How to Travel from Saranda to the Blue Eye
The Blue Eye is one of the most incredible natural beauty sports in Southern Albania. It is the source of the Bistricë River that meanders through some stunning Albanian countryside. Located close to the port city of Saranda, the Blue Eye (or Syri i Kalter in Albanian) is a must see when visiting the Albanian Riviera. It is possible to get from Saranda to the Blue Eye by car, bus, taxi or tour. In this article, we detail all of the different travel options and we have also included some extra tips for your visit.
How to Drive from Saranda to the Blue Eye
If you have a car, you can easily drive from Saranda to the Blue eye. The journey follows the mountain pass (SH99) route to Gjirokaster and it is very scenic. The drive should take roughly 30 minutes depending on traffic.
The Blue Eye is sign posted so keep a look out for a left turn! When you arrive at the entrance there is a small entry fee of 50Lek (€0.40) for pedestrians and 200Lek (€1.60) for cars – make sure you have cash with you. After entering the site, there is a dirt track of roughly 2km leading towards the river. On arrival, you will find parking and a footpath down to the river. The Blue Eye spring is just a short walk from here.
The Bus from Saranda to the Blue Eye
There is a new modern shuttles installed this year providing direct tours from Saranda to the Blue Eye and back. They depart every 30 minutes so they are really handy. They are also much more comfortable and have AC – glorious in the summer months! They are also far cheaper than a taxi. KMG Blue Eye Shuttle is the name of the company.
After a bit of research we discovered that there is also a minibus, or “Furgon”, that will take you close to the Blue Eye. The bus you need will be heading for the town of Gjirokaster and departs from the bus station next to the old Synagogue on Rruga Flamurit. See it on the map HERE.
Buses can get busy in the summer so don’t be shocked if the driver whips out some spare plastic stools to place down the aisle for standing passengers to take a seat!
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 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 the Blue Eye, we bought our ticket on the bus. Tell the driver you are going to Syri i Kalter, this is a popular stop and they will know what you mean. 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 to the Blue Eye cost 300Lek (€2) and must be paid in cash. The journey takes around 30 minutes and the route is mostly on small, windy roads but the scenery is amazing.
There are regular buses from Saranda to Gjirokaster. However, many of them now take a new route that doesn’t pass the Blue Eye. Make sure your bus is going via the mountain pass (SH99) route so you can get off at the Blue Eye
You can use the website Gjirafa to help with schedules. However, it’s not always 100% accurate. We always recommend heading to the bas station early and see what is scheduled for that day.
The Walk from the Bus Stop
After the bus drops you off, there is a 2km walk to the Blue Eye. There is little to no shade on the road in the summer. Temperatures can reach up to 40°C (104°F) so bring a hat, sun cream and some water! Cars also use this road so take care as it can get busy (and dusty) during peak season. Click HERE to see where the bus drops you and how to walk from there.
The Bus Back from the Blue Eye to Saranda
The bus from the Blue Eye to Saranda departs from the same place you got off, just on the other side of the road. It is not an official stop so look out for the bus and wave it down.
Hitchhiking is also popular in Albania as is sharing taxis with other travellers. This could be an option if there are a few people waiting on a bus that could still be a while away.
Useful Tips when Travelling from Saranda to The Blue Eye 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 the Blue Eye 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.
Take a Taxi from Saranda to The Blue Eye
Taking a taxi from Saranda to the Blue Eye could be a good option for small groups. You can take a round trip for about €35 – €40 and you should be able to negotiate with you driver before getting in the cab.
Alternatively, you can call a local Saranda Taxi company – such as TAXI SARANDA – and agree a fare over the phone. The driver should take you there, wait for you for an agreed time and take you back to Saranda again.
Practical Tip
Any attempt to speak a little Albanian will go a long way. Thank you is faleminderit, pronounced fah-la-min-DAIR-it. Check out our Practical guide to Albania for more.
Tours from Saranda to Syri i Kaltër
If you prefer to have everything organised by someone else, a tour from Saranda to the Blue Eye might be the perfect day trip for you. Companies like VIATOR allow you to book easily online. However, if you are staying in a hostel or hotel in Saranda, ask a member of staff and they will most likely be able to put you in touch with a guide.
Saranda to the Blue Eye
We visited the Blue Eye from Saranda in the height of summer. August is scorching hot in the Albanian Riviera and very dry. The buses are not air conditioned and there is not much shade on the 2km walk to the spring. However, we had the most incredible morning visiting the stunning Blue Eye and it was certainly worth the effort.
For more information of what to see and do when you get there, check out our post HERE. In the afternoon, we carried on to Gjirokaster and explored the beautiful Ottoman “Stone City”.
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not try check out these amazing Day Trips from Saranda? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Tirana.
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 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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Hey, that’s awesome that they have an upgrade! I will check it out. Thanks for the info and enjoy your trip 🙂
Hi there. There is a new modern shuttles installed this year doing direct tours from saranda to blue eye ans back. They are every 30 minutes and you can catch whichever you want. Much more comfy and with Ac compared to buses and mych much cheaper than taxi. KMG blue eye shuttle is the company called.