Travel, Europe, Flight-Free Travel, Southern Europe, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇦🇱 Albania
April 28, 2026
Updated April 29, 2026
Rowan Flora

Corfu to Saranda Ferry Guide: The Perfect Albania Day Trip

Did you know that you can get from the Greek island Corfu to Saranda (Sarandë) in Albania in less than 40 minutes? The ferry from Corfu to Albania is just a short hop across the Ionian Sea, making it perfect for a day trip to Albania, or convenient as part of a longer Europe itinerary.

Why Take the Ferry from Corfu to Albania?

If you’re on holiday in Corfu, you’re already incredibly close to Albania. You can visit the Albanian Riviera as a day trip and see pristine Roman ruins at Butrint Archaeological Park, swim in the famous Blue Eye or explore Gjirokastër, the “City of Stone”. The ferry from Corfu to Saranda (Sarandë) is only 40 minutes, so it’s a great opportunity for you to do two countries in one day!

If you’re planning a longer trip to Albania, notice that Corfu airport is actually closer to the Albanian Riviera than Tirana, Albania’s capital city. So, you can skip the 4+ hour bus journey and take the ferry from Corfu instead! This makes a convenient south-to-north Albania itinerary, where you don’t need to waste time doubling back on yourself.

I spent a month travelling around Corfu and Albania, so I know exactly how to help you get the best out of both countries. The ferry from Corfu to Albania is an easy day trip that works perfectly in either direction. Read on for all the information you need to take the ferry from Corfu to Albania.

Corfu to Saranda Ferry: Important Information

Departure Point: Corfu Town (Kerkyra) International Port.

Duration: Option A) 35 minutes on the hydrofoil or Option B) 1 hour on the passenger ferry/car ferry.

Requirements: BRING YOUR PASSPORT. You will be leaving the Schengen Area.

Price: €10 to €40 per person for a one-way trip.

Frequency: 20 sailings daily from February to December.

Corfu Port Location: Eth. Antistaseos 24, Kerkira 491 00, Greece.

Sarandë Port Location: Rruga Mitat Hoxha, Sarandë, Albania.

Getting the Ferry from Corfu

How do I get to the ferry in Corfu?

The ferry to Saranda leaves from the international port in Corfu Town, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from the old town centre.

If coming directly from Corfu airport, exit the arrival terminal and you’ll see a taxi rank ahead, immediately outside Terminal A Arrivals. It’s a 10 minute taxi ride to the port and costs about €20-25. Alternatively, take the Corfu City (Blue) Bus No. 15 from the airport to the port, which takes 20 minutes and costs €1.20–€2.00. The bus stop is in front of Terminal Building A.

Corfu airport is quite small, so you should be out within an hour of landing. So it’s possible to book your ferry for 2-3 hours after your flight lands (1 hour to exit the airport, 10 minutes taxi, 1 hour to check in for the ferry, and 50 minutes buffer).

If you’ve got a tight turnaround, consider getting a pre-booked, fixed-rate private transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Departure Point: Tell the taxi driver you're getting the Albania ferry (international). The departure point is different for local Greek ferries.

The ferry port gets pretty busy (especially at the height of the summer tourist season!) so it’s worth getting there early. Check-in is 60 minutes before departure, but I’d get there 10-20 minutes earlier than that. It’s a big orange coral-coloured building, you won’t miss it.

How long is the ferry from Corfu to Albania?

The Corfu to Saranda hydrofoil (known as flying dolphin in Greece) takes 35-40 minutes and the passenger ferry/car ferry takes about 1 hour. If the weather is too windy the hydrofoil can’t run so they’ll put you on a slower passenger ferry instead.

Check in, customs & Greek border passport control: 60 minutes before departure.
Boarding: starts 15-20 minutes before departure.
Crossing: 35-40 mins hydrofoil / 1 hour slow ferry.
Disembark, arrival customs & Albanian border passport control: allow 20-30 minutes.

