Albania Guide
Himarë → Sarandë
I travelled from Himarë to Sarandë and put together this guide with the information I wish I had before taking this journey along the Albanian Riviera.
My experience travelling from Himarë to Sarandë
I travelled around southern Albania and made my way from Himarë to Sarandë. This is one of those journeys where I would definitely recommend knowing where you are going before you leave, especially if it is your first time travelling around Albania by bus.
The distance is not particularly far, but the road follows the coast and can take longer than you might expect. The scenery is beautiful, though, and for me that was one of the best parts of travelling this route.
I wanted to put everything I found in one place because when I was travelling, I found that bus information in Albania was not always as easy to understand as it is in some other European countries.
So if you are standing in Himarë with your backpack wondering where to catch the bus to Sarandë, this is what you need to know.
Himarë Bus Station
The bus to Sarandë leaves from the Himarë Bus Station – City Center.
The station is located in the center of Himarë, which makes it relatively convenient if you are already staying in town.
The location I used is:
3QX2+CW, Himarë, Albania
This is where I recommend starting when you are looking for the bus towards Sarandë.
📍 OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS →
Getting From Himarë To Sarandë
Getting from Himarë to Sarandë takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
The route is approximately 54 km and follows the beautiful coastal area of the Albanian Riviera.
I really enjoyed this part of travelling around Albania because the journey itself is part of the experience. You are travelling through an area with mountains on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other.
If you are not in a hurry, I would actually choose the bus over a private transfer simply because you get to experience more of the road and the landscape.
- Route: Himarë → Sarandë
- Distance: approximately 54 km
- Journey time: approximately 1.5–2 hours
- Bus price: approximately €10 per person
- Bus departures: approximately 6 per day during the tourist season
- Bus station: Himarë Bus Station – City Center
- Taxi: approximately €50–70 per car
By Bus
The bus is the option I would recommend if you are travelling around Albania on a budget. When I checked this route, the price was approximately €10 per person.
During the tourist season, there were approximately six departures per day.
The departure times I found were:
08:00 · 11:40 · 14:00 · 14:40 · 17:00 · 19:40
These times are useful as a guide, but I would not treat them as guaranteed. One thing I learned while travelling around Albania is that bus schedules can change, particularly during the tourist season.
What I learned from taking buses in Albania
My biggest piece of advice is to ask locally when you arrive. Even if you have found a timetable online, I would still confirm the departure with someone at the station.
That might sound unnecessary if you are used to travelling in countries where transportation runs on a very strict schedule, but Albania can be a little different.
I found it much less stressful once I stopped expecting everything to work exactly like it does at home and simply gave myself some extra time.
Arrive at the Himarë Bus Station a little early, especially during the busy summer season. I recommend having your money ready and checking with someone locally that you are waiting in the correct place. If you are unsure, simply ask. This is what I would do rather than standing there hoping that I have found the right bus.
What I recommend bringing for the journey
The journey is only around two hours, but I still recommend having a few things with you, especially if you are travelling during the summer.
- Water: the Albanian Riviera can be very hot during the summer.
- Cash: I recommend carrying Albanian Lek rather than depending on card payment.
- Your phone: keep the Google Maps location of your destination handy.
- A small bag: keep your passport, wallet and other important things with you.
- Some patience: bus travel in Albania can sometimes require a little flexibility.
By Taxi
If you prefer a private and more comfortable journey, another option is taking a taxi from Himarë to Sarandë.
A taxi typically costs around €50–70 per car, depending on the driver, season and your exact destination.
This can sound expensive compared with the bus, but there is an important difference: the price is for the whole car, not one person.
If you are travelling with three or four people, splitting the cost can make the taxi much more reasonable.
If I were travelling alone or as a couple and wanted to save money, I would choose the bus. If I were travelling with a group and wanted to go directly from my accommodation to my destination, I would seriously consider splitting a taxi.
The road from Himarë to Sarandë
One of the best things about this journey is the scenery.
