Transportation

Tirana International Airport (TIA, Nënë Tereza / Rinas) is Albania's main gateway, about 17 km from the city. The Rinas Express airport bus runs to central Tirana at a low fare, while taxis are faster but cost more; agree the fare or use a meter before you go. Rental cars are also available at the terminal.

City transport in Tirana is based on urban buses; there is no metro or tram. Buses are cheap and cover the main routes, with fares usually paid in cash to a conductor on board. Elsewhere in Albania, towns rely on local buses and shared minivans (furgon). Central Tirana is compact and walkable.

Albania has no nationwide travel smartcard like those in many European cities. On Tirana city buses you simply pay the flat fare in cash to the conductor, and for intercity buses and minivans (furgon) you also pay cash. Keep small denominations of lek handy, as change for large notes can be limited.

Licensed taxis are widely available in cities. Some use a meter; otherwise agree the fare before you set off, as prices are not always fixed. Local apps such as Speed Taxi operate in Tirana and make booking easier. International ride-hailing is limited, so a reputable local taxi or app is usually the most reliable choice.

Intercity travel is mainly by shared minivan (furgon) and long-distance bus, which connect Tirana with towns and the coast. They are cheap but schedules can be fluid, so confirm departure times and points locally. The national railway (HSH) is very limited and ageing. In summer, a ferry links Sarandë with Corfu in Greece.

Albania is a small country, and there are essentially no scheduled domestic flights, as almost all air traffic is international via Tirana. Distances are short enough to cover by road, so plan to travel between cities and the coast by bus, furgon or rental car rather than by plane.

Carry small lek notes, as buses, furgon vans and many taxis take cash. Departure points for intercity minivans are often informal spots rather than a single terminal, so ask locally and double-check times. Take extra care on winding mountain roads, and expect heavier traffic on the coast in summer. For taxis, agree the fare or confirm the meter before you set off.