You can also pick up a physical Vodafone sim card at the port in Albania on arrival, or sort an eSIM before you get there (see my discounts below):

What’s it like on board?

You can sit on deck in the open air or choose to go inside. You can’t book a specific seat but there’s enough seating for everyone. When we did the crossing there was a small cafe on board with drinks and snacks so we got a couple of beers and enjoyed the views of the Ionian Sea with the Albanian coastline in the distance. It was a smooth journey but that depends on the weather. If you get seasick maybe opt for the larger, slower ferry.

Did you know that Call of the World is also a book blog? Find books set in different countries to get you in the holiday mood.

Is the ferry from Corfu to Albania do-able as a day trip?

Absolutely! An Albania day trip from Corfu is definitely doable, and a popular addition to any Corfu holiday. If you take the hydrofoil the crossing is only about 35 minutes (plus a little time for passport control). During the summer season the ferries start early in the morning (first sailing from Saranda to Corfu is 6am and the first sailing from Corfu to Saranda is 08:30am) and continue until late in the evening (the last ferry back from Saranda to Corfu is 8pm and from Corfu to Saranda is 10:30pm).

There are four ferry companies running ferries to Albania from Corfu. The most regular services are with Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways. Timetables are available here:

Ticket Prices & Booking for the Corfu ⇌ Albania Ferry

How much does the ferry from Corfu to Saranda cost?

The price of the ferry from Corfu to Saranda usually ranges from €10-40 per person each way. Prices change depending on which crossing you select. I booked my ticket through Omio and it cost me GBP £9.96 for the single one-way 40 minute journey from Corfu to Albania with Finikas Lines. I booked 10 days in advance. I travelled in September.

How to book ferry tickets for the Corfu to Saranda crossing?

You can book tickets for the Corfu to Albania ferry online, on the phone, or directly at the port. Booking at the port is cheapest, but as the prices are already quite low it might not be worth the hassle. I recommend comparing the following online providers for the best prices:

Omio: This is how I booked my ticket as they had the cheapest price at the time.
Direct Ferries: Worldwide ferry ticket comparison site.
Finikas Lines own website (surprisingly more expensive when I checked)
Ionian Seaways own website (also surprisingly more expensive when I checked)

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Tickets are usually made available 3-6 months in advance, but they don’t seem to be any cheaper booking far in advance. I’d say it’s not really necessary to book super early, but I do recommend booking at least a week or two ahead to guarantee a spot, earlier if you have a specific time you’re aiming for. It is actually possible to book on the day you travel, just a bit risky! But if you’re in Corfu already, it’s definitely worth having a look as you might manage to squeeze in a last-minute day trip to Albania!

Passport and Visa Requirements

Do I need my passport to travel from Corfu to Albania?

Unlike Greece, Albania is not part of the Schengen Area, so you cannot travel between Greece and Albania without your passport. The Corfu Albania border crossing is straightforward. You will need to show your passport at the Greek border when boarding the ferry, and again at the Albanian border when you disembark. This adds on some time to the total journey, but they do get through everyone pretty quickly.

Schengen Area Travel

Greece is part of the Schengen Area and Albania is not, so if you’re travelling on a non-EU passport make sure that you get your passport stamped (Greek exit stamp). Albania does not stamp passports as there it is an electronic record only.

Most non-EU visitors are only allowed 90 days in the Schengen Area in any 180 day rolling period, so it’s important to have a record of when you enter/leave so you can track your days. You don’t want to end up overstaying by accident!

Do I need a visa for Albania?

This depends on your nationality so definitely check before you travel. Many countries get 90 days visa-free in Albania but this is not the same for everyone.

What can I bring on board?

Can I Bring Luggage With Me?

Yes, you can bring your bags with you. Both Ionian Seaways and Finikas Lines allow passengers to bring a luggage allowance of up to 25kg and max 0.25m³. Your bags will be stored in a designated roped-off area during the crossing. You’re allowed to keep a small personal bag with you.

