Tirana Airport (TIA, Rinas)
Tirana Mother Teresa Airport (Rinas): 400 LEK bus to Tirana, buses to Durrës, Vlorë, Shkodër, taxi fares, car hire, ATMs, SIM cards and Vlorë airport status.
Updated
- To central Tirana
- ≈17 km
- Bus to Tirana
- 400 LEK
- Taxi to the centre
- ≈2 200 LEK
- Bus to Durrës
- 600 LEK
What you need to know about the airport
Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa (TIA, Nënë Tereza) is in the village of Rinas, about 17 km north-west of central Tirana. Almost all international flights to Albania land here.
- There is one terminal, so it’s hard to get lost. Live arrivals and departures — on the airport flight board.
- Wizz Air and Ryanair have bases here, so there are plenty of flights to Europe, including to Poland, Hungary and Romania.
- How to fly here from Ukraine — separate guide.
Buses from the airport
Timetable and fares from the airport’s official page as of 12 October 2026. Buses wait in the car park about 200 m from the arrivals hall exit.
- Tirana, centre24/7, every hour. In Tirana — behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet. 30–40 min400 LEK
- Tirana, Jug-Veri bus terminalEvery hour, from the airport 08:00–18:00. From here — intercity buses to the south and north300 LEK
- Durrës9 services a day, from the airport 08:30–23:00600 LEK
- FierAbout 12 services a day, including night ones1 000 LEK
- VlorëAbout 9 services a day, including night ones1 200 LEK
- Shkodër4 services a day1 000 LEK
- The full timetable for each route — on the airport website. Timetables change, so check before you travel.
- Durrës: step-by-step route and timetable — airport — Durrës bus.
- Sarandë: there is no direct bus from the airport. Take the bus to the Jug-Veri bus terminal in Tirana (300 LEK), then an intercity bus to Sarandë (5–6 hours). Another option is to go to Vlorë and change there.
- Albanian intercity bus timetables are collected on the state platform eTransport.
- Tickets are usually bought from the driver or conductor in cash, in lek. Have small notes on you.
Taxis
The official airport taxis are yellow cars with the airport logo on the sides. They wait by the terminal exit and run around the clock.
- A ride to central Tirana by official taxi costs about 2 200 LEK, 20–25 minutes (according to the airport, as of October 2026).
- Agree the price to other cities (Durrës, Vlorë, Shkodër) before you get in. You can also book a taxi in advance through the airport’s official page.
- Turn down «taxi» offers from people who approach you in the arrivals hall: they are unofficial drivers and usually charge more.
Car hire at the airport
Rental company desks are on the square in front of the terminal. The list of airport partners is on its website.
- List of companies — Car Rentals section on the airport website. Compare the terms: deposit amount, insurance excess, mileage limit.
- You usually need a passport, a driving licence and a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit. It’s best to back up a Ukrainian licence with an international driving permit.
- If you plan to take a rental car to Montenegro or North Macedonia, tell the rental company in advance: you need permission and a Green Card.
- Before driving off, photograph the car from all sides and the fuel level.
Money and SIM cards at the airport
The arrivals hall has ATMs, a currency exchange and mobile operator shops.
- ATMs and currency exchange are in the arrivals area and the check-in area (list on the airport website). The airport exchange rate is usually worse than in town: only change enough for the bus and your first expenses.
- An ATM may offer to convert into your card’s currency — decline and choose to withdraw in lek; that is usually cheaper.
- You can buy a Vodafone or One SIM card at the airport, but they mostly sell more expensive tourist bundles there. Plan comparison — in the SIM card guide.
- An Albanian account and card — how to open a bank account.
Vlorë and Kukës airports
Albania’s other airports do not yet handle scheduled passenger flights.
- Vlorë (VLO): the airfield has been built and the first certification flight landed in May 2025. Commercial flights never started in summer 2026 due to certification delays, and as of October 2026 no new opening date has been announced.
- Kukës (KFZ, «Zayed»): opened in 2021, but as of 2026 there are no scheduled flights.
- Tickets to Vlorë or Kukës sold on third-party websites are a reason to check the flight on the airline’s own website. For now, fly to Tirana: there is a direct bus from the airport to Vlorë.
FAQ
How do I get from Tirana airport to the city centre?
By bus: it runs every hour around the clock, a ticket costs 400 LEK, the trip takes 30–40 minutes, and the stop in Tirana is behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet. An official taxi costs about 2 200 LEK, 20–25 minutes (airport data, October 2026).
Is there a bus from Tirana airport to Durrës?
Yes, 9 services a day, from the airport between 08:30 and 23:00. A ticket costs 600 LEK; the bus arrives at the Durrës bus station next to the railway station.
How do I get from Tirana airport to Vlorë or Sarandë?
A direct bus runs from the airport to Vlorë; a ticket costs 1 200 LEK. There is no direct bus to Sarandë: take the bus to the Jug-Veri bus terminal in Tirana (300 LEK), and from there an intercity bus.
How much is a taxi from Tirana airport?
The official airport taxi (yellow cars with the logo) takes you to central Tirana for about 2 200 LEK. Agree the price to other cities before you get in, and don’t go with unofficial drivers from the arrivals hall.
Is Vlorë airport open?
As of October 2026 there are no scheduled passenger flights. A certification flight took place in May 2025, but commercial flights in summer 2026 were postponed due to certification delays. Kukës airport also has no scheduled flights.
Something changed or spotted a mistake?
Prices, timetables and addresses in Albania change — let us know and we’ll update.