How to Get Around Albania: Transport Guide

ByBunchuk Valera

Getting around Albania is part of the adventure. There’s no useful passenger rail, so travel runs on a mix of share-minibuses, intercity coaches, hire cars and taxis — each with its own quirks. The short version: a rental car gives you the most freedom, while furgons (minibuses) are the cheap, local, leave-when-full backbone of public transport. Here’s how each option works, plus how to get from the airport and a smart way to combine them.

Quick answer
– Most freedom: rent a car (from ~€30/day) — best for the coast and mountains
– Cheapest/local: furgons (minibuses) — no schedule, leave when full, cash only
– Most comfortable for long routes: intercity coaches (e.g. Tirana–Saranda)
– In Tirana: the Bolt app is cheap and easy
– No trains: Albania has no practical passenger rail network

The big picture

Albania has effectively no functioning passenger trains, so overland travel means furgons, buses, taxis or your own car. Public transport is cheap and perfectly workable, but it’s informal — schedules are loose and there are no big central stations in most cities. If you value flexibility and want to reach beaches, viewpoints and villages off the main routes, a hire car is the better tool. Many travellers mix both.

Furgons (minibuses)

The furgon is a privately run minibus on a fixed route between towns, and it’s the daily transport of choice for locals. The rules are unwritten but simple:

  • No online booking. You can’t reserve — you just turn up.
  • They leave when full. There’s rarely a strict timetable; the driver waits until the seats fill (5 minutes in summer, maybe 20 in low season).
  • Cash only. Pay the driver directly in lek — bring small notes (100–500), as change for a big bill annoys everyone.
  • Flag them down / shout to stop. Furgons display their destination in the windscreen and will stop anywhere on the route; call out “Ndal!” (“Stop!”) when you want off.

They’re cheap, surprisingly efficient and a great way to meet locals — just pack some patience and expect “enthusiastic” mountain driving. A traveller crossing the country by furgon can keep a two-week transport budget under about €60. (See our trip cost guide.)

Intercity buses and coaches

Alongside furgons, several companies run full-size coaches on fixed schedules. They’re more comfortable and more reliable on timing, for a little more money — the sensible choice for the longest routes, like Tirana to Saranda (direct, a few times daily). In high season it’s worth booking longer routes ahead; in low season you can usually buy on the day. Note that Tirana now has two newer bus terminals, connected to the centre by city bus.

Renting a car

For most visitors with limited time, renting a car is the best way to see Albania. The highlights are spread across coast, mountains and historic towns, and a car lets you detour for an unmarked viewpoint or a quiet beach the buses don’t reach. Prices start around €30 a day, fuel is cheap and tolls are virtually nonexistent. The big agencies (Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget) and reputable local operators all have desks at Tirana International Airport (TIA), the most competitive pickup point.

Two things to know for 2026:

  • Roads have improved a lot. The drive to the Riviera, once a white-knuckle crossing of the 2,000-metre Llogara Pass, is now far easier thanks to the Llogara Tunnel.
  • Watch the rental fine print. Albanian rental quirks around insurance, deposits and what the “from” rate includes can catch first-timers out, so read the terms.

On driving itself: it can feel chaotic, and rural/mountain roads are narrow and best avoided after dark. Drive defensively — see our safety guide for the full picture.

Taxis and rideshare

In Tirana, the Bolt app is widely used, cheap and transparent — the easiest way around the capital. Elsewhere, taxis are plentiful; use licensed cars and agree the fare before you set off, or insist on the meter, to avoid overcharging near tourist sites.

Ferries

Two boat trips matter:

  • Corfu–Saranda: a 30–40 minute fast ferry links Greece’s Corfu with Saranda, a popular way for international visitors to reach the south.
  • The Lake Koman ferry: the spectacular canyon crossing in the north and the gateway to the Alps — a journey in its own right. See our Lake Koman ferry guide.

Getting from Tirana Airport to the city

Reaching central Tirana from the airport (TIA) is straightforward — and there’s no airport train, so don’t look for one:

  • Airport bus: runs 24/7, takes about 30 minutes, costs 400 lek one way, and ends behind the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in the centre. Best if you’re solo and budget-conscious.
  • Official airport taxi: a fixed fare of around €25 to central Tirana — easiest if you land late or have heavy luggage.
  • Pre-booked transfer: convenient if you’re heading straight to the coast.

A smart way to combine transport

You don’t have to pick just one. A popular approach: furgon or coach from Tirana to Berat (an easy, frequent two-hour run), then rent a car for the Riviera, where the freedom to explore pays off most. Or spend your Tirana days using Bolt and walking, then pick up a hire car for the south. Mix and match to suit your route.

Frequently asked questions

Does Albania have trains?
Not in any practical sense — there’s no usable passenger rail network. Get around by furgon, bus, car or taxi instead.

What is a furgon?
A privately run minibus on a fixed route. There’s no booking and no strict timetable — it leaves when full, you pay the driver in cash, and you shout “Ndal!” to get off.

Is it better to rent a car or use public transport in Albania?
A car gives the most freedom and is ideal for the coast and mountains; furgons and buses are cheaper and great for the main routes. Many travellers combine both.

How do I get from Tirana Airport to the city?
Take the 24/7 airport bus (about 30 minutes, 400 lek) or an official airport taxi (around €25). There is no airport train.

Is there Uber or Bolt in Albania?
Bolt operates in Tirana and is cheap and convenient. Elsewhere, use licensed taxis and agree the fare in advance.

How do I get to the Albanian Riviera?
Fly into Tirana, then drive (the new Llogara Tunnel has made this much easier) or take a bus/transfer south. From Greece, you can ferry from Corfu to Saranda.

Plan your trip

With transport sorted, see the best places to visit, pick the best time to go, and check the costs and visa basics.

Related guides: Albania Trip Cost · Is Albania Safe? · Lake Koman Ferry · Best Places to Visit in Albania · Best Time to Visit Albania · Albania Travel Guide

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