Standing on the shores of Corfu Island, you can look across the Ionian Sea and catch a glimpse of Albania in the distance. Many travelers don’t realize it, but the beaches of the Albanian Riviera are just a short boat ride away! The Corfu Saranda ferry is the easiest way to get to Albania and experience a whole new culture and landscape. In this post, we’ll break down exactly how get your tickets, the best hotels for when you get there, and even how to do the ferry route in reverse from Saranda to Corfu.
How to Get from Corfu to Saranda Albania
To give you a little context, when the Corfu Saranda ferry trip wasn’t our first attempt at visiting the country. Just 6 months earlier we were in Kotor Montenegro and planned to cross into Albania via the north.
Maybe it was the time of year or overall lack of buses available, but it just didn’t work out. We found out it would have consisted of multiple buses and days of travel just to get to the central capital of Tirana! Compare that to a quick 30 minute ferry ride from Corfu Greece, and it was a no brainer this time. Now let’s dive right into the specifics of the Corfu Albania ferry.
Buying Corfu to Saranda Ferry Tickets
So where do you buy your tickets? There’s actually a few different offices and they’re all between Corfu Old Town and the main port. In May, when we took the Corfu to Saranda ferry we were able to book the day before with no problems.
There was one crossing a day at 9am, but in the summer months they add more boats based on demand. We booked with Joy Cruises (now called Albania Luxury ferries) after going a few different places and being quoted the best price from them.
Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways are two other popular companies running the fast ferry service. It is important to note that prices vary depending on high or low season. Be sure to check the official websites for updated ticket costs, but below should give you an idea of what to expect.
- Adult: €20 Low Season €24 High Season
- Child: €10 Low Season €13 High Season
Can You Take a Corfu to Albania Day Trip?
Yes! Interestingly enough, most people on our Corfu Saranda ferry were just making a day trip. Even though we decided to stay and travel the country, we did gather some useful information. Here’s what we found out for the Albania day trippers:
- Once the boat arrives, you have one full afternoon with return times depending on the company. During the peak summer months, the Saranda to Corfu ferry times can be as late as 8pm.
- Keep your passport and any visa information handy in transit. On our crossing from Corfu to Saranda an attendant took our documents to be registered with the local police.
- Some ferry companies will give you a small card to help get you faster through the lines on the way back. Remember that you will have to pass through Albanian and Greek immigration control, just like if you were taking a flight.
- Prefer to travel with a group? Book a day trip to Saranda and Butrint National Park from Corfu here.
Do You Need Visa For Corfu Albania Ferry?
One question we had on how to get to Saranda Albania was acquiring a visa. Obviously, we can only speak for ourselves, but the good news is that U.S. citizens can enter Albania visa-free on short stays.
We simply traveled from Corfu to Saranda with our passports and went through border control when we arrived. It’s really was no different than if you were taking a flight from Greece to Albania. You’ll go through Greek border control leaving the country, and then repeat the same process entering the port in Saranda.
One thing that blew us away about traveling to Albania as U.S. citizens is that we can satay up to one year without obtaining a residence permit! This special arrangement is unique, as many other visa-free visitors will have to follow other rules.
Our Corfu to Saranda Ferry Ride
Good morning! If you’re traveling in off-season as we did, then you will likely be on the 9am ferry. This is important for travelers making the Corfu to Saranda day trip to make sure you have a full day in Albania.
We were told to be at the ferry terminal 30 minutes before departure, which felt about right to go through customs and find our boat. Something to be prepared for is the walk to the ferry port! It’s located in New Port (Neo Limani) and not where the boats are in Corfu Old Town.
This means you might have a 30 to 40 minute walk depending on what area of old town you’re staying in. We enjoyed the morning stroll through the city, but make sure to plan on leaving early.
After spending our last few weeks on the Greek islands ferries we weren’t ready to see the little speed boat! From all the bigger ships docked in the Corfu port, you may have a hard time spotting the fast ferry.
Fortunately, any worker will be happy to help and point you in the right direction. Our boat was named the Flying Dolphin, and was a slender ship that looks as fast as it goes.
However, once we got inside, we were pleasantly surprised with the spacing and seats. You can go outside and get a look at the Albanian coastline… just hold on because it gets a little bumpy!
Corfu to Albania Ferry Quick Tips
Time Change: Despite it being so close there’s still an hour time change between Greece and Albania. Don’t be surprised when you see the clock jump back on your phone!
Money: The national currency of Albania is Lek and you should get some out even for just a day trip. In Saranda, they accept both Lek and Euros, but you’ll get a dramatically better rate by paying in local currency.
Schengen Area: If you’re traveling through Europe for an extended period of time, Albania is not yet part of the Schengen region. This means your days in Saranda won’t count towards the 90 days within 180 days limit.
Arriving in Saranda Albania
After the quick 30 minute ferry ride, you’ve made it to Albania! Saranda is a fun seaside city with so many fun things to do and see. We wrote a complete guide to Saranda Albania with tips for your visit.
Also, know that this is a jumping off point to so many great places within the country. We used the Albania bus system to get around on a budget. A few places you can’t miss are Butrint National Park, the beaches of Ksamil, and the ancient town of Berat.
You can use this 2 week Albania itinerary for ideas and inspiration on your first visit! We’ve also included some recommendations for where to stay once you get off the Corfu Saranda ferry.
Ultra Luxury – White Residence Luxury Apartments – Large luxury apartments with gorgeous sea views. Modern decor and amenities just steps from the beach.
Fun Vacation – Sun N Blue Hotel – Beautiful hotel where each room has its own balcony with sea views! Just steps from the harbor and in the center of Saranda.
Hostel Stay – Hostel Filipi – Nice views over the city, barbecue, terrace, shared kitchen and lounge. This a a great place if you’re on a budget offering cheap dorm beds and a way to meet other travelers.
Have any questions on the Corfu to Saranda ferry or want to share your own experience? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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Hello. Good article.
Do you have any information regarding the need to return from Sarande to corfu in order to get on a plane for another country, not in the Schengen zone? Will we need a in/out Schengen visa?
Hi Mark,
To enter Corfu you will need a Schengen Visa stamp. Depending on where your passport is from you may not need to apply for a visa beforehand. We recommend checking with your home country first. Hope that helps!