Reaching Shkoder is very easy as it is located from one to two hours away from major hubs, such as airports in Albania and Montenegro, as well as the port of Durres. The routes are well established, and are serviced by a growing number of professional travel agents.
The Rozafa Castle is an excellent point to start your discovery of Shkodra. Rozafa has protected and it has often determined the fate of the city and its people.
Our Shkodra Transportation Guide below will tell you all you need to know about getting to and getting around Shkodra. To help you see and experience the best that the city of Shkodra has to offer, we have many Shkoder and Albanian Alps tours and activities available. For some great general travel information about getting to, from and around Albania, see our Albania transportation guide.
Getting to Shkoder
By Air
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA or Mother Teresa International Airport) is modern and clean and is at a distance of 100 km from the city centre. There are flights from many European cities and taking the plane may be the best option for you if you are travelling from Europe.
You will be able to get the official yellow coloured taxis outside the airport, which is the most convenient way to travel to and from TIA. The one way fare may range from 75 EUR to 120 EUR, and you will reach Shkodra in one hour 45 minutes, which however depends on how chaotic the traffic is on that day. Do not go for the unofficial taxis, even if they charge less. Taxis are quite easily available in most cities and urban areas across Albania. Our company offers transfers from Tirana to Shkoder, please just ask and we will provide further details. For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we would recommend our partner Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.
You can also opt for the hourly bus service from the airport to the National History Museum in Tirana. Operated by the Rinas Express, the single fare is 200 Lek, and this is a cheaper option. There is a new highway on the Tirana-Durres motorway, which has made the airport very accessible by car. Once in Tirana you walk left of the museum, along Zog Ist Blvd., down to the Train Station, and in ten minutes you get on a bus to Shkodra, priced at 300 Lek.
By Bus
The bus service in Albania, though nothing to write home about, is cheap. Though buses are the most convenient way to travel inside Albania, they are usually quite erratic in their timings and not in the best condition. Usually these are private coaches that do not originate from a bus station; and bus stops are only identifiable by a pole and a bench. Buses will usually leave when they are full, or when the driver decides.
Do not keep you valuables, money or your passport in your front pockets, as there have been reports of pickpockets on the local buses.
You can also travel to Albania from places such as Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, Macedonia and Turkey by international roads. Plan your journey in advance and gather information before you start, as there is usually only one bus service per day. Do not look out for bus stations, even when you are on an international bus route, because there aren't any!
By Sea
Though there is no port in Shkoder, you can easily take a ferry from Durres, which is two hours away from Shkodra. If you are planning to go to Italy, you can take a ferry to Trieste, respectively. There is also a fast catamaran service to Bari in Italy.
By Train
Railways here are not the best way to travel in Shkoder, as it is not only slow but nothing much has been done by way of improving the existing 447kms of single track. The lines are not electrified and all trains run on diesel. You may see glossy pictures of fast rails on websites but remember that in Albania they do not exist. Train travel is cheaper than buses and taxis.
There are three railway lines in Albania:
The first line starts from Tirana and heads North through Vore, Mamuras, Laç, Milot, Lezhe, Shkoder, Bajze and Hani I Hotit, on the border with Montenegro.
The second line starts from Tirana and this first goes south and then east, towards Macedonia, going across Durres, Golem, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Peqin, Elbasan, Librazhd, Perrenjas and Guri I Kuq; it stops outside Pogradec.
The third line starts from Tirana and goes south and across Durres, Golem, Kavaje, Rrogozhine, Lushnje, Fier and Vlore.
Getting Around Shkodra
By Urban Bus
There is a flat fare of 30 Lek or 0.25 EUR for bus travel in the various cities of Albania, such as Tirana, Shkodra, Kruja, Durres, Vlora, Korca, Elbasan, and Berat.
You can take the bus at Rus neighbourhood, where the animal market is, and it will drive you to the feet of the castle.
By Interurban Bus
If you are travelling within Albania, the most convenient mode would be by private buses. From Shkodra you can go to any town in the north, and begin all expeditions in the Alps, visit Kruja, the medieval stronghold of Scanderbeg, and you can go by bus to Tirana and then to any of the southern cities, such as Berat, Vlora, Gjirokastra and Saranda.
Lezha, Kruja, and Tirana are approximately 45 minutes, one and half hour and two hours to the south from Shkodra, respectively. The fares for Kruja and Lezha are 150 Lek, while that for Tirana is 300 Lek. If you want to go to Durres, the fare is 300 Lek and it will take you two and a half hours to reach there by bus.
By Taxi
Taxis are conveniently found and you can easily hail one on the street.
By ferry
If you are interested in visiting the tropoja region you can take the ferry between the Koman dam and the Fierza dam. The ferry leaves daily at 9:00 from Koman and arrives at 11:30 at Fierza. This ferry trip is a beautiful start of travelling up north to places like Valbona. Our company offers to book the ferry for clients, as well as local transfers to get there.
Roads in Albania
Albania contains around 18,000 km of roadways, of which 7,450 km are main roads. The roadways are maintained according to international standards. The state is improving the quality of existing roads and building new highways.
Visit our Shkoder Hotels booking portal for details about accommodation in Northern Albania.
