Understand
[edit]This is Albania's main airport with numerous connections to all over Europe and a few connections to Asia and the Middle East. Tirana’s aviation history began in 1926 with domestic services by German airline Adria-Aero-Lloyd, connecting Tirana to Shkodër, Korçë, and Vlorë. These operations were unprofitable, leading to the transfer of rights to Italian airline Ala Littoria in 1935, which established regular routes from Tirana to Shkodër, Kukës, Peshkopia, Kuçova, Vlorë, and Gjirokastër. In 1938, Yugoslav carrier Aeroput introduced international commercial flights linking Tirana to Belgrade, Serbia, with a stop in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The current Tirana airport was built between 1955 and 1957.
Tirana International Airport SHPK, a consortium led by Hochtief AirPort, took over management of the airport on 23 April 2005, for a 20-year concession period. The concession involved modernizing air traffic equipment and facilities, including building a new passenger terminal, a new access road, new parking lots, and a bridge over the old airport access road. The terminal building, its second expansion, the cargo building, landscaping, and carpark canopies were designed by Malaysian architect Hin Tan of Hintan.
These improvements led to a significant rise in passenger numbers, with an estimated 1.5 million passengers in 2009, surpassing that figure in 2010 with over 1.5 million passengers. In December 2016, the airport reached a milestone of 2 million passengers for the year. By 2023, the airport recorded over 7.2 million passengers, a 40% increase from 2022 and a 117% increase from 2019, establishing TIA as a major regional aviation hub. On 9 December 2024, TIA achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 10 million passengers.
Flights
[edit]A wide range of airlines serve the airport. Wizz Air and Ryanair (as low-cost airlines) offer the most destinations. Other well known airlines that serve in TIA are: Air Albania, Austrian Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Air Serbia, Airbaltic, AirFrance, British Airways, Easy Jet, Eurowings, Flydubai, Flynas, IBERIA, ITA airways, Jazeera Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, Swiss International, Transavia, TUI fly.
Ground transportation
[edit]By bus
[edit]- 1 LU-NA shpk (Tirana) (Luna airport bus stop (city)), ~Skanderbeg Square (In the city, southeast of the Opera, east of Skenderbeg Square. 2 At the airport, leave the airport left out from arrivals (i.e. south) and follow the footpath passing by the rental car kiosks and after about 200 m the Luna bus or minibus will be waiting.), ☏ +355 69 379 4848, +355 69 572 7261, +355 69 205 4002, +355 69 209 8908, [email protected]. 24/7, every full hour. The city operates an official shuttle bus from the airport to Skanderbeg Square and vice versa. The bus takes 30-40 min with regular traffic, but barely ever more than 50 min. Payment is possible with cash, card and via website before. 400 lek.
- 3 Airport Bus No. 2. As of 2023, a second bus company also runs an airport bus for the same price as Luna just 100 m northwest from the Luna city stop. It is not clear what is the exact schedule or advantage of taking this bus, but this company also has a bus at 01:30 and 03:20 to the airport, and consequently might go back to the city when Luna is not running—it is however unclear from where exactly.
- Vans to/from Shkoder, Fier and Durres. At the airport they leave next to the LU-NA Tirana airport bus. Alternatively, if you want to go to Shkoder cheap, just walk to the highway west of the airport where many local buses/furgons will go by. Durres: 600 lek.
- Budget transportation, or heading to Shkoder or Kruja
- In case you want to bring down the costs for the trip to downtown Tirana to 100 lek, try catching a regional bus from the main road right/north out from the terminal. Some regional buses do a detour by the airport (called Rinas for them), because it is faster to get into the city this way than to go through Kamëz. On the way to the airport, there should be buses from the Northern Bus Terminal running through Rinas (it even states it in the time table, but this is unconfirmed).
- Alternatively, if you got time, you can always go through Kamëz (pronounced Kamza)—buses between Kamëz and Skanderbeg are 40 lek and go regularly during the day. Between Kamëz and the airport it is 7½ km along a side road, but many cars use it, and you can likely find someone to hitchhike with until Kamëz (or even Tirana).
- Also, to leave from or arrive to the airport cheap or to arrive from or leave to destinations north of Tirana (like Shkoder or Kruja), you could walk (3½ km) north around the airport to/from the main highway, which runs east of the airport. Many regional buses go along this highway (Fushe Kruja, Shkoder, Lezhe). From/to this sideroad to/from Tirana it should be 50 lek on a regional bus via the Northern Bus Station. Hitchhiking to Tirana or at least to Kamëz from here is also easy.
- Vans/minibus direct to Vlora: Leave the airport left out from arrivals (i.e. south) and follow the footpath passing by the rental car kiosks and near Luna bus there you will find "HERMES" vans/minibus. The price is 12-15 euros (depending on the time of departure).