Can I bring a pram or buggy on board?

Yes, you can bring a pram on board the ferry from Corfu to Albania. There’s space for you to keep it with you, so you don’t need to stow the pram with the luggage.

Can I Take my Hire Car from Corfu to Albania?

No, you’re generally not allowed to take rental cars from Corfu to Albania on the ferry. This is because the car rental insurance only covers Greece and not other countries. You are allowed to bring your own vehicle on the ferry, which costs an extra €60.

Can I Take my Hire Car from Albania to Corfu?

The rules seem to be a bit more chill the other way around, as some Albanian car rental companies will let you take a car to Corfu. But, you need to request this in advance and pay a fee, so unless you have lots of luggage it might just be easier to travel on foot and get a separate car in Corfu.

Find the best car hire deals with Discover Cars!

Currency and Time Difference

What money do I need?

The currency in Greece is Euros and Albania uses the Albanian Lek. This is a closed currency so you can’t really get it outside of Albania. There are ATMs in Saranda, but they charge a pretty hefty fee for cash withdrawals. If you’re visiting just for the day you’re better off sticking with using Euros as most businesses in Saranda accept Euros. Albania is also generally way cheaper than Greece, but the prices in the touristy areas are actually higher than I expected.

Is there a time difference between Corfu and Albania?

Yes, there is a time difference between Corfu and Albania. Albania is one hour behind Corfu (Greece). Corfu uses Eastern European Time (EET/EEST), and Albania uses Central European Time (CET/CEST). For example, when it is 2pm in Corfu, it is only 1pm in Albania. So basically you end up arriving in Albania earlier than you left Corfu! (Remember you lose an hour on the way back, so bear this in mind if you’re making dinner reservations in Corfu!).

Arriving in Albania

What to expect in Albania?

Saranda is a medium-sized resort town on the Albanian Riviera, famous for its beaches, promenade and proximity to Butrint Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Ksamil (see more below). The port area of Saranda is close to the centre and easier to get around than the port area in Corfu town.

Saranda or Sarandë?

Saranda is the English spelling and Sarandë is the Albanian, so both are correct! It’s confusing because the “ë” in Albanian is actually a “uh” sound, which sounds like “Saranda” or “Sarand-uh” rather than “Sarand-e”. The name actually comes from the Greek Agioi Saranda meaning “Forty Saints”.

Is Albania safe?

I spent about 3 weeks in Albania and I felt completely safe, even as a solo female traveller. I spent the first week or so with my friend Rachel and the rest by myself or with people I met in hostels etc. Obviously I took the same precautions as I would anywhere, but I found Albania to be a genuinely welcoming and friendly country.

What to do in Saranda

If you’re visiting Saranda as a day trip from Corfu you’ll want to prioritise attractions that are easy to get to. Here are some of the best things to do in Saranda:

Saranda Beaches and Promenade

You don’t need to wander far to find Saranda’s palm-lined waterfront, full of cafes, bars and shops. The local seafood is really good, and Albania has its own style of pizza which is worth trying (hear me out, we had one with beef mince on top and it was actually really yum!). The beaches are a pebble and sand mix, but most places have sunloungers anyway.

For more space, head out to Mango Beach. It’s a bit overpriced (€10-€30 for a pair of sunbeds and umbrella) but you get more space and you can see views of Corfu in the distance!

Boat Tour of the Albanian Riviera

The Ionian Sea is bright blue and crystal clear, and the best beaches away from the crowds are only accessible by boat. The easiest way to explore Albania’s coastline is to book onto a boat tour like this Saranda boat tour with seven separate destinations.

Views from Lëkurësi Castle

Lëkurësi Castle (Lekursi Castle) is perched on a hilltop above Saranda and offers amazing panoramic views of the Albanian Riviera. I recommend getting a taxi up, as climbing a hill in the heat is not fun! It’s now in ruins, but Lëkurësi Castle dates back to Ottoman times. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had it built in 1537 as a defence against Venetians.

