How To Take The Bus In Shkoder – What To Know For Buses In Shkoder (Shkoder Bus Station Time Table)
In this article, I want to cover all the local Shkoder bus connections and Shkoder bus station information in one place. I understand it can be difficult to plan what to do and where to go in Shkoder, without knowing the options for buses in Shkoder. The public transport in Shkoder consists of intercity buses, buses to the surrounding areas of Shkoder, and lastly, to other Albanian cities and nearby countries.
The buses in northern Albania aren’t as organized as they could be but hopefully it will improve as time goes by. Since buses are the main public transport option in Albania, I wanted to dedicate a whole page to giving the information I know to hopefully help your travel experience in northern Albania be a bit smoother.
Some of this information is from personal experience, while other parts are from friends or contacts. Since there isn’t an organization (especially a governmental one) that oversees and regulates the buses, this information could be inaccurate or subject to change on short notice.
IMPORTANT – if you are traveling from June to September, I would highly recommend that you book tickets beforehand (if you can/available online, especially for longer journeys across borders). If you have a time crunch (you need to catch a flight), prebook because demand is high in the summer! I use Gjirafa, Omio, BusBud, and Flixbus to book online (I provide links for specific destinations in the table of contents above.).
Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. These commissions do help me continue to offer helpful tips.
Popular Day Trips From Shkoder (read the full guide here):
Shkoder Bus Station – Direct Connections To Other Albanian Cities
The Shkoder bus station has regular connections to most major cities across the country, and once you know where to go, catching a bus is pretty straightforward. Below, I’ve listed all the direct buses from Shkoder to other Albanian cities, including where to catch them and what to expect.
Bus From Shkoder To Tirana: Full Schedule + Tips
To catch the bus from Shkoder to Tirana, go to this area on the city’s main roundabout. This is where the bigger bus leaves from, every hour on the hour. It drives along the main road heading out of the city towards Tirana, so many people catch it further down the road. The ticket is 500 Lek and starts running at 6 or 7AM and goes every hour until 4 or 5PM.
It goes to the “South and North Bus Terminal” in Tirana. Something to note: this bus station has moved slightly, but the updated location isn’t showing yet on Google Maps.
Please be careful because another bus station is located in the south of Tirana city, called TEG bus station. Taking the Shkoder to Tirana bus to this station might be good if you want to take an international bus (Skopje, Athens, etc) or to certain places in south Albania (eg Korce or Pogradec). You can see the Shkoder to Tirana bus schedule for TEG here.
Bus From Shkoder To Theth
Taking the bus from Shkoder to Theth is very different from all the other buses I speak about in this article for two reasons:
- Theth is the most popular tourist destination in northern Albania.
- Hardly any locals make this journey to Theth, so the bus is only for tourists.
If we are being honest, most locals can’t afford to go to Theth because the prices are set for tourists. There is a monopoly for this specific route. This means there is only two buses per day to go there and back.
This is on purpose to encourage the tourists to stay overnight and spend more money/time there. The only other option is a private taxi or doing a day trip to Theth.
Every day the bus from Shkoder to Theth leaves at 7AM and 2PM (Berisha). The base price is 12 euro,s but usually you will find hostels and tourist agents selling them from 13 euros to 20 euros (one way).
The Shkoder to Theth bus picks people up at different points around the city, and whoever you book the ticket with will tell you where to go. Most of the time, the bus comes to your accommodation. If you book directly with Berisha, your departure point will be Hotel Rozafa.
To catch the bus from Theth to Shkoder, it works the same way. You need to reserve a ticket beforehand (most of the time, you can purchase through your accommodation or on the Berisha website). It can be easier/more affordable to buy both tickets in Shkoder. The Theth to Shkoder bus leaves from the Theth visitor center/info point or Mini Market Jezerca at 11AM and 5PM (be 15 mins early).
Short on time? Doing a day trip to Theth will cost the same or less than paying for a round-trip on the bus, overnight accommodation, and meals at the guest houses. Another good reason, the sites to see in Theth are spread out, so the day trip will include transport in between them.
