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Only 35 km away from the Greek island Corfu you will find another destination you should include in your travel itinerary.
The Balkan country Albania and the nearest city Saranda when traveling from Corfu to Albania with stunning mountains and nearby town Ksamil with crystal-clear beaches and many more interesting things to see.
It’s so close you can actually see it across an Ionian sea from the coast of Corfu.
Whether you organize a day trip from Corfu to Saranda or decide to spend a couple of days, it is worth the trip from Corfu to Albania, and here is how.
Table of Contents
⬇️ Watch our video from Saranda to Corfu ferry ride ⬇️
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO FROM CORFU TO ALBANIA
Albania is not a part of a Schengen Zone or the European Union, this means when traveling from Corfu to Albania you will need a passport with at least 3 months of remaining validity and visa documents if necessary.
You will go through border control in Albania and Greece too. The lines can get long in summer months so expect a bit of waiting, but for us passport control took only 20 minutes in high season.
Note: Corfu is 1 hour ahead of Albania so don’t forget to set your watches before you travel from Corfu to Albania.
HOW TO GET FROM CORFU TO ALBANIA
There is only one way, how to get from Corfu to Albania within 1 hour or less, and it’s by taking a ferry for 25€ one way to the city of Saranda.
Daily ferry from Corfu to Saranda or Saranda to Corfu is a simple quick option.
Note: There is no bus or train connection from Corfu to Albania.
HOW LONG IS THE FERRY RIDE FROM CORFU TO ALBANIA?
The journey time from Corfu to Saranda (Saranda to Corfu) on a high-speed ferry called Flying Dolphin takes only 30 minutes.
This ride can be a little bit bumpy so if you ever get seasick this may not be your right choice.
Regular ferry crossing time from Corfu to Saranda is about 70 minutes.
We took a ferry with Ionian Seaways and it was a nice calm ride for 70 minutes. You can sit and relax inside on comfortable seats watching the seasides of Albania or go upstairs and enjoy freshly windy air.
Note: Don’t forget to be at the ferry terminal at least 1 hour before the scheduled departure time.
HOW MUCH IS FERRY FROM CORFU TO ALBANIA?
The cost of the ferry from Corfu to Saranda (Saranda-Corfu) depends on which ferry company you choose if it’s a fast or regular ferry, and what season you go.
Ionian seaways:
Finkas ferries:
Adults cost around 22€ one way for a fast ferry.
Same day offer for round trip Saranda to Corfu to Saranda for 30€.
Taking a car is also possible for some ferry types from Corfu to Albania, the price is around 50€ per car.
Keep in mind if you are traveling from Corfu to Albania or Albania to Corfu you are crossing the borders so if you rent a car you will need permission and insurance from the rental car company. And if you have a private car be sure you have insurance when driving in Albania which is outside the EU!
We booked our ferry tickets online on Direct Ferries and then went to the ferry office in the port to print out tickets.
Tickets can be bought also from the central agencies near Saranda Port and near Corfu Port.
Save 10% if you book far enough in advance.
Tip: Get your ferry tickets from Corfu to Albania here.
Note: Fares for one-way or return tickets on route Corfu Albania are mostly the same.
WHAT IS THE BEST FERRY COMPANY FROM CORFU TO ALBANIA
There are two main companies from Corfu to Saranda (Saranda-Corfu).
Ionian Seaways and Finikas Lines.
Both companies offer high-speed ferry service (Flying Dolphin) which takes only 30 minutes or regular/car ferry service for about 70 minutes.
We used Ionian Seaways from Corfu to Saranda and everything went smoothly. However, it was a bit hot inside.
Our journey took 70 minutes. We heard about bumpy rides on fast ferries so a calm slow ride was our right choice from Corfu to Albania.
You can get small snacks on board too.
Tip: Get your ferry tickets from Corfu to Albania here.
FERRY CORFU TO ALBANIA TIMETABLE
There are 3 different timetables during the year from Corfu to Saranda (Saranda-Corfu).
High season (June-September)
During those months ferries depart more frequently. You can expect at least 3-4 fast ferries and 3-4 regular ferries from each company. When the first boat leaves port each day around 8 am from Corfu to Saranda (Saranda-Corfu) and the last one leaves around 10:30 pm.
