Albania Guide
Tirana → Durrës
I travelled from Tirana to Durrës by bus and put together this guide with the practical information I found useful when making the journey.
My experience travelling from Tirana to Durrës
I took the bus from Tirana to Durrës while travelling around Albania, and this is one of the routes where the bus makes a lot of sense if you are travelling on a budget.
The price is very low compared with taking a taxi, and there are frequent buses during the day.
The part I would pay the most attention to is the departure point. The Tirana bus terminal is outside the city centre and is a large transportation area with buses going to many different destinations.
If it is your first time there, it can feel a little confusing. My advice is simple: have the location saved on your phone and ask for the Durrës bus when you arrive.
- Route: Tirana → Durrës
- Departure point: Tirana Bus Terminal North & South Albania
- Location: Kashar, outside central Tirana
- Bus fare: approximately 200 LEK per person
- Departures: approximately every 30 minutes
- Payment: cash on the bus
- Return: Durrës → Tirana buses operate during the day
Tirana Bus Terminal North & South Albania
The bus from Tirana to Durrës leaves from the Tirana Bus Terminal North & South Albania in Kashar, outside the city centre.
If you are staying in central Tirana, you need to make your way to the terminal before starting your journey to Durrës.
The terminal is a large transportation and parking area where buses leave for many different destinations around Albania.
When I was there, I would recommend asking someone which bus is going to Durrës rather than trying to guess. Several buses can be parked in the same general area.
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Getting From Tirana To Durrës
Getting from Tirana to Durrës by bus is one of the easiest budget-friendly journeys you can make from the capital.
The buses run regularly throughout the day and the route is popular with both locals and travellers.
The bus leaves from the Tirana terminal in Kashar and travels towards Durrës.
From my experience, the main thing to remember is that you need to find the correct bus before boarding. Do not just get on the first bus you see.
When you arrive at the terminal, simply ask "Durrës?" and confirm with the driver before getting on. This is much easier than trying to figure out all the different buses yourself.
How Much Is The Bus From Tirana To Durrës?
A one-way bus ticket from Tirana to Durrës costs approximately 200 LEK per person.
For such a short journey, this makes the bus a very good option if you are travelling around Albania on a budget.
Payment is made in cash, so I recommend having some Albanian Lek ready before you board.
- One-way fare: approximately 200 LEK
- Payment: cash
- Best to carry: smaller Albanian banknotes
How Do You Buy The Ticket?
One of the nice things about this route is that you do not need to organize a complicated online booking before travelling.
You can arrive at the terminal, find the Durrës bus and confirm the destination with the driver.
Payment is made on the bus. Depending on the bus, someone working onboard will come around and collect the fare during the journey.
Because there are different private bus operators in Albania, I recommend asking before you board rather than assuming every bus works exactly the same way.
Keep your cash somewhere easy to reach. Having 200 Lek ready means you can pay quickly once someone comes around to collect the fare.
How Often Do Buses Leave?
Buses between Tirana and Durrës generally run approximately every 30 minutes.
This is one of the reasons I like this route. You do not necessarily have to organize your whole day around one specific departure.
If you miss one bus, there is normally another departure relatively soon.
Even with frequent buses, I would still confirm the current departure when you arrive. Local transportation schedules can change.
How Long Does The Journey Take?
The journey from Tirana to Durrës is relatively short, but the exact travel time depends on traffic.
Traffic can be particularly noticeable when leaving Tirana or approaching Durrës.
If you have somewhere important to be at a specific time, I would leave yourself some extra time instead of planning around the shortest possible journey.
How To Get To The Tirana Bus Terminal
The terminal is outside central Tirana, so this is the part of the journey you need to plan before catching your bus.
If you are staying in central Tirana, you can use local city buses to reach the terminal.
Buses such as 5B and 13B can be used to reach the area of the terminal, depending on the current local route.
The exact route can depend on where you are starting in Tirana, so check your route before leaving your accommodation.
The bus terminal is outside the city centre. I would rather arrive early and have time to find the correct bus than arrive at the last minute with my luggage.
What Is The Tirana Bus Terminal Like?
If this is your first time travelling by bus in Albania, the terminal may look different from what you are used to in other European countries.
It is a large parking and transportation area rather than a traditional modern bus station with one clearly marked platform for every destination.
There are buses going to many different cities, which is why I recommend asking for your destination as soon as you arrive.
My best advice at the terminal
Do not be embarrassed to ask for help.