Otherwise you spend many extra hours onto the hikes you already need to do to reach the sites (2 hours to walk to the Blue Eye trail head from the Theth Visitor Center + 1 hour hiking on the trail, so 3 hours each way. 6hrs total, without breaks, for the Blue Eye).
If you take the 7AM bus and arrive at 9AM, you do have 8 hours, but it takes 6 hours round trip for the Blue Eye – this means only seeing one thing in Theth if you do a day trip with the buses.
Bus From Shkoder To Valbona
Getting to Valbona from Shkoder takes quite a few hours since you need to take a bus → ferry → bus. Just like for Theth, these Shkoder to Valbona bus tickets are primarily for tourists so they sell them as a one-way package for 26 euros minimum price and of course, many hostels will charge a bit extra.
This covers the bus from Shkoder to Komani Lake, the ferry from Komani to Fierza, and the bus from Fierza to your accommodation in Valbona.The bus leaves early morning, 6/7AMish and you should arrive around 1 or 2PM. If you want to book directly, you can get all the tickets on Berisha.
Bus From Shkoder To Puka
To catch the bus from Shkoder to Puka, go to the same spot where the bus to Tirana leaves (on the city’s main roundabout). The Shkoder to Puka bus is twice a day, and though I’m not certain on the price, it is probably 300 or 400 lek. The Puka bus takes 1 hour and 15 mins roughly. It leaves at 12PM and 1PM.
Bus From Shkoder To Kruja
To catch the bus from Shkoder to Kruja, go to the same spot where the bus to Tirana leaves (on the city’s main roundabout). The Shkoder to Kruja bus is once a day and costs 300 Lek one way. It leaves at 4:30PM and arrives at 6PM roughly.
Bus From Shkoder To Durrës
To catch the direct bus from Shkoder to Durres, go to the same spot where the bus to Tirana leaves (on the city’s main roundabout). The Shkoder to Durres bus is 600 Lek one way and leaves at 7AM and 1PM.
It takes roughly two hours (traffic dependent). I have taken the 1PM bus in April, and it still filled up early. I’d recommend getting there early to reserve your spot since it is a small furgeon/van.
Bus From Shkoder To Vlorë
To catch the direct bus from Shkoder to Vlore, go to the same spot where the bus to Tirana leaves (on the city’s main roundabout). The Shkoder to Vlore bus goes once a day and is 1000 Lek one way.
It leaves at 6:30AM and takes 4 hours and 30 mins. If you are looking for a direct bus from Shkoder to Himare, unfortunately, there isn’t one. You will need to book a transfer or change buses in Tirana or Vlore.
Bus From Shkoder To Elbasan
To catch the direct bus from Shkoder to Elbasan, go to the same spot where the bus to Tirana leaves (on the city’s main roundabout). The Shkoder to Elbasan bus is 700 Lek one way and takes about 2 hours and 20 mins.
Taking this bus is a great way to head south while still avoiding the craziness of Tirana. There are 4 direct buses from Shkoder to Elbasan per day, leaving at 7:30AM, 10:30AM, 12:30PM, and 3:30PM.
*For any other cities in Albania, you will need to transfer in Tirana*
Local Shkoder Bus Connections – Inter-City Buses & Surrounding Areas
Getting around Shkoder and the surrounding areas by bus is surprisingly easy once you know where to go and what to look for. While most local routes use minivans known as furgons, there is one notable exception, like the city-style bus to Bahçallëk.
Some destinations, like Zogaj or Mesi, are best reached by bike unless the heat or timing calls for the bus. Whether you’re heading to the beach in Velipoja or visiting nearby villages like Bushat or Koplik, having small cash on hand and a bit of flexibility with timing will make all the difference.
Shkoder Bus From Fermenitn to Bahçallëk
When in Shkoder, you will be able to recognize this bus because it is the only one that looks like an actual city bus. All other buses are minivans/furgeon style. This is the bus you can take to arrive close to the castle. You will still have to walk a good bit up the hill to arrive at the entrance.
The ticket is 40 lek – make sure to have small change to pay. It departs from Fermenitn and ends in Bahçallëk (both parts of Shkoder). Check the full bus route here. The bus operates every day from 7AM to 7PM. 7AM to 1PM it goes every 30 mins. 1PM to 7PM it goes every hour.