Nowadays it’s a popular sunset view point. There’s a big terrace restaurant within the walls of the castle, but instead of going there you can just bring your own drinks and sit outside somewhere.

Lëkurësi Castle is free to visit.

Butrint National Archaeological Park

I’m a huge fan of Ancient Greek and Roman history, so I loved visiting Butrint National Archaeological Park. There’s a pristine 3rd century BC Greek amphitheatre (later expanded by the Romans), a Roman thermae (baths), Lion Gate, an altar to Dionysus, and temples to Minerva and Asclepius.

Butrint is 11 miles south of Saranda so you can take the 30 minute bus (we did this on the way there, it’s about €1.50) or a taxi (we did that on the way back after also stopping in Ksamil).

Entrance tickets to Butrint cost 1,000 lek per person (€10).

Ksamil Beaches

Ksamil is the most famous spot on the Albanian Riviera. It’s a laid back resort town with white sand beaches and turquoise water. You can swim or kayak out to the Ksamil Islands, which are uninhabited white sand islets just off the coast. The best beach in Ksamil for swimming is Ksamil Beach 7. You can also rent a jet ski or take a speedboat tour around the islands.

Ksamil itself is quite touristy, with sunloungers and lots of bars and cafes. Personally I thought the beaches and water were lovely, but the town itself was quite commercial. If you want to sit all day on a sun lounger and have drinks brought to you, Ksamil is perfect!

Also, if you fancy getting out of the sun and making your own lunch, you can do a Ksamil cooking class and learn how to make traditional Albanian lakror (a type of pie filled with veggies or meat).

Ksamil is a 30 minute bus from Saranda, which costs 150 lek (€1.50). Or you can take a taxi which takes 20 minutes and costs 150-200 lek (€15-20).

The Blue Eye of Saranda

There are two “Blue Eye”s in Albania and one of them is 13 miles (22km) from Saranda. The Blue Eye of Saranda is a mesmerising bright blue lagoon, and you’re allowed to swim there (the water is seriously cold though, I (in true Scottish girl spirit) was the only one swimming for a while!). There is a bus but if you’re visiting Albania as a day trip I’d recommend booking a guided tour: much faster and someone else can organise everything for you! You can combine this with a visit to Gjirokastër, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Viator: Blue Eye and Gjirokaster, Half Day Tour with Food & Drinks

Get Your Guide: Gjirokastra & Blue Eye Tour – Pickup from Saranda & Ksamil

Gjirokastër

I mentioned above that you can combine a visit to Gjirokastër with the Blue Eye of Saranda. But, if you’d rather skip the Blue Eye, Gjirokastër is absolutely worth it’s own trip. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is perched on top of a hill and has a distinctive style of grey slate stone architecture and cobbled streets.

Key sights include the castle, Cold War tunnel, old-style Ottoman houses (you can go inside them, like the Skënduli House and Ismail Kadare’s House) and Ethnographic museum. Activities include a traditional Stone Coffee ritual and listening to UNESCO-listed iso-polyphonic singing.

If you’re not joining a guided tour from Saranda, you can get to Gjirokastër by:

taxi, which takes 1 hour and costs €40-60, or
bus, which takes 1 hour and costs €6. Bookable via GjirafaTravel.

The direct route from Saranda to Gjirokastër is much faster than the route via the Blue Eye because it’s a newer highway.

Taking the Ferry back to Corfu Town

When returning to Corfu at the end of your Albania day trip (or if you’re doing the trip in reverse and taking the ferry from Saranda to Corfu) be aware that the port in Corfu is a 10 minute taxi ride from the centre of the old town.

Corfu airport is close to the ferry port. You can take a 10 minute taxi, which should cost about €20.

And don’t forget you lose an hour with the time difference on the way back to Corfu from Albania!

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Travel, Europe, Flight-Free Travel, Southern Europe, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇦🇱 Albania