Until recently, Albania remained a closed country and inaccessible for tourist trips. Over the past 15-20 years, more and more travelers have included this country in their must-see list. Those who are traveling to the Balkan republic for the first time and choose air travel as the fastest and most comfortable, are faced with the following questions: “Which airlines fly through the Albanian airport? What is the level of service and amenities? Can I rent a car? How do I get to my vacation spot?”
How many airports are there in Albania.
There are less than a dozen airports in the Republic of Albania that accept civilian aircraft. They mainly accept domestic flights and are located in the largest cities: Gjirokastra, Saranda, Vlora, Korca, Shkoder, Kukes and Tirana.
Albania International Airport in Tirana.
Albania is a small country, occupying a territory of just over 28 thousand square kilometers. There is only one air gate in the Republic of Albania, ready to receive airliners from other countries of the world. Albania’s international airport is located a few kilometers from the capital Tirana, near Rinas and has been named after the Catholic nun Mother Teresa since 2001.
Since 2005, a German company has completely rebuilt the passenger terminal and reconstructed the airport building according to world standards. By 2008, the airport infrastructure was completely updated. So, TIA is relatively young and modern.
The Albanian air harbor receives flights from many European countries: Slovenia, Turkey, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Serbia, Austria, Italy.
Airport services.
The service at Rinas International Airport (TIA) offers a full range of services needed by the passenger to spend their time comfortably. The airport service accepts aircraft 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What can a passenger use while waiting for an arrival or having just arrived on Albanian soil?
- ATMs are represented by four banks, which are open 24 hours: Tirana Bank ATM, Raiffeisen Bank, ProCredit Bank and Banka Kombetare Tregtare, which exchanges currency.
- There are 12 shops in the TIA building. In the check-in hall there is a pastry shop, a book pavilion, a kiosk with newspapers and magazines and a jewelry store. In the departure area you will have the opportunity to visit the duty-free shop, where you can buy souvenirs with national color, jewelry, alcohol, branded products. Shops are open an hour before the first flight and until the departure of the last flight.
- Guests of Tirana International Airport are provided with free Wi-Fi internet access.
- There is only one place in the airport where smoking is allowed: in the lounge area of the Segafredo bar (bar in the departure area). In line with its policy of creating a friendly and healthy environment for its passengers, Tirana International Airport has implemented a strict no smoking policy throughout its new terminal. This policy places the airport at the forefront in Albania, demonstrating its social responsibility.
- For any problems related to baggage delivery, you can contact the lost and found office.
- If you need medical assistance at the airport, the staff will call a doctor and take you to the equipped first aid station.
- 490 parking spaces: 240 indoor and 250 outdoor. The cost depends on the chosen space and the duration of its use.
Kiss & Fly. Since April 2012, Tirana International Airport has organized a drop-off area in front of the terminal. You need to be within 4 minutes to use this service for free. The longer you stay in the Kiss & Fly area, the more you pay. – 0 to 4 minutes free
– 4 to 10 minutes 300 lek
– 10 to 30 minutes 500 lek
– 30 minutes to 1 hour 1,000 lek. - Special tourist services are provided to passengers with disabilities, children traveling alone (aged 6 to 12), traveling with a child, and passengers who need a special menu. At the airport, you will be provided with appropriate assistance services.
Relaxation areas.
The lounge area for business class passengers at Rinas Airport has recently opened and features a stylish design. Waiting in the increased comfort zone will allow you to take advantage of all its advantages.
Currently, the arrivals hall also houses the Piazza bar and restaurant, located next to the exit from the building. In the departure area, you can relax in two more bars.
Hotels near the airport.
At some distance from the airport there are several hotels where you can stay to look around and continue your journey. Let’s give a brief overview of the hotels offering decent service.
Airport Hotel Tirana.
The modern 4-star Airport Hotel Tirana is located directly opposite Tirana Airport. On the hotel grounds you can use an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and free parking. Transfer to the hotel is included in the price of your stay.
The rooms, decorated in blue and yellow tones, have a TV, minibar, and safe. Each room has an exit to a cozy balcony. You can enjoy breakfast in the spacious courtyard with a fountain. The restaurant offers a menu of European and Albanian cuisine.
Tourists who have visited the Airport Hotel Tirana note the hospitality and courtesy of the staff.
Hotel Autostation.
