How far is Tirana from Pogradec?

If you are wondering how far Tirana is from Pogradec, I will answer that question in this blog post. I will also discuss the best ways to get to Pogradec from Tirana.

How far is Tirana from Pogradec? Tirana is 124 kilometres from Pogradec. From Tirana it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to Pogradec. You can get from Tirana to Pogradec by bus, which costs 450 Leke (3.70 euros) for a one-way trip. A taxi trip from Tirana to Pogradec costs 65 – 82 euros. A car rental costs 20-25 euros per day + 25 euros for petrol.

Pogradec is a beautiful place to visit, with highlights like Lake Ohrid, the Lin village and the Springs of Drilon, it is certainly worth a day trip from Tirana. Let me discuss the best ways to get from Tirana to Pogradec so that you can plan your trip to Pogradec accordingly.

How to get from Tirana to Pogradec?

You can get from Tirana to Pogradec by bus, by taxi or by car.

How to get from Tirana to Pogradec by bus?

You can get from Tirana to Pogradec by bus in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

A bus ticket from Tirana to Pogradec costs 450 Leke (3.70 euros) for a one-way ticket.
The bus from Tirana to Pogradec departs 48 times per day. The bus from Tirana to Pogradec departs at:

  • 00:00 Midnight. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Shqiponja Trans.
  • 5:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Thessaloniki, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Alba Trans.
  • 5:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Thessaloniki, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Metro al travel.
  • 5:30 AM. Bus from Tirana to Bilisht, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Beam Shpk.
  • 5:45 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 6:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Erseke, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Eno Shpk.
  • 6:05 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Demokracia 95.
  • 6:30 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 6:45 AM. Bus from Tirana to Kapshtice, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 6:50 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Demokracia 95.
  • 7:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Bilisht, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Beam Shpk.
  • 7:15 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 7:30 AM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Kei Shpk.
  • 8:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 8:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Thessaloniki, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Metro al travel.
  • 8:30 AM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Kei Shpk.
  • 8:30 AM. Bus from Tirana to Thessaloniki, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Alba Trans.
  • 8:45 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 9:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Bilisht, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Beam Shpk.
  • 9:30 AM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Kei Shpk.
  • 9:30 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 9:35 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Demokracia 95.
  • 10:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Erseke, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Er Trans.
  • 10:15 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 10:30 AM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Kei Shpk.
  • 11:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Thessaloniki, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Alba Trans.
  • 11:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by El Alba 2 Shpk.
  • 11:00 AM. Bus from Tirana to Bilisht, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Ekspress Bilisht Revani.
  • 11:30 AM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Shqiponja Trans.
  • 11:45 AM. Bus from Tirana to Bilisht, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Ekspress Bilisht Revani.
  • 12:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 12:30 PM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Shqiponja Trans.
  • 13:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 13:30 PM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Shqiponja Trans.
  • 14:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 14:30 PM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Shqiponja Trans.
  • 14:30 PM. Bus from Tirana to Erseke, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Er Trans.
  • 14:30 PM. Bus from Tirana to Bilisht, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Ekspress Bilisht Revani.
  • 14:35 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 15:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 15:30 PM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Shqiponja Trans.
  • 15:30 PM. Bus from Tirana to Bilisht, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Ekspress Bilisht Revani.
  • 15:35 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 16:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 17:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 18:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.
  • 18:30 PM. Direct bus from Tirana to Pogradec. Operated by Shqiponja Trans.
  • 19:00 PM. Bus from Tirana to Korce, which stops in Pogradec. Operated by Star Bus Korca.

The bus from Tirana to Pogradec departs from:
The Southeastern Albania Regional Bus Terminal
Stacioni i Autobusave nderqytetas Jug-Lindje (in Albanian language)

You can see the location of the Southeastern Albania Regional Bus Terminal on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/mZnqtteGsj2R8zEt9  . This bus terminal is close to the Grand Park of Tirana. Many of the busses depart from the Rr. Arben Broci, in front of the University of Tirana’s Faculty of Economics.

If your hotel is close to the central Skanderbeg Square or the Blloku area in Tirana’s city centre, you may be able to walk to the bus terminal in 15-20 minutes. Or you could take a short taxi ride.

