How to Plan an Albania Day Trip From Corfu
Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that some links found in our posts are affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Looking to pack the most into your itinerary? Discover how easy it really is to plan an Albania day trip from Corfu!
Quick and accessible journeys like the Corfu to Saranda ferry make getting from one European paradise to another effortless for any curious traveler. It’s no secret that ferry transportation is one of the best and most popular ways to get around the Greek islands. As one step further, it’s also one of the easiest ways to get from Greece to Albania.
The Corfu to Saranda ferry is ideal if you’re simply looking to accomplish an Albania day trip from Corfu or if you’re in the midst of a longer journey throughout the Balkans. These types of interconnecting routes are what make traveling in Europe efficient, exciting, and versatile!
In this short guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to plan an Albania day trip from Corfu, Greece.
The Essentials: Albania Day Trip From Corfu
🛂 Travelling to Saranda from Corfu means you are leaving the European Union. Prepare for the border control process with a visa (if your nationality requires it) and an eSIM for mobile data once you arrive in Albania.
🚤 Be mindful of the two types of ferry services between Corfu and Saranda – the fast boat and the ferry boat. The fast boat includes a shorter crossing time but it is more expensive.
🎟 If traveling during the summer months, do not risk a sold out ferry and make sure to book your tickets online and ahead of time.
📅 The ferry crossings are plentiful during peak season with multiple journeys per day, some of which occur late at night.
📸 Saranda is a great choice for a day trip or weekend getaway, given its close proximity to Corfu. You don’t need a ton of time to enjoy its highlights!
Is Visiting Saranda From Corfu Worth It?
For anyone interested in visiting a completely different country during their trip to Corfu in Greece, a visit to Saranda is absolutely worth it. Why not take advantage of the incredibly easy connection between the two? For a chance to expose yourself to a new culture, people, and cuisine, the short trip is undoubtedly worthwhile.
🇦🇱 You May Like: Unique Things to Do in Albania
Saranda (also known as Sarandë) is a perfect combination of beautiful beaches, resorts, and history. If you are planning a day trip from Corfu to Albania, staying solely in Saranda is the best option.
On the hilltop above Sarandë, you’ll find Kalaja e Lëkurësit, the ruins of a castle with phenomenal sweeping views. Throughout Saranda, you’ll also come across many military and war bunkers, which are particularly interesting and unique to Albania’s history.
Saranda is also in close proximity to other Albanian attractions and must-see highlights such as the town of Ksamil and the Butrint National Park. For those looking to experience dreamy sandy beaches and have a couple of days to spend, heading south towards Ksamil along the Albanian southern coastline is an excellent idea.
A handful of Albania’s best beaches in this area include Edon-Bina Beach, Plazhi i Manastirit, and Shpella e Pëllumbave. The UNESCO site of Butrint sits just below Ksamil city, less than 30 minutes from Sarandë.
Getting around Sarandë and from Saranda to Ksamil is easy by taxi service. Taxi fares in Albania are relatively affordable, and they’ll get you from point A to point B the quickest way possible if you’re not driving yourself.
A taxi ride from Saranda to Ksamil should cost no more than €20. Remember to always settle on the price of the fare upfront!
Corfu to Saranda Ferry FAQs
1. How Far Is Saranda From Corfu?
Technically, the air line distance between Corfu port and Saranda port is only 29 km (18 miles). The direct and shortest route between the two is only possible by sea travel. There are no bridges or tunnels that connect Corfu to Albania.
At their closest points, Corfu and Albania are only 2.2 km (1.4 miles) apart, but unfortunately, there is no ferry service between these two positions.
2. What Is the Route for an Albania Day Trip From Corfu?
👍 You May Like: How to Get to Albania From Italy by Ferry
3. How Long Is the Ferry From Corfu to Saranda?
One of the critical requirements for an efficient day trip is that transportation should take less than one hour between the two destinations. Luckily, a Corfu to Albania day trip is made possible with this 30-minute ferry ride. That’s equivalent to most work commutes!
However, there are a couple of details to keep in mind when planning your trip from Corfu to Albania. First, you can only make use of the 30-minute fast boat as a foot passenger.
The fast boat does not accommodate vehicles, which is why it can travel at a quicker speed. If you are traveling with a car, the ferry vessel for vehicles takes just over one hour to reach Saranda. Still, not bad!
