Tirana airport to the centre
1 h route3 stopsBest: The bus leaves from outside arrivals. The taxi from the official rankUpdated July 2026
Two ways in and that’s it: the shuttle bus or a taxi. Worth knowing before you land, because this isn’t an airport with twenty options. It’s about 17 kilometres to the centre.
The warning: you’ll read in plenty of places that there’s a train to the airport, or that there will be this year. As of July 2026 it does NOT run. The Durrës-Tirana-Rinas line is under construction, it has already slipped once from 2025, and forecasts talk about 2026-2027 for trains. Don’t count on it for your trip: when it exists, you’ll know.
The route, stop by stop
3 STOPS- 01
The Rinas Express
The cheap option and the one used by nearly everyone not taking a taxi: a shuttle bus that leaves from outside arrivals and runs down to the centre, to the Skanderbeg Square area. You don’t have to hunt for it: it’s right there as you come out.
It’s direct and simple, and for an airport this size it’s more than enough: central Tirana is small and from the square almost any hotel is walkable.
Times and frequency are on the airport site linked from the city page: we don’t print them here because they change.
- 02
Taxi: agree the fare first
The other option, and the only one at certain hours or with luggage. It’s about 17 kilometres and the ride is short. Two rules: take the taxi from the official terminal rank, not from whoever approaches you inside, and agree the fare before getting in or make sure the meter goes on. It isn’t a destination with aggressive scams, but it is one where the price gets negotiated, and arriving with a clear figure saves the conversation. If you’re staying in the centre, the run is direct.
- 03
The train: not yet
The fact you most need comes now, because the internet is ahead of reality. Albania is building a line that will link Durrës, Tirana and Rinas airport, with European funding, and it will change the country: it promises around twelve minutes between the centre and the terminal.
But it isn’t open. It was due in 2025, it slipped, and estimates point to 2026-2027 for service with electric trains. Many pages announce it as though it already ran, or treat a date as settled.
As of July 2026 it doesn’t run, so plan with the bus or the taxi, and check the airport site if you’ve seen something saying otherwise.
Frequently asked
Is there a train from Tirana airport to the centre?
No. As of July 2026 the Durrës-Tirana-Rinas line is still under construction and carries no passengers: it was due in 2025, slipped, and 2026-2027 is now discussed. Until it opens, the only options are the shuttle bus and a taxi.
How do you get from Tirana airport to the centre?
With the Rinas Express shuttle, which leaves from outside arrivals and runs to the Skanderbeg Square area, or by taxi from the official rank. It’s about 17 kilometres. Central Tirana is small, so from the square almost everything is walkable.
How far is Tirana airport?
About 17 kilometres from the centre, to the north-west, at Rinas. It’s a short run compared with other European airports, and both the bus and taxi cover it directly.