I have found that travelling around Albania becomes much easier when you simply ask someone if you are not sure where you need to go.
Just say "Durrës?" and confirm that you have found the correct bus.
Food & Water Before The Bus
If you need water or a snack before leaving, there are cafés and small businesses around the terminal area.
I recommend getting your water before boarding, especially during the warmer months.
I always prefer having water with me before a bus journey. It is a small thing, but it makes travelling much more comfortable.
Travelling To Durrës During Summer
If you are travelling during the summer, keep traffic in mind.
The road between Tirana and Durrës can become busier, especially around popular travel times.
If you are travelling to Durrës for a specific activity, restaurant reservation or beach day, I would give yourself some extra time.
Getting Back From Durrës To Tirana
You can take the bus in the opposite direction from Durrës back to Tirana.
Buses operate during the day, but if you are visiting Durrës as a day trip, I recommend checking the return departure before you settle in for the afternoon.
The last return bus can be around 7:30 PM, based on the information I had for this route.
Check the return bus before leaving Tirana. I would not wait until the evening to find out when the final bus is going back. If you miss it, a taxi may be your only convenient alternative and will cost much more than the bus.
Bus Or Taxi?
If you are travelling alone or as a couple and want to save money, I would choose the bus.
At around 200 Lek per person, it is much cheaper than taking a private taxi.
A taxi can make more sense if you are travelling with a group, have several large bags or simply want to go directly from your accommodation to your destination.
If you decide to take a taxi, agree on the price before starting the journey so there are no surprises at the end.
Is The Bus Good For Backpackers?
Yes. I think the bus is especially useful if you are backpacking around Albania.
The fare is inexpensive, the route is frequent and you do not have to spend a lot of money on a private transfer.
If you are travelling with a backpack rather than several large suitcases, the journey is also quite simple to manage.
What I Would Do Again
If I were travelling from Tirana to Durrës again, I would use the bus.
I would make sure I had the Google Maps location saved, bring some Albanian Lek, arrive early and ask for the Durrës bus as soon as I got to the terminal.
I would also check the return bus before spending the day in Durrës if I planned to come back to Tirana that same evening.
The biggest lesson for me was that Albanian buses are much easier once you stop worrying about everything being perfectly obvious. If you are unsure, just ask.
What I Learned Travelling By Bus In Albania
Travelling around Albania by bus has taught me that you sometimes have to be a little more flexible than you would be with transportation in countries where everything is clearly marked.
A bus terminal can be busy, different buses can be parked together and schedules can change.
But that does not mean travelling by bus is difficult. Once you know where to go and who to ask, it becomes much easier.
My biggest advice is to have your destination written down or saved on your phone and simply ask if you are not sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the bus from Tirana to Durrës?
The bus fare is approximately 200 Lek per person. Payment is made in cash.
How often does the bus from Tirana to Durrës run?
Buses generally run approximately every 30 minutes, although schedules can change.
Where does the Tirana to Durrës bus leave from?
The bus leaves from the Tirana Bus Terminal North & South Albania in Kashar, outside central Tirana.
Can I buy my ticket online?
For this route, you can simply go to the terminal, find the bus to Durrës and pay for your ticket on the bus.
Do I need cash?
Yes. I recommend carrying Albanian Lek with you. Having smaller notes makes paying easier.
How long does the bus from Tirana to Durrës take?
The journey is relatively short, but the exact time depends on traffic. I recommend allowing extra time, especially during busy summer periods.
What if I cannot find the Durrës bus?
Ask someone at the terminal or ask one of the drivers. Simply saying "Durrës?" is enough to get help finding the correct bus.
What time is the last bus back to Tirana?
The information I had for this route indicated that the last bus from Durrës can be around 7:30 PM. Because schedules can change, I strongly recommend confirming the final departure locally on the day you travel.
Is the bus better than a taxi?
If you are travelling on a budget, I would choose the bus. At around 200 Lek per person, it is much cheaper. A taxi can make more sense for groups or travellers with a lot of luggage.
My Final Advice
If you are planning to travel from Tirana to Durrës, I would not overcomplicate it.
Save the terminal location on Google Maps, bring 200 Lek or a little extra, arrive early and ask for the Durrës bus when you get there.
If you are coming back to Tirana the same day, check the return bus before you leave so you know your options.
For me, the best part of travelling around Albania is that once you get used to asking questions and being a little flexible, the country becomes much easier to explore.
And for a journey this inexpensive, the bus is definitely the option I would choose.