Understanding Albania Transit Network
Albania has no functioning national passenger rail network. All intercity travel is conducted by coaches and informal 15-passenger minibuses known as furgons.
How the System Works
- No Centralized Booking: Furgons do not have tickets you buy weeks in advance online. You show up at the bus terminal, find the minibus with your destination destination sign in the front window, put your luggage in the back or underneath, and take a seat.
- Departure Timing: Furgons leave according to a posted rough schedule or as soon as all seats are filled. On major corridors (Tirana to Shkodër, Berat, or Vlorë), they depart every 30 minutes throughout the morning.
- Payment: You never pay before departure. The driver or conductor collects the fare in cash halfway through the journey or upon arrival.
Tirana Major Bus Terminals
- Regional Bus Terminal North and South (Terminali i Autobusave të Veriut dhe Jugut): Located 4 km northwest of Skanderbeg Square along Rruga Dritan Hoxha. This terminal handles all buses to Shkodër, Berat, Vlorë, Sarandë, Gjirokastër, and Durrës. Reach it by taking city bus 'Instituti' from behind the National History Museum for 40 ALL (€0.40).
- International Terminal: Located behind the Asllan Rusi Sports Palace on Rruga Dritan Hoxha, handling international coaches to Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece.