Albania Bus & Furgon Guide: Terminals, Fares and How to Pay

Updated 2026-10-19 · 7 min read · Prices and schedules change — check locally.

How to catch a bus or furgon in Albania

Ask your guesthouse the evening before for the real departure time and terminal.
Take a taxi to the right Tirana terminal: North & South (Kamëz) or East.
Arrive 20–30 minutes early — furgons leave when full, mostly in the morning.
Tell the driver your destination and put luggage in the back.
Pay cash in lek to the driver or conductor during or at the end of the ride.

How does public transport work in Albania?

Albania runs on intercity buses and furgons (shared minibuses). There is almost no passenger rail and no national timetable app.

Furgons usually leave when full, so departure times are approximate. Most long routes leave in the morning; afternoon options thin out fast.

Ask your guesthouse the evening before — they know the real departure time and often call the driver for you.

Which bus terminal in Tirana should I use?

Northern and southern routes leave from the North & South Terminal near Kamëz; eastern routes (Elbasan, Korçë, Pogradec) leave from the East Terminal.

Taxis know the terminals by name. Allow extra time — city traffic around Tirana is heavy in the morning.

Terminal	Serves	Coordinates
North & South (Kamëz)	Shkodër, Durrës, Vlorë, Sarandë, Berat	41.3696, 19.7727
East	Elbasan, Korçë, Pogradec	41.2857, 19.8318

How do I pay for a bus or furgon?

Pay cash in lek to the driver or conductor, usually during or at the end of the ride. Online booking is rare.

Carry small notes. Euros are sometimes accepted on tourist routes, at a poor rate.

What do common routes cost?

Most intercity trips cost a few hundred to around 1,500 lek.

Fares change — treat these as guides.

Route	Time	Fare (ALL)
Tirana – Shkodër	~2 h	400–500
Shkodër – Theth (furgon)	~3 h, ~07:00	1,200–1,500
Sarandë – Ksamil	~30 min	100–150
Koman – Fierzë (ferry)	~2 h 30	1,000–1,500