Mid-season (April-June and September)
Expect less ferries. Each day about 2 fast ferries and 1-2 regular ferries. Starting around 9 am from Corfu to Saranda (Saranda-Corfu) and finishing around 7 pm.
Low season (November-March)
There is only 1 mostly high-speed ferry per day from each company. Depart at around 9 am from Corfu to Saranda and around 10 am from Saranda to Corfu.
The car price is about 50€ all year long.
Check below for the exact times Corfu to Saranda or Saranda to Corfu.
Note: Some months are partly two seasons, check the ferry company website for exact details.
WHERE IS THE FERRY PORT IN CORFU
When traveling from Corfu to Albania you will find a ferry port 3 km from the city center of Corfu’s old town.
You have a few options for how to get there.
By taxi
The easiest and most comfortable way is to take a taxi, especially if you have a lot of luggage and it is a boiling hot day.
(Arrival in Corfu from Saranda) You will find a taxi driver right in front of the ferry terminal after you complete passport control.
(Departure from Corfu to Saranda) The driver will drop you off in front of the gate of the ferry port, then you walk no more than 5 minutes to the ferry terminal.
The cost to take a taxi is 10€ and the ride is 5-10 minutes long from the center of town.
By bus
The cheapest option costs only 1,10€ with a local blue bus.
A direct bus line no.15 is in front of the ferry terminal towards Albania. Connects the ferry port with the airport of Corfu and vice versa.
Pass through the city center, San Rocco Square, and Intercity bus station where you can change connection for buses to the most popular destinations of the island and finally, it terminates at the airport.
Line no.2b also passes by the ferry port of Corfu and terminates in the city center in San Rocco Square.
Tickets can be purchased in cash on a bus.
By walk
Walking from the city center is also doable. It takes about 30 minutes so get ready your camera for some nice photos of the streets of Corfu on the way to your ferry from Corfu to Albania.
Getting from and to Corfu Airport (CFU)
The bus line no.15 connects the airport of Corfu passing through the intercity bus station, city center, and San Rocco Square, and terminates at the port of Corfu in terminal towards Albania and vice versa.
Taxi takes about 10 minutes and the driver will charge you about 10€ one way.
You will find a taxi in front of the passenger terminal.
Tip: The exact location of the port in Corfu.
WHERE IS THE FERRY PORT IN SARANDA
After you get from Corfu to Albania to the port in Saranda, you will see it’s way easier to walk around than in Corfu.
Saranda’s port is located in the western part of the city only a few minutes walking from the main beachfront boulevard which is next to the center of town.
When you step out of port in Saranda you can get your local SIM card. Directly in front of the port exit is a small stand with a few Vodafone workers.
Around the port, you find everything you need. ATM, exchange, cafes, bars, restaurants, car and scooter rentals, taxis and hotels.
Tours to the Albanian Riviera, Ksamil, Blue Eye, or Butrint National Park are also offered by many agencies around the port.
Tip: Save time and energy by booking tours in Albania here.
Tip: The exact location of the Albanian port in Saranda.
Note: To get from the port to the street of Saranda you have to go up many stairs so if you have big luggage you can struggle.
Getting from Saranda Port to Ksamil
Many people who come from Corfu to Albania want to get to Ksamil and Saranda is their changing point.
Saranda port is located only 14 km from Ksamil and it is easy to get there.
Getting by bus
When you get from Corfu to Saranda go up on the main street, turn right, and walk 2 minutes on Ruga Mitat Hoxha Street until you get to the end of the road with a roundabout. There you find a bus stop with an hourly connection to Ksamil and Butrint.
The journey to Ksamil by bus takes about 30 minutes and costs 1,50 €.
Getting by taxi
Drivers are waiting for clients coming from Corfu to Saranda in front of the port or you find other taxi drivers next to the bus stop to Ksamil.
The price is 20€ and the journey takes about 20 minutes. Depends on the traffic situation.
We took a taxi and split the money with another Slovakian couple we accidentally met (the world is really small) next to the bus stop, so we ended up paying 5€ each.
This way you can save some money so don’t hesitate to ask other travelers to share a taxi ride.
HOW THE FERRY LOOKS LIKE?
Taking a Corfu Saranda ferry is a quick and enjoyable ride, you can choose your seat inside the ferry to share the sofa with others or comfortable chairs with your own small table. Or enjoy fresh windy sea air on the upper deck.
