How to Get From Shkoder to Shala River (2024 Guide)
How do I get from Shkoder to Shala River? Visitors can reach the Shala River by bus (7 euros per person) plus boat (20-25 euros per person) or by taking a private taxi (70 euros) plus boat (20-25 euros per person). Buses and private taxis leave Shkoder at 6:30 AM and take passengers to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where boats to the Shala River depart.
This blog post explains how to travel from Shkoder to the Shala River by bus, taxi, rental car, and boat. It includes details about bus tickets, booking, taxi prices, and the Shala Riverboat tour itinerary.
How do I Get From Shkoder to Shala River?
You can travel from Shkoder to the Shala River by minibus, private taxi, or rental car. First, you will go to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where the Shala riverboat departs. The remote Shala River is only accessible by a small boat from Koman.
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Options:
- Shared minibus + Shala riverboat
- Private taxi + Shala riverboat
- Rental car + Shala riverboat
The shared minibus leaves Shkoder at 6:30 AM. A bus ticket to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal costs 7 euros per person. You can arrange to be picked up from your guest house or hotel in Shkoder. If you haven’t arranged a pickup, you can go to the bus station at Bus Station to Koman, Valbonë, Gur i Zi, Rruga Revolucioni Antikomunist Hungarez, Shkodër, Albania. Here is the location on Google Maps: here.
You can also book a private four-wheel-drive taxi from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal for 70 euros. The taxi driver will pick you up from your hotel or guest house between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM.
Renting a car in Albania costs at least 25-45 euros per day. The road from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal is a sandy dirt track with potholes and rocks, so consider the condition of your rental car.
The bus or private taxi from Shkoder will drop you off at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal before 9 AM. Small boats to the Shala River leave from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal around 9:30 AM.
The boat trip on the Shala River is stunning. The Shala River is also called the “Thailand of Albania” because of its beautiful azure water, lush nature, and rugged mountains.
After a boat trip of about 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will arrive at Shala Beach. At Shala Beach, you can swim, sunbathe, and have lunch. Boats will return to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, for your journey back to Shkoder or Tirana. You might see “Shkoder to Lumi i Shales” online. “Lumi i Shales” is the Albanian name for the Shala River.
How do I Get From Shkoder to Shala River by Bus?
You can get from Shkoder to the Shala River by bus at 6:30 AM. The bus leaves from the Bus Station to Koman, Valbonë, Gur i Zi. The address is Rruga Revolucioni Antikomunist Hungarez, Shkodër, Albania. Here is the location on Google Maps: here.
If you are staying in a guest house or hotel in Shkoder, you can request a pick-up from your accommodation. When you book your Shala Riverboat ticket on the Komani Lake Ferry website, you can also book the bus service. Make sure to mention your hotel’s name when booking, so you need to book your accommodation first. Hotel pick-ups start at 6:30 AM.
The bus will drop you off at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal before 9 AM. This is where two types of boats leave: small boats to the Shala River and the larger Komani Lake Ferry to Fierze. Shala Riverboats leave between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, so you might wait a bit at the terminal.
The trip from Shkoder to the Shala River costs 25-32 euros, depending on how you pay. A bus ticket from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry terminal costs 7 euros per person. The Shala River boat trip costs 18 euros if you pay via Paypal or 25 euros if you pay in cash.
- Bus ticket Shkoder to Komani Lake Ferry Terminal = 7 euros or 800 Leke per person
- Shala Riverboat ticket = 18 euros (via Paypal) or 25 euros (cash payment) per person
Sometimes, bad weather, mud in the Shala River, or too few bookings can stop the boat from running. Check with the operator before you travel! If the Shala River boat is not running, you can take the Komani Lake Ferry from Koman to Fierze and back.
Note: The Shala Riverboat does NOT operate every day. According to the Komani Lake website, the Shala River boats run from 15 May to 1 October. However, they might not run daily during this period.
How do I Get From Shkoder to Shala River by Taxi?
You can get from Shkoder to the Shala River by taxi. Book a private 4-wheel drive taxi to pick you up from your hotel in Shkoder and take you to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. From there, take a small boat to the Shala River. A private taxi from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal costs 70 euros. The boat trip on the Shala River costs 18 euros per person if you pay via Paypal or 25 euros per person if you pay cash.
Read also: How to Get From Shkoder to Tirana Airport (2024 Guide)
Costs:
- Private taxi from Shkoder to Komani Lake Ferry Terminal: 70 euros
- Shala River boat ticket: 18 euros (Paypal) or 25 euros (cash) per person
The private taxi will pick you up from your hotel in Shkoder between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM. It will drop you off at the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal before 9:00 AM. Shala River boats leave between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, so you may have to wait at the ferry terminal.
Why book a private taxi? The road from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal is a dirt track with potholes and rocks. A private 4-wheel drive taxi will be more comfortable than a shared mini-bus. However, private taxis are more expensive, so consider your budget.
How do I Get From Shkoder to Shala River by Rental Car?
You can rent a car and drive from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, where the Shala Riverboats leave. A rental car in Albania costs at least 25-45 euros per day. Prices are higher in July and August during the high season.
