# How do you get from Tirana airport to the city center, and how much do the bus and taxi cost? > The airport bus from Tirana airport to the center costs 400 lek, runs hourly 24/7 and takes 30-45 minutes. Official taxis charge about 2,200-2,500 lek. No Uber or Bolt. - Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/tirana-airport-to-city-center-bus-taxi-guide - Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from a 526-day trip across 20 countries) - Published: 2026-08-26 The cheapest way from **Tirana International Airport (TIA)** to the city center is the airport bus, often called the **Rinas Express**: **400 lek** (about €4) one way, departing **every hour on the hour, 24/7**, and taking **30 to 45 minutes** to a stop behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet on Skanderbeg Square. An airport taxi takes about 25 minutes and costs a fixed fare quoted at roughly **2,200 to 2,500 lek** (about €22 to €25). **Uber and Bolt do not operate in Albania.** ## Airport bus: fare, timetable and where it stops The bus is run by **LUNA**. According to the operator's 2026 timetable, the city-center line costs **400 lek** paid on board, in **lek or euros in cash, or by card**, and runs **24 departures a day, on the hour, every day**. Online booking adds a small card fee. Children who take a seat pay the full fare, and a bike or other bulky item costs an extra 500 lek. At the airport, the bus waits in the bus parking about a minute's walk from the arrivals exit. In Tirana it stops **behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet** on the east side of **Skanderbeg Square**; some older guides describe it as the National Museum stop, at the other side of the same square. The return bus leaves from the same spot. A second LUNA line runs to the **South-North bus terminal** (where buses for Durrës, Shkodër and the south leave) for **300 lek**, hourly from **07:00 to 18:00** only. ## Taxi from Tirana airport: fixed fare and tips Official airport taxis wait outside arrivals. They charge a **fixed fare** to central Tirana, quoted in 2026 guides at roughly **2,200 to 2,500 lek** (about €22 to €25); we could not confirm the exact current figure on an official airport page, so **agree the price before you get in**. Expect 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic on the Rinas road. Pay in lek if you can, and round up by 100 to 200 lek if the driver helps with bags. Our [Albania cash, ATMs and tipping guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/albania-cash-culture-atms-and-tipping-rules) explains why it pays to withdraw lek at an airport ATM first. Several local transfer companies quote lower prices if you book ahead by WhatsApp or email. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal without a marked car. ## Is there Uber in Tirana? Local ride apps **No.** Neither Uber nor Bolt operates in Albania as of 2026. Local apps fill the gap: **Patoko**, **Clust** and **Vrapon** are the ones travelers mention most, and Tirana taxi firms such as Speed Taxi take bookings by phone. Coverage and English-language support vary, and many drivers prefer cash. Apps are more useful for getting around Tirana than for the first ride from the airport, where the bus or the airport taxi rank is simpler. ## Renting a car at Tirana airport The airport is the main car-rental hub in Albania and usually the cheapest place to pick one up. Rental kiosks are just outside the terminal and the cars are parked in lots across the road. Book ahead in July and August. A car pays off if you are heading straight to the coast or the mountains rather than staying in Tirana, where traffic is heavy and parking is tight. Most visitors don't need a visa for a short stay; check our [Albania visa guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/do-i-need-a-visa-to-visit-albania) before you fly, and our [Albania guide](https://clevertourists.com/guides/albania) for where to go next. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much is the bus from Tirana airport to the city center? 400 lek (about €4) one way, paid on board in lek, euros or by card. It runs hourly, 24/7, and takes 30 to 45 minutes. ### Where does the Tirana airport bus stop in the city? Behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet on Skanderbeg Square, according to the operator LUNA. A second line goes to the South-North bus terminal for 300 lek, 07:00 to 18:00. ### How much is a taxi from Tirana airport to the city center? Official airport taxis charge a fixed fare quoted at about 2,200 to 2,500 lek (€22 to €25). Confirm the price before getting in. ### Is there Uber in Albania? No. Uber and Bolt do not operate in Albania. Local apps such as Patoko, Clust and Vrapon, or phone-booked taxis, are the alternatives. ### Does the Tirana airport bus run at night? Yes. The city-center line runs every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day. The bus terminal line runs only from 07:00 to 18:00. ## Official sources - [LUNA airport bus: fares and timetable](https://luna.al/aeroport) - [Tirana International Airport (TIA)](https://www.tirana-airport.com/)