How to get to Vlorë in 2027: flights, ferries and the road

November 9, 2026 By VLORA TRAVEL GUIDE
Panoramic view of the Bay of Vlora, showing the sea.

Fly to Tirana and cover the last stretch by road: it takes about two hours to reach the Vlorë area. Vlorë’s own airport has not opened and has no commercial flights, so plan 2027 around Tirana. From Italy, the latest ferry listing we found runs from Brindisi to Vlorë itself. Check every timetable with the operator before you book.

Written by the Valza team, who live and work in Vlorë. Updated November 2026.

Getting to Vlorë at a glance

What it is
A dated guide to the real ways of reaching Vlorë in 2027: a flight to Tirana, the Brindisi ferry, and the road.
Where
Valza Boutique Hotel is in Uji i Ftohtë, on the southern side of Vlorë; Tirana airport is about two hours away by road.
Time needed
About two hours by road from Tirana, plus your flight; ferry listings give 4.5 to 7 hours for the Brindisi crossing.
Best time
Arrive after 14:00, when check-in opens. The hotel operates each year from 15 March to 15 November.
Cost
Fares depend on the airline, the ferry company and the date: check them when you book.
Good for
Travellers planning a 2027 stay who want to know which route is real before they book.

Can you fly to Vlorë?

Not today: Vlorë International Airport has not opened, and no commercial flights operate there. That decides the plan for 2027, which starts in Tirana.

The site lies near the village of Akërni, about 10 kilometres north of Vlorë, on a former military airstrip. Building began in November 2021 and the first opening was planned for 2025. In August 2026 the Albanian state began the procedure to terminate the concession agreement, citing irregularities and violations of the construction contract.

On 21 September 2026 the Albanian Daily News wrote that the airport is now out of the equation for at least the coming year. The paper quotes the head of the Albanian Tourism Union, who says foreign agencies have cut their contracts by about 60 per cent and blames the long transfer from Tirana.

What does that mean for you? Fly to Tirana, which Euronews describes as about two hours from the Vlorë region, and treat any promise of a flight to Vlorë in 2027 with caution until the airport itself says otherwise. Plan on the road, not on the runway: the two hours are part of the trip, and the steps below show how to cover them.

The airport so far

  1. November 2021

    Building begins on Vlorë International Airport, on a former military airstrip near the village of Akërni.

  2. 2025

    The year the airport was first due to open. Delays push the date back.

  3. 21 April 2026

    Euronews reports that the opening is expected at the end of 2026, after delays from 2024 onwards caused by pending certifications, and warns that the schedule could slip again.

  4. August 2026

    The Albanian state starts the procedure to end the concession, citing irregularities and violations of the construction contract.

  5. 21 September 2026

    The Albanian Daily News reports that the airport is out of the equation for at least the coming year.

  6. November 2026

    The airport is still closed to passenger flights, with no opening date, and Albania’s special prosecutors extend their investigation into the concession until 23 November 2026.

Which way in: fly to Tirana or sail from Brindisi?

Two routes are on offer: fly to Tirana and continue by road, or sail from Brindisi to Vlorë. We checked the table again on 9 November 2026. Ferryhopper now lists 2027 sailings from Brindisi to Vlorë with Star Lines, from three days a week in January to every day in July and August, so confirm your date with the operator before you book.

Fly to Tirana, then road Ferry from Brindisi
Where you arrive Tirana airport, then the road to the Vlorë area Vlorë itself
Journey time About two hours by road from the airport, plus your flight 4.5 to 7 hours at sea in the 2025 listing, depending on company and vessel
How often Several airlines serve Tirana; check yours Up to 7 departures a week in the 2025 listing
Your own car Not needed for the transfer Ferries with car decks
Last stretch to Uji i Ftohtë Shuttle to Vlorë, then a taxi Your own car or a taxi
Check before booking Airline timetable for your dates The operator’s 2027 timetable and vehicle rules
Our take Fly to Tirana for the simplest plan. Choose the ferry if you are driving from Italy and want to arrive in Vlorë itself.

How to get to Vlorë, step by step

Work backwards from the hotel: fix your arrival, then the route, then the last stretch.

  1. Check that you may enter. EU, Schengen, EEA, Swiss and UK passport holders can visit Albania without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and a British passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave. Other nationalities: read your own government’s travel advice.

  2. Decide where to sleep. Uji i Ftohtë, on the southern side of Vlorë, feels more residential and relaxed than the centre, and our guide to where to stay in Vlorë compares the areas.

  3. Book the way in. Fly to Tirana, or sail from Brindisi; for the ferry, ask the operator for the 2027 timetable and the rules for vehicles.