6 km from the airport there is a small but very cozy Hotel Autostation, where each guest will be greeted by friendly staff at any time of the day. It should be noted that guests from different countries note the extraordinary helpfulness and attentiveness of the entire hotel team.
The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, free wireless Internet, TV and a private bathroom. The rooms offer stunning views of the mountains. Near the hotel there is a small playground for children. Continental breakfasts of Italian cuisine, which are included in the price of accommodation, are very tasty. Guests will also be offered drinks and light snacks in the snack bar.
A few kilometers from the hotel are the National Sports Park, the Dajti Express high-speed railway station, Skanderbeg Square.
Hotel Verzaci.
A 10-minute walk away is this 3-star hotel Verzaci. However, you will be kindly delivered to the door for free. The buffet breakfast is famous for its delicious Albanian cuisine.
The rooms have all the amenities: shower, satellite TV, furnished balcony, internet. A grocery store is a few steps away. Laundry and ironing services are available for an additional fee.
Positive reviews note the convenience for transit passengers. At any time of the day, they will quickly check you in and take care of sending you to the airport at the time you need.
Which airlines fly to Tirana.
Albania attracts European tourists with its inexpensive holidays and ecologically clean nature. Increased demand has made it possible to conclude international agreements with the Albanian airport to deliver its citizens to the sea.
Adria Airways/JP (Slovenia),
Alitalia/AZ (Italy),
Austrian Airlines/OS (Austria),
British Airways/BA (United Kingdom),
Jet Airfly (Belgium), Lufthansa/LH (Germany),
Aegean/A3 (Greece),
Turkish Airlines/TK,
Pegasus Airlines /PC (Turkey),
Blue Panorama Airlines /BV,
Ernest Airlines/EG (Italy),
Air Serbia/JU (Serbia),
Albawings/2B (Albania),
Transavia/TO (France),
Wizz Air (Hungary).
These are the main European airlines that fly directly to the capital of Albania. There are no direct flights to Tirana from other continents.
Car rental at the Albanian airport.
There are several offices of car rental companies at the airport exit. You can book a reservation in advance on the official servers of a particular company, or directly at the airport. When booking in advance, you will have a larger selection of cars, and therefore more affordable prices. At the airport, you will have to choose a vehicle from what other tourists have not taken.
Taxi to the Albania airport.
Passengers can use a licensed yellow taxi with the Auto Holiday Albania logo and the airport logo on both sides of the vehicle. At the airport, these taxis are parked in front of the terminal, as well as in the terminal’s reception area.
In addition, you can book a taxi in advance on the official Kiwi Taxi website. This is very convenient if you are traveling with your family or a small group. You will be met with a sign right at the exit from the terminal, you will not have to waste time looking for a taxi. On the server, you can choose a car of different classes and capacities. Additionally, you can stipulate the presence of a child seat, drinking water and service by a Russian-speaking driver.
How to get from Tirana airport to the resorts.
Let’s consider how to get from Tirana airport to the most popular cities and resorts of Albania.
How to get from Tirana airport to Tirana.
The regular bus to Tirana goes to the final stop «National Opera and Ballet Theater». From May 1, 2019, the ticket price is 330 Albanian lek.
Tirana — TIA: every hour from 07.00 to 23.00
TIA — Tirana: every hour from 08.00 to 24.00
How to get from Tirana airport to Durres.
How to get to the most popular resort of Durres from Tirana airport? Since November 2015, Audit Travel and Tours has been organizing a transfer from TIA to Durres and back. The cost of one fare is 480 Albanian lek.
Durres — Airport: 08:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 19:00
Airport – Durres: 10:00; 12:00; 15:30; 17:00; 22:00
How to get from Tirana Airport to Vlora.
Euro-Albania Travel offers transfers from TIA to Fiera and back, starting from March 2017. The cost of one fare is 1000 Albanian Lek.
Fiera – TIA: 07:00, 12:00
TIA – Fiera: 09:00, 14:00
How to get from Tirana Airport to Saranda.
There are no direct flights to the resort town in the south of Albania. You can get to Tirana and use the services of the RivieraBus carrier from there. The distance of 282 km will take you five hours and 30 minutes for about 40 euros. You can buy a ticket on their website in advance.
Albania Airport is a gateway for tourists to a country that was once closed. Today, it is a modern transport hub, where many foreign airlines fly. Now you know where the Albania airport is located and how to get to it from the country’s popular resorts.
