How to Get From Gjirokaster to Tirana (2024 Guide)
How to get from Gjirokaster to Tirana by bus, taxi or rental car? Traveling from Gjirokaster to Tirana can be done by bus, taxi, or rental car. A bus ticket costs 12 euros per person, with buses departing from the Gjirokaster bus terminal between 5 AM and 6:30 PM. The trip takes about 4 hours. A taxi ride costs between 120 and 145 euros. Renting a car costs at least 30 euros per day, plus 80 euros for fuel.
This blog post provides all the information needed to travel from Gjirokaster to Tirana. It covers the locations of bus stations in both cities, the bus timetable, bus agencies, and ticket prices. It also compares taxi rates from different drivers, discusses the best driving route, and includes rental car prices.
Getting From Gjirokaster to Tirana by Bus, by Taxi or by Car
You can travel from Gjirokaster to Tirana by bus, taxi, or car. Here’s a brief overview of the best ways to get from Gjirokaster to Tirana. More detailed information is available below.
Read also: Best Things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania (Guide 2024)
Gjirokaster to Tirana by Bus
- A bus ticket from Gjirokaster to Tirana costs 12 euros per person. You need to pay in cash, either in euros or Albanian Leke.
- Buses from Gjirokaster to Tirana leave at these times: 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM (Fridays and Sundays only), 5:00 PM, and 6:30 PM.
- You can buy a bus ticket in person at the bus agencies Argjiro Shpk and Best Travel Gjirokaster, which are near the bus terminal.
- Buses leave from the Gjirokaster Bus Terminal, called “Stacioni i Autobusave Gjirokastër” in Albanian.
- Buses drop you off in Tirana at the “Tirana bus station North and South Albania,” called “Terminali i Autobusave të Veriut dhe Jugut” in Albanian.
Gjirokaster to Tirana by Taxi
- A taxi from Gjirokaster to Tirana costs between 120 and 145 euros.
- Below is a price comparison of what local taxi drivers in Gjirokaster charge for a trip to Tirana.
- The taxi ride from Gjirokaster to Tirana takes about 4 hours.
Gjirokaster to Tirana by Rental Car
- Renting a car in Gjirokaster costs at least 30 euros per day.
- Below, ar e compared different car rental rates.
- It’s a good idea to book or reserve your car ahead of time, especially in July and August when prices go up because of the tourist season.
- The best route to drive from Gjirokaster to Tirana is: Gjirokaster -> Tepelene -> Lushnje -> Rrogozhine -> Kavaje -> Durres -> Tirana. This road is in good condition, which is not always the case in Albania.
How to Get From Gjirokaster to Tirana by Bus?
You can travel from Gjirokaster to Tirana by bus. A bus ticket costs 12 euros per person, paid in cash. Buses leave at 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM (only on Fridays and Sundays), 5:00 PM, and 6:30 PM. Buses depart from the Gjirokaster bus station, called “Stacioni i Autobusave Gjirokastër”.
Read also: How to Get From Shkoder to Tirana Airport (2024 Guide)
How Much is The Bus From Gjirokaster to Tirana?
The bus ride from Gjirokaster to Tirana costs 12 euros per person. You need to pay with cash, either in euros or Albanian leke. Most places in Albania don’t accept card payments on buses, so it’s a good idea to bring some foreign currency and use ATMs when you need more cash.
Gjirokaster to Tirana Bus Schedule
Here’s the bus schedule from Gjirokaster to Tirana:
- Buses leave Gjirokaster for Tirana at 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM (only on Fridays and Sundays), 5:00 PM, and 6:30 PM.
It takes about 4 hours to get from Gjirokaster to Tirana by bus. Two companies, Argjiro Shpk and Best Travel Gjirokaster, run these buses. You can find their office near the Gjirokaster bus terminal, which is sometimes called “Ura e Lumit” because it’s close to the River Bridge.
Gjirokaster Bus Station
Buses going from Gjirokaster to Tirana leave from the Gjirokaster bus station. Locally, it’s known as “Stacioni i Autobusave Gjirokastër” in Albanian. Sometimes, people also call it “Ura e Lumit” because it’s close to the river bridge. You can find the Gjirokaster bus station’s location on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3dVPRXJSrUTExk4p8
Basically, the buses leave from alongside the SH4 highway near the river in the valley. Gjirokaster’s city center is up on the hill, so it’s quite a steep climb or better to take a taxi to reach the historic city center.
Tirana Bus Station
The buses from Gjirokaster to Tirana will take you to the Tirana bus terminal, which is called “Tirana Bus Station North and South Albania” in Albanian. You can find its location on Google Maps here: Tirana Bus Station North and South Albania. The bus station is not in the center of Tirana. You’ll need to take a city bus or a taxi for about 15-20 minutes to reach the city center from the bus terminal.