Attention! I have written many blog posts about getting to the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania. However, if you want to go to Pogradec, you must go to the Southeastern Albania Regional Bus Terminal, which is in a completely different location! So make sure you travel to the right bus terminal.

How much does a taxi from Tirana to Pogradec cost?

A taxi from Tirana to Pogradec costs between 65 – 82 euros depending on the taxi company you choose. Below, I have a list of some of the popular taxi companies in Tirana and their rates.

  • City Taxi Albania charges 10.000 Albanian Leke or 82 euros for a taxi from Tirana to Pogradec.
  • Merr Taxi charges 9000 Albanian Leke or 75 euros for a taxi from Tirana to Pogradec.
  • Speed Taxi charges 9000 Albanian Leke or 75 euros for a taxi from Tirana to Pogradec.
  • UPs Taxi charges 9500 Albanian Leke or 79 euros for a taxi from Tirana to Pogradec.
  • Do Taxi charges 8000 Albanian Leke or 65 euros for a taxi from Tirana to Pogradec.

The price of the official Tirana Airport Taxi service is a bit higher but bear in mind that Tirana airport is further away from Pogradec than the city centre of Tirana. If you want to go straight from Tirana airport to Pogradec, you will to Tirana first, which takes an additional 30 minutes.

  • The official Tirana Airport Taxi service charges 110 euros for a one-way ride from Tirana Airport to Pogradec.

Can I take an Uber from Tirana to Pogradec?

There is no Uber in Albania. Uber does not exist in Albania. Although Uber did announce in the past that they would come to Albania, Uber never launched in Albania.
However, there are some Albanian taxi apps that you can use instead of Uber.

Albania taxi apps

There are 3 x popular taxi apps, that you can use to request a taxi in Albania. These 3 x apps are alternatives to Uber, which does not exist in Albania.

Popular Albania taxi apps
1. UPs Taxi App
2. Speed Taxi App
3. Taxi.al App

The UPs taxi app is similar to UBER. Because it will connect you to a taxi owner near your location. If you request a taxi through UPs taxi, it is always a licenced taxi.

Speed Taxi is a branded taxi company, who has its own taxi app. So if you request a taxi through the app, you will get a branded taxi and the driver is an employee of the Speed taxi company. Which is a bit different from UBER.

The Taxi.al App is very similar to Uber. Because drivers register on their website and these are private drivers with their own cars. You will most likely pay for your taxi in cash.

Another easy way to contact taxi companies in Albania is via Whatsapp or Viber. You won’t need to buy a local sim card, you can simply use your hotel’s internet connection to contact a taxi via Whatsapp or Viber.

How to drive from Tirana to Pogradec?

If you want to drive from Tirana to Pogradec, you must first drive through the town centre of Elbasan. The journey will take you 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The national road from Tirana to Pogradec is of good quality. So it is a comfortable journey. Some pieces of this road have recently been renewed, so you will be happy to drive this route.

You will certainly enjoy your journey because the panoramic view along the way is stunning. The road is surrounded by impressive mountains and rushing rivers.

How much does a car rental from Tirana to Pogradec cost?

A rental car in Tirana costs at least 20 – 25 euros per day. Petrol for your journey from Tirana to Pogradec will cost you roughly 25 euros or 3000 Albanian Leke.

When you plan on renting a car in Albania, I highly recommend you do your research. Please reach out to many different car rental companies before your trip and compare the prices. It is certainly possible to rent a car in Albania for 20 euros or 25 euros per day. However, I have heard from previous travellers that they were charged 60 – 70 euros per day.

To help any future travellers to Albania, I have recently written a blog post in which I compare all the prices of the different car rental companies in Albania. You can check out the blog post here: https://albaniatourguide.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-rent-a-car-in-albania/

If you have any doubts about driving in Albania, I will say that renting a car in Albania can be daunting or challenging. The driving style of the Albanian drivers is quite chaotic. And whilst driving in Albania, you will certainly meet drivers who do not care for the rules of the road. Although the Albanian people are extremely welcoming and friendly, the Albanian drivers can be erratic and aggressive drivers.

Is there a train from Tirana to Pogradec?

