How to Get From Tirana Airport to the City
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Albania is one of the most interesting and nicest European countries, perhaps because it is so small, with a population of only 2.8 million.
It is also a popular destination for foodies, offering affordable fine dining and great local fare.
The primary entry point into the nation is Tirana International Airport, also known as Rinas Airport.
There are numerous ways to go from Tirana Airport to the city, and the one you choose will mostly rely on your finances, the level of convenience you require, and where your accommodation is.
🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. I recommend either SafetyWing or World Nomads.
About Tirana International Airport
The distance between the city centre and Tirana International Airport (TIA) is only 18 kilometres. Given that it is the primary airport in the country, it is fairly modest.
Knowing how to get from the Tirana airport to the city centre in advance is essential because many planes land in the early hours, leaving you little time to arrange transportation.
Tirana Airport offers free wifi. A small crowd is waiting for travellers when you pass the arrivals gate. A few stores and eateries separate the check-in area from the arrivals hall.
If you turn to the right, you will find some ATMs in the check-in area. You can exit the airport by turning to the left.
Three Ways To Get From The Tirana Airport To The City
The Airport features quality infrastructure compared to many tiny airports worldwide.
Even PCR tests can be performed at the Tirana Airport by departing travellers (if necessary). You can see A few automobile rental agencies and money exchange offices outside.
These are your alternatives for going from the airport in Tirana to the city centre by transportation.
Tirana Airport Taxi
The airport taxi is another option for getting from Tirana Airport to the city centre. When you arrive at a specific destination, several unlicensed cab drivers are waiting outside the arrivals gate.
You will be relieved to see that this does not occur in Albania. You can hail a taxi outside the arrivals terminal at Tirana Airport.
Tirana Airport Taxi Cost: Taxis from Tirana Airport to the city centre have a set fee of 2500 leke (around 20 euros)
Tirana Airport Bus
Let me show you how to get from Tirana Airport to the city centre for the least amount of money. The standard Tirana Airport bus service is a very good option.
From 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., the Tirana Shuttle service bus runs every hour. You should consider another choice if your flight arrives between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
This service is provided by minibusses, which are both pleasant and speedy, rather than traditional bus lines.
The bus leaves right outside the airport.
As you exit the arrivals area, go for about 50 metres until you see the dark silver minibus.
The fare on the Tirana Airport bus to the city is 300 leke (about 2.5 euros), and you can pay in leke or euros, in which case you will be charged 3 euros for rounding purposes.
Read my full guide on the Albania bus timetables.
Tirana Airport Transfer
To minimise problems, you should pre-book your Tirana Airport transfer to the city. You can use different companies.
Schedule your transfer from Tirana Airport to the city on the same day you are travelling, and the driver will contact you, confirming his identity and where he will be standing at the airport.
You will feel considerably more at ease when you have the driver’s number and have discussed the specifics with him.
Your Tirana Airport transfer in an economy car will cost you 24 euros. However, there are other choices if you want a luxury car service.
Tirana Airport to Berat
You can travel from Tirana to Berat by bus, taxi, or rental car. There is no train service. The bus ride from Tirana to Berat costs 500 LEK (4.50 euros) and takes 2 hours and 45 minutes.
A one-way taxi from Tirana to Berat costs 8300 LEK (69 euros) and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Many tourists in Albania that want to go from Tirana Airport to city should visit this Albanian UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Furthermore, because Berat is close to Tirana, it is worth visiting for a single night or as a day trip.
Ensure you read the information below carefully because some online websites give incorrect or outdated travel information about getting from Tirana airport to Berat.
If you plan on staying a while in Berat, check out my guide on the best things to do in Berat and the top hotels in Berat.
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How Can I Take The Bus From Tirana To Berat?
The bus ride between Tirana and Berat takes 2 hours and 45 minutes.
However, it is critical to factor in extra time for your trip. Because the bus from Tirana to Berat does not leave from Tirana’s city centre.
Instead, the bus from Tirana to Berat starts from the “Intercity Bus Terminal – South Zone”.
The Intercity Bus Terminal – South Zone’s name and address are as follows: Nderqytetas Zona Jug, Veri Durres, Kthesa e Kamzs, Rruga Kastriotet, Kashar, Shqiperi, Tirana.
The Intercity Bus Terminal is situated just outside Tirana, and the journey from the city centre to the bus terminal will take roughly 10-15 minutes.
ou can take a taxi or a bus from Tirana’s city centre to the Intercity Bus Terminal South Zone.
You can catch the bus in the direction of “Instituti,” which starts from Dede Gjo Luli Street behind the National History Museum. The Instituti bus arrives at the bus terminal.
Important! The Intercity Bus Terminal’s location has changed: If you read anything online about getting to Shiponje or the Dogana roundabout to catch a bus, please discard the following information because the Intercity Bus Terminal has since moved away from the Dogana roundabout.
Tirana Airport to Vlora
You can take a bus from Tirana Airport to the city. There is a direct bus from Tirana International Airport to Vlore.
There is no train connecting Tirana International Airport to Vlore because Tirana airport is not linked to any train network. As a result, there are no trains available from Tirana International Airport.
The direct bus from Tirana airport to Vlore runs six times per day. The airport bus from Tirana to Vlore leaves at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 13:30 p.m., 14:30 p.m., 16:30 p.m., and 22:00 p.m.