Read also: Most Beautiful Lakes to Visit in Albania
Note: Before driving from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal, consider the road conditions. The road is a sandy dirt track with loose sand, potholes, and rocks. Ask yourself if you are confident driving on such a road and if your rental car can handle it. Always leave Shkoder by 6:30 AM or earlier to have enough time for the drive.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for rentals in Albania, costing between 25-45 euros per day:
- iRent.al: 45 euros per day for an Volkswagen Golf 7. A Green Card for Montenegro costs 15 euros.
- City Rent Albania: 35 euros per day for a Ford Fiesta. A Green Card for Montenegro costs 15 euros at the border.
- G Rentals Tirana airport: 25 euros per day for an Opel Corsa 2021. You can take the car to Montenegro.
- Green Motion Tirana airport: 25 euros per day for a Skoda Fabia, plus 50 euros for a cross-border fee.
- Eagle Car Rental Tirana: 30 euros per day for a Hyundai i10. A Green Card for Montenegro costs 15 euros at the border.
- Albania Airport Rent a Car: 25 euros per day for a Skoda Fabia 2019. A Green Card costs 15 euros extra.
- Hertz Tirana Airport: 25 euros per day for an Opel Corsa, 10 euros for full insurance, and 15 euros for a Green Card.
- Sixt Car Rental Tirana: 30 euros per day. A Green Card costs 15 euros at the border, and you pay an extra 15 euros for permission to cross the border.
Lastly, driving in Albania can be tough due to chaotic and aggressive drivers. Albanian drivers often do not follow road rules. Only you can judge your driving skills and comfort. If you have any doubts, it’s better to take a bus or taxi instead.
How Much Does it Cost to Get From Shkoder to Shala River?
The bus costs 7 euros per person, the private taxi costs 70 euros, and the Shala Riverboat costs 18-25 euros. If you travel by bus from Shkoder to the Shala River, it will cost 7 euros or 800 Leke per person. The bus leaves Shkoder at 6:30 AM and can pick you up from your hotel or guest house. If you choose a private taxi, it will cost 70 euros. The taxi will pick you up from your hotel in Shkoder between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM.
Both the bus and taxi will take you to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. From there, you can take the Komani Lake Ferry or smaller boats to the Shala River. The Shala Riverboat costs 18 euros if you pay online via Paypal, or 25 euros if you pay in cash. These prices are per person. Children under 5 can ride for free. The Shala Riverboats only run in the summer, so check with the boat operator before you travel.
Shala River Map
You can see the Shala River on this Google Map: here. The Shala River is in northern Albania and can only be reached by boat from the Komani Lake Ferry terminal. Here is the location of the Komani Lake Ferry terminal. From this terminal, ferries go to Fierze and boats go to the Shala River.
Shala River Tour
The Shala River tour is a boat trip from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal to the remote Shala River. The Shala River is called the “Thailand of Albania” because of its clear blue water, rugged mountains, and lush nature. It is stunning, isolated, and undisturbed. The Shala River Tour costs 25 euros per person if you pay cash, or 18 euros per person if you pay online via PayPal. Children under 5 years old are free. To take the Shala River tour, you need to get to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. You can reach the terminal by bus or taxi from either Shkoder or Tirana.
The tour starts around 9:30 AM when the small boats depart from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. The boat ride is beautiful and breathtaking. You will arrive at the remote Shala beach around 10:45 AM. At Shala Beach, you can swim and sunbathe. There are small guest houses where you can have lunch or a coffee on the terrace. You will spend a few hours relaxing at Shala Beach. The boats return around 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM and bring you back to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. From there, you can take a bus or taxi back to Shkoder or Tirana.
At What Time Should I Leave Shkoder to Get to Shala River?
Leave Shkoder at 6:30 AM to reach the Shala River. Boats to the Shala River leave from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal in Koman village. Shkoder is the nearest city to Koman, but it takes 2 to 2.5 hours to drive there. The drive takes this long because the road is a bumpy dirt track with potholes and rocks. The road also twists and turns along the lake. Bus and taxi drivers must drive slowly to ensure a safe trip.
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How Long Does it Take to Get From Shkoder to Shala River?
It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to go from Shkoder to the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. From there, it’s roughly a 1 hour and 15 minutes boat ride to the Shala River. To make it in time, leave Shkoder by 6:30 AM. This way, you’ll reach the ferry terminal before 9:00 AM. The boats to Shala River usually leave around 9:30 AM. You’ll arrive at Shala Beach between 10:45 AM and 11:00 AM.
How Far is it From Shkoder to Shala River?
Shkoder is 55 kilometers away from the Komani Lake Ferry Terminal. It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to drive from Shkoder to the terminal. The road is rough, with rocks and potholes. Plus, it’s curvy along the lake, so you have to drive slowly to stay safe.
When Does the Shala River Boat Operate?
The Shala Riverboat runs only in summer, from May 15 to October 1. But it might not run every day during that time. Make sure to check and book your ticket early. Sometimes, bad weather, mud in the river, or not enough bookings can stop the Shala Riverboat. So, confirm with the operator before your trip! If it’s not running, you can take the Komani Lake Ferry from Koman to Fierze (and back) instead.
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