Shkoder Bus To Shirokë & Zogaj
The fishing villages of Shiroka and Zogaj are really nice to visit. I would highly recommend taking some time to visit because they are right on Lake Shkodra – the largest lake in the Balkan region! The most popular option to visit is to drive or rent a bike. During the peak summer months, it can be super hot.
If you go in the middle of the day or if you aren’t used to cycling, it might not be the best option for you. If you cycle quickly, it takes only 30 mins to get to Shiroka from Shkoder city center. In the summer, even this distance can be exhausting in the sun. You can opt for the bus in this case.
It is 100 lek per ticket, and you need to pay in cash with small change. It leaves from the Rozafa Hotel in the city center. During the week (Monday to Friday) there are 3 buses to Zogaj per day. 7:30AM, 12:00PM, and 2:00PM. Zogaj is the last stop on the route. For the buses from Zogaj back to Shkoder, they leave Zogaj at 8:30AM, 12:30PM and 3:00PM.
Shkoder Bus To Mesi
This bus to Mesi is what I deem as a phantom bus. I have seen it a few times but don’t know the times or price – all of my friends don’t know either! But I promise it exists.
It leaves from the Rus neighborhood. You can catch it in this spot for sure, I saw it picking up/dropping off people around 3PM one day. It is pretty easy to rent a bike to visit the Mesi Bridge, but if you aren’t able to (or it is too hot), this bus might be a good alternative.
PSsst don't forget to cover yourself with travel insurance, my favorite is SafetyWing ✔️
Shkoder Bus To Velipoja
The bus to Velipoja is undoubtedly the most popular local bus in Shkoder since it is the only public transport to the beach. The ticket is 200 lek – bring small cash change to pay. The Shkoder to Velipoka bus goes every hour and every day, Monday to Sunday, from 7:00AM to 7:00 PM. The bus leaves from Teatri Migjeni in Shkodra. In Velipoja, it leaves from here.
Shkoder Bus To Koplik (Malesia e Madhe)
The bus to Koplik leaves from the neighborhood of Rus here. It is 100 lek for a ticket – bring small cash change to pay. The bus goes from Monday to Sunday from 06:45 – 19:00 and goes every hour. The last stop is the Koplik Municipality building.
Shkoder Bus to Barbullush & Bushat
There are the minivans that go to and from Barbullush to Shkoder and pass by villages along the way, including Bushat. The price is 150 lek for a ticket – bring small cash change to pay.
Going to Shkoder:
From 8-10 AM, they are pretty regular every hour or so, but after 10AM, they get less regular and just go when they are filled up with people in barbullush. There’s not a specific spot to get these, you just wave them down from the side of the road.
To go from Shkoder city back to Bushat/Barbullush, the minibuses usually leave from a gas station at the beginning of the city. There aren’t set times, but usually they leave around the hour once they are filled up. After 2:00PM it’s hard to find them still going to and from.
Shkoder Bus to Torovicë
There is also a Torovice bus that passes through Bushat from Torovice on the way to Shkoder around 8:00AM. This one is regular and leaves from Torovice at 7:30AM for Shkoder.
For the full journey, it is 200 lek for a ticket – bring small cash change to pay. The Shkoder to Torovice bus leaves at 12:30PM every day. You can catch it down the main road out of the city and the bus station roundabout.
Shkoder Bus To The Airport
Getting to and from the airport from Shkoder isn’t too complicated, but there are a few things to know in advance. There’s a direct bus to Tirana Airport you can reserve ahead of time, but unfortunately, there’s no direct bus to Podgorica Airport at the moment—so you’ll need to book a transfer or get creative with trains and local buses. Here’s what to expect for both.
Bus From Shkoder To Tirana Airport (Rinas Airport Bus To Shkoder)
Call, text, IG, or WhatsApp to reserve beforehand – +355 676090109. The bus leaves from their office here, but if you ask, they might be able to pick you up elsewhere in the city on the way out.
They take cash or card, but you will need to go during office hours to pay via card. Check their IG for up-to-date ticket prices (@hermesaeroportshkoder). The early morning buses have an extra charge.
