Tirana International Airport

Tirana International Airport, formally Nënë Tereza International Airport, after Mother Teresa, is Albania's only fully operational international airport and the main entry point for almost every traveller arriving in the country. It sits on the plain at Rinas, 17 kilometres northwest of central Tirana, and has grown rapidly over the past decade to handle the country's tourism boom.

The Airport Today

Tirana Airport (IATA code TIA) has a single passenger terminal that handles all arrivals and departures. The terminal was significantly expanded in the early 2020s to cope with rising passenger numbers, and now includes upgraded immigration and baggage areas, a wider range of cafés and shops, car-rental desks and a small business lounge. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and the layout is straightforward, from gate to street is rarely more than a few minutes' walk.

Airlines and Destinations

The airport is served by a wide range of European carriers, including Lufthansa, ITA Airways, Austrian, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Pegasus, Turkish Airlines and Air Albania, the national flag carrier, with direct flights to most major hubs in Western Europe, several cities in Turkey, and a growing number of Middle Eastern destinations. The number of routes increases each summer to meet seasonal tourist demand.

Getting To and From the Airport

The most common transport options into central Tirana are airport taxi, pre-booked transfer, rental car and the public Rinas Express bus, which runs between the airport and central Tirana, typically Skanderbeg Square, at regular intervals through the day for a fixed low fare. The drive into the city centre takes 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. Krujë lies only 12 kilometres from the airport and is a popular first or last stop for many travellers, often combined with airport arrival or departure.

Practical Information

Albania uses the Albanian lek; ATMs and currency exchange offices are available in both arrivals and departures. Euros are widely accepted in the country, but a small amount of local currency is useful for taxis, small shops and rural areas. EU, US, UK, Canadian and most other Western passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.