In case you didn’t take any snacks for this short ride you can find there also a small snack bar.
Tip: Get your ferry tickets from Corfu to Albania here.
Tip: Read our article on how to take a ferry from Malta to Sicily.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can you take the car on the ferry from Corfu to Albania?
Yes, you can take the car on the ferry from Corfu to Albania. The price is about 50€ no matter what season you travel.
However, you should be sure you are allowed to enter with your car. Albania is not in the EU!
Rental cars need permission and insurance from the rental company. Private cars need insurance for driving outside the EU.
Can you enter Albania from Corfu?
Yes, you can enter Albania from Corfu, you just need a passport because Albania is not in the EU and a direct ferry from Corfu to Saranda which is the quickest way how to get from Corfu to Albania.
Is it worth going to Albania from Corfu?
Definitely worth making an even day trip itinerary from Corfu to Albania if you ever visit Corfu.
The nearest city is Saranda with a beautiful seaside in the south of Albania and only 14 km away from Ksamil with crystal-clear beaches and nearby Butrint-UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Can you take a boat from Corfu to Albania?
Yes! There is a ferry from Corfu to Albania and the journey takes only 30 minutes with a high-speed ferry called Flying Dolphin or around 70 minutes with a regular boat where you can take your car as well.
Two main ferry companies from Corfu to Saranda are Ionian Seaways and Finikas Lines.
Is it a day trip to Albania worth it?
Yes, the fast ferry can bring you from Corfu to Albania within 30 minutes. If you leave Corfu in the morning you have the whole day to explore a new country and return in the evening.
Is it better to stay in Saranda or Ksamil?
When arriving from Corfu to Albania you can choose which city you prefer.
Saranda is cheaper and bigger so you have more choices to walk around and also have more clubs and restaurants.
Ksamil is more luxurious and more expensive but if you prefer to relax in one place with a beautiful beach Ksamil is your right choice.
How to get from Corfu to Ksamil?
There is no direct ferry from Corfu to Ksamil. You must take a ferry from Corfu to Saranda and then take a bus or taxi to Ksamil. It’s only 14 km from Saranda to Ksamil so about 30 minutes you will be there.
Do I need a passport from Corfu to Albania?
Yes, you need a passport when traveling from Corfu to Albania.
Albania is not a part of a Schengen Zone or the European Union, this means you will need a passport with at least 3 months of remaining validity and visa documents if necessary.
CONCLUSION
Traveling from Corfu to Albania (or reverse) is easy with few options as you can see.
Rather you are in a hurry for a day trip with a fast ferry or you have enough time to enjoy Corfu and Albania or even the regular ferry from Corfu to Saranda ride on the Ionian sea with stunning views around.
Choose the option that best fits you and enjoy!
Would you go from Corfu to Albania?
If you are planning to spend more time in Albania check out the best beaches in Ksamil and a travel guide for Ksamil.
Hopefully, this information will help you with your next adventure. There will be more How-to-get articles coming from all around the world!
Can you see any change since we wrote this article? Please let us know.
OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES
Accommodation: We use Booking.com where we always find great deals for hotels.
For hostels, we use Hostelworld where we find cheaper options and meet new people.
Rental cars: To rent your car with free cancellation check out Discover Cars.
Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets worldwide we use Direct Ferries.
All travel options in one place: Omio.com we use for easy travel planning where we can find trains, buses, ferries, and more.
Tours and other activities: Wherever we go we look at GetYouGuide to find the best tours and many other activities around the world!
Travel insurance: Never travel without travel insurance! Ekta works all over the world and has 10 years of experience in the industry. It is your right choice!
Reviews: Before we travel somewhere we always look at Tripadvisor, where we always find a summary of restaurants, places to visit, or hotels with current ratings and photos from people who have visited this place recently.
Luggage storage: Radical storage is such a helpful Luggage storage network! When we have a late check-in or an early check-out we don’t need to carry our luggage with us, we just simply put it in the Radical storage which operates in over 70 countries!
E-sim card: The best way how avoid all the stress of searching for local SIM cards or wifi signals and save time after you arrive in your new country is to get Airalo e-sim. Download and install a digital data pack from 200+ countries/regions!
