Getting Around Durrës
Durrës is a compact city on Albania's Adriatic coast, and most of what a visitor wants to see sits close together. The practical upshot is that you can cover the centre on foot, use cheap local buses for longer hops, and rely on taxis for the awkward trips. There is no metro or tram network here, and the rail link to Tirana is not yet running, so your realistic options are walking, cycling, buses, and taxis.
On Foot
Walking is the simplest way to explore Durrës. The city centre, where the archaeological sites are found, can be toured entirely on foot, and the city is relatively compact, so many attractions, shops, and restaurants sit within walking distance of one another, particularly in the centre and along the waterfront.
If you are happy to walk further, the beach stretches a long way south. It is easy to walk from the city core all the way to South Durrës and beyond, until you reach a stretch of beach owned by the Albanian military that is impassable. Plan your walk with that endpoint in mind.
By Bicycle
Cycling is a genuinely pleasant option here, especially along the coast. The beach south of the city has a wide, well-made walking and cycling path, and there are a few places to rent bicycles and e-bikes. That path links back to the city and its sites via a cycle route running alongside the railway and the docks.
- Rent A Bike Durres — rents a variety of bicycles for adults and children. Rates start around €8 per day, €2 for one hour, or €3 for two hours.
Public Buses
Durrës has a public bus system connecting different parts of the city. The buses are orange, which makes them easy to spot. You can buy tickets from kiosks, directly from the bus driver, or from a controller who moves through the bus selling and checking tickets. Schedules can vary, so it is worth checking in advance rather than assuming a frequent service.
To reach the beach area, start from the Durrës bus station, where you will find a small bus stop sign and plenty of people waiting. From there, take a bus marked Durazzo (or Durrës) Plepa. It stops at designated stops along Rruga Pavaresia boulevard, which runs along the beach. The fare is around 40 lek.
Arriving by Bus
If you come into Durrës by long-distance bus, get off before the bus turns onto the highway heading south towards Golem. That highway is very difficult to turn around on, and if you end up well south of Durrës proper, finding a taxi back into the city is hard and expensive.
Buses and furgons from Tirana usually arrive at the main bus terminal, marked with the "Durrës" logo on the outside, near the old railway station. Some international services and a direct airport bus also use it. Buses from Tirana and most southern destinations, such as Berat, also stop at Plepat bus station at the southern end of the promenade and beach — reachable by local bus from the city bus terminal. Most buses do not continue into the centre of Durrës, and Plepat is the only place with regular connections heading south.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful in Durrës and are a convenient choice, particularly for destinations that buses do not serve easily. You will find them parked around the streets, identifiable by the taxi sign on the roof of the car.
One important practical warning: agree the fare with the driver, or insist on using the meter, before you set off. If you do not, you will almost certainly be overcharged.
- Hitaxi — a taxi service operating in Durrës, reachable by phone or email.
Getting In from the Airport
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza is the main gateway for Durrës. A direct airport bus serves the city, departing from south of the airport terminal, with departures roughly every one to two hours. The fare is around 600 lek. The airport bus arrives at the Durrës bus terminal near the old railway station.
By road, the SH2 connects Durrës and Tirana and takes just over half an hour. The airport links to the SH2 via the SH60, so driving or taking a taxi from the airport into Durrës is straightforward. Roads also feed in from Vorë and Shijak.
By Boat
Durrës is a port city, and its ferry terminal handles international arrivals. Ferries connect the city with several Italian ports, including Bari, Ancona, and Trieste, operated by companies such as Adria Ferries, GNV Ferries, Azzurra Line, and Ventouris Ferries.
What About Trains?
There is currently no working commuter rail service between Tirana, Durrës, and the airport. Construction is underway on a line expected to open in 2027, but until then visitors should plan around buses, taxis, and private vehicles. There is likewise no metro or tram system in Durrës.