Tirana Airport (TIA) to the city
The airport bus to the Opera and Ballet Palace costs 400 lek and runs every hour, 24 hours a day; a taxi into the centre is about 2,200 lek.
- The bus to the Opera and Ballet Palace in central Tirana costs 400 lek, about 4 EUR, and runs every hour, 24 hours a day, taking 30 to 40 minutes.
- A separate hourly bus serves the South and North Bus Terminal for 300 lek, about 3 EUR, running 07:00 to 18:00 and taking 20 to 30 minutes.
- A taxi into the centre is about 2,200 lek one way, on the airport's own figure, for a 20 to 25 minute ride.
- Coaches run straight from the airport to other cities: Durres 600 lek, Fier 1,000 lek, Shkodra 1,000 lek and Vlore 1,200 lek.
- The 24 hour bus is the thing to note. Most airports in this part of Europe strand a 03:00 arrival; Tirana does not.
- The airport is 17 km northwest of the city.
- Tirana is Albania's only significant airport, so everything funnels through it.
What it costs
| Journey | Price | When |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to the Opera and Ballet Palace, central Tirana | 400 lek | hourly, 24 hours a day |
| Bus to the South and North Bus Terminal | 300 lek | hourly, 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Taxi to the city centre | about 2,200 lek | any time |
| Coach to Durres | 600 lek | several a day |
| Coach to Fier | 1,000 lek | |
| Coach to Shkodra | 1,000 lek | |
| Coach to Vlore | 1,200 lek |
- The taxi costs more than five times the bus, which is the whole argument for the bus unless you land in a group.
- The 400 lek bus is the one most arrivals want. The Opera and Ballet Palace stands on Skanderbeg Square, the centre of the city.
- The 300 lek bus is for onward travel, not for sightseeing: the bus terminals sit outside the centre.
- Coaches straight from the airport are the useful surprise. Vlore and Shkodra without going into Tirana first saves hours.
The airport bus
- Every hour, around the clock, which is worth stating plainly because most airports in this part of Europe do not manage it.
- About 30 to 40 minutes for the 17 km.
Taxis
- The airport quotes about 2,200 lek for the 20 to 25 minute run into the centre.
- Agree the fare before your luggage goes in.
- Ride hailing is limited compared with the rest of the region.
Onward
- Furgons, shared minibuses, leave from informal points in the city, not from the airport, and go when full. Ask your accommodation where the one for your destination departs.
- Corfu and Ioannina in Greece serve the southern coast; the Corfu to Saranda ferry is the classic route to the riviera.
- Podgorica is close to Shkoder and the north.
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