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If you’re trying to figure out how to get to Ksamil from Saranda then you are in the right place. Our guide outlines the best ways to get between these two Albanian coastal towns, including our experience.
Located just along the coast from one another, the beach town of Ksamil is an easy day trip from Saranda.
And we’ve done this multiple times over the last couple of years.
We’ve never needed a car to travel between the two popular beach towns, as we’ve always used the regular and affordable public bus that operates on the route.
But you can of course drive if you have a car or take a taxi if you prefer a private transfer.
I’ll go through all the details for each option in this guide though so you know exactly how to plan the trip for yourself!
Saranda To Ksamil On The Map + Distance And Travel Time
The distance between Saranda and Ksamil is only 15km, and it takes as little as 30 minutes to get between the two. However, this can nearly double in July and August due to the sheer number of vehicles travelling in and out of Saranda in the summer. Even in September, we’ve experienced tailbacks getting out of Saranda! Once out of the town it’s usually plain sailing though.
The route to Ksamil follows the SH81 road (paved and in good condition) south towards Butrint National Park, passing the likes of Lake Ksamil, Mirror Beach, and Shpella E Pellumbave Beach along the way.
The road is not only in good condition and easy to follow, but it’s also incredibly scenic as you approach Ksamil. Ok, the scenery isn’t as majestic as some of the views we saw further up the coast, but there are great vistas of the inlet bay and its mussel farms, as well as the nearby Greek island of Corfu to the southwest.
Below you can see the route between the two towns on the map.
Best Ways To Get To Ksmail From Saranda
There are four ways I’d recommend for making the journey to Ksamil from Saranda, which are:
- On the bus (what we did)
- Rent a car and drive
- On a tour
- Private taxi
Even if your main goal is just to spend some time on Ksamil’s Instagram-famous beaches for the day before returning to Saranda again, each of the options will work.
Option 1: On The Bus (What We Did)
We love to find the cheapest ways of getting around and, for this journey, this is by catching the local city bus that operates between Saranda and Butrint National Park, which makes a few stops in Ksamil.
With tinted windows, air conditioning, and plastic seats, these city buses are definitely more modern and comfortable than some of the local furgons we’ve used to get between other Albanian cities! Well, that’s until the crowds pile in like sardines during the summer season!
On the plus side, the summer season (June through September) comes with a regular timetable with departures every 30 minutes. This reduces to every hour in the shoulder months of May and October, and then even less regularly during the rest of the year.
However, I recommend checking the timetable in Saranda’s central bus stops, as on some of our visits, a couple of the daily departure times were scored out.
Bus Ticket Price
The cost for a one-way journey on the bus is 150 ALL per person and payment is cash only.
We naturally tried to pay the driver as we boarded the first time, but instead were just ushered to take seats. Our joy of getting a free ride was short-lived as we realised that a ticket man was on his way round collecting fares.
So, the protocol is to just board, take a seat, and wait for the ticket man.
There’s no option to buy a return ticket as the service just operates on individual single tickets.
Related Post: Saranda Travel Guide: Things To Do, Day Trips, And More
Where To Catch The Bus In Saranda
Starting next to the roundabout near the Port of Saranda in the west of the city, there are various stops to catch the bus from. Three of these are located in the centre of Saranda.
The first is, as mentioned, near the Port of Saranda. In 2024, this moved about 20 metres to the northern side of the roundabout due to the creation of a one-way road. However, the old bus shelter is still there so just make sure you’re waiting at the correct stop! Normally, the bus sits idle at this stop for a while though, so you should see it.
Below you can see the old bus shelter to the right and in the background is the bus parked at the new bus stop.
The next is the main stop in Saranda, which is located close to Saranda Bus Station on
Ruga Skenderbeu, outside SOS Bar. And the final stop in the centre of town is at the eastern end of the promenade opposite Hotel Vila Duraku.
However, if you’re staying in the south of town then don’t worry, there are actually a total of 13 bus stops between Saranda and Ksamil – 10 in Saranda itself and a further three nearby Mirror Beach. There’s actually a very helpful online map of bus stops to help you plan where is most convenient for you.
Travel tip: I’d recommend getting on at the first stop for a chance to get a seat and to avoid the tsunami of bodies all fighting to get on at the central stop, especially if you have luggage.
What To Expect On The Journey
Depending on traffic, which is nothing short of mental in the summer, the bus journey to Ksamil will take around 30-45 minutes. There are a few twists and turns on the way, but no hairpins or steep sections to worry about.
The route runs parallel to the coast and, after making it out of Saranda, there are great views of the inlet bay and its mussel farms to the east.
When approaching Ksamil the road transfers to the western side and suddenly there are great sea views as well as a magnificent view of Corfu, which looks much closer than it did back in Saranda!
Getting Off In Ksamil
Once the bus arrives in Ksamil, there are four bus stops in the town at which you can get off – one in the north, two in the centre, and one in the south.