The bus ride from Tirana airport to Vlore takes approximately 2.5 hours. A bus ticket from Tirana airport to Vlore costs 1000 Albanian Leke (8.20 euros).
The direct bus from Tirana Airport to the city departs only six times per day.
As a result, it may not coincide with your flight’s arrival time, or you may miss the bus if you spend a long time waiting at the border/luggage pickup.
In that case, a direct bus from Tirana airport to Durres or a bus from Tirana airport to Tirana is available. Durres is the most convenient option because it is a beach town on the way to Vlore.
The official airport cab from Tirana airport to Vlore costs 86 euros. Taxis from Tirana airport to Vlore will take approximately 2.5 hours.
Tirana Airport to Saranda
Saranda is relatively far from Tirana Airport. So, how do you go from Tirana International Airport to Saranda?
I will cover the best ways to get from Tirana airport to Saranda by bus, vehicle, and taxi in a second.
The journey from the airport to Saranda will always take 5-6 hours. There is no direct transport from Tirana International Airport to Saranda.
As a result, the only way to get from Tirana airport to Saranda is by taxi or automobile.
If you are staying here for a while, check out my guides on where to stay in Saranda and the best things to do in Saranda.
💡PACKING TIP: Make sure you bring a good snorkel, water shoes and a fast-drying towel for all of the beach-going you’re about to do!
You have two choices for getting from Tirana airport to the city of Saranda by bus:
Option 1: Take the bus from Tirana’s Regional Bus Terminal to Saranda. First, take a taxi from Tirana International Airport to the Regional Bus Terminal. Then, at the Regional Bus Terminal, take the bus to Saranda.
Option 2: Take a direct bus from Tirana International Airport to Vlore. Then take the bus from Vlore to Saranda.
The ideal bus route for you is determined by the time you arrive at Tirana International Airport.
There are eight buses daily from the Regional Bus Terminal to Saranda and six buses from Tirana Airport to the city of Vlore. So you can try to coordinate the best bus with your airport arrival schedule.
You can also read my guide about how to travel from Saranda to Athens if you plan on travelling onwards from here to Greece.
Tirana Airport to Shkoder
Suppose you are flying directly from Tirana airport to Shkoder.
In that case, you may be wondering how to get from Tirana airport to the city of Shkoder by bus or how much a taxi from Tirana airport to Shkoder would cost.
Tirana airport to Shkoder – You can take a cab, or bus, or rent a car from Tirana airport to Shkoder. Taxis from Tirana airport to the city of Shkoder cost between 55 and 62 EUR.
The Regional Bus Terminal is where the bus from Tirana to Shkoder starts. The ticket is 400 LEK (3.30 euros). Buses run from 6:30 to 17:00. A rental automobile costs between 20 and 25 EUR per day.
Hotels Near The Airport
There are some great hotels in Tirana you can choose from if you are planning to visit Tirana or other cities. Here are a few of my favourites.
While in the city, don’t forget to check out all the amazing things to do in Tirana!
1. Hotel Airport Tirana
This 4-star hotel is perfectly located for your next visit to Tirana.
It has something for everyone, whether you’re seeing our lovely nation for the first time, visiting Albania for work, or prefer the adventurous paths less travelled.
The helpful English-speaking team is standing by to assist you with making your reservation.
They provide complimentary airport transportation and can provide a full range of excellent amenities and services throughout your stay.
2. N Hotel BY NOSHI
N Hotel by Noshi is the latest modern and welcoming hotel in Tirana, near “Mother Teresa Airport.”
N Hotel by Nosh, located only 20 minutes from the capital, offers the finest hospitality experience in town for all visitors to Tirana, whether on holiday or for business.
The hotel has 11 rooms with modern architecture that are elegantly arranged to provide pleasant accommodation.
This hotel provides a wide range of services and amenities.
In addition to hotel services, the hotel features a café and a restaurant where the visitors can enjoy traditional Albanian food and international cuisine.
Additionally, there is the Lobby Bar where they can watch the sunset with their drink of choice.
3. Best Western Premier Ark Hotel
Best Western Premier Ark Hotel in Tirana, Albania, is an ideal choice for people travelling for business or pleasure, as its distinct style, customised services, and strategic position near Tirana International Airport always make a lasting favourable impression on all of their visitors.
This brand new luxurious and modern hotel in Tirana is amongst the top and largest hotels in Albania, and it can provide the finest quality services.
The hotel was built by “Shijaku L.T.D.” and was named the World’s Largest Hotel Chain, Best Western International’s first “PREMIER” hotel in Albania.
At Best Western Premier Ark Hotel in Tirana, they will try to meet and surpass the client’s expectations.
Albania is one of those places that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. This small country is one of Europe’s last undiscovered treasures and is worth visiting.
From the cliffside vistas of the sea to the lovely coastal hamlets, from the dynamic capital of Tirana to the gorgeous highland scenery, you should put this trip on your to-do list.
📚 P.S. Grab access to my Travelling Albania Guide to get a comprehensive insight into more places to visit in Albania (including secret spots that are not recommended in the usual guides!)
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three ways to get from Tirana airport to the city: an airport taxi, airport bus or airport transfer.
There are only 18 kilometers between Tirana International Airport and the city of Tirana.
Taxis from Tirana airport have a set fee of 2500 Leke. This is approximately €20.
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