Getting to Albania by Land or Sea

By Land

Borders: Greece (212 km), Kosovo (112 km), North Macedonia (181 km) and Montenegro (186 km).

From Neighbouring Countries

All borders with neighbouring countries are open and pose no difficulties. While it’s not possible to arrive by train in Albania, several bus routes exist to and from other countries in the region. Connections include Athens (35 € round trip for 9 hours), Istanbul (35, 20 € hours), Pristina/Kosovo (12, 4 € hours), Sofia (25, 22 € hours), and Tetovo/Macedonia (15, 6 € hours).

By Sea

Ferries

Albania is accessible by ferry from neighbouring Italy, with numerous crossings—especially in summer—as well as from the Greek island of Corfu, just a few kilometres off the Albanian coast. The companies operating these routes include Adria Ferries, European Seaways, GNV, Ionian Cruises, Red Star Ferries, and Ventouris Ferries.

To/From Italy:

Ancona: Durrës (Adria Ferries) with a crossing time of around twenty hours and several weekly sailings.

Bari: Durrës (Adria Ferries, European Seaways, GNV, and Ventouris Ferries) with an eight- or nine-hour crossing and several daily sailings. Expect a minimum of 60 € for a round-trip foot passenger ticket. This is the shortest crossing.

Brindisi: Durrës (Red Star Ferries), Vlorë (European Seaways + Red Star Ferries).

Trieste: Durrës (Adria Ferries) for a brand-new route.

To/From Corfu:

The company Ionian Cruises operates the route between Corfu and the port of Sarandë, with one to three daily sailings depending on the season, for around 20 € round trip and a one-hour journey.

To/From Macedonia:

More of a summer tourist cruise than a regular ferry line, there is a seasonal connection between Pogradec (Albania) and Ohrid (Macedonia) across Lake Ohrid. It is operated by Cruise Ship Galeb.

Cargo

Durrës, Sarandë, and Vlorë are the country’s main commercial ports, where it is possible to arrive by cargo ship.