Getting around Tirana and Albania

Where is Tirana, and how far is it from the coast?

Tirana is the capital of Albania, in a valley in the centre of the country, with Mount Dajti on its eastern edge. The coast at Durres is under an hour away by road.

Tirana is a city of around 600,000 people, founded in 1614 and capital of Albania since 1920. The cable car climbs Mount Dajti from the eastern edge of the city, so the mountains and the sea are both close. Kruja and Lake Bovilla are about an hour or less away, Berat and Shkoder about 2 hours each way, and Gjirokaster 3 to 3.5 hours each way.

That makes Tirana a natural base. You can stay in one hotel and see much of the country on day trips.

What are the best ways to get around Albania?

Walk in central Tirana, use metered or app-booked taxis for longer hops, take buses or furgons between towns, and book a tour with hotel pickup for day trips. A rental car suits travellers who drive slowly and in daylight.

The table compares each way of moving around, what it suits and one tip for each.

How do you get from Tirana airport to the city centre?

Take a taxi, which takes 20 to 30 minutes, or the Rinas Express bus, which runs about hourly and takes 30 to 40 minutes to a stop behind the Opera near Skanderbeg Square.

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza is at Rinas, about 17 km northwest of the centre. Official airport taxis wait outside arrivals and work at a set fare, and app-booked cars usually cost less. The airport bus costs much less than a taxi and runs from early morning until late at night; check the times if you land very late.

The bus stop behind the Opera is a short walk from many central hotels. If you arrive with heavy bags or late in the evening, a taxi to the door is the calmest choice.

How do you get around inside Tirana?

On foot in the centre, where the main sights are within a short walk of each other. For longer hops, take a metered or app-booked taxi, or a city bus with cash.

• On foot: Skanderbeg Square, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, Bunk'Art 2, the House of Leaves, the Pyramid, Postbllok, Blloku, the New Bazaar and the castle lane are all close together. The Grand Park and its lake are a pleasant walk south of Blloku.
• Crossing roads: wait for a clear gap, and use crossings with lights where you can.
• Taxis: ask the driver to start the meter, or book through an app so the route is clear before you set off.
• City buses: they connect the centre with the outer districts and cost much less than a taxi. Carry small change, as you pay in cash on board.
• Heat: in July and August, walk in the morning and the evening.

Which sights to see on foot is in what to see in Tirana.

When is the best time to travel to Albania?

May to June and September to October are the most comfortable months. July and August are often above 30 degrees, so plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings.

Spring brings green hills, and early autumn has warm sea water and quieter roads. The Komani Lake boats run only from about mid-April to early November, so plan that trip within those months. Winter is mild in Tirana but cooler and wetter in the mountains, and the high road to Theth is best left for the warmer months.

In midsummer, choose morning or evening slots for walks and hikes. The Bovilla hike runs in the morning or the afternoon, and reviewers say trainers are a must.

A real hike of about 2 km each way to the Gamti viewpoint above the turquoise reservoir, with hotel pickup. The lake is Tirana's drinking water, so there is no swimming. Rated 4.9 from 6,857 reviews.

★ 4.9 (6,857) · 5 to 6 hours · Full refund up to 24 h ahead

Explore the Bovilla Lake hike →

How do you get to Mount Dajti and the cable car?

Take a taxi or a city bus to the Dajti Ekspres lower station on the eastern edge of the city, then ride the cable car for about 15 minutes to over 1,000 m. It does not run on Tuesdays, unless the Tuesday is a public holiday.

The cable car is more than 4 km long. It runs every day except Tuesdays, from morning to early evening, and wind or maintenance can stop it, so check the official hours page and the operator's social pages on the day. Bunk'Art 1 is just behind the lower station, so the two combine well.

For a ride without planning, the Mount Dajti half day (4.6 from 81 reviews) includes return transport and the cable car ticket, then three hours on the mountain at your own pace. The Dajti and Shengjergj waterfall tour (4.8 from 172 reviews) adds a guide and a waterfall walk, but the cable car ticket is extra; you can stay in the van to the top instead.

How do buses and furgons connect Albanian towns?

Buses and furgon minibuses link Tirana with most towns, including Durres, Kruja, Berat and Shkoder. Pay in cash, and check where and when they leave the day before.

Furgons are shared minibuses, common on shorter routes, and they often leave when full. Ask at your hotel which terminal to use, as departure points differ by route. Durres is under an hour away, Kruja about an hour, and Berat and Shkoder about 2 hours.

Public transport works well for one town at a time. To see a castle, a viewpoint and a lake in one day, a tour is easier. The Berat and Belsh Lake day trip (4.8 from 7,533 reviews) and the Kruja castle and bazaar trip (4.8 from 3,721 reviews) both pick you up in Tirana, and the Durres and Golem beach day (4.7 from 1,013 reviews) adds the Roman amphitheatre and an afternoon by the sea.

Should you rent a car in Albania?

A rental car suits travellers who want the mountains and the south at their own pace. Drive slowly on mountain roads, travel in daylight, and let a tour do the driving on the longest days.

Mountain roads have tight bends and the occasional pothole, so allow more time than a map suggests. The road to Theth is now paved, but it is slow and winding. In Tirana, traffic is busy and parking is limited, so leave the car at the hotel and walk.

On very long days, a tour lets you sit back. Komani Lake means about 13 hours with a very early start and about 4 hours of driving each way. The Komani Lake and Shala River trip (4.7 from 3,591 reviews) includes the boat ticket and a short walk through a tunnel to the boat.

Frequently asked questions