Bus From Shkoder To Podgorica Airport
Currently, there is no bus from Shkoder to Podgorica Airport in Montenegro. If you are flying in or out of there, you will need to get a transfer from the airport to Shkoder. Booking a transfer will be cheaper than a taxi – in the tourist season, a taxi costs around 80 euros and could be higher.
A pre-booked transfer will be more affordable. If you want to save money and have extra time, you can take the train (the train station is 20 mins walking from the airport) to the city center. Times are unpredictable, and only Euro cash coins/small bills are accepted. Once in the city, go to the bus station and take the next bus to Shkoder (it will be shown as Skadar there).
Shkoder International Bus Connections (Direct)
If you’re planning to cross the border from Shkoder, there are several international buses you can catch directly—no need to transfer in Tirana. These routes connect Shkoder with nearby countries like Montenegro, Kosovo, Greece, and even as far as Turkey. Below I’ve listed the direct international bus routes, what to expect on the journey, and tips for booking tickets.
Shkoder To Podgorica Bus
Taking the bus from Shkoder to Podgorica doesn’t take so long – usually 1.5 to 2.5 hrs, depending on the traffic. Ticket price can change depending on the bus company and if it within tourist season or not. Make sure to compare prices between Flixbus and Omio to get the cheapest ticket.
Shkoder To Ulcinj Bus
Another short journey is taking the bus from Shkoder to Ulcinj (Ulqin). This should be about 1.5 hours to get to Ulcinj but in the summer months, the border can be very busy. This can cause serious delays – off-season should be closer to an hour and a half.
Shkoder To Bar Bus
The bus from Shkoder to Bar usually takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on how long the border crossing takes. This bus passes through Ulcinj on the way up the coast, so you can catch this bus if you can’t find one to Ulcinj.
Shkoder To Budva Bus
Taking the bus from Shkoder to Budva is a nice option if you’re heading north up the Montenegrin coast. It usually takes about 3 to 4 hours, again depending on the border and traffic. Usually, there are 2 buses a day – check Flixbus for more prices/times.
Shkoder To Kotor Bus
The bus from Shkoder to Kotor takes around 4 to 5 hours and often includes a short stop in Budva. The views get prettier the closer you get to the Bay of Kotor. In high season, the bus from Shkoder to Kotor can fill up quickly, so it’s good to get a ticket ahead of time. Check Flixbus for more prices/times.
Shkoder To Dubrovinik Bus
If you’re catching a bus from Shkoder to Dubrovnik, prepare for a longer ride – around 6 to 8 hours. There are multiple borders to cross (Montenegro and Croatia), which can add time. It’s not the most frequent route, so plan ahead, and it could have a higher price during summer.
There is only 1 per day, and this bus is also the main way tourists travel to the hotspots in Montenegro (the ones I just covered). The Shkoder to Dubrovinik bus stops in Podgorica, Budva, Kotor, Herceg Novi, and finally arrives in Dubrovinik. So I’m sure you can see why it is crucial to get tickets in advance.
Shkoder To Prizren Bus
The bus from Shkoder to Prizren is a great option if you’re heading into Kosovo and want a direct bus. It usually takes about 3 to 4 hours and goes through some scenic mountain areas. There are 2 buses a day, and they run even in the off-season reliably – just beware the pickup point is an hour’s walk outside of the city center.
Shkoder To Prishtina Bus
You can take a bus from Shkoder to Prishtina in about 4 to 5 hours. This is the same bus that goes to Prizren, since it continues onto Kosovo’s capital for the final stop.
Shkoder To Athens Bus
The bus from Shkoder to Athens is a long-haul journey, usually taking around 12 to 14 hours overnight. There is one bus a day, and it leaves every day.
Shkoder To Istanbul Bus
Taking the bus from Shkoder to Istanbul is an adventure – the ride can take anywhere from 20-22 hours, depending on the route and border delays. There is one bus a day and it leaves every day.
Shkoder International Bus Connections (Bus Transfer Required)
Shkoder has so many great international cities located nearby. Unfortunately, we don’t have direct bus connections from Shkoder to many of these as of yet. Hopefully, this will change in the coming years, along with the availability of information and tickets online.