Secondly, keep in mind that you are travelling outside of the European Union by going from Greece to Albania. This means that embarking on the ship will require a border control process and a brief passport check. Terminal gates will typically close 20 minutes before the departure time and will advise you to arrive at the port at least one hour in advance.
4. How Much Do Corfu to Saranda Ferry Tickets Cost?
Prices vary depending on a few different factors, with the biggest difference being which boat you take. If you book a fast boat ticket, an adult ticket can cost around €50 round trip. Ferry boats (ones that accommodate vehicles) cost at least 10% less since they are slower. For a one-way adult ticket on the slower ferry, which takes one hour, you can ride for just €15.
Additionally, prices fluctuate depending on when you travel. During the low season, fast boat tickets are cheaper and cost under €20 for a one-way trip or €38 for a round trip.
It’s useful to know that there are three main ferry operators serving the Corfu to Saranda route. They are Ionian Seaways, Finikas Lines, and Joy Lines. Although all of them are rather comparable in price, it’s worth price shopping to score the absolute best deal. Ferry company websites such as Ionian Seaways will offer a discount if you book online and ahead of time.
5. Where Can You Buy Corfu to Albania Ferry Tickets?
If you plan on taking the ferry from Corfu to Saranda in peak season (summer months), you should without a doubt purchase ferry tickets online. This means you are making a reservation on your preferred ferry, date, and time in advance.
This is not much of an issue during low and mid-season, but not having tickets booked ahead of time puts you at risk of sold-out vessels, especially the fast boats.
Some of the best resources for tickets which compare ferry company prices include Bookaway, Ferryhopper and Omio. Booking directly from the Ionian Seaways, Finikas Lines and Joy Lines website is also an option and guarantees the most accurate ferry schedules.
6. What Is the Corfu to Saranda Ferry Timetable?
Mid-season is typically defined as March to early June. During this time, you can find up to three crossings per day and per ferry operator. From June to early September, the high season ferry schedule includes up to six crossings per day by each ferry operator.
There is no shortage of opportunities to make your Albania day trip a reality. Peak season routes are also more flexible and run late into the evening and night.
7. What Are the Requirements for an Albania Day Trip From Corfu?
Citizen of EU states only need a valid passport in order to travel internationally from Greece to Albania. EU citizens do not need a visa to travel to or stay in Albania for less than 90 days.
Non-EU citizens will need to do specific research on their home country’s requirements for entering Albania. Most popularly, if you are a citizen of the United States or the United Kingdom, you also do not need a visa to enter Albania.
Taking a Vehicle on the Corfu to Saranda Ferry
If you’re like us, the possibility of taking a vehicle on a ferry is crucial as we like to road trip our way through and among destinations. Thankfully, you can take your car with you for an Albania day trip from Corfu!
It’s important to keep in mind the longer crossing time as it’s the biggest difference compared to traveling as a foot passenger.
🗺 You May Like: Albania Road Trip Guide
Taking your car on the Corfu to Saranda journey means you’ll need to book a ticket for the ferry boat and not the fast boat (also known as the flying dolphin). If you overlook this detail during the booking process, you’ll risk not being able to catch any ferry at that time.
Getting to Saranda from Corfu by ferry and with a car will take just over one hour. It may require a slightly lengthier embarkation process with a vehicle in addition to passport control. Plan ahead and leave yourself enough time when boarding.
Alternative Option: Guided Albania Day Trip From Corfu
A self-guided ferry from Corfu to Albania is not the only possible way to travel between the two. Depending on your travel plans, style, and timeline, taking a private or group tour to Albania from Corfu might be the better choice.
Private charters or guided tours include arranged transportation, which means you don’t have to worry about which boat to book and when.
This alternative option to seeing and learning about Albania tends to be much more informative with an expert guide who will also speak the local language. Furthermore, catching a private charter from Corfu will allow you to arrive directly in other destinations if you wish to skip Saranda. Albania’s Himarë is also accessible and gorgeous.
If you intend to visit the Butrint Archaeological Park in particular, booking a complete tour package is highly recommended. Not only does this cover your transportation to Albania in the first place, but it will also include transportation from Sarandë to Ksamil. Guided activities like this one can often be more affordable than arranging everything yourself.
⛱ You May Like: A Review of Ksamil Beaches
Albania Day Trip Travel Resources
☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com
🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com
🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio
🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries
🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago
☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
