Tirana to Sarande by car, Albania: the Llogara road
The drive from Tirana to Sarande takes about 4 real hours. What the Llogara road is like, when to leave and how to rent the car without trouble.
The drive from Tirana to the Albanian Riviera is the moment the trip changes from city to coast. It's long, it has curves and it has one stop you can't skip. Here's what's worth knowing before you drive it.
How long it really takes
Count on about 4 hours on the road, not including stops. That's 4 real hours, no less, so the ideal is to leave Tirana early so you reach Sarande with the afternoon free.
The must-stop: Llogara
The road passes through Llogara National Park, with a mountain viewpoint over the Ionian Sea. It's the must-stop of the whole drive. Pull over, get out of the car and give yourself a while to take in the landscape.
The curves
The coastal roads, like Llogara and the stretch from Vlore to Sarande, have lots of curves and can make you carsick. Drive calmly and leave extra time. If anyone in the car gets queasy, it's better to stop often.
How to rent the car
To get around between Tirana, Sarande and Ksamil, a rental car is the most convenient option. For this route a small or mid-size car is enough, you don't need a 4x4. A few practical things we used:
- Book ahead in July and August: cars sell out in Tirana.
- The usual minimum age is 21, and some categories ask for 23 or 25.
- Ask for a full-to-full fuel policy and take photos or a full video of the car before you leave.
- A guide price is €20 to €40 a day in the shoulder season, and up to €45 to €60 in August.
- Guarded parking in Sarande and Ksamil costs about €10 a day.
Don't pay for the insurance twice. It's the most expensive mistake of the trip, and we explain it in the car insurance mistake in Albania.
The way back
On the last day you do the same 4-hour drive back to Tirana to catch your flight. Leave enough margin before departure, and check whether you can return the car in a different city from where you picked it up, because that usually carries an extra charge.
Our recommendation
Leave early, stop at Llogara, drive without rushing and book the car ahead. You'll find the day-by-day route in our 7-day Albania itinerary.
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Renting a car in Albania? Compare prices on Discover Cars. We've linked the Tirana, Tirana Airport and Saranda pages directly.
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