The first is immediately as you arrive in Ksamil, outside Memo Guesthouse Ksamil.
However, stops two and three are the most convenient when on a day trip to the Ksamil beaches.
The second stop, outside Hotel Murati, is less than a five-minute walk down to the main beach, and we recommend to get off here when heading to either Plazhi Ksamil or Poda Beach. But I’d stay on until stop three, outside the crossroads of Hotel Llio Boutique Ksamil, if heading to the southern beaches like Bora Bora Beach, Lori Beach, or Ohana Beach Bar.
The final stop in Ksamil is outside Memaj Bakery and Pastry in the town centre.
Travel tip: We always double-check return times on the timetable in Saranda or with the ticket man as we’ve found that there isn’t always timetables at the bus stops in Ksamil. Also, make sure to be at the bus stop early just to be safe!
What About Getting Back On The Bus?
Some buses we’ve been on in Albania have just stopped whenever someone flags them down. But this is NOT the case here. The bus back to Saranda only picks up passengers at one of the designated bus stops that I mentioned before.
So just make your way to the closest stop and wait for the next bus passing through. If making the most of a full day in Ksamil, make sure to check when the last bus back to Saranda is, as this changes depending on the time of year.
On our most recent day trip, we caught the bus back at the quieter northern stop and were the only two people waiting for the last bus of the day. Of course it was late, and as each minute ticked by, our anxiety rose bit by bit, but to our relief, the bus pulled in 15 minutes late.
The bus follows the same route back along SH81 until Hotel Butrinti. Here, due to Saranda’s one-way traffic system, it turns right up the hill before making a left and travelling along to the Port of Saranda on a higher road.
The bus makes all of the same stops on the way back as it does on the way out.
Option 2: Drive
If you have your own rental car, which is a popular way to explore the Albanian Riviera, you can take the scenic route between Saranda and Ksamil at your own pace.
The main route that you can follow from Saranda is SH81 which starts outside Hotel Magllara and hugs the coast all the way to Ksamil. It’s a well-paved road and is a single carriageway the whole way.
However, the stretch of road in Saranda can get incredibly busy in the summer season and it’s not the widest so the traffic (and tour buses) can be a bit of a nightmare! However, once you make it out of town the road opens up and traffic flows much better!
Once you’re in Ksamil, it’s back to being a bit hectic as the small town doesn’t have the infrastructure to cope with huge amounts of tourists and vehicles that flock here in the peak months. So, unless you’re staying at a hotel with parking, then you will have to be prepared to hunt for a spot!
We noticed lots of parking outside Plazhi Paradise and Lori Beach, with prices of 100 ALL per hour. This seemed to be a common price for parking.
> Click To Check Rental Car Prices
Option 3: Join A Tour
There are many tours which visit multiple attractions near Saranda in one day. And some of these include a stop in Ksamil.
Joining one of these tours is an easy and stress-free way to get to the beach town while also using your time efficiently by visiting the likes of Butrint, the Blue Eye, and Lekursi Castle on the same day.
However, the main drawback of a tour is that your time in Ksamil is limited to a maximum of just one or two hours. This is nowhere near enough time to fully enjoy a beach day, especially when almost all are privatised and require you to pay a daily rate (2000+ LEK) for sunbeds.
Therefore, if there’s time in your trip to visit the other attractions on a different day, then we’d actually skip on a tour and take the bus or a taxi for a full day trip. This way, you can enjoy Ksamil’s beaches in the best way, which is by renting loungers and camping out for the day while you dip in and out of the water between cocktails.
I know time isn’t a luxury everyone has, though, so if a tour does suit your needs, the easiest way to organise it is to simply book a top-rated tour like this one online.
This Is The Tour We’d Recommend!
Option 4: Take A Taxi
We’re team bus every day of the week as it offers the best value for money, but if you prefer the comfort and convenience of a taxi, it’s also a really easy way to get to Ksamil.
You can organise one on the street, and there are many drivers touting for business around the bus station area in the town centre.
The price will depend on the season and current demand, but we were quoted between 15-30 euros when we asked around in September.
Alternatively, you can actually book a taxi online with Get Transfer, which is great as you can organise a pick-up time in advance. For door-to-door service, prices aren’t too bad either, starting at around 16 euros!
To Finish
Overall, getting from Saranda to Ksamil is pretty straightforward and can be cheap too!
Whether you want convenience, flexibility, or cost effectiveness, there’s a transportation option for you.
Pin It For Later!
More Albania Travel Guides
Check out my other Albania posts to help plan your trip to this intriguing Balkan destination!
- Saranda Travel Guide: Things To Do, Day Trips, And More
- Essential Guide To Visiting The Blue Eye (Syri I Kalter)
- Complete Guide To The Best Beaches In Saranda
- Corfu To Saranda By Ferry – Essential Guide
- Best Beaches In Ksamil
- Himare, Albania: A Guide To The Riviera’s Best Beach Town
- Best Himare Beaches To Visit
