Tirana International Airport, officially Nënë Tereza (Mother Teresa) Airport and often called Rinas or TIA, is Albania’s main international gateway, located northwest of the capital, about 20 km by road from the center. For most visitors it is the entry point to the country, with growing connections across Europe and a straightforward layout. This guide covers getting to and from the airport, transport options, facilities, and practical tips for arriving in Albania.
About Tirana Airport
Tirana Airport (airport code TIA) is by far the busiest airport in Albania and, for years, was the country’s only international airport. Airports at Kukës and Vlorë have been built, but neither had regular passenger flights as of 2026. It handles flights from many European cities and has expanded rapidly as tourism to Albania has grown. The terminal is modern and compact, which makes it easy to navigate on arrival and departure.
Getting From the Airport to Tirana
The airport is about 20 km by road from the center of Tirana, a drive of roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. The main options are:
- Taxi: the official airport taxi operates outside arrivals at fixed prices (its website lists Tirana at about 22 to 25 euros). With any other taxi, agree the fare first or ensure the meter is used.
- Airport bus: a dedicated bus runs between the airport and central Tirana every hour, 24 hours a day, the cheapest option.
- Car rental: rental desks operate at the airport, useful if you plan to explore beyond the capital.
- Private transfer: pre-booked transfers and hotel pickups are widely available.
Getting to Other Destinations
Many travelers head straight from the airport to the coast or other regions:
- Durrës: the port and beach city of Durrës is about 45 minutes away, often reached directly by transfer.
- The south and the Riviera: reaching Sarandë, the Riviera or the beaches of the south generally means a longer drive or an onward connection, easiest with a rental car or private transfer.
- The north: Shkodër and the Alps are reached by heading north from the airport area.
For planning where to go, see the best places to visit in Albania.
Facilities
The terminal offers the standard facilities travelers expect: cafes and shops, car rental and transfer desks, currency exchange and ATMs, and duty free on departure. Because it is compact, everything is within easy walking distance, and connection and transfer times inside the airport are short.
Arrival Tips
- Currency: withdraw Albanian lek from an airport ATM or exchange some cash, as smaller vendors and buses may not take cards. See our guidance on money in Albania.
- SIM cards: you can buy a local SIM for data, useful for maps and transfers.
- Transport: decide your onward transport before you land, especially for late arrivals; the Tirana city bus runs all night, but the intercity buses do not.
- Safety: Albania is generally safe for arriving travelers, see is Albania safe to visit, though as at any airport, use official or booked transport.
After You Land: What to Do First
If Tirana is your first stop, the compact, lively capital is a good place to start, see things to do in Tirana and where to sleep in best hotels in Albania. Many visitors spend a day or two in the city before heading to the coast or mountains.
Tirana Airport at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name and code | Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, code TIA, named for Mother Teresa; often still called Rinas after the village |
| Location | Northwest of the city, about 20 kilometers by road from the center, off the Tirana to Durrës highway |
| Size | Albania’s main international airport: about 10.7 million passengers in 2024 and 11.6 million in 2025 |
| Terminal | One terminal, opened in 2007 and expanded in stages since |
| Airlines | Wizz Air is the largest carrier, followed by Ryanair, both of which base aircraft here, with full-service carriers including Lufthansa, Austrian, Turkish, Swiss, ITA and British Airways. The national airline Air Albania stopped flying in December 2025 |
| From the United States | No nonstop flights; the usual connections are through Istanbul, Vienna, Frankfurt, Rome, Munich, Zurich or London. The nearest nonstop from North America is Air Transat’s weekly summer flight from Toronto, launched in June 2026 |
| Other airports | Kukës in the north opened in 2021 but has had no regular flights since; Vlorë airport in the south is built but had no scheduled passenger service as of mid 2026; many southern travelers fly to Corfu and take the ferry to Sarandë |
Getting Into Town: Your Options
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport bus (Luna) | 30 to 40 minutes | Runs 24 hours a day, every hour on the hour, to a stop behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet, a short walk from Skanderbeg Square. The airport lists the fare as 400 lekë (4.50 euros); pay the driver in cash |
| Official taxi | 25 to 35 minutes | The official airport taxi works at fixed prices from outside arrivals; ignore touts inside |
| Pre-booked taxi | 25 to 35 minutes | Uber does not operate in Albania; the official airport taxi and local firms take bookings online or by phone |
| Rental car | International and local firms have desks in the terminal; check the car and photograph it before leaving | |
| Hotel transfer | Most Tirana hotels arrange one for a fixed price; worth it on a late arrival | |
| To Durrës or the coast | 40 minutes to Durrës | Taxi or transfer direct; the airport is on the Durrës side of the city, so you avoid Tirana traffic entirely |
Buses From the Airport to Other Cities
Besides the Tirana city bus, the airport lists direct buses to several cities. Timetables change with the season, so check the airport bus page before you travel.
