Berat to Sarandë by Bus: My Experience, Price & Timetable

Berat Bus Terminal – Google Maps

Berat Bus Terminal

Berat to Sarandë by bus

I took the bus from Berat to Sarandë during my trip around Albania, and I wanted to share my experience because I know how confusing Albanian bus travel can feel when you are trying to plan your trip for the first time.

This is not one of those journeys where I would recommend simply showing up without checking anything first. The bus system in Albania can be a little different from what you may be used to in other European countries, and I found that having the right information before leaving made the journey much easier.

The Berat to Sarandë journey takes approximately 5 hours, but I actually enjoyed travelling this way because you get to see a completely different side of Albania as you head south.

If you are backpacking around Albania like I was, the bus is also a very affordable way to get from Berat towards the southern part of the country.

Berat Bus Terminal

The Berat Bus Terminal is located outside the main city centre. If you are staying around the historic area, including Mangalem or near the Gorica Bridge, you should give yourself enough time to get to the terminal.

I found the terminal fairly easy to use once I was there. It is not a huge modern bus station, so do not expect something like a major European transportation hub.

There is a café and toilets at the terminal, and the large timetable displayed there is particularly useful.

I recommend taking a photo of the timetable when you arrive. That way, you have the information saved on your phone and can look at it again later.

How I got to the Berat Bus Terminal

If you are staying in central Berat, you will need to make your way out towards the bus terminal. You can use the local city bus or take a taxi.

If you have a large backpack or suitcase, a taxi is probably the easiest option. If you are travelling light and want to save money, the local bus can be a good alternative.

I would personally leave extra time for this part of the journey. The last thing you want is to arrive at the terminal just as your bus is leaving.

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Berat to Sarandë bus timetable

When I checked the timetable at the Berat Bus Terminal, the departures shown for Sarandë were:

This is the timetable and price information I found during my trip. Bus schedules and fares in Albania can change, so I recommend confirming the current information at the terminal before travelling.

How early should you arrive?

I recommend arriving at least 15–20 minutes before the bus leaves. Personally, I prefer having a little extra time rather than arriving stressed and trying to figure out where the bus is at the last minute.

If you are travelling during the summer, I would give yourself even more time. Berat and the southern coast can become very busy during the main tourist season.

Buying the bus ticket

The price I found for the Berat to Sarandë journey was around 1,400 LEK per person.

I recommend carrying cash in Albanian Lek. I would not depend on being able to pay by card when travelling by bus in Albania, especially at smaller terminals.

I also like to carry smaller notes when taking local transportation. It makes paying much easier and means you are not depending on someone having change for a large note.

What is the Berat to Sarandë bus journey like?

The journey takes approximately five hours, so I would plan for a long travel day.

I recommend bringing water and a small snack, especially if you are used to travelling with everything organized before you leave. I also keep the things I may need during the journey in a small bag rather than buried inside my main luggage.

What I enjoyed most about travelling this way was seeing the change in scenery as I travelled south. Berat has a completely different atmosphere from Sarandë, so the bus journey felt like a transition between two very different parts of Albania.

Travelling with luggage

If you are backpacking through Albania, chances are you will have a backpack or suitcase with you.

I recommend keeping your most important things, such as your passport, wallet, phone and electronics, with you rather than putting them somewhere you cannot easily reach them.

I also recommend keeping a small bag with water, snacks, headphones and anything else you may want during the five-hour journey.

My tips for taking buses in Albania

After travelling around Albania by bus, I learned that a little preparation makes the experience much easier.

• Carry cash. I always recommend having Albanian Lek with you.
• Check the timetable locally. Schedules can change, so I would not rely only on information found online.
• Arrive early. Give yourself at least 15–20 minutes before departure.
• Take a photo of the timetable. It is useful to have the information saved on your phone.
• Keep your valuables with you. Especially your passport, money and phone.
• Bring water. Five hours is a long time to be on a bus, particularly during the warmer months.
• Be flexible. This is probably my biggest tip for travelling around Albania. Things do not always work exactly the way they do in other European countries.

Getting back to Berat from Sarandë

If you are planning to return from Sarandë to Berat, I recommend checking the return timetable before the day you travel.

I would not assume that the return buses will operate at exactly the same times as the buses travelling from Berat to Sarandë.

If you have a flight, accommodation check-in or another important connection, give yourself plenty of extra time. When I travel around Albania, I prefer having a little flexibility in my schedule rather than planning every connection down to the minute.

Good to know before travelling from Berat to Sarandë

• The Berat Bus Terminal is outside the main historic centre.
• You can use a local city bus or taxi to reach the terminal.
• There is a café and toilets at the terminal.
• Bring cash in Albanian Lek.
• Check the timetable at the terminal before travelling.
• Bus schedules and prices can change.
• Arrive at least 15–20 minutes before departure.
• Keep your passport, money and valuables with you.
• Bring water and a snack for the journey.
• Leave extra time if you have another important connection.