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Car rental in Sarandë is the most practical way to explore the south of Albania in a single relaxed trip. Ksamil’s turquoise beaches, the ancient ruins of Butrint, the Blue Eye spring, Gjirokastër and the full sweep of the Albanian Riviera are all within easy reach. Sarandë itself has no airport, so many travellers fly into Corfu and take the short 30–70 minute ferry across — a route that often turns out faster and more convenient than the long drive from TIA.
Our Sarandë catalogue features dozens of local partners, most of whom will happily deliver the car straight to the port or your hotel. Winters here are pleasantly mild (around +12 °C in January), which makes Sarandë a favourite among those looking for longer stays or a sunny escape from Italy, Poland and the UK.
Sarandë is the classic finishing point for the Tirana–Berat–Riviera loop. Most customers collect at TIA and drop the car here, or arrive light from Corfu by ferry.
If your ferry from Corfu lands late, we’ll still have the car waiting at the port. The same smooth arrangement works for those late-August sailings too.
Autoverhuur beoordelingen in Saranda
Getting to Sarandë and where to pick the car up
Sarandë has no airport of its own. The nearest is TIA in Tirana — 285 km away via SH4 and SH8, a scenic but full 4–5 hour drive along the Riviera. Because of the distance, most people choose one of three practical arrival patterns.
Fly to TIA and drive via Berat or the Riviera
The natural choice if you want a proper road trip across the country before reaching the coast. The usual route — Tirana → Berat → Vlorë → Sarandë — comfortably fills one or two days, with an overnight in Berat or Himarë.
Fly to Corfu and take the ferry
Often the quickest and most affordable option. Low-cost carriers serve Corfu frequently, the ferry crossing takes just 30–70 minutes and runs all year round. We deliver the car directly to the port in Sarandë.
One-way from the start of the route
Collect the car at TIA and drop it off in Sarandë at the end of your trip. Our partners charge €40–80 for one-way; on longer rentals it’s sometimes free.
If you land at TIA and want to reach Sarandë the same day, aim to leave by 12:00. The drive takes 4–5 hours, and the mountain sections are best tackled in daylight.
Delivery to the port or your hotel in Sarandë is free with some partners and €10–25 with others, depending on the exact location.
Where to drive from Sarandë: day trips
Sarandë is wonderfully compact as a base — most of the south’s must-see sights are within half an hour’s drive. Ksamil with its beaches and tiny islands is just 15 minutes away on SH8. The UNESCO-listed ruins of Butrint are 25 minutes from the centre. The famous Blue Eye spring lies 35–40 minutes to the north. Lekursi Castle, offering a spectacular panorama over Sarandë and Corfu, is a gentle five-minute climb above town.
Further afield you’ll find Borsh beach with its olive groves (35 minutes on SH8) and the stone-built UNESCO town of Gjirokastër (1 hour 15 inland). If you’re planning the full Riviera route — Dhërmi, Himarë and the Llogara Tunnel — allow a full day.
Almost every day trip from Sarandë is perfectly manageable in a regular economy car — Skoda Fabia, VW Polo or Hyundai i20. None of the main attractions actually require four-wheel drive.
The only place you might meet a short unpaved section is the car park at the Blue Eye. Take it slowly if your car has low ground clearance.
Roads of the Albanian Riviera: the Llogara Tunnel and the old pass
The main southern road — SH8 from Sarandë to Vlorë — crosses the Llogara mountain ridge. Until recently the only option was a dramatic serpentine pass at 1,027 metres with sweeping views of the Ionian Sea and the very real possibility of winter closure. Since the new Llogara Tunnel opened in 2024–2025, you now have a reliable, all-weather alternative that shaves roughly an hour off the journey.
From May to October the old pass is worth taking in its own right: viewpoints, roadside cafés and thrilling switchbacks overlooking the Riviera. From November to March the tunnel is the sensible choice — the pass can close without warning when snow or ice appears. The tunnel has a small toll of around €3–5 for a passenger car, collected on entry.
If you’re driving in summer and you’re not in a hurry, take the old pass. It’s one of the most beautiful roads in the Balkans and definitely not worth missing for the sake of half an hour.
From November to March the pass can shut unexpectedly. The tunnel removes that risk entirely — one of the best reasons to keep a car for a winter stay on the Riviera.
De prijs van autoverhuur in Saranda hangt af van het seizoen en de lengte van de huurperiode.
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Parking in Sarandë, Ksamil and along the Riviera
Sarandë doesn’t have an extensive paid-zone system, but practical parking can still be tricky. Many central hotels are on narrow streets without their own spaces. If you’re staying near Lungomare or above the port, let us know in advance so we can arrange delivery to a genuinely safe spot.
Port and central Sarandë
There’s a guarded paid car park right at the port (€3–5 per day) — ideal if you’re leaving the car for a day trip to Corfu. The seafront has some free spots, but in July and August they only become available after 22:00.
Ksamil and the Riviera beaches
In Ksamil most beach lots are informal and charge €3–5 per day in summer. Spaces fill up by 10:00 in peak season. For Borsh, Dhërmi and Himarë you’ll usually park on the verge or in a beach café’s lot.
Never double-park on Sarandë’s narrow streets — the tow truck moves quickly, especially in August.
Police checkpoints appear regularly on the Sarandë–Ksamil road in summer. Stick to the 50 km/h limit through Ksamil — fines from fixed cameras are issued automatically.