Regional Bus Station Tirana: How To Get There On A Budget
Getting to the Regional Bus Station in Tirana can be a little confusing. It was for my first time! Read below to find out exactly how to get there on a budget.
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Regional Bus Station Tirana
Looking for an easy and affordable way to get to the Regional Bus Station Tirana, but finding it difficult to get accurate information? Look no further!
I visited Tirana in 2023 and found it really confusing when trying to get to this bus station.
At the time, Google Maps didn’t work for public transport in Tirana (well, it still kinda doesn’t) and the fact that the city had 3 bus stations didn’t help (soon to be 4).
On top of this, Tirana’s regional bus station is referred to by many names which only complicates things further. If you find yourself in this pickle, let’s quash those concerns.
All of these listed names refer to the same place:
- South and North Albania Bus Terminal
- Tirana Regional Bus Station / Regional Bus Station Tirana
- Terminali i Autobusave të Jugut dhe Veriut (Albanian Translation)
These are not to be confused with the Tirana International Bus Terminal, Southeastern Bus Terminal or the new Tirana Eastern Bus Terminal (under construction). This station only does international journeys.
For the sake of consistency, I will only refer to it as the Regional Bus Station.
What buses depart from here?
Tirana’s Regional Bus Station is the main bus station in Tirana that has connections to most cities in the country including Berat and Gjirokaster. Notable exceptions are Elbasan and Korce.
Make sure you check on Gjirafa Travel when searching for routes to see if it is the correct station for you. You can do this by clicking on the journey, and you can then open the Google Maps location.
Other information online
When researching this myself during my trip to Albania, the information I found was overcomplicated. I’ve made this guide as simple as possible, so you can get to the Regional Bus Station in Tirana with ease!
So, without further ado – here’s how to get to the Tirana Regional Bus Station on a budget:
Where is The Tirana Regional Bus Station?
The Regional Bus Station in Tirana isn’t easily walkable, unfortunately. It’s 6km away, and takes 20-30 minutes on a city bus – depending on traffic.
When looking at Google Street View, it looks like there’s nothing there. Don’t worry, the imagery is just outdated.
Researching before visiting Tirana? Check out my 2 days in Tirana itinerary
How To Get To Regional Bus Station Tirana On A Budget
The most affordable way to get to the Regional Bus Station in Tirana (South and North Albania Bus Terminal) is by a city bus.
For any bus within the city, tickets cost 40 LEK (60c AUD, 0.40 EUR) – no matter how far you go or when you get off.
Don’t Use Google Maps For Public Transport In Tirana
When I was in Albania in 2023, using Google Maps for public transport in Tirana was unavailable. If I was to click on the public transport tab, nothing would come up.
Now, public transport is available on Google Maps – but it can be inaccurate as it is still only a recent addition.
Pro tip: Moovit is more reliable for finding general bus lines and schedules within the city.
Where do I get the bus to the Regional Bus Station Tirana?
You might find conflicting and complicated instructions online on how to get there. Worry not, because this method was used by a friend as recently as April 2024.
All you need to do is head here, which is located nearby to Skanderbeg Square – and within a 15 minute walk of most hostels in Tirana.
What bus do I need to get on?
Look out for the “KAMEZ” bus, as this is the one for you! It will take you all the way to the Regional Bus Station in Tirana (or further if you’re not careful)!
Once you get on, the conductor will come around and take payment (40 LEK) for the journey. Whilst i’m not sure of the exact schedule, it is frequent enough to not have to worry!
Travelling Around Albania?
You can ask the conductor to let you know when to get off by showing them the location on your phone, or you can download an offline map and get off when you see you are close.
In my experience, most people on this bus were getting off at the same place – so I just followed them.
Check out my guide on how to get from Tirana to Berat
Regional Bus Station Tirana Tips
Now that you’ve successfully reached the Regional Bus Station in Tirana, you need to know how to navigate it.
Tirana is most traveller’s first stop on their Albania itinerary. Because of that, they’re not used to Albania’s bus system and Tirana is their first experience of it.
Here are some quick tips before your trip:
- Online bookings don’t exist for intercity buses within Albania
- All buses within Albania are CASH only and are usually made at the end of the journey or halfway through
- At the station, bus drivers will come up to you and ask where you’re going. These guys aren’t trying to scam you and are happy to help.
For a more in-depth guide on Albania’s organised mess of a bus system, check out my post on how to get around Albania on a budget
Tirana Regional Bus Station Schedule
If there’s anything to know about buses in Albania, the schedule is very relaxed. Buses try to stick to the schedule but often just leave when they are full. This means you could leave later than intended or even miss a bus if you didn’t get there in time.
Don’t worry, unless you’re going somewhere remote – most major cities in Albania have frequent connections from Tirana.
However, you can find the schedule on Gjirafa Travel so you can plan what time you want to arrive.
Regional Bus Station Tirana: Final Thoughts
There you have it! That’s the most affordable and easy way to get to the Regional Bus Station in Tirana without coughing up some Lek for a taxi.
Tirana has probably the most complicated bus system in Albania, because of the soon to be 4 bus stations. Like, which one are you supposed to go to?
Now that you’ve conquered Tirana, you’ll be able to do it anywhere else in the country.
Book Your Trip With My Favourite Resources:
Cheap Flights: I always use Skyscanner to browse for cheap flights. It offers so many options to help you find a good deal! It even allows you to search for “anywhere” if you haven’t decided where to go yet!
Accommodation: I start my hostel search with Hostelworld. Most hostels are now on this platform making it the place to find the best hostel for you.
Travel Insurance: If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. It is so important to have when travelling as it will save you from illness, injury, theft and cancellations! I always use Worldnomads when travelling on a budget as they have the best deals for me.