Taking the Busses from Tirana to Vlorë: What to Expect

There are two ways to get from the airport to Vlorë by bus. The Hermes airport transfer is straightforward. The intercity route through Tirana is cheap and efficient, but confusing the first time. Once you know what to expect, it's simple. Here's the full picture.

Option 1: Airport to Vlorë Direct (Hermes Airport Bus)

First, if you're skipping Tirana entirely and arrive at the right time of day, this is a simple option. Hermes runs a direct bus between Vlorë and the airport.

• Journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cost was 1200 - 1500 LEK
• Runs year-round
• Book in advance

Contact:

• Phone: +355 676097542
• Email: reservation@hermesaeroport.com
• Booking: hermesaeroport.net

The Hermes stop in Vlorë is near Market DURA on Rruga Gjergj Kastrioti, west of the main high street. It's worth checking your flight arrival time to align with this bus schedule.

Important note: Albania is developing rapidly. New infrastructure appears constantly, a Vlorë airport is planned, and bus terminals may relocate. This guide reflects my experience in October 2025. Check locally for current details.

Option 2: Airport to Tirana to Vlorë

Airport to Tirana City Centre

If you're arriving at Tirana International Airport, and can't get the direct Hermes option or you're spending time in Tirana, you'll need to head towards the city centre. The Luna Airport bus costs about a third of what a taxi would.

Finding the Luna Airport Bus

When you clear customs and exit through the sliding doors, stay inside the building and turn right towards departures. Head to the check-in desks, then right again to find three ATMs under a screen. Get cash here first (the Lek is a closed currency; you can't buy it outside Albania).

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Now head back past arrivals. Keep KFC on your left. You'll see car rental stalls on your right and a car park straight ahead. The buses are at the back of the car park. Keep walking; you can't miss them.

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Drivers call out destinations. Jump on and pay the driver (600 LEK). I'm not sure, but it may be possible to pay in euros.

If you are going on to Vlorë immediately, depending on the time of day you can connect directly from the Luna airport bus to the South and North Bus Terminal.

If you're heading to the centre (Skanderbeg Square), the journey takes about 35 minutes, traffic depending. You can also get the Luna Bus in reverse from Skanderbeg Square to the South and North Bus Terminal.

I was staying in a hotel next to the bus terminal and arrived late. The late bus didn't stop at the terminal. I had to tell the driver to stop and get off at the nearest stop (Casa Italia) and complete a 10 minute walk via the underpass towards the terminal.

The South and North Terminal to Vlorë

This is where it gets interesting.

The South and North Albania Bus Terminal (also called Tirana Regional Bus Station, or Terminali i Autobusave të Jugut dhe Veriut in Albanian) doesn't look like a terminal. When I visited, it resembled a semi-construction site with buses parked everywhere. It's a giant car park.

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Don't let that put you off. It works well once you understand the system.

The buses have their destination displayed clearly in the front window. Walk around until you find one showing Vlorë. The Sarande buses seemed to have a kiosk; Vlorë was more informal. The buses near the front are typically leaving next.

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The intercity bus was good value at 700 LEK and took under 3 hours.

The Minibus Reality

Here's something nobody told me: Albanian intercity buses are often minibuses, not coaches. The first time you see one, it feels strange. But they work brilliantly.

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Practical tips:

• Prepare cash in advance. Payment goes to the driver or conductor.
• Clarify the cost when boarding (700 LEK to Vlorë).
• You can only buy a one-way ticket.
• LEK preferred; some accept euros but don't rely on it.
• Stock up on small bills.

The Journey

The trip to Vlorë takes under three hours, though timing depends on drop-offs and stops along the way.

I'll be honest about my experience: it was hot when moving slowly through the city, but once we got going, the air came through nicely. My bus had a cracked window, some passengers smoking, and at one point we slowed for a herd of sheep crossing the main motorway.

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With over-ear headphones and some ambient music, it made for a pleasant journey. A slight bouncing around. Always something to observe through the window: an old man carrying his bicycle over a stepped road bridge, roadside food stalls, the landscape opening up.

The bus drivers can seem animated, but everything runs smoothly. Don't worry about the energy; it's just how it works here.

Arriving in Vlorë

One thing to know: the intercity bus terminal in Vlorë isn't a terminal in any traditional sense. It's a roadside area near the top of the city, close to the Old Town. You'll see a series of minibuses.

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From here, it's about a 40-minute walk to the Lungomare seafront. Taxis are available if you'd rather not walk with luggage.

Departure back to Tirana uses the same area, just on the opposite side of the road.

The Honest Summary

The Albanian bus system isn't polished. There are no apps, no digital timetables, no sleek terminals. But it's cheap, it's frequent, and it works.

700 LEK (about £6.30) gets you from Tirana to Vlorë. The journey itself becomes part of the experience: watching Albania unfold through the window, adapting to a different pace, trusting a system that runs on informal efficiency rather than corporate infrastructure.

For those of us used to everything being optimised and scheduled, there's something refreshing about that.

Taylor