There is no train from Tirana to Pogradec.

Although, you will see the old rail tracks and the impressive viaducts along your route to Pogradec. There is currently no train in operation between Tirana and Pogradec.

The reason for that is that the rail network and trains in Albania date back to the communist period. From the end of the Second World War until 1992, Albania was ruled by communist dictator Enver Hoxha.

During the communist regime, the rail network and trains were constructed for the first time in Albania. Unfortunately, since the fall of communism in 1992, the trains and rail network have not been upgraded, maintained or refurbished. As a result, the trains have declined and are in a downward spiral.

The Albanian people do not travel by train, because the old trains can only drive very slowly. And because trains have become incredibly unpopular only a few operating trains remain. So when you see the train tracks and tunnels on your way to Pogradec, it looks like you could reach it by train, but you will never see any train running on those train tracks anymore.

How long does it take to get from Tirana to Pogradec?

It takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to drive from Tirana to Pogradec. The quality of the road is good, it won’t slow you down.

Things to do in Pogradec

Pogradec is known as a beautiful resort area in Albania. It is a place where the locals like to go to relax. You can visit Lake Ohrid, the Springs of Drilon and the tiny Lin village.

Lake Ohrid

Lake Ohrid is a massive lake on the border of Albania and North Macedonia. Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes.

When you visit Pogradec, you can drive up the mountains for a stunning panoramic view!

For the people from Macedonia, Lake Ohrid is their “seaside”. So this lake is an incredibly popular destination in the summer months. On the Albanian side of the lake, the city of Pogradec is less touristic and more lived in by the locals.

You can have amazing seafood in one of the restaurants on the lakeshore.

Springs of Drilon

The Springs of Drilon is one of the prettiest places in Albania! And it is an absolute hidden gem. The last time that I visited the Springs of Drilon there were a handful of locals at this spot, but no tourists at all!

Basically, the Springs of Drilon is a freshwater spring, which leads into Lake Ohrid. Although a freshwater spring may not sound interesting, it is a truly stunning spot.

The Springs of Drilon is a very idyllic spot, because of the beautiful nature! There is a lovely river with perfectly clear water. On the river, there are stunning white swans. Then, there is a stunning Chinese style bridge covered with beautiful flowers. On both sides of the river, there are these old willow trees that lean into the water.

You can cross the bridge to visit the beautiful wooden cabin-style restaurant. There are these lovely wooden terraces that hang over the river. The Springs of Drilon is a place, where the locals come to relax, sit on the terrace and drink a coffee.

If you are a bit more adventurous, you can rent a little wooden rowing boat and paddle on the surface of the river.

Although it is truly a challenge to put this beautiful spot into words, it is certainly worth a visit. And my number 1 recommendation for visitors to Pogradec.

Lin village

The Lin village is a tiny village on the shore of Lake Ohrid. When you drive from Tirana to Pogradec, the Lin village will be one of the first spots you see on the shore of Lake Ohrid.

Essentially, the Lin village is a very long village set on a tiny peninsula that points into Lake Ohrid. The reason to visit Lin is simply it’s an idyllic setting.

The village has a long main street that leads you through the entire town. Along the road, you see these beautiful stone houses with lovely floral gardens. There are vines that cross the road. And many of the locals sell the produce from their garden in a little stall on the road.

If you would like to explore an authentic Albanian village, then Lin village is a lovely place for a stroll.

Related Questions

What is the distance from Tirana to Korce? Tirana is a 163 kilometers from Korce. By car, by bus or by taxi it takes roughly 3 hours to get from Tirana to Korce.

How to get from Tirana to Korca? You can get from Tirana to Korca by bus, by car or by taxi. The bus journey takes 3 hours and costs 500 Leke (4.10 euros) for a one-way trip. The bus departs from Southeastern Albania Regional Bus Terminal near Grand Park of Tirana. A taxi from Tirana to Korca costs 135 euros for a one-way trip.

About me

About me

I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania. I arrange your transportation and I am your English speaking guide. So that, you get to experience the most beautiful places in Albania!
Kind regards, Manon

Welcome to Albania!

I am a Tour Guide in Albania

I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania.

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