Autostop
[edit]Especially at night or in case no bus is going from the airport, just wait outside the airport where many cars go by. Someone locals or an unofficial taxis will offer to take you downtown. Don't pay more than 300-500 lek (per person). If the driver does not agree, just wait for the next guy—there are many. Have the exact change ready and pay attention to the rules for unofficial taxis. Albanians are mostly generous people and very helpful.
By taxi
[edit]There are different taxi companies that offer their service. There are some of them:
There are also private taxis outside the terminal building, it is better to ask the price before you get one.
By rental car
[edit]Options to rent a car outside the airport to travel around in Albania are numerous. Most offices are located just south of the south exit of the airport. The pickup/parking will often be a few hundred meters outside of the fenced airport area.
It is probably not worth going with a known provider from Western Europe, because they are more expensive and less well received. Local providers are often better, but always check the rating beforehand.
The following are recommended:
- 4 Eagle Car Rental, ☏ +355 69 916 3388. Reliable rental company, but in the past they had that rule to bring back the car washed, which can be a little complicated if you are in a rush.
- 5 Rental Cars Albania (Kristi), ☏ +355 68 905 0400.
- 6 Rent Car Tirana Rinas - Air Rental, ☏ +355 69 480 9004.
- 7 Rent a Cheap Car in Albania, ☏ +355 69 630 3300.
- 8 Together Around Albania Rental Car, ☏ +355 69 727 0555.
Wait
[edit]The MonChéri café (see below) in the middle has a nice roof top area inside the terminal, in case you want to sit somewhere more quiet and unbothered. Inside the terminal there are some couches near the first toilets, but they might be café customers only.
Eat
[edit]There is a KFC, one or two restaurants and several cafés in or around the terminal.
- 1 KFC, ☏ +355 69 505 5555. The only fast food restaurant of that sort at the airport.
- 2 Runway35, ☏ +355 69 206 5699. A relaxing restaurant and café right outside south of the airport terminal.
- 3 Mon Chéri, ☏ +355 68 302 0955. The usual tourist prices, but they have a great and unobtrusive seating area ontop.
- Buka Ime, Departure Area. Every day of the week, a new product to try at Buka Ime!
Made for you with the freshest ingredients!
Now at Tirana International Airport, with two locations in the transit area. - GoodFellas, Departure Area. Burgers / Pizza / Tacos with the authentic American taste that GoodFellas offers.
- MR. GREEK, Departure Area. Enjoy fresh pizzas, delicate pastas, sweet crepes, and delicious grilled dishes.
- Opa, Departure Area, ☏ +355 69 707 9300, [email protected]. Opa is about tasting traditional greek cuisine. Is it a street food restaurant.
- Trotters, Departure Area. Trotters is the taste stop at the heart of the airport, located near Gate 14 and featuring a dedicated outdoor smoking area.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Bar. A little café right outside the airport with more local prices. Staff and taxi drivers take a break here.
- Aire (Aire Bar), Outside the terminal. Your perfect spot for a relaxing drink before your flight at Tirana International Airport.
- Bacio Nero, Departure Area, [email protected]. Discover the sweetest taste of Italy with Bacio Nero.
Coffe / Dessert / Ice Cream / Yogurt / Pasta - Mulliri i Vjeter, Departure Area. Coffee and any other products at the Mulliri at Rinas airport. Eat and drink tasty snacks.
- Mon Cheri, Check-in Area, [email protected]. Be happy in every sip and bite at your new favorite spot for coffee and more at @monchericoffeeshop, located at Tirana International Airport.
- Nana Bar, Departure Area. Through your beautiful travels, stop and drink a coffee ☕️
- Segafredo, Departure Area. If you are familiar with Café Segafredo, the Ambassador of the Italian Coffee Culture, you will certainly enjoy the idea of spending time in Segafredo Bar at Tirana International Airport.
Enjoy your Segafredo before your flight
Buy
[edit]- Adrion, Check-in Area. Albania's biggest bookstore. You can buy different books, albanian language or foreign languages, also different gifts.
- Hamleys, Departure Area, ☏ +355 4 450 5005, [email protected]. Welcome to The Finest Toy Shop in the World. You can find different toys, a perfect gift for your loved ones.
- Memories, Departure Area. You are welcome to buy local and traditional souvenirs for your loved ones at "Memories" shop at Tirana International Airport.
- Pronatyra MD, Check-in Area, [email protected]. Smart, cheap, and successful purchases. You can find everything a supermarket has.
- Tufina, Departure Area, [email protected]. Tufina creates wristwatches that combine tradition and innovation. You can find the right gifts.
Money (Withdrawal and exchange)
[edit]Right next to the baggage carousel in arrivals there is the airport’s tourism information desk, an ATM and a currency exchange office—with bad rates, only exchange €5-10 here. Also in the main hall, exchange bureaus and ATMs can be found.
