1.5 hours to get there.

You can use the website Gjirafa for timetables. However, it is always better to be there in advance as they are not always 100% reliable.

The bus will drop you at a petrol station on the main road. To get to the old town from here, you will need to walk for about 30 minutes. If you don’t fancy walking, there are usually taxis lurking around the petrol station.

How to Buy your Bus Ticket

For our trip from Saranda to Gjirokaster, 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. There are frequent buses from Saranda to Gjirokaster on a daily basis. You can only pay by cash.

Useful Tips when Travelling from Saranda to Gjirokaster 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 Gjirokaster 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.

The Return Bus from Gjirokaster to Saranda

When taking the bas back from Gjirokaster to Saranda, you will have to leave the old town and head back towards the main road (SH4). The bus will pull into the petrol station on the opposite side of the road to where you were dropped off.

We were annoyed a bit by taxi drivers. They were insistent that the bus was not coming and we would need to take a taxi back to Saranda. We knew better and they disappeared as soon as the bus (finally) turned up.

How to Drive from Saranda to Gjirokaster

Many people choose to hire a car for more flexibility and independence. The journey from Saranda to Gjirokaster should take just over an hour if you decide to travel on the new route via the SH78. This is more direct but less scenic.

The Alternative is to take the SH99 that will take you passed the Blue Eye and through the mountains. It will take closer to 1.5 hours, but a visit to the Blue Eye is a must if you can manage it.

Perhaps you might take the scenic route from Saranda to Gjirokaster (via the Blue Eye) then return from Gjirokaster to Saranda using the slick new highway.

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.

Take a Taxi from Saranda to Gjirokaster

Taxis are available from Saranda to Gjirokaster. We would recommend calling a company like TAXI SARANDA and agreeing on a fare in advance. You should expect to pay between €35 and €45 each way for the one hour journey. If you are a small group, it might be worthwhile if you are tight on time.

There are no trains from Saranda to Gjirokaster so this is not a travel option in this case.

Saranda to Gjirokaster.

A day trip from Saranda to Gjirokaster is a really worthwhile way to spend time in this beautiful part of Albania. The contrast between the high rise apartments and hotels in Saranda verses the beautiful Ottoman structures in Gjirokaster is amazing. The two towns couldn’t be more different! However, one thing that remains the same is the amazing 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.

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 Gjirokaster? 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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