- Assume Tirana unless you have a reason not toTirana is the only Albanian airport with scheduled commercial passenger service. Vlora International had none as of July 2026, so a flight search that offers it is offering a plan rather than a timetable.
- From Corfu, take the boatSarandë is 30 to 45 minutes across on the hydrofoil, and it is the fastest way into the far south from anywhere in Greece. Ionian Seaways and Joy Lines run year round on a reduced winter timetable; Finikas runs 1 June to 15 October.
- From Italy, take the ferry to DurrësDurrës is the main Italian ferry terminus and the usual entry point for a self-drive trip, which makes it the right arrival if the car matters more than the hour saved.
- Decide the arrival by where the trip isTirana is two hours from Berat and about the same from Shkodër, so it suits the Alps and the inland towns. Sarandë is half an hour from Butrint and Ksamil and two from Gjirokastër, so it suits the south. Arriving at the wrong end costs half a day at each end of the trip.
The figures
| What | Value | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Vlora airport | Vlora International is not yet certified and will not open to flights in summer 2026; its charter contracts were cancelled | 2026-10-01 · Vox News, Vlora airport will not open this summer (10 April 2026) |
| Corfu to Sarandë | Finikas runs 1 June to 15 October | 2026-10-01 · Finikas Lines, operator homepage (season) |
| Ionian Seaways | Timetabled every month of 2026, once a day each way in winter; hydrofoil 30-45 min, car ferry 55-70 min | 2026-10-01 · Ionian Seaways timetable |
Asked about this
Can I fly into Vlora?
Not on a scheduled service. The airport exists and had no scheduled commercial passenger flights as of July 2026, so treat any itinerary built on it as unconfirmed until an airline publishes a timetable.
Can I bring a Corfu hire car over on the ferry?
No. A rental vehicle cannot be transported from Corfu to Albania. Cross as a foot passenger and hire on the Albanian side, or drive in from another direction.
Which arrival is best for the Albanian Alps?
Tirana, then Shkodër. The Alps are reached through Shkodër whichever way you go in, by the Koman ferry or by the Theth road, and both start there.