Change your money in the center of Tirana or Durres — the rates there are much more competitive with barely 0.5% markup/fee.
- BKT ATM, Check-in Area, ☏ +355 4 226 6288, [email protected]. Money exchange and cash withdrawal...
- Fibank, Arrival terminal, ☏ +355 4 227 6702, [email protected]. Cash withdrawal…
- GSK Exchange, Check-in Area. Money exchange...
- Iliria 98, Check-in Area, [email protected]. Money exchange…
- IntesaSanPaolo Bank, Arrival terminal, ☏ +355 4 227 6000, [email protected]. Cash withdrawal
- OTP Bank, Arrival terminal, ☏ +355 4 228 0442, +355 4 228 0443, [email protected]. Cash withdrawal...
- Raiffeisen Bank ATM, Arrival terminal, ☏ +355 4 238 1381, [email protected]. Cash withdrawal…
- TiBank ATM (Tirana Bank ATM), Check-in Area, ☏ +355 4 227 7700, [email protected]. Check-in Area
Shopping
[edit]Facilities in the terminal include a press shop and several cafés. Inside the terminal, at the departure area, while you wait for your flight you can buy different items at Aelia Duty Free, a big modern shop with a variety of products and reasonable prices. You can find the Aelia Duty Free store (https://www.instagram.com/aeliadutyfree_al/?hl=en) at TIA at the departure area, in the opposite side of departure gate 12.
There are also cheaper cafés (€0.80/espresso) just (right) outside the fenced airport area, where taxi drivers go for a drink.
Connect
[edit]Free Wi-Fi is available in the airport, but not always reliable. You can also find Wi-Fi spots at the bars inside and outside the terminal.
Internet
[edit]Vodafone and One are selling SIM cards inside the airport, but these only include packages which are the most expensive ones on offer in Albania—starting at 2,300 lek for 40 GB. They claim that they do not offer the usual entry SIM/package for 800 lek (including 3–6 GB). So, unless you really need 40 GB, wait until you arrive in downtown Tirana and get a regular package there—see Albania#Connect.
- 1 ONE Albania (at the southwestern corner of the airport right in front of where you exit the luggage collection area).
- 2 Vodafone (just right of ONE).
Cope
[edit]- 3 Copyshop (just south of the KFC). In case you need to print out your boarding pass. Though, its opening times do not seem very reliable. If you urgently need to print anything, just ask in one of the small car rental office just around the corner of this copy shop. In case they are not busy, they will probably help you for the right price (50–100 lek).
Boarding pass
[edit]Since 2024, printed boarding passes are allowed to be used to enter the departures area with mobile apps or digital files still not accepted. Sometimes though, you will not be provided with a printable boarding pass and need to get yours at the check-in or at the airline service counter. Even Ryanair and Wizz Air provide free prints if you did finalize your mandatory online check-in ahead.
Sleep
[edit]Many hotels and guesthouses are in walking distance to the airport.
- 1 Hotel Airport Tirana, ☏ +355 4 450 0190. 7,000 lek.
- 2 Airport Garden Hotel, ☏ +355 69 455 3350. 6,000 lek.
- 3 CacaHotel, ☏ +355 68 228 5884. 5,000 lek.
- 4 Hotel Jurgen, ☏ +355 69 223 0663.
- 5 Best Western Premier Ark Hotel, Ark Hotel near “Mother Teresa”, Tirana Airport, ☏ +355 4 450 0545.
- 6 Airport Holiday Hotel, in front of Tirana International Airport, ☏ +355 69 703 3336, [email protected].
Parking
[edit]1 Apollo Parking Rinas, TIA, Rruga e Aeroportit, Rinas 1504 (Outside the terminal), ☏ +355 69 209 3699, [email protected]. 24h. Reasonable priced parking outside the terminal, around 10 minutes walking. Parking inside the terminal is more expensive. 300Lek per day.
2 Parking Hotel Airport Tirana, In front of Tirana International Airport 0190 Rinas, Albania (Outside the terminal, just 5 min by foot. In front of the airport.), ☏ +355 68 200 4243, [email protected]. 24h. Safe place to leave your car, covered by security cameras. 300Lek per day.
Nearby
[edit]- 1 Preza Castle (Kalaja e Prezës) (a 4-km hike from the airport to the west), [email protected]. A castle with a good view over the surrounding area and the airport.
- 3 Thermal Bath "Ibrahim Kupi" (Banja termale Ibrahim Kupi), Bilaj (about 9 km north of the airport), ☏ +355 68 222 1172. A thermal bath and sanatorium. Maybe relax here for a couple of days before flying back.
- 2 Krujë. A historical city in Albania, known as the town of National Hero, Gjergj Kastritoti Skanderbeu (Skandergeb).