The road between Himarë and Sarandë is surrounded by mountains and the Ionian Sea, and this is one of the stretches of the Albanian Riviera that I think is worth experiencing from the road rather than simply flying or taking a private transfer.
You will encounter winding roads and some beautiful coastal views along the way.
During the busy summer months, however, traffic can make the journey longer than expected.
Travelling during summer
If you are travelling along the Albanian Riviera during July or August, I recommend giving yourself some flexibility.
Himarë and Sarandë are both popular summer destinations, and the roads can become much busier than they are outside the main tourist season.
For that reason, if you have a flight, ferry, accommodation check-in or another important connection after arriving in Sarandë, I would avoid planning everything too tightly.
Arriving in Sarandë
Once you arrive in Sarandë, you will be in one of the main tourist hubs of southern Albania.
Depending on where you are staying, you can continue by walking, taxi or local transportation.
Sarandë is also a very convenient base if you are continuing your trip towards Ksamil and other destinations in the south.
If you are backpacking around Albania, this makes the Himarë → Sarandë route particularly useful because Sarandë can be the next stop in a longer southern Albania itinerary.
My advice if you are backpacking the Albanian Riviera
If you are travelling through the south of Albania, I would not try to plan every single transportation connection months in advance.
I found it much easier to have a general idea of where I wanted to go, then check the local transportation information when I was actually there.
Keep some cash with you, know where the next bus leaves from and give yourself some extra time. That combination makes travelling around the Albanian Riviera much less stressful.
Bus or taxi from Himarë to Sarandë?
For me, the decision would mainly come down to your budget and how many people you are travelling with.
The bus is the obvious choice for solo travellers and budget backpackers because it costs around €10 per person.
A taxi makes more sense if you are travelling with several people and want the convenience of travelling privately. At around €50–70 for the whole car, four people sharing the cost could make the difference much smaller per person.
Travelling alone? Take the bus.
Travelling with friends? Compare the taxi price between everyone.
Want the cheapest option? The bus wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the bus from Himarë to Sarandë take?
The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, although traffic and road conditions can make the trip longer.
How much is the bus from Himarë to Sarandë?
The bus costs approximately €10 per person based on the information I found while travelling this route.
Where do you catch the bus from Himarë to Sarandë?
The bus leaves from the Himarë Bus Station – City Center, located at approximately 3QX2+CW, Himarë, Albania.
How many buses are there from Himarë to Sarandë?
During the tourist season, I found approximately six departures per day. The times I recorded were 08:00, 11:40, 14:00, 14:40, 17:00 and 19:40.
Is the bus from Himarë to Sarandë reliable?
The bus is a practical way to travel between the two towns, but I recommend keeping some flexibility in your schedule. Bus times in Albania can change, and traffic along the Riviera can also affect journey times.
Is a taxi better than the bus from Himarë to Sarandë?
It depends on your situation. The bus is much cheaper for one or two people, while a taxi can make sense for a group because the approximately €50–70 fare is for the whole car.
Is the road from Himarë to Sarandë scenic?
Yes. The route follows the Albanian Riviera and includes mountain scenery, winding coastal roads and views towards the Ionian Sea. For me, the scenery was one of the nicest parts of travelling this route.
Should I arrive early for the Himarë bus?
Yes. I recommend arriving a little early, especially during the busy summer season. It gives you time to find the correct bus and confirm the departure locally.
Would I take the bus from Himarë to Sarandë again?
Yes. If I were travelling around southern Albania again and wanted an affordable way to get from Himarë to Sarandë, I would take the bus.
The route is affordable, the journey is not extremely long and you get to experience the beautiful Albanian Riviera along the way.
My biggest advice is simply to stay flexible. Check the departure locally, arrive early, carry cash and do not stress if things do not happen exactly the way you expected.
That is something I learned while travelling around Albania, and honestly, once you get used to it, it becomes part of the adventure.