Getting to Albania has never been this easy, with affordable links via land, sea and air. Once you've arrived, keep in mind that as long as you’re on the ground it’s going to be a bumpy ride, whether you take a taxi, bus, car or train.

Arriving by plane
Tirana's modern Nënë Tereza (Mother Teresa, TIA) airport, 17km northwest of Tirana, is a 30-minute drive away from the city centre in good traffic. Beside the baggage carousel in arrivals there are ATMs, an exchange office with bad rates, and a tourist information desk. If you haven't purchased a eSim in advance, you can join the queues for a local SIM card at the mobile phone shops in the arrivals hall. Ignore taxi drivers harassing new arrivals and order an official taxi company; Green Taxi and others charge around 1200 lek one-way if order by phone/WhatsApp for a pick-up outside the terminal. Alternatively, hop on the airport bus to Sheshi Skënderbej; this departs on the hour every hour day and night, tickets cost 400 lek and can be paid cash on board in lek or euro, or purchased online. 

Arriving by bus
Most international and domestic buses will drop you off at the North-South Bus Terminal on the western end of town, or the East Bus Terminal at the TEG mall on the eastern end of town; it's easy to get to the city centre by bus from both locations.

Arriving by ferry
Car ferry services from several Italian cities to the ports of Durrës, Shengjin and Vlora operate all year round. Flying to Corfu and taking advantage of the twice-daily passenger ferry to Saranda is a cheap way to reach southern Albania, though it's still a long (yet very scenic) drive or bus ride to Tirana from there.

Arriving by car
Since the main roads to and within Albania have been upgraded, driving to Tirana is finally a serious option. In summer months you may face long queues at the border, and keep in mind not all border crossings are open around the clock. Finding street parking in Tirana may be tricky, but parking under one of the malls is an inexpensive option.

Arriving by train
Tirana’s train station was regrettably demolished, and the whole network between Tirana, Durrës and Shkodra is currently being upgraded for the arrival of fast trains. Albania has no international passenger trains.