Drive from Albania's capital to the Ionian jewel of Ksamil — white-sand coves, tiny swimmable islets, and the Albanian Riviera's most photographed beaches, just south of Sarandë and across the channel from Greek Corfu.
Drive from Tirana to Ksamil in approximately 4h 30m. Private transfer from €210 per vehicle, all-inclusive — fuel, tolls, English-speaking driver, door-to-door. No border crossings — both ends are in Albania.
Your driver picks you up anywhere in Tirana or at Tirana Airport (TIA). Luggage loaded, air conditioning and water on, and the road heads south-west toward the coast.
An ancient Greek and later Roman city set among rolling hills near Fier, with a monastery, columned monument, and open-air ruins. An easy leg-stretch on the way south.
The scenic climb over the Ceraunian Mountains where the road switchbacks high above the Ionian Sea. On a clear day the whole Riviera opens up below — the best photo stop of the drive.
The Riviera's main resort town, curved around a bay facing Corfu. A good spot for a coffee or a quick swim before the final 17 km down to Ksamil. Ferries to Corfu leave from the port here.
Arrive at your hotel or apartment in Ksamil. Door-to-door drop with your luggage — the beaches and the little offshore islands are minutes away.
Per vehicle, not per person. All prices include tolls, fuel, luggage handling, water, and child seats on request.
Picked up and dropped off at your exact address
Free scenic stops — Llogara Pass, Sarandë, more
Quoted upfront — no surge, no surprises
Professional, local, English-speaking driver
Staying in Sarandë instead? Tirana to Sarandë is the same coastal drive, 17 km short of Ksamil.
See Tirana → Sarandë →Tirana to Ksamil connects Albania’s capital with the country’s most famous stretch of coast — the southern Albanian Riviera. Ksamil sits at the very tip, a small resort village whose turquoise water and cluster of tiny swimmable islands have earned it the nickname “the Maldives of Europe.” It’s about 270 km and roughly 4 hours 30 minutes by car, entirely within Albania, so there are no border crossings. EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens enter Albania visa-free.
There are two routes. The coastal Riviera route (our default) heads to the sea near Fier — passing the ancient ruins of Apollonia — then follows the shore through Vlorë and climbs the dramatic Llogara Pass over the Ceraunian Mountains before dropping to Himarë, Sarandë and finally Ksamil. It’s the more spectacular drive. The inland route via the SH4 runs through the UNESCO Ottoman town of Gjirokastra and the Muzinë pass — a little faster, less scenic. Tell your driver if you prefer speed over views.
Two add-ons are popular. The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) is a deep natural spring of astonishingly clear water about 25 minutes inland from Sarandë — an easy detour near the end of the drive. Gjirokastra, with its slate-roofed old town and hilltop castle, fits naturally if you take the inland route. And just 4 km south of Ksamil is Butrint National Park, a UNESCO-listed ancient city layered with Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian remains — worth a half-day once you’ve arrived.
Ksamil is a summer beach destination. June and September are the sweet spot — warm sea, long days, and fewer crowds than the July–August peak, when the beaches and the coastal road are at their busiest. Spring and autumn are pleasant for the drive and for Butrint, though many beach clubs wind down by mid-October. The Llogara Pass can be cloudy; a clear morning gives the best Ionian views.
By public transport, Tirana to Ksamil means an intercity bus or furgon to Sarandë (around 4.5–6 hours depending on the service), then a local bus or taxi for the last 17 km — awkward with beach luggage and fixed to a timetable. A private car does it door-to-door in about 4.5 hours, on your schedule, with the Llogara Pass photo stop, a Blue Eye detour, and one driver the whole way. For families and groups heading to the beach it’s usually the simplest option.
Everything specific to this route.
About 4 hours 30 minutes for the roughly 270 km coastal route. The inland route via Gjirokastra is a little faster. Scenic stops such as the Llogara Pass or the Blue Eye add time.
No. Tirana and Ksamil are both in Albania, so there are no border crossings on this route.
Yes. The Blue Eye spring is a short detour near Sarandë, and Gjirokastra sits on the inland route. Just tell your driver at booking and we'll build the stop into the day.
The coastal Riviera route over the Llogara Pass, past Himarë and Sarandë, has the best Ionian sea views. The inland route through Gjirokastra is faster but less dramatic. We take the coastal route by default.
Ksamil is the Albanian Riviera's signature beach spot — white sand, clear water and small islands you can swim or kayak to. It's busiest in July and August; June and September are quieter with warm sea.
A sedan fits 2 large suitcases plus 2 carry-on bags; a minivan takes 6 large and 4 smaller bags. Tell us at booking if you're travelling with extra beach gear.
We operate minibuses and coaches for groups of 8 to 50 passengers. Custom quotes within 2 hours.
Sprinter-type · Families, small groups
50-seat touring coach with WC
Tell us about your group and we’ll send a custom quote within 2 hours.
From €210 sedan, €252 minivan. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Your driver, your schedule, your stops along the Riviera.
More in Albania: See all Albania private transfer routes →