How to Get to Durres. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel to Durres

Airport & Connectivity

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) is the main gateway to Durres, about 30-35 kilometers northwest. It handles all foreign flights.

Airlines & Routes

Low-cost carriers like A Low-cost european airline, Ryanair, easyJet.
Legacy carriers: Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air Albania, Alitalia.
Direct flights from European cities (London, Rome, Vienna, etc.). No direct flights from North America or Asia.

Seasonal & Facilities

Flight frequency grows in summer, leading to higher prices. Shoulder seasons (April-May, Sep-Oct) offer moderate prices. TIA has duty-free shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Airport Services

Car rental desks (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt).
Currency exchange and ATMs available.
Last-minute souvenir shopping options.

Bus Transfers

Rinas Express offers direct coaches from TIA to Durres city center. Affordable and reliable. Journey 40-60 minutes, 400-500 ALL (~3.5-4.5 EUR).

Taxi Services

Official yellow taxis outside TIA. Fixed price to Durres, 2,500-3,000 ALL (20-25 EUR). Confirm price before ride.

Private Transfers & Car Rental

Pre-booked private transfers fetch convenience for groups or heavy luggage. Car rental agencies at the airport for driving flexibility.

Flight Booking & Deals

Best Flight Deals

Sign up for Dollar Flight Club alerts.
Compare prices on Skyscanner.
Be flexible with travel dates.
Book in advance, especially for peak season.

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AirHelp for flight compensation.

Local SIM & Connectivity

Local SIM

Purchase local SIM cards from Vodafone or One Albania at TIA or in Durres.

ESIM Option

Airalo eSIM for easy data plan activation upon arrival.

VPN Security

Consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN for safe browsing on public Wi-fi-Fi.

Land Transportation

Border Crossings

Albania shares land borders with Montenegro (north), Kosovo, North Macedonia (east), and Greece (south).

Common Crossings

Muriqan (from Montenegro).
Vërmicë (from Kosovo).
Qafe Thane (from North Macedonia) and Kakavijë (from Greece).

Bus Travel in Albania

Coaches are the most efficient mode of intercity travel. Durres has a central bus station for domestic and global routes.

Domestic Routes

Frequent connections to Tirana (45 min, ~1.3 EUR).
Regular services to Shkodër, Vlorë, Berat, Gjirokastër.
Tickets purchased from driver or at station counter.

Self-Driving Considerations

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory with the license from your country. Minimum age for rental is typically 21 or 23. Credit card needed for deposit.

Driving Rules & Roads

Drive on the right. Seatbelts mandatory. Speed limits: urban 50, rural 90, highway 110 km/h.
Main roads are good. Secondary roads can be less maintained or unpaved.
Driving needs vigilance due to local driving habits. Watch for pedestrians.

Car Rental Services

International rental companies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, and local Albanian companies operate at TIA and in Durres.

Booking & Safety

Make a booking through DiscoverCars.com for good rates.
Paid parking zones in city center and coastal zones in summer.
Driving at night on poorly lit rural roads can be challenging.

Train Travel Note

Albania's train system is limited.
Train services are slow.
Generally not advised for tourist travel due to inefficiency.

Bus services are far more efficient and faster for inter-urban travel.
A train line links Durres to Tirana, but buses are popular.
The train offers a nostalgic experience, but lacks practicality for quick travel.

Sea & River Arrivals

Ferry Routes & Companies

Durres is a central point for an international boat service services to Italy. It also serves as a maritime hub of call for cruise ships.

Main Ferry Routes

Durres to Bari, Italy: Most popular, daily service (8-10 hours, overnight).
Companies include GNV, Ventouris Ferries, Adria Ferries.
Durres to Ancona, Italy: Less frequent (2-3 times/week, 16-19 hours) by Adria Ferries.

Cruise & Port Services

Durres has seen an increase in cruise ship arrivals. Passengers disembark right into the city, with easy access to the historical center and transportation.

Port Logistics

Standard passport control upon disembarkation for international arrivals.
Taxis readily available outside port gates.
Local city buses nearby connect to city center or main bus station.

River Transportation

River transportation is not a significant feature for tourist travel to or within Durres. Rivers in the region are not generally navigable for passenger services.

Coastal Boat Trips

Opportunities for private coastal excursions or short trips by the sea during summer, arranged informally by local boat owners. Leisure-focused.

Port Location

The Port of Durres sits very close to the city center, making onward travel uncomplicated and rapid.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Timing

No specific exit fees or taxes are levied on departing passengers at Tirana International Airport or Durres Port. These costs are typically part of your ticket price.

Departure Timing

For international flights at TIA, be THERE two-3 hours before departure.
Allow closer to 3 hours during peak season or for early flights.
For international ferries, arrive at Durres port 2-3 hours before departure.

Airport & Port Facilities

Tirana International Airport (TIA) offers duty-free shops, cafes, restaurants, and waiting areas for departing travelers. Durres Port facilities are more basic.

Departure Services

TIA offers last-minute souvenir shopping.
Cafes and kiosks at Durres Port are functional.
Factor in time for rental car drop-off at TIA.

Pre-Departure Check

Flight Status

Confirm flight details with your airline a day or two before.

Ferry Status

Confirm ferry departure details with your operator.

Documentation

Keep all travel make sure your documents are easy to get to prior to departing checks.

Final Tip

Confirm details about your departure for up-to-date information on timings and procedures.

How to Get to Durres