  4. Plan the last stretch. From Tirana airport the Hermes shuttle runs to Vlorë, for about 1,200 lek one way and roughly two and a half hours on the road, and a local taxi finishes the trip: check the current timetable and drop-off point, and before you get in, ask the driver whether the meter will be used or agree the fare. The hotel has no airport pickup, but reception can recommend independent taxi providers.

  5. Tell reception when you will arrive. Send the time by email to info@valza.al or by WhatsApp to +355 69 60 22022; reception is open 24 hours a day.



Valza Boutique Hotel in Uji i Ftohtë, where the last stretch of the journey ends.

How do you get around Vlorë once you arrive?

Vlorë is easy to move around without a car. The city has four urban bus lines, and the one most visitors use runs along Bulevardi Ismail Qemali and the Lungomare from the north of the centre down to Uji i Ftohtë and its Lion Fountain, a few minutes from our hotel. It runs about every 20 minutes, from around 06:00 to 23:00 in summer and until about 20:00 in winter. A ride costs 40 lek, paid in cash to the attendant on board, and children under 10 ride free.

Taxis are the quick option for the evening or with luggage. Before you set off, ask the driver whether the meter will be used or what the fare will be, and agree it: some taxis use a meter, others name a price. Carry cash in lek, because almost no taxi in Vlorë has a card machine. Reception can call a taxi for you at any hour.

What if you land in the evening?

Flights and ferries do not always match check-in. If you land in the evening and still have the energy, ask reception whether dinner fits your arrival: Eden by Valza serves dinner on the hotel’s rooftop. Please contact reception to confirm opening days and hours, and to reserve: +355 69 60 22022 (phone or WhatsApp).

What do travellers get wrong about arriving?

Three assumptions are easy to make while planning the journey, and each one is wrong or out of date.

Myth or fact?

Myth“Vlorë has an airport, so I can fly straight in.”Tap to see the reality

Reality Vlorë International Airport has not opened and has no commercial flights. The state began the procedure to end its concession in August 2026, so for 2027 you fly to Tirana.

Myth“I can sail from Bari to Vlorë.”Tap to see the reality

Reality A Ferryhopper article from October 2025 listed the Bari to Vlorë connection as not active, and the Italian port it gave for Vlorë was Brindisi. Ask the operator about 2027 before you plan around any crossing.

Myth“Without a car, I cannot reach Vlorë from Tirana.”Tap to see the reality

Reality The hotel points guests to the Hermes shuttle from Tirana airport to Vlorë, with a local taxi for the rest; check the current timetable. A car is not needed for the nearby beaches; it helps for excursions.

Did you know?

  • 44 routes

    Ryanair flies from its Tirana base in summer 2026, 21 of them new, after a fourth aircraft arrived

  • 10 km

    From Vlorë to the site of its airport, near the village of Akërni

  • 60 per cent

    The cut in contracts from foreign agencies, according to the Albanian Tourism Union

  • 2021

    The year building began on Vlorë’s airport, in November

  • A British passport holder can stay in Albania for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but the passport must be valid for at least three months after leaving, says GOV.UK.

Test yourself: how well do you know the way to Vlorë?

1. Which airport should you fly into for Vlorë in 2027?

  • Vlorë International Airport, near Akërni
  • Tirana International Airport
  • Brindisi airport
Show the answer

Tirana International Airport. Vlorë’s airport has not opened and has no commercial flights, so the plan for 2027 starts in Tirana.

2. About how long does the road from Tirana airport to the Vlorë region take?

  • About one hour
  • About three hours
  • About two hours
Show the answer

About two hours. Euronews describes Tirana’s airport as about two hours from the Vlorë region.

3. How long can a British passport holder stay in Albania without a visa?

  • Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
  • Up to 30 days in any 60-day period
  • Up to 180 days in a calendar year
Show the answer

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The passport must also be valid for at least three months after you leave.


Panoramic view from Llogara Riviera, mountains and sea

South of Uji i Ftohtë the road climbs towards Llogara and the Riviera; from the hotel you can drive south without crossing the centre.

Plan your arrival

Four details decide how smooth the last hours of the journey feel.

The last stretch

If your flight or ferry lands before check-in at 14:00, luggage storage is free before check-in and after check-out, and parking is free for guests who arrive by car.

By sea

The Brindisi to Vlorë crossings in the Ferryhopper listing last about 5 to 7.5 hours, on Star Lines ferries with car decks, from three days a week in winter to daily in July and August. Confirm your date with the operator.

Time on the road

Allow about two hours after you land in Tirana, and longer if you wait for the shuttle.

Getting around

The nearest beach is a 5 to 6 minute walk away, about 300 metres. The Uji i Ftohtë city bus costs 40 lek, and a car helps for excursions south to Radhimë, Orikum and Llogara.

