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Trying to figure out the best ways to travel to Saranda from Tirana? We’ve travelled by bus a few times, but you can also get there by renting a car, booking a private transfer, or even on a day trip tour if short on time.
On our first trip to Albania a few years ago, catching public transport around the country felt a bit like the wild west.
There were few fixed timetables, a scarcity of online information, and different people telling us different times depending on which bus driver they knew.
It was an adventure to say the least, but we managed, and sometimes even revelled in the uncertainty. Other times, though, were pure anxiety, relying on blind faith that a bus was coming!
However, on more recent trips, we’ve found that Albania’s transport system has become somewhat more structured and easier to navigate, especially on popular and well-established routes like from Tirana to Saranda.
We’ve even been able to book buses to Saranda online now!
And this goes for taxis, car rentals, and group tours too!
Tiranda To Saranda Distance And Route
Located 265km south of Tirana, there are two main routes to get to Saranda: the fast route (which takes less than four hours) and the scenic route (which takes over 4.5 hours without stopping).
The fastest and most direct is along the SH2 westward to Durres, before continuing south through central Albania on the SH4 and E853, and finally turning right before Gjirokaster for the final stretch to Saranda.
This sticks to the main highways for the bulk of the journey and is the route that most buses, taxis, and tours take.
However, if you’re driving, I’d recommend taking the scenic route by heading towards Vlore after Durres and continuing along the Albanian Riviera via Himare. We’ve travelled on this coastal road a few times on the bus, and the views are nothing short of spectacular!
After Vlore, there are many twists, turns, steep inclines, and sharp downhills, but the road is well paved, and the magnificent coastal views remain etched in our fond memories of Albania!
How To Get To Saranda From Tirana
The four ways to get to Saranda that I would recommend considering are:
The best ways to get to Saranda from Tirana are:
- Take the bus (our choice)
- Private transfer (most comfortable choice)
- Rent a car (flexible choice)
- Book a day tour (time-efficient option)
There are no trains that go south from Tirana, and the closest airport to Saranda is on the neighbouring Greek island of Corfu, so that leaves the bus as the only public transport option.
Option 1: Take The Bus
There’s no cheaper option to get to Saranda than by bus, which is why it’s our favourite transport to take in Albania! This bus trip costs 1500 – 1700 ALL (or 15 – 17 EUR) and takes between four to five hours.
The main bus companies for this route are Tisa Travel and Olgeno Travel, and the main difference is the route they take and the travel time. Tisa Travel is faster as they take the inland route, whereas Olgeno Travel buses go via the coast, which might take longer but is a lot more scenic!
The buses from both companies are direct, though, so there’s no hassle of working out connections, which was a pain when we were trying to get from Berat to Himare!
Where To Catch The Bus
All buses heading to Saranda depart from Tirana’s South and North Bus Station (Regional Bus Terminal), which is located about 4km northwest of the city centre and Skanderbeg Square.
The Google Maps Pin is: South and North Albania Bus Terminal (Bus Station)
It’s really easy to get here from the city centre as Google Maps displays all the city buses that head out this way. We caught the 5B bus from a stop close to our accommodation, which took about 30 minutes and stopped right outside the bus station. It also only cost us 40 ALL (0.40 EUR) each.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi and, of the overwhelming amount of taxi companies in Tirana, I’d recommend using the Lux Taxi app, which works similarly to Uber.
If coming from Tirana Airport, which is about 15km in the other direction, there’s a bus that departs every hour to the South and North Terminal (and continues onwards to the city centre). Tickets for this journey cost 400 ALL (4 EUR) and can be purchased online from Gjirafa Travel.
Once we arrived at the bus terminal, our first impression was a mix of chaos and confusion. Nothing felt very official in the large outdoor terminal, which was more of a big parking lot filled with coaches and smaller furgon buses.
We spotted ticket counters at the entrance, but before making our way over, we were approached by one of the guys roaming around in a typical black tracksuit. I still don’t know if these guys are drivers or what, but he asked where we were going and pointed to our bus. Despite the language barrier, these guys are polite and helpful and seem to know the order in the chaos, if unsure where to go.
The main issue we noticed with the station is the lack of facilities. There’s just a small kiosk selling snacks at the entrance, and there are no toilets. The closest toilets we could find were through the hedge in ES’ Coffe, and only if you bought something.
How To Buy Bus Tickets
Unlike other routes in Albania where an old ‘furgon’ bus is owned, operated, and timetabled by the driver, who we’ve paid at the end of our journey, the Tirana to Saranda route is more officially organised by two main transport companies: Tisa Travel and Olgeno Travel.
Previously, we’ve only been able to buy tickets at one of their small offices at the terminal entrance, but on our most recent trip, we were able to purchase our tickets online from Gjirafa Travel!
Not all departure times are available online, but it meant we could secure our tickets in advance, which is important during the busy summer season!
