Tirana Airport to Himara 2026: Bus, Car and Transfer Options

Himara sits in the middle of the Albanian Riviera — south of Dhërmi, north of Borsh and Saranda. It is closer to Tirana than Saranda is (230km versus 280km), but because the route involves the Llogara mountain crossing or tunnel, the journey is not meaningfully faster on the clock. Of all the Riviera towns, Himara is the most popular base for those who want a balance of beach, town life, and access to quieter coves. Getting there from Tirana requires understanding the route options clearly — and none of the common booking apps reliably surface them.

This guide covers every realistic option for making the Tirana-to-Himara journey in 2026, with actual prices, honest timing, and which choice suits which type of traveller.

Your Options at a Glance

Option 1: Rental Car — The Most Practical Choice for Most Travellers

For the Tirana-to-Himara route, a rental car offers a combination of speed, flexibility, and — for groups of two or more — genuine economy. The cost of the car itself is roughly €20-30/day for a compact from Tirana Airport; the fuel for the 230km one-way trip is approximately €25-35 depending on fuel efficiency. For two people sharing, the total one-way transport cost is €35-65 split between them — comparable to or cheaper than the RivieraBus, with none of the schedule constraints.

The route: inland via Vlorë (recommended)

The sensible route for driving from Tirana to Himara is the inland road:

1. Tirana → Durrës → Fier on the SH4 (fast, good condition, 2h to Fier)
2. Fier → Vlorë on the SH4 (30 minutes more)
3. Vlorë → Llogara Tunnel or Pass → Himara on the SH8 (1h via tunnel, 1h30 via old pass)

Total distance: 230km. Total driving time: approximately 4 hours including the Llogara crossing. The Llogara Tunnel (opened 2024/2025) cuts the mountain section to 7 minutes — the toll is 250 ALL (approximately €2.50) one-way. Take the tunnel in high season; the old pass road adds 30-40 minutes and in July-August sees heavy tourist and bus traffic.

Where to rent

Rental desks at Tirana International Airport (TIA) include international chains and local Albanian operators. Discover Cars aggregates most operators and lets you filter by pick-up location, cancellation policy, and one-way options. Localrent is a solid alternative for transparent pricing from Albanian operators.

Fuel stops

Fill up in Tirana or in Fier before reaching the coastal section — petrol stations on the SH8 south of Vlorë exist but are less frequent. Albanian petrol costs approximately 178 ALL per litre (~€1.78). A compact car completing the 230km journey uses approximately 15-18 litres.

Parking in Himara

Parking in Himara town and at the main beach (Himara Beach) is informal but generally available. In peak July-August, Livadh Beach (3km south of town) can be chaotic for parking — arrive before 09:00. Accommodation in Himara with a private car park is worth the marginal extra cost in high season.

Option 2: Furgon Bus — Two Legs, Maximum Economy

There is no reliable direct furgon service from Tirana to Himara in 2026. The correct approach is two separate legs:

Leg 1: Tirana to Vlorë

Cost: approximately 800-900 ALL (€8)
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Departure: South and North Albania Bus Terminal in Tirana (near Casa Italia, intersection of Rruga 29 Nëntori and Rruga Kastriotet). Departures approximately every 30-60 minutes throughout the day from early morning.
From the airport: Take the Luna airport bus (400 ALL / €4) or taxi (€5-7) to the terminal, which is not walkable from the airport. The airport bus drops you near Casa Italia.

Leg 2: Vlorë to Himara

Cost: approximately 600 ALL (€6)
Duration: approximately 2 hours (via the Llogara mountain road or tunnel)
Departure: Vlorë bus station (Stacioni i Autobusave, Vlorë) — ask in Vlorë town centre. This leg does not depart as frequently; there are typically a handful of departures per day, more in summer. Confirm the next departure time when you arrive in Vlorë.

Total furgon cost: €14 per person. Total time: 4.5-5 hours including changeover in Vlorë, which might be 30-90 minutes depending on when you arrive versus next departure. The changeover wait in Vlorë is not wasted — there is a beach, a promenade, and Albanian coastal food if you want to build in a short stop.