What to bring

  • Passport valid for the whole trip: check the validity rule for your nationality
  • Booking confirmations for the hotel and for your flight or ferry
  • Your arrival time, sent to reception by email or WhatsApp
  • Cash in lek for taxis and city buses: almost no taxi in Vlorë takes cards
  • Driving licence and car documents, if you bring your own car
  • Swimwear in your hand luggage, with the beach 300 metres away

Is the journey to Vlorë worth it?

Yes, if…

you want a base on the Bay of Vlora with the Riviera to the south, and you are happy to fly to Tirana and spend about two hours on the road.

Maybe not, if…

you need a short transfer from the airport: in September 2026 the Albanian Daily News judged Vlorë’s own airport out of the equation for at least the coming year, so the road from Tirana stays part of the trip.

The fix is simple: choose a flight that lands in time for the afternoon, and send reception your arrival time.

Go deeper

Our corner of Vlorë

Our family-run 4-star hotel stands in Uji i Ftohtë, a coastal neighbourhood on the southern side of Vlorë. Reception is open 24 hours a day, and parking is free for guests. When you are ready to choose, see our rooms and suites. If your arrival leaves room for dinner, Eden by Valza on our sixth-floor rooftop looks over the Bay of Vlora with a 180-degree view.

Frequently asked questions about getting to Vlorë


Which airport should I fly into for Vlorë?

Fly into Tirana International Airport. Vlorë International Airport has not opened; it lies about 10 kilometres north of Vlorë, and no commercial flights operate there. From Tirana, the road to the Vlorë region takes about two hours. Plan your 2027 trip around Tirana and check the airline timetable for your dates when you book.


Will Vlorë’s own airport open in time for summer 2027?

Nobody can promise it. In August 2026 the Albanian state started the procedure to end the airport’s concession, and on 21 September 2026 the Albanian Daily News wrote that the airport is out of the equation for at least the coming year. Plan 2027 through Tirana, and treat any promise of flights to Vlorë with caution.


How long does the journey from Tirana take?

About two hours by road from Tirana airport to the Vlorë region, according to Euronews. Add the flight, the wait for the shuttle or taxi, and the last stretch to Uji i Ftohtë, on the southern side of Vlorë. Tell reception when you expect to arrive, so the team can plan around your time.


Is there a ferry from Italy to Vlorë?

A Brindisi to Vlorë crossing is listed. A Ferryhopper article from October 2025 gave up to seven departures a week, all year, with crossings of about 4.5 to 7 hours and car decks. Ferryhopper now lists 2027 sailings with Star Lines, from three days a week in January to every day in July and August, so ask the operator to confirm your date. That article listed Bari to Vlorë as not active.


Do I need a visa to visit Vlorë?

Citizens of the EU, the Schengen area, EEA states, Switzerland and the UK can enter Albania without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. GOV.UK adds that a British passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave. Other nationalities should check their own government’s travel advice before booking.


What if my flight or ferry arrives late?

Reception at Valza Boutique Hotel is open 24 hours a day, so a late arrival is fine. Send your arrival time by email to info@valza.al or by WhatsApp to +355 69 60 22022. Check-in is from 14:00, and luggage storage is free before check-in and after check-out if you arrive earlier than planned.


Sources

  1. Albanian Daily News, 21 September 2026 — the airport out of the equation, the 60 per cent cut in agency contracts and the long transfer from Tirana.
  2. Vlore Circle, 27 August 2026 — the airport closed to scheduled passenger flights, the first certification flight of 8 May 2025 and the early end of the concession announced on 3 August 2026.
  3. Albanian Daily News — special prosecutors extend the investigation into the Vlora airport concession — the investigation extended until 23 November 2026.
  4. Vlore Circle – Vlorë public transport guide (checked 25 September 2026) — the four urban bus lines, the 40-lek fare paid in cash and the Hermes airport bus at about 1,200 lek.
  5. Ferryhopper – Brindisi to Vlorë (checked 9 November 2026) — Star Lines and the 2027 sailings by month.
  6. Ferryhopper – Italy to Albania ferry schedules 2026 — Brindisi to Vlorë year-round, up to 7 departures a week, 4.5 to 7 hours, car decks, and Bari to Vlorë not active (17 October 2025).
  7. GOV.UK – Albania entry requirements — 90 days in any 180-day period and three months of passport validity.
  8. Euronews, 21 April 2026 (in German) — Tirana airport about two hours from the Vlorë region, visa-free entry for the EU, Schengen, EEA, Switzerland and the UK, and the expected opening of Vlorë’s airport.
  9. TRAVEL Extra, 12 April 2026 — Ryanair’s fourth aircraft at Tirana and 44 routes, 21 of them new.