Even if you buy tickets online, I’d recommend arriving at the station 30-45 minutes early so you have time to find your bus, load your luggage, and choose decent seats (make sure to choose the right-hand side of the coach if travelling on the coast with Olgeno Travel). You can always go and grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafes once you’ve locked in your seats.
Tickets from the kiosk should cost 1500 ALL, although they are known for charging 1700 ALL to Saranda.
Online at Gjirafa Travel, tickets to Saranda cost 16 EUR (1600 ALL).
There’s no Flixbus in Albania yet, as in some neighbouring countries, but we saw signs at the bus station saying that Flixbus is coming soon! How soon is anybody’s guess, though.
Our Journey To Saranda With Tisa Travel
We decided to go with Tisa Travel as we’d already been along the coast before and wanted a quicker journey. It was a typical coach to expect on this route, which had seen better days, but thankfully, the air conditioning held out!
There was no toilet on the bus, which is normal here, but there was a stop around halfway where we stretched our legs, used the bathroom, and sipped on a macchiato. The strong coffee is always something we look forward to in Albania, which could be easily mistaken for rocket fuel!
Even though we were travelling inland, it was still a beautiful journey, especially during the second half with mountain ranges flanking us.
Overall, it was a comfortable trip, even if a little twisty on the approach to Saranda.
All buses terminate at Saranda bus station, which is in the centre of town and just one street from the central promenade. It’s not much of a station, just a small ticket office and some on-street parking for buses.
But the location is convenient and was walkable to our central accommodation. There are also plenty of taxis hanging around this area and the station is just one street from where you can catch a public bus along the coast if travelling onwards from Saranda to Ksamil.
Related Post: How To Get From Saranda To Ksamil
Option 2: Private Transfer
I know the bus isn’t for everyone, though, and there’s no denying that a private car with strong air conditioning is a more comfortable way to make the trip. To be honest, if we had a bigger budget or were travelling in a group, we’d definitely be tempted!
Especially as it’s easy to organise online in advance with Riviera Bus. With set prices (starting at 200 EUR to Saranda) for trips across Albania and a fleet of cars to choose from, they can get you to Saranda in ultimate comfort, whether you want to get picked up from the airport or a hotel in Tirana!
Option 3: Rent A Car (Flexible Choice)
Another increasingly popular choice for travelling to Saranda (and around Albania in general) is to hire a car.
I’ll admit that this isn’t normally our style, but I know firsthand the freedom and flexibility that having your own set of wheels gives you. And the coastal route to Saranda is an absolutely breathtaking drive! So I definitely see the appeal.
As I mentioned, I’d definitely recommend taking the scenic route via Himare, as it really is a magnificent drive!
Prices depend on the season, with some great deals to be had if you’re visiting outwith the peak months of July and August.
While the drive to Saranda is great, driving and parking within the town itself is not. And in the peak of summer, the traffic is a nightmare as the streets just aren’t made for the huge influx of vehicles that recent years have seen. So, just be aware of this.
Click To Compare Rental Car Prices For Your Dates!
Option 4: Book A Day Tour
I know some people don’t have the luxury of time and are looking to try and visit the highlights of southern Albania (including Saranda, Ksamil’s beaches, and the Blue Eye) on a day trip from Tirana.
If this is you, then I’d highly recommend joining a tour for this as it’s a long day with a lot of travelling involved. The duration for most tours is around 16 hours so it is a very long one, but you do get to experience a beautiful part of the country!
I’d also recommend booking your tour in advance, especially if you’re visiting in the peak summer months, as they can sell out close to the date.
Don’t wait until the last minute, book your Albanian Riviera day trip online!
Make Sure To Book In Advance In Summer!
July and August are the busiest months for travel in Albania, when scores of foreigners and locals alike make their way back and forth from the coast. So, I highly recommend booking tickets in advance during this time to make sure you secure seats and get a suitable departure time! It’s not uncommon for buses to be fully booked!
This goes for buses, private transfers, car rentals, and tours!
This is less important in the shoulder and off-seasons, when you can still buy tickets on the day of travel. However, we always prefer to book a few days in advance anyway, just for the peace of mind!
Although I do remember trying to book our bus back to Tirana two weeks in advance during October (in person at Saranda bus station) and was told it was too early and to come back the following week. So I guess there are limits.
To Finish
I hope this article clears up any queries you had about getting to Saranda from the capital, which is actually quite a straightforward trip these days.
No matter which transport option you choose, I hope you love your Albanian adventure as much as we’ve loved each of ours!
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
- A Complete Guide To The Best Beaches In Saranda
- Essential Guide To Visiting The Blue Eye (Syri I Kalter)
- Corfu To Saranda By Ferry – Essential Guide
- Best Beaches In Ksamil To Visit
- Getting From Saranda To Ksamil – All You Need To Know
- Himare, Albania: A Guide To The Riviera’s Best Beach Town
- Best Beaches In Himare