Option 3: RivieraBus Tourist Shuttle — Comfortable, Limited Days

RivieraBus is an English-language tourist shuttle that runs between Tirana and Saranda via the scenic coastal route, making intermediate stops including Himara. The fare to Himara is approximately €40 per person.

Schedule and booking

The shuttle departs from the Blloku area of Tirana at 09:00 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday during July and August only. It takes the coastal SH8 route via Vlorë and the Llogara crossing, with drop-offs at Dhërmi, Vuno, Himara, and Borsh before reaching Saranda. Journey time to Himara is approximately 5-6 hours.

The return service from Saranda departs at 16:30 and passes back through Himara. Booking is required in advance — there are no walk-up seats. Check the current schedule and book via the official RivieraBus website.

Who it suits

The RivieraBus is ideal for solo travellers or couples who want the coastal route (rather than the inland route) without the stress of driving it themselves. At €40, it is more expensive than the furgon bus (€14) but comes with a reserved seat, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, bottled water, and the experience of seeing the SH8 coastal road in daylight. The limitation is the three-days-per-week schedule — if you cannot travel on a Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, you need another option.

Option 4: Private Transfer — Reliable, Fixed Price

A private transfer from Tirana Airport or city to Himara eliminates the logistics entirely: a named driver meets you at arrivals, loads your luggage, and delivers you to your hotel in approximately 4 hours. The price is fixed in advance with no negotiation.

In 2026, private transfers from Tirana to Himara cost approximately €70 per seat on shared transfer services, or €180-220 for the whole vehicle (typically a 4-8 person minivan) on exclusive transfer services. For a group of four splitting the cost, €180-220 works out to €45-55 per head — not far from the RivieraBus price, but available every day of the week and with direct pickup from the airport.

Search for Tirana–Himara private transfers on GetTransfer or Daytrip.com. Local operators can also be arranged through Himara accommodation — email contact@stayalbanianriviera.com if you need a recommendation.

The Route in Detail: Tirana to Himara

The standard inland route follows this path:

Tirana → Durrës (35km, 40min): The SH2/A1 expressway out of Tirana toward Durrës. Good road, some traffic during morning rush hour — leave before 08:00 or after 10:00 to avoid congestion. Albania's main port city; you are passing through, not stopping.

Durrës → Fier (70km, 1h): Continue south on the SH4. The road is fast and straightforward — a good two-lane highway through flat agricultural land. Fier is a midpoint — fuel up here if needed.

Fier → Vlorë (70km, 45min): Still on the SH4, approaching the coast. Vlorë is Albania's second-largest port city and a pleasant stop if you want a short break — the bay is beautiful and the Old Mosque (Xhamia e Vlorës) is worth 15 minutes.

Vlorë → Llogara Tunnel → Himara (55km, 1h via tunnel): This is the most memorable section. South of Vlorë, the road begins climbing toward the Llogara mountains. The tunnel entrance is clearly signed; the toll is 250 ALL (~€2.50) payable in lek cash. After the tunnel, the SH8 descends to the coast — the views of the Ionian Sea from the road are among the best on the entire Albanian coast. Dhërmi is the first beach town you will pass; Himara is 20km further south.

Is Himara the Right Base for You?

Himara is the most town-like settlement on the Albanian Riviera between Vlorë and Saranda. Unlike the purely resort villages of Ksamil or the relatively isolated beaches of Borsh, Himara has a Greek-speaking minority community, a small historic old town on the hill, a good selection of restaurants and bars along the waterfront, and access to multiple beaches within walking or short-driving distance: Himara beach (in front of town), Livadh Beach (3km south, better sand), and the smaller coves around Llamani and Palasa to the north.

For travellers who want a beach base with a functional small town attached — rather than a pure resort cluster — Himara is the best choice on the Riviera. The tradeoff is that it is less immediately spectacular than Ksamil's lagoon beaches. See the full Tirana-to-Saranda guide if Ksamil or Saranda is your destination rather than Himara.

Frequently Asked Questions