| Destination | Fare listed by the airport | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tirana center | 400 lekë (4.50 euros) | Every hour, 24 hours a day, 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tirana North and South Bus Terminal | 300 lekë (3.50 euros) | Hourly in the daytime; the terminal for intercity buses |
| Durrës | 600 lekë | Several departures a day, the last late in the evening |
| Fier | 1,000 lekë | Frequent departures, including early-morning runs to the airport |
| Vlorë | 1,200 lekë | Several a day, including night runs to the airport |
| Shkodër | 1,000 lekë | About four a day |
Early flights: because the Tirana city bus runs through the night, it works for a 5 a.m. departure; a taxi or hotel transfer is the other option. Kosovo: the airport’s own bus page lists no Kosovo line, but private operators run buses between Prishtina and Tirana Airport, bookable on ticket sites such as Gjirafa Travel. From central Tirana, Kosovo buses mostly leave from the East Terminal (Terminali Lindor). Check the departure point on your ticket.
Arriving From the US: A Checklist
Have your passport ready and expect a stamp; US citizens need no visa and may stay up to a year. Change only a little money at the airport, where rates are poor, and use an ATM in the city or the arrivals hall for lekë. Buy a local SIM in arrivals if you want data from the first minute, or set up an eSIM before you fly; see our SIM card and eSIM guide. Confirm your transport before you walk out, because the taxi rank is the only reliable option on the pavement and the touts are persistent. If you have a rental, note that the road to the city passes the Tirana to Durrës highway junction within minutes, so decide beforehand whether your first night is in the capital or on the coast. For the city itself, see the Tirana travel guide and things to do in Tirana, and for entry rules, do you need a visa for Albania.
Flights From the United States
| Connection | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Via Istanbul | Turkish Airlines | The most frequent connection, from New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington and other US gateways, with daily flights on to Tirana |
| Via Vienna | Austrian Airlines | Flies to Vienna from New York and Chicago, with a short connection on to Tirana |
| Via Frankfurt and Munich | Lufthansa | Frankfurt year round; Munich to Tirana is seasonal |
| Via Rome | ITA Airways | Seasonal Rome to Tirana flights; good for combining with family in Italy |
| Via Zurich | Swiss | Serves the Albanian community in Switzerland as well |
| Via London | British Airways | Heathrow to Tirana flights, useful from the US East Coast |
| Via Prishtina | Various | Kosovo’s airport has strong diaspora links to Switzerland and Germany; Tirana is three hours by road |
Total journey times from the East Coast run twelve to sixteen hours with one connection. Summer fares rise sharply, because the diaspora flies home in July and August, so book spring travel by February and summer travel by April. Winter is cheap and the connections are quieter.
Departing From Tirana
Departures are simpler than arrivals. Arrive two hours before a European flight and three before anything connecting to the United States, because the security queue is the one bottleneck on a busy morning. There is duty free on departure, but olive oil, honey and local raki are better bought in town. Passport control stamps you out. The official airport taxi charges fixed prices, and the airport bus runs through the night for early flights. For anyone whose trip ends on the coast rather than in Tirana, the highway from Durrës reaches the airport without touching the city, which saves an hour at rush hour.
The airport has grown faster than its roads, so leave time for the last few kilometers on a summer evening, and remember that the parking lot fills on the days the diaspora flies out; a taxi is usually the wiser choice.
The airport is named for Mother Teresa, who was born to an Albanian family in Skopje, and in 2023 the airport unveiled a statue of her by the artist Ilir Shimo. For many in the diaspora it is a fitting first sight: not a transit point but the front door of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tirana Airport called?
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (Mother Teresa), often called Rinas or by its code TIA. It is Albania’s main international airport.
How far is Tirana Airport from the city?
It lies northwest of the city, about 20 km by road from central Tirana, a drive of roughly 30 to 40 minutes.
How do I get from Tirana Airport to the city?
By the official airport taxi (fixed prices), the airport bus to the center (hourly, 24 hours, 400 lekë), a rental car, or a pre-booked private transfer.
Does the Tirana airport bus run at night?
Yes. According to the airport, the bus between the terminal and central Tirana runs every hour, 24 hours a day. The fare is 400 lekë (4.50 euros).
Can I get from the airport straight to the beach?
Yes. Durrës is about 45 minutes away, while the southern coast and Riviera are a longer drive, easiest by rental car or private transfer.
Explore More of Albania
Continue with the Tirana travel guide, Durrës, and our Albanian city travel guides.
Sources
- National Tourism Agency of Albania
- Wikipedia: Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza
- Tirana International Airport: By Bus
- Official Airport Taxi (TIA) (fixed prices)
- Tirana International Airport: Mother Teresa’s statue
- Wikipedia: Air Albania (end of operations, December 2025)
- Air Transat: nonstop Toronto to Tirana
- US State Department: Albania international travel information
Author: Dardanë Halimi
Dardanë Halimi is a writer and communications professional with an M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication from James Madison University. Her work focuses on storytelling, digital content, higher education, and strategic communication, with experience writing for academic, nonprofit, and marketing organizations in both the United States and Kosovo.
