Getting around Albania mostly means travelling by road: intercity buses and minibuses called furgons link the main towns cheaply, taxis cover short hops, and a hire car, private driver or organised tour is the easiest way to reach mountains, villages and remote beaches. Passenger rail is not a practical option for visitors at the moment.
Public transport works, but it runs on local rhythms. Timetables can be informal, departure points are not always obvious, and services thin out in the evening and away from the main routes. With a little preparation, though, you can cover a lot of ground for very little money.
Intercity buses
Buses connect Tirana with most cities, including Durrës, Shkodër, Berat, Vlorë, Gjirokastër and Sarandë. Most intercity services from the capital now use the South and North Bus Terminal on the city’s outskirts, a taxi ride from the centre, but some routes leave from other points, so ask your accommodation where your bus departs.
- Tickets: usually paid in cash (lek) to the driver or conductor, or at an operator’s kiosk.
- Timetables: exist for most routes, but they are not always published online or strictly kept.
- Luggage: large bags go in the hold; keep valuables with you.
- Vehicles: anything from modern coaches to older buses, depending on the route and operator.
Furgons: Albania’s minibuses
Furgons are minibuses that run between towns and out to smaller places that big buses do not serve. They are cheap and, on busy routes, frequent, and in some areas they are the only public transport. They often leave when full rather than at a fixed time, so be ready to wait, especially later in the day.
Ask locally where furgons for your destination gather, as stops are often informal, such as a particular street corner or a car park near the centre, and pay the driver in cash. Furgons are also how many hikers reach trailheads and ferry ports in the north, including the early-morning run from Shkodër to the Komani Lake ferry.
Trains: the current situation
Albania’s rail network, built mostly during the communist era, has been largely out of use for years, and any remaining services are very limited and not practical for most itineraries. A modern line between Durrës and Tirana, with a branch to Tirana International Airport, has been under construction, but its opening has been delayed several times and, at the time of writing, regular passenger services are not expected before 2027.
In short, do not plan your trip around trains. Check the latest news before you travel, as the new line should make airport and Durrës connections much easier once it opens.
Getting around Tirana: city buses, taxis and apps
Tirana’s city buses cover the centre and the suburbs, and you normally pay a small flat fare in cash to the conductor on board. Buses can be crowded at rush hour, and the centre is compact enough that walking is often quicker. A dedicated airport bus runs hourly between the terminal and a stop near Skanderbeg Square.
Taxis are easy to find in Tirana and other cities, and they are the simplest way to reach bus terminals, restaurants and sights after dark. Use licensed taxis rather than unmarked cars, and ask for the meter or agree the fare before you set off. International ride-hailing apps such as Uber do not operate in Albania at the time of writing, but local taxi-booking apps work in Tirana and some other cities, and many hotels will call a trusted driver for you.
Ferries and boats
Boats fill a few useful gaps. The seasonal Komani Lake ferry links Koman, near Shkodër, with Fierzë in the north-east, saving a long drive round the mountains. In the south, boats cross daily for most of the year between Corfu and Sarandë, with the most departures in summer, and international ferries connect Durrës and Vlorë with Italy. Along the Riviera, small boats take visitors from beaches and harbours to nearby coves in summer.
Hiring a car or a private driver
A hire car gives you the most freedom, especially for the Riviera, the mountains and rural sights such as monasteries and archaeological parks that buses do not reach. Main roads have improved greatly, but mountain roads are slow and local driving can be assertive, so allow more time than your map app suggests.
If you would rather not drive, a private transfer is a comfortable middle ground: a car or minibus with a driver takes you door to door between cities. Albania Inbound arranges private transfers and coach hire with its own fleet and professional drivers; you can see the vehicles on our transport page.
When a tour makes more sense
Public transport is excellent value for city-to-city hops, but it gets complicated when you want to see several places in a day or reach somewhere remote. A guided day tour can combine sights that are awkward to link by bus, such as Berat with the ancient city of Apollonia, or Lake Bovilla with Krujë, and it handles the pick-ups, the driving and the timing.
Tours also make sense for long, logistically awkward trips: the Albanian Alps, cross-border days to Ohrid or Kotor, or a loop of the whole country with hotels arranged for you. Browse our day tours and multi-day tours to see what is possible from Tirana.
Practical tips for public transport
- Carry cash. Buses, furgons and many taxis are paid in lek, and small notes help.
- Ask locally. Hotel staff and guesthouse owners usually know current departure times and stops better than any website.
- Start early. Services to smaller towns thin out as the day goes on.
- Allow buffer time. Journeys often take longer than planned, particularly in summer traffic and on mountain roads.
- Write it down. Showing your destination’s name written in Albanian helps when asking drivers.
For more pre-trip advice, see our article on common mistakes tourists make in Albania.
Frequently asked questions
Is public transport in Albania reliable?
Buses and furgons are generally dependable on the main routes between cities, but timetables can be informal and some departures wait until the vehicle fills up. Services are less frequent in the evening and to smaller places. If you need to make a flight, a ferry or a tour pick-up, leave a generous margin or book a transfer instead.
Are there trains in Albania?
Not in any practical sense for visitors at the moment. The old network has been largely out of use for years, and any remaining services are very limited. A new line linking Durrës, Tirana and Tirana International Airport has been under construction, but its opening has slipped repeatedly, and passenger services are not expected before 2027. Check the latest news before you travel.
Can I use Uber in Albania?
No, Uber does not operate in Albania at the time of writing. Instead, use licensed taxis, try the local taxi-booking apps that work in Tirana and some other cities, or ask your hotel to call a driver. Agree the fare or ask for the meter before setting off. At the airport, the official taxis wait outside the terminal, and private transfers can be booked in advance.
How do I get from Tirana to the coast?
Durrës is the closest beach town and is well served by buses from Tirana. For Vlorë, Himarë and Sarandë, take an intercity bus from the main terminal, allowing several hours for the far south, or travel by car, private transfer or tour. Summer traffic on the coastal routes can be heavy, so set off early and allow extra time for the journey.
Is it better to hire a car or use public transport in Albania?
It depends on your route. For a city-based trip covering Tirana, Shkodër, Berat and Durrës, buses work well and cost very little. For the Riviera’s smaller beaches, the mountains or several stops in one day, a car, a private driver or a tour saves a great deal of time. You can also combine them, using buses between cities and a tour or driver for harder-to-reach places.
Prefer to leave the logistics to someone else? Join a shared trip on one of our confirmed departures, or send us a private tour request and we will plan the route, transport and stays around you.
