How to get from Tirana to Durres?

On forums, I saw several people asking: How to get from Tirana to Durres? I have visited Durres by bus, by taxi and by car, so I decided to write a blog to help other tourists.

How to get from Tirana to Durres? You can get from Tirana to Durres with a bus, taxi or car. The bus to Durres departs from the Dogana roundabout in Tirana. The bus trip will take you 45 minutes and costs 130 LEK (€1). With a taxi, the trip will cost you 2000-2500 LEK (€17-€21) for one way. By car, drive along the SH2 for 45 mins.

As a foreigner, it is not so easy to figure out how to get to Durres, simply because you don’t speak the language. Therefore, let me give you all the information you need for your trip from Tirana to Durres. I have also written a complete guide to smaller beaches close to Tirana, check out the most beautiful beaches here!

UPDATE 2023: I HAVE WRITTEN AN UPDATED BLOG POST ABOUT HOW TO GET FROM TIRANA TO DURRES FOR 2023 ->>>> https://albaniatourguide.com/how-to-get-from-tirana-to-durres-bus-taxi-airport/ 

Tirana to Durres Bus

The bus from Tirana to Durres departs from the Dogana roundabout in Tirana. Therefore, the first part of your trip will be travelling from the city center to the Dogana roundabout. The roundabout is about 5 kilometres from the city center of Tirana. Therefore, it is best to take a local bus from the city center of Tirana to the Dogana roundabout, so that you can get on the bus to Durres.

Tirana city center to Dogana roundabout

From the center of Tirana, you can take two buses to the Dogana roundabout:
1. Bus going in the direction of Instituti (line 7)
2. Bus line called Tirana Re (line 2)

The bus to Instituti leaves close to Skanderbeg Square in the middle of Tirana. On Skanderbeg Square, you will see the National History Museum. The bus stop for the Instituti bus is located on the back side of the National History Museum. The bus stop is on “Rruga Dedë Gjo Luli” Street, to the left of the tourist office. To get to the Dogana roundabout, you need to stay on the Instituti bus for 6 stops. The bus will pass the following bus stops: Qemal Stafa, Pallati I Sportit, Kupola, Lapraka and Stacioni I Pare, before reaching the Dogana roundabout. The bus operates from 5:00 am until 23:40 pm. And the price for a bus ticket is 40 LEK (€0.30).

Alternatively, you can take the Tirana Re bus. This bus drives a circle route from the Dogana roundabout to the city center and back. If you are standing on the central Skanderbeg Square, you will see the large Tirana International Hotel. You need to walk to the back of the Tirana International Hotel. The bus stop is called “9 Kacet” on “Rruga Urani Pano” Street, which is right behind the hotel. You need to remain on the Tirana Re bus for 9 stops. The bus will pass the following bus stops: Materniteti, Treni, Harry Fultz, Don Bosko, Pallati I sportit, Kupola, Lapraka and Stacioni I Pare, before reaching the Dogana roundabout. The bus operates from 5:00 am until 23:50 pm. And the price for a bus ticket is 40 LEK (€0.30).

Some websites online describe that you can recognize the Dogana roundabout, by the eagle statue in the middle of the roundabout. However, the middle of the roundabout is currently under construction, therefore, you may not be able to see any statue.

 

Tirana public transport app

If you plan on taking the local bus in Tirana, it is worth downloading the Tirana Public Transport App from the App Store or the Tirana Ime app from the Play store. With these apps, you can see all the nearby bus stops and bus lines in Tirana. Above, I have described these routes from the central Skanderbeg square in Tirana, however, your hotel could be close to another bus stop and line in Tirana.

Tirana bus station to Durres

Once you have arrived at the bus stop on the Dogana roundabout, you can get on the bus from Tirana to Durres. The bus journey from the Dogana roundabout to Durres will cost you 130 LEK (€1). The trip takes 45 minutes and it is driving on a new highway, so it is a comfortable trip. The bus from Tirana to Durres departs every 30 minutes. Do not worry about finding the bus, because the bus drivers are verbally calling out the bus destination. The bus operates from 6:30 am until 19:30 pm every day.

Tirana to Durres Taxi

A taxi journey from Tirana to Durres will cost you 2000-2500 LEK (€17-€21) for one way. It is best to discuss the price for the ride with the taxi driver before setting off. Although meters are installed in all taxis, not all the drivers will use them. Do not worry about finding a taxi in Tirana, you will simple be able to call one of the streets.

If you choose to travel from Tirana to Durres by taxi, you can choose to make a stop at the Castle of Preza. The castle of Preza is located on a hilltop between Tirana and Durres. The castle is usually very quiet, but you have a stunning panoramic view across the surrounding area.

How to drive from Tirana to Durres?

The Tirana to Durres distance is 36 kilometres and the drive will take you around 45 minutes. From Tirana you need to drive on the SH2 highway to Durres. The road is a direct connection between the two cities.

It is very easy to drive from the central Skanderbeg Square to Durres, because you will only drive straight ahead until you are on the highway to Durres. From Skanderbeg Square, take the Rruga e Durrësit Street and keep following the SH2 highway all the way to Durres.

If you have a car, you can check out my guide to the most beautiful beaches in the North of Albania here. So that you won’t miss any of the highlights!

If you plan on renting a car at the Tirana International Airport, you will already be familiar with the SH2 highway. Because the Tirana airport is located between Tirana and Durres on the SH2 highway. Check out my full guide on getting from Tirana airport to Durres here!

Can you travel from Tirana to Durres by train?

There is a train rail between Tirana and Durres, but the trains and rails date back to the communist period. Which means the trains need a refurbishment and a million-euro investment. Although there are plans to invest in the trains, no refurbishment has taken place so far.

If you plan on taking the train from Tirana to Durres for the experience, you will enjoy it. But if you are looking for the best way to travel from Tirana to Durres, it is better to take a bus, a taxi or a car. Travelling to Durres by bus is faster than by train. Because the trains are travelling at a speed of only 35 mph.

But if you are looking for an adventure or an experience, then you can take a train between Tirana and Durres. The trains are old-fashioned, which gives you the feeling you are travelling in the old times. Moreover, the train journey will take you through the lovely Albanian countryside.

The train from Tirana to Durres departs from Kashar station, which is 7.6 km from the center of Tirana. There is no station in the center of Tirana, because the main train station in the city has been closed. To get on the train, you must take a bus to Kashar, in the outskirts of Tirana. The train journey from Kashar to Durres will cost you only 70 LEK (€0.60).

Related Questions

How do I get from Tirana airport to the city Center? To travel from Tirana airport to the city centre of Tirana, you can take the shuttle bus, a taxi or rent a car. The shuttle bus costs 250 LEK (€2) and it operates between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. A taxi will cost you €18.00 for a one-way journey. The journey will take you 25-30 minutes.

How to take the bus from Durres to Skopje? The bus journey from Durres to Skopje takes 7 hours. The bus departs from the Plepat bus station in Durres once a day at 17:00. A one-way bus ticket between Durres and Skopje cost €20 per adult. You can book a ticket online.

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

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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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