Saranda is a pretty compact city and it’s easy to go around by foot. Many sights, shops, hotels, and restaurants are within close proximity. However, there are other options for transportation that you definitely need for longer distances and to visit places of interest outside Saranda.
By Foot
The best way to explore Saranda and the easiest way to get around is by foot because public transport is somewhat limited and parking spaces can be hard to find during the summer season. The city center is very compact, but the urban area stretches out for kilometers along the bay, so the further away you stay from the center, the more you’ll have to walk.
Another thing to bear in mind is that Saranda is built on the slopes of some steep hills, which is great for the views, but this also means that you might need to walk up some steep roads.
It’s an understatement that urban planning has never been Albania’s strong point, especially when it comes to sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure, but Saranda has undergone some major improvements in recent years to make the city more walkable and facilitate tourism growth.
By Car
Coming to Saranda by car, or renting one has a lot of advantages when you want to explore the beautiful surroundings, but a car is of little use within the city itself, especially in the busy summer season, when it can even become a hindrance if you haven’t secured private parking.
Outside the main season, Saranda is nice and quiet, but as soon as the summer season starts, the roads get congested and parking spaces fill up. At the peak of the season, there are major traffic jams and it becomes almost impossible to find a free parking spot anywhere in the city.
Although street parking is free, it’s strongly recommended to book an accommodation with a guaranteed parking spot if you come to Saranda by car in the summer. Alternatively, there are several private parking lots, but these are all small and can also fill up.
Although the police are trying to clamp down on illegal and double parking, this infamous habit is still very persistent everywhere in Albania.
By Bus
The cheapest alternative to walking is to get around Saranda and out of town by bus or minibus. Only 150 lek brings you already as far as Butrint. Saranda’s bus station consists of the streets around Friendship Park (Parku Miqësia) and the ruins of the synagogue next to it. Among them are buses south to Butrint (via Ksamil), north to Vlora, and northeast to Tepelenë and Tirana, most of which leave multiple times a day.
Apart from the start and ending point of each line, you don’t see any bus stops along the way. You can just waive your hand to get on and tell the driver when you want to get off. Tickets can be purchased in cash from the driver.
Bus From Saranda To Butrint
The bus from Saranda to Ksamil and Butrint departs from just outside the ferry terminal on Rruga Jonianet (roundabout with a big tree) and departs every hour (see timetable below). It goes through Rruga Skënderbeu (also referred to as 2nd road) in the centre of Saranda and via Rruga Butrinti to Ksamil and then continues to Butrint. On the way back the bus goes through Rruga Butrinti again and then into Rruga Lefter Talo (also referred to as 4th road) and terminates again on Rruga Jonianet.
The price of this bus is 100 lekë for any ride within Saranda, 150 lekë to Ksamil, and 200 lekë to Butrint.
Daily Departure Times Saranda – Butrint
| From Saranda Port: | From Butrint: |
|---|---|
| 07.00 | |
| 07.30 | 07.30 |
| 08.30 | 08.30 |
| 09.30 | 09.30 |
| 10.30 | 10.30 |
| 11.30 | 11.30 |
| 12.30 | 12.30 |
| 13.30 | 13.30 |
| 14.30 | 14.30 |
| 15.30 | 15.30 |
| 16.30 | 16.30 |
| 17.30 | 17.30 |
| 18.30* | 18.30* |
| 19.30* |
* Summer schedule only. The bus times are roughly the same year-round but during winter and throughout spring and fall the schedule is ramping up and down by shaving on and off some of the early and late rides. You can always find the latest schedule at the entrance of the bus itself.
Bus From Saranda To Tirana
Trans Butrinti is the company operating the bus route between Saranda and Tirana with several daily departures. The ticket office in Saranda is located on the corner of Rruga Flamurit and Rruga Onhezmi, just behind the Synagogue Ruins and the bus departs just in front of there on the corner of the Friendship Park.
The bus ride takes approximately 4 hours via the new tunnel in Kardhiq and includes a short stop on the way. The ticket costs around 1500 lekë. You can find the schedule here.
Buses From Saranda To Other Cities
There are many direct bus connections between Saranda and and the surrounding towns and other cities in Albania. Most of the buses and mini-buses depart from the bus station on Rruga Flamurit, between Rruga Lefter Talo and Friendship Park (Rruga Onhezmi), but there are plans to build a new bus station outside the center.
Since it can be a bit hard to find your way with all the different routes and companies operating the buses, so to help you out we have gathered the most recent timetables for the popular routes to and from saranda here.
2025 Bus Routes & Schedules
By Taxi
In Albania, taxis are a relatively inexpensive, comfortable, and reliable way to get around. You can hail any taxi on the street or go to one of the taxi stands. Most taxis don’t use meters so you should always agree on the price before getting in. In Saranda, there’s a taxi stand next to the port, one at Nëne Tereza Square, and one close to Hotel Butrinti at the southern end of the promenade.
Within Saranda, for short distances, taxis are relatively more expensive for several good reasons. First of all, Saranda is only a small city, resulting in mostly short rides for taxi drivers who still need to make a living. Especially in summer, traffic is a nightmare so even a short distance can take a long time and because of the many one-way streets, taxis often need to make a detour.
Unfortunately, many taxi drivers are also notorious for overcharging foreigners. While most drivers don’t want to go anywhere for less than 1000 lek (which is more than most locals pay), some even charge as much 1500-2000 lek for the shortest rides within the city and much more for longer rides. It is therefore advisable to never accept their first offer and haggle until you get a price that you’re comfortable with.
For longer rides, it’s much easier to get a good deal because many drivers are willing to lower their price for a bigger job.
If you need a transfer to or from Tirana Airport or a ride to another city, you can also book a transfer online via our website. This way, you have the comfort of a guaranteed ride without the need to haggle on the street.
By Rental Car
Despite the options above, there are places you simply can’t get to by public transport, and taking taxis everywhere can get expensive. Think about stunning viewpoints, the best deserted beaches, and some truly Albanian countryside villages. If you want to enjoy the ultimate freedom and flexibility, then you should adopt Albania’s tourism slogan “Go your own way!” and rent a car.
You can find a list of car rental companies and pick-up locations on our car rental page or use our Car Rental search tool to find the best deal.
Search Rental CarsBy Scooter
Renting a scooter can also be a fun and economical way to discover the environment around Saranda. There are many places around town that offer scooters for rent at reasonable prices, but be very careful in the chaotic traffic in Albania and always wear a helmet.
By Boat
Some of the best beaches in the Albanian Riviera are secluded an can only be reached by boat. A boat trip can be a great way to enjoy some amazing beaches and discover some beautiful and colorful fish while swimming or snorkling in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea.
Boat ToursBook A Tour
The most convenient way to see more of the Albanian Riviera without the hassle of finding your way, is to book a tour. We have listed many different tours to the highlights around Saranda that you can simply book online.
Search Tours
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