This detailed transportation guide tells you how to get from Greece to Albania and how to travel from Albania to Greece.
Traveling from country to country is becoming easier once more. That’s excellent news for the summer months, as it means twin-center (or more) breaks that allow you to see much more of the region you’re in.
If you’re in Albania, you might be tempted to hop over to Greece and then maybe take your trip further and have a beach break on one of the countless and idyllic Greek islands. Of course, many people overlook the beach resorts on the Greek mainland too!
Whether it’s beach fun or history you’re after, both Albania and Greece have plenty of it. So, if you’re currently in Albania, or soon to be, and you want to visit Greece for a few days, how do you get between the two countries and back again?
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A Word About Border Crossings
You’ll see shortly that there are a few ways to get from Albania to Greece and back again, but remember that you’re crossing a border. That means you need all of your paperwork in place to avoid refusal to cross the border or a long delay at best.
Current COVID-19 restrictions complicate trips such as this a little, but you should have no issues as long as you have all the necessary papers for your journey. Check close to your visit date to find out what you need, as these requirements change pretty quickly. And, if we’ve learned anything over the last couple of pandemic years, they change regularly too!
Of course, you’ll also need your passport and any visa necessary according to your county of origin. Check this with your embassy website beforehand to ensure you have everything you need.
With the paperwork sorted out, how do you get from Albania to Greece (and back again)?
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How To Get From Albania To Greece, And Between Greece & Albania
There are several ways to get between Albania and Greece:
Traveling To Greece From Albania
By far, the fastest way to get from Albania to Greece and back again is via a direct flight. You can take a flight from Tirana International Airport and be at Athens International Airport in 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can then connect from Athens to wherever you want to visit.
Bus From Greece To Albania
Another option is to travel between Albania to Greece via bus. There are connections between Tirana and Athens, with several stops along the main highway. There are two main options here.
You can take the KTEL Fthiotidos service from Tirana to Lamia in Greece and then continue to Athens. The bus from Tirana to Lamia takes 7 hours and leaves once per day. You then change at Lamia and head to Athens, which takes 3 hours, and the bus leaves once per hour.
When heading back to Albania, you will be able to take the KTEL Fthiotidos bus to Lamia, and then you will change to the KTEL Grevenon bus to Tirana, which runs once per day. Both buses stop several times to get off and explore another destination if you want to, but you will need to purchase another ticket when you return and head back to Tirana.
The train is operated by Greek Railways, and with one change at Lionaokladi, you will be in Athens within 2 hours. You could also take the bus to Lamia and then connect to Athens via the train if you want to take the scenic route to the capital. The train leaves three times every day.
Driving From Albania To Greece
It is possible to drive from Albania and cross the land border into Greece. The fastest route will follow the SH3 route and will take 6.5 hours. The road is a motorway and has several tolls along it, so make sure that you have spare change to pay. You would also reverse the advice to travel back from Greece to Albania.
You can take a hire car over the border from Greece to Albania, but you will need to check with your car hire provider if they allow you to take the vehicle from Albania to Greece. This may incur an extra charge.
Whether traveling by car or a hire car, you’ll need your passport, visa information, and a green card to cross the border. You’ll also need to have your driving license (all parts) and International Driving Licence with you.
Albania To Greece Ferry
It’s possible to take the ferry from Saranda in Albania to Corfu Island and back again. There are more services during the summer months, with just two per day during the winter, depending on the weather.
The ferry takes just half an hour if you opt for the speed boat option, or the ferry boat will take you 70 minutes. You can purchase tickets online or from the port in Saranda on the Albanian side or Corfu Island.