Tirana to Durrës: How I’d Make the Trip in 2026

One of the most common questions I get asked is “how do I actually get from Tirana to Durrës?”

And I understand why people ask.

You land in Tirana, there’s a coastal city sitting less than an hour away, and every blog gives you a different answer about buses, taxis and whether you need to hire a car.

Half of them are years out of date.

I’ve lived in Albania since 2017, most of it down in Saranda, and I’ve spent enough time in and out of the capital to know exactly where this trip goes wrong.

It isn’t the distance.

It’s the traffic, and almost nobody warns you about it.

So whether you’re wheeling a suitcase straight off a flight or you’re happy to take the slow, cheap option, here’s how I’d make the tirana to durres trip.

How far is Tirana from Durrës?

Not far at all, which is exactly why this trip is so popular.

Depending on the route, you’re looking at roughly 35 to 50 kilometres.

In good conditions that’s a 35 to 45 minute journey.

In bad conditions it can be considerably worse, and I’ll get to that.

Option 1: By bus, the cheapest

Buses run constantly between the two cities, with something in the region of 47 departures a day.

The first tends to leave around 06:00 and the last around 21:00.

Fares sit in the 150 to 250 lek range depending on the operator, which is a couple of euros.

Journey time is around 35 to 41 minutes when the road is clear.

This is what I’d recommend if you’re not in a rush and want to keep costs down.

It’s also how most Albanians make the trip, so you’re travelling at the local rate rather than the tourist one.

Do you need to book a bus ticket in advance?

No.

Turn up, buy your ticket, get on.

With departures every twenty minutes or so, there’s no real risk of being stranded.

Option 2: By taxi, the easiest

A taxi will run you around €15 to €20.

Use an app rather than flagging one down on the street, because you’ll get a better price and skip the negotiation entirely.

The two operating in Albania worth having on your phone are Patoko and Vrapo.

Download whichever you can get working before you land, because doing it on airport wifi with a queue behind you is nobody’s idea of a good start.

This is the option I’d pick if you’ve got luggage, or if you’re coming straight off a long flight and cannot face working out a bus station.

Worth every euro when you’re tired.

Option 3: By car

If you’re driving yourself, the road is straightforward and well surfaced.

But here’s my honest warning, and I really mean this one.

Traffic in and out of Tirana is horrendous.

I’m not being dramatic for effect.

Is it worth hiring a car just for this trip?

Honestly, no.

The distance is too short to justify it, and you’d be taking on Tirana traffic yourself for no real benefit.

Hire a car if you’re doing a wider Albania road trip, not for this one leg.

If you are driving on to explore further, the coast road south is a much better use of a rental, and I’ve covered that run in durres to saranda.

The traffic warning nobody gives you

This is the bit that catches people out, so pay attention if you’ve got a flight to catch.

If you’re travelling to or from Tirana International Airport, avoid the morning rush, and avoid anything after 5pm if you possibly can.

Midday and early afternoon are your best windows.

It’s worst in summer, but honestly it’s bad most of the year now.

I’ve seen videos of tourists getting out of their taxis and running along the side of the road to the airport because the traffic was so bad.

Don’t let that be you!

My tip: build in far more time than you think you need.

Then add some more.

So which should you choose?

On a budget and not in a hurry? Take the bus. At around 200 lek it’s almost free compared to the taxi.

Got luggage or just landed? Take a taxi through Patoko or Vrapo. €15 to €20 to skip all the faff is fair.

Already hiring a car for a bigger trip? Drive, but pick your time of day carefully.

Coming from Italy instead?

Worth knowing that Durrës has a huge working port with a direct ferry connection to Bari.

Plenty of people arrive that way and skip Tirana entirely.

Once you arrive

Durrës rewards a couple of days rather than a rushed afternoon, and I’ve laid out exactly how I’d spend 3 days in durres if you want a ready made plan.

There’s more in the city than people expect, and I’ve listed the lot in things to do in durres.

If you’re still deciding whether to bother at all, I’ve written honestly about whether is durres worth visiting, including the bits I don’t rate.

Sort your accommodation before you arrive, because the best areas aren’t the obvious ones.

My guide on where to stay in durres covers the two spots I’d actually book.

The food is the real reason to come, and I’ve rounded up the durres restaurants I’d send anyone to, plus the albania cooking class that was my best food experience in the country.

Don’t plan your dates around swimming, since the beaches in durres aren’t the country’s best, and the best time to visit durres is not August whatever anyone tells you.

And once you’re settled, Cape Rodoni is the day trip I’d never skip.

Let me know how your trip between Tirana and Durrës goes!