Tirana International Airport

Tirana International Airport

Tirana, Albania

At a glance

Quick facts

Location

Rinas · 17 km NW of Tirana · 41.4147°N, 19.7206°E

Airport codes

IATA: TIA · ICAO: LATI · Nënë Tereza

Main airlines

Wizz Air · Ryanair · Turkish · Air Albania · Lufthansa · ITA

Terminal & hours

Single terminal · 24/7 · flights 05:00–01:00

Transfer to Tirana

Rinas Express bus 400 ALL · taxi 3,000 ALL · 25–40 min

Main draw

Albania's single gateway · 10M+ passengers/year

Overview

Overview: Albania's single gateway

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (IATA TIA, ICAO LATI) is Albania's only commercial airport of real scale, and it carries the full weight of the country's fast-growing tourism. Passenger numbers passed 10 million per year in 2024 and continue to climb, with the terminal steadily expanded and modernised to keep up. TIA sits on the Rinas plain, 17 km northwest of central Tirana, 33 km from the port of Durrës and 15 km from Krujë.

The good news for arriving travellers: the airport is compact, walkable end to end in under five minutes, and by European standards the arrivals process is fast. Non-Schengen passport control usually clears in 10 to 20 minutes even at peak summer arrivals, and baggage tends to appear within 15 to 25 minutes of touchdown. From wheels-down to standing outside with your suitcase is realistically 35 to 50 minutes. This page is your first-day briefing: how to leave the terminal quickly, how to reach every major destination in the country, and which small choices at TIA save you time later.

Getting there

Onward transfers from TIA

Pre-booked private transfer

The most stress-free option, especially after a long-haul flight or with a group. A driver meets you inside arrivals with a name-board and takes you door-to-door for a fixed price: Tirana €25–35, Durrës €35–45, Berat €80–120, Vlorë €110–140, Sarandë €220–280. For four to eight passengers a minivan is roughly €40–60 for Tirana or €280–350 for Sarandë. See private transfers in Albania.

Rinas Express airport bus

The cheapest way into town. The Rinas Express shuttle runs roughly hourly between the terminal and the National Museum stop on Skanderbeg Square, from around 07:00 to 23:00. Fare: 400 ALL (about €4). Journey time 30–40 minutes. Tickets in cash from the driver (lek preferred, euros usually accepted). The stop is directly outside arrivals, on the right as you exit.

Official yellow taxi

Yellow taxis wait at the marked rank outside arrivals. The official flat fare to Tirana city centre is 3,000 ALL (about €30) and is enforced by the airport authority. Journey 25–40 min depending on traffic. Every licensed car displays a printed price list on the door. Taxi to Durrës is 4,000–5,000 ALL; to Shkodër 6,000–7,000 ALL. Cash preferred; some drivers accept card. Never take a taxi offer from inside the terminal.

Rental car from arrivals

All major international brands (Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Europcar) plus reputable local companies operate desks inside the arrivals hall. 2026 rates start around €25–35 per day for a compact economy car in shoulder season and €45–70 in peak July–August, before insurance top-ups. If you plan a Riviera road trip or a run north to Theth and Valbona, picking up and dropping back at TIA is the smoothest workflow. Read the car rental in Albania guide before you book.

Onward flights & alternative airports

There are no domestic scheduled flights within Albania — the country is small enough that road transfer is always faster. The one exception is Vlorë International (VOA), which opened for phased traffic and is slowly building routes but remains a minor secondary field. If you are heading to the Ionian Riviera, TIA remains the primary gateway. See how to get to Albania for ferries from Bari, Ancona and Corfu, plus overland crossings from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece.

Top experiences

Practical tips inside the terminal

Withdraw lek at arrivals ATMs

Multiple ATMs sit in both arrivals and departures. Most machines dispense up to 40,000 ALL (roughly €400) per transaction. The airport ATM fee is typically 500–750 ALL. Euros are widely accepted but you get better value paying in lek. Grab €50–100 worth for bus fares, coffee and small tips.

Buy a Vodafone or ONE SIM

Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania both have kiosks in arrivals selling prepaid tourist SIMs — around €10–15 for 10–20 GB valid a month. EU roaming rules do not apply in Albania, so a local SIM is by far the cheapest way to stay online. You will need it for offline maps in mountain areas.

Ignore taxi offers inside the terminal

Only use the yellow taxis at the marked rank outside arrivals. Anyone approaching you inside the building offering a "taxi" is unlicensed and will overcharge. The fixed airport fare to Tirana is 3,000 ALL. If a licensed driver quotes something different, walk to the next car in the rank.

Layover ideas: Krujë over Tirana

With four to six hours between flights, Krujë (15 km northeast) is a smarter pick than fighting Tirana traffic. Skanderbeg's mountain fortress, a compact Ottoman bazaar and a hilltop panorama. A taxi round trip runs €25–40 and gets you back to check-in with time to spare. See our Krujë day tour.