Below you’ll find a listing of many popular city destinations from Shkoder that tourists ask about. All of these bus connections require a transfer within the city – sometimes from the same bus station and sometimes from a different bus station within the city.
Bus From Shkoder To Dubrovnik, Croatia
To reach Dubrovnik from Shkodër, you must take a bus to Podgorica first, then connect to a bus heading to Dubrovnik. There are no direct routes.
Bus From Shkoder To Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
If you’re looking for a bus from Shkoder to Sarajevo, Bosnia, you’ll need a connecting bus in Podgorica, Montenegro. Then you need to continue on a bus from Podgorica to Sarajevo.
Bus From Shkoder To Skopje, Macedonia
If you want to catch the bus from Shkoder to Skopje, you have a few different options. You can travel by bus to Tirana and then take the bus from Tirana to Skopje, but you will most likely have to change bus stations, which can be a hassle. You can go to Kosovo, which might be an easier option.
In Kosovo, you can connect in the smaller city of Prizren or the capital, Prishtina. Both of these cities have direct buses from Shkoder, leaving twice daily (the bus stop is far outside of the city center, though).
The available buses from Tirana to North Macedonia are listed here:
- Tirana to Skopje
- Tirana to Ohrid
- Tirana to Struga
- Tirana to Kičevo
- Tirana to Gostivar
- Tirana to Tetovo
- Tirana to Vranje (in Serbia but very close by)
*All of these links are FlixBus because it has more bus operators listed, but BusBud also has these routes, so you can compare the prices + availability.
Bus From Shkoder To Ohrid, North Macedonia
If you’d like to travel by bus from Shkoder to Orid, North Macedonia, you’ll need to transit through Tirana, the capital city. As previously mentioned, this requires you to change bus stations when you’re in Tirana. Check the Tirana to Ohrid bus times here.
Bus From Shkoder To Thessaloniki, Greece
The main way to get from Shkoder to Thessaloniki is by connecting in Tirana. If you want to travel by bus from Shkoder to Thessaloniki, Greece, you’ll need to take the bus from Shkoder to Tirana and then a bus from Tirana to Thessaloniki (and check on FlixBus too)
Bus From Shkoder To Corfu, Greece
If you want to travel by bus from Shkoder to Corfu, Greece, it will take a while. First, you’ll need to take the bus from Shkoder and then from Tirana to Saranda. Thankfully, these two buses are located in the same bus station, so you won’t need to transfer to a different bus station in Tirana. When you arrive in Saranda, you will also need to take a ferry from Saranda to Corfu, Greece, for the last step.
Bus From Shkoder To Sofia, Bulgaria
Though it’s not possible to take a direct bus from Shkoder to Sofia, Bulgaria – you can connect either in Tirana or by going to Prishtina. It depends on what type of places you want to see and what you find more interesting.
Maybe you could even stay overnight in one of the cities before continuing on. Check the Tirana to Sofia bus times here, and BusBud also offers tickets.
Bus From Shkoder To Belgrade, Serbia
The easiest route and the one I’d recommend taking is the bus from Shkoder to Belgrade with a connection through Pristina. Even though these two countries are known for conflict, it is possible to take the bus from Prishtina to Belgrade.
Shkoder Bus Schedule – Final Thoughts
I hope this Shkoder public transport guide helped make things a bit clearer when it comes to the Shkoder bus station and figuring out your options for buses in Shkoder. This was a massive article, thanks for sticking through to the end!
I wanted this to be as comprehensive as possible so it can make your trip less stressful. It can definitely feel a little chaotic at first, but once you know where to go and what to expect, it’s manageable—and even a bit charming in that Albanian way.
If anything changes, I’ll try to keep this page updated as best I can. Safe travels and enjoy exploring northern Albania!
My Trip Recommendations
- Rent a car in Tirana – It’s the best way to see Albania, especially if you’re short on time
- Compare hotels and apartment prices all in one place on Trivago – the most convenient way to get a good deal
- Prefer hostels? Find the best ones on Hostelworld – especially with the new Linkups
- Find discounted flight deals with Skyscanner if you’re flying to Albania
- Get a quote for affordable & flexible insurance travel insurance coverage
- Budget option – free accommodation through volunteering with Worldpackers – get $10 off