How Much is a Taxi From Gjirokaster to Tirana?
A taxi from Gjirokaster to Tirana costs between 120 euros and 145 euros. Below is a price comparison of what local taxi drivers in Gjirokaster charge for this trip:
Gjirokaster to Tirana taxi prices:
- Taksi Gjirokaster Elmas charges 120 euros.
- Taxi Alket Gjirokaster charges 14,000 Leke (135 euros).
- Taxi Krenari Gjirokaster charges 15,000 Leke (145 euros).
- Taxi & Minibus Gjirokaster charges 130 euros.
How to Get From Gjirokaster to Tirana by Rental Car?
Renting a basic car in Gjirokaster costs at least 30 euros per day. Here’s a comparison of rental car companies to show what you can get for that price. It’s important to book or reserve a car before you travel. You can easily reach car rentals via WhatsApp. This is especially important in July and August, when prices are high due to the tourist season.
Read also: Best Things to do in Albania in 2024
Car rental prices in Gjirokaster:
- Rent Car Gjirokaster at Eida Petrol Station: 29 euros per day for a Mercedes B class.
- Blue Line Rent A Car Gjirokaster: 30 euros per day for a Toyota, Ford, Peugeot, or Opel.
- Rental Car Ksera & Service in Gjirokaster: 30 euros per day for an Opel Corsa 2012 or a Volvo.
- Rent Car Az Gjirokaster: 30 euros per day for an Opel Corsa 2010 or 25 euros per day for a Lancia 2007.
If you are driving in Albania, be aware that road conditions vary. Some roads are newly paved and smooth, while others are rough with rocks and potholes. The best route from Gjirokaster to Tirana is Gjirokaster -> Tepelene -> Lushnje -> Rrogozhine -> Kavaje -> Durres -> Tirana. This route is used by taxi drivers, tour companies, and bus drivers because it is the best quality road. The drive from Gjirokaster to Tirana takes about 4 hours.
Note: Driving in Albania can be difficult and stressful for foreigners. Albanian drivers often have a chaotic and aggressive driving style. You need to be experienced and confident to drive in Albania. If you have any doubts about your driving skills, it is best not to drive yourself.
How Far is it From Gjirokaster to Tirana?
Gjirokaster is 230 kilometers from Tirana. It takes about 4 hours to drive from Gjirokaster to Tirana. The best route goes through Tepelene, Lushnje, Rrogozhine, Kavaje, and Durres before reaching Tirana. The road is in good condition.
Read also: How to Get From Tirana Airport to Ksamil (2024 Guide)
How Long Does it Take to Get From Gjirokaster to Tirana?
It takes about 4 hours to travel from Gjirokaster to Tirana by bus, taxi, or car. The buses go from Gjirokaster through Tepelene, Levan, Lushnje, Rrogozhine, Kavaje, and Durres to Tirana. This route has the best roads, so if you are driving yourself, I recommend taking this route too.
Tirana to Gjirokaster Bus
The bus from Tirana to Gjirokaster costs 12 euros per person. It departs at 5:00 AM, 6:45 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5:30 PM. The buses leave from the Tirana bus terminal called “Tirana Bus Station North and South Albania,” which in Albanian is “Terminali i Autobusave të Veriut dhe Jugut.” You can find the location of the bus station on Google Maps here: Google Maps. The bus station is outside the city center of Tirana. You will need to take a 15-20 minute city bus ride or a taxi to get there.
How Much is The Bus From Tirana to Gjirokaster?
The bus from Tirana to Gjirokaster costs 12 euros per person. You can’t buy your bus ticket online. Instead, you have to pay in cash at the bus station using either euros or Albanian Leke. Always have some cash with you when you travel by bus in Albania.
How Many Days do You Need for Gjirokaster?
You need 1-2 days to visit Gjirokaster. With one day, you can see the main attractions, such as the Gjirokaster Old Bazaar Market and the Gjirokaster Castle on the hilltop. If you have two days, you can also explore some traditional houses or museums. You can visit Ottoman-era houses like the Zekate House and Skenduli House, or learn about communism at the Cold War Tunnel museum.
Is Gjirokaster Worth Visiting?
Gjirokaster is definitely worth visiting. It is one of two UNESCO cities in Albania. The old town center is charming and old-fashioned. There is a large, impressive castle on the mountain top, offering a beautiful view of the old town and its stone houses.
In Albania, Gjirokaster is known as a “museum city,” and it truly feels like one. Walking through the old town, you can imagine what life was like in the 17th century when Albania was part of the Ottoman Empire, just like the rest of the Balkans.
Gjirokaster is famous for its stone houses and unique tower houses. Many of the old houses in Gjirokaster are grand and significant. When Ali Pasha, the regional governor, used Gjirokaster as his government city, many wealthy and influential officials built their large houses there.
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