Coffee, food and lounges

Cafés and quick-serve outlets sit both landside and airside — Albanian espresso is excellent and cheap (150–200 ALL). Duty-free covers spirits, tobacco, cosmetics, Albanian brandy (Skënderbeu) and traditional souvenirs. Airside on the upper floor: the Nënë Tereza VIP Lounge plus Priority Pass access, with day passes available at the counter.

Arrivals vs departures floor

Arrivals is ground floor: passport control, baggage belts, car rental desks, ATMs, exchange, SIM kiosks, taxi rank and bus stop. Departures is the upper floor: check-in, security, duty free, gates and lounges. A short internal ramp and lifts connect the two — plan for 5 minutes if you are picking someone up and re-parking.

Overview

Where to stay near TIA

Most travellers head straight into central Tirana (25–40 min drive) — for one night the extra minutes are worth it, since Tirana's restaurants, bars and Skanderbeg Square sit within walking distance of any hotel. Airport-adjacent stays only make sense for a specific case: very early departure, very late arrival, or a same-day connection.

For those cases, three options work well. A handful of business hotels in Rinas village and along the SH2 offer free shuttle service and doubles from €55–90 in shoulder season. Krujë (15 km northeast, 20 min) is a more atmospheric choice — Ottoman old town, castle views, dinner overlooking the plain, doubles €45–80. Durrës (33 km, 35 min) works if you have a morning ferry to Bari or Ancona and want to be at the port at 08:00. Book 24 hours ahead and confirm the shuttle time in writing before landing.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

1What is the airport code for Tirana?

The IATA code is TIA and the ICAO code is LATI. Always enter TIA on booking sites — it is unique to Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza and not shared with any other airport.

2How do I get from TIA to Tirana city cheaply?

The Rinas Express airport bus runs roughly hourly from 07:00 to 23:00 between the terminal and Skanderbeg Square. The fare is 400 ALL (about €4), journey 30–40 minutes. It is the cheapest option; a yellow taxi is a fixed 3,000 ALL (€30).

3Are there ATMs and SIM cards at TIA arrivals?

Yes to both. Multiple ATMs in the arrivals hall dispense up to 40,000 ALL per transaction. Vodafone Albania and ONE Albania run kiosks selling prepaid tourist SIMs for around €10–15 with 10–20 GB, valid a month. Do this before leaving the terminal — EU roaming does not apply in Albania.

4How much does a taxi from TIA to Tirana cost?

The official flat fare is 3,000 ALL (about €30) to any address in central Tirana, enforced by the airport authority. Only use the yellow taxis at the marked rank outside arrivals. If a driver quotes more, walk to the next car in the rank. Payment is cash preferred.

5Is there a meet-and-greet service?

Yes — any pre-booked private transfer includes a driver waiting inside the arrivals hall with a name-board bearing your surname or booking reference. This is standard for all reputable operators and avoids the outdoor taxi rank altogether. Confirm the meeting point in your booking confirmation.

6How do I get from TIA to Vlorë or Sarandë?

To Vlorë (150 km, 2h) a private transfer is €110–140 for a car; the public chain is Rinas Express to Tirana South Terminal, then intercity coach for around €7. To Sarandë (280–295 km, 4h 30min–5h) a private transfer is €220–280 for a car or €280–350 for a minivan. Public transport to Sarandë is a full-day slog via Tirana.

7Is there a train from Tirana Airport?

Not directly from the terminal. Albania is rebuilding its rail network and a modern service now connects Tirana's new central station to Durrës, but the airport itself is not on the line. To use the train, take the Rinas Express or a taxi into Tirana first, then continue by rail from Tirana central station.

8Can I store luggage at TIA?

Yes. A left-luggage counter in the arrivals hall handles short-term storage — useful if you want to day-trip Tirana or Krujë between flights without checking into a hotel. Rates are per bag per hour; bring cash in lek or euros.

9When should I arrive at TIA for my flight?

For a Schengen or intra-European departure, 2 hours before is comfortable. For long-haul (Turkish Airlines to Istanbul or beyond), plan 2.5 to 3 hours. Peak summer mornings (June–August) see the longest security queues; add 30 minutes if you are flying between 06:00 and 09:00. Online check-in works with most airlines and saves 10–15 minutes.

10Do I need a visa to enter Albania at TIA?

No visa for EU, UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most European passport holders — visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Border officers stamp your passport on entry and exit. Check the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for country-specific rules if you hold a non-Western passport.

Ready for Albania?

Landing at TIA?

Book a private transfer from the arrivals hall, add a Krujë layover tour, or roll TIA straight into a full Albania itinerary.

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