Getting around Saranda and the area
The good news is that Saranda is small and easy to read, so the town itself is best explored on foot. It's only once you want to head further out – to Ksamil, Butrint or the Blue Eye – that it helps to know when a cheap local bus is all you need and when it's worth renting a car.
Our apartment makes a handy base for all of this: the beach is right behind the house (about 2 minutes on foot), and it's a short, flat walk into the centre and to the bus stops. Here's an honest rundown of what you actually need a car for, and where you can save.
Around town on foot
The centre of Saranda is compact and much of the seafront promenade is pedestrianised. From us it's a couple of minutes to the beach, with restaurants right next door and across the street, so for a normal beach day you don't need any transport at all. You can pick up small bits at the kiosk under the building or at the supermarket nearby.
Local buses and furgons to Ksamil and Butrint
The cheapest way to reach the beaches and ruins is the local buses and furgons (shared minivans). In season they run roughly every half hour to an hour, from about 6:30 until early evening. You pay in cash on board – roughly 150 lek to Ksamil and 200 to Butrint. Ksamil takes about half an hour, with Butrint a little further on.
Where the buses leave from
Buses for Ksamil and Butrint depart from the roundabout near the ferry terminal (people look for the big tree on the roundabout). Stops aren't always clearly marked, so don't be shy about asking locals – they're genuinely friendly here – or just join whoever else is waiting. Times are approximate in practice, so don't leave the last return for late in the evening.
Taxis: agree the fare first
Most taxis don't use a meter, so always agree the price before you get in. A short ride across town is a few hundred lek; a trip out to the Blue Eye is more like 22–28 euros one way. Taxis make sense for a group or when bus times don't suit you, but for one person the bus is often the better value.
A car or scooter for the Blue Eye and the Riviera
For the Blue Eye, the mountain villages and the Riviera beaches north of Saranda, your own car or scooter is by far the easiest option – buses either don't run there or only sporadically. Car rentals in Saranda start at roughly 25 euros a day; you'll need a driving licence and ID. A scooter is cheaper and fun, but traffic can be busy, so take care and always wear the helmet.
Parking and practical bits
At the Blue Eye you park in a large car park (a small fee, roughly 100–300 lek) and walk the last ~2 km, or take an electric scooter or the little shuttle train. In Saranda itself the streets get full in season, so if you don't need a car every day it's often simplest to rent one just for your day-trip days and walk the rest of the time.
FAQ
Do I need a car in Saranda?
Not for the town and the beach – you can walk everywhere. A car or scooter is mainly useful for the Blue Eye and the Riviera beaches, which buses don't serve well. For Ksamil and Butrint, the cheap local bus is all you need.
What's the cheapest way to get to Ksamil?
Take a local bus or furgon from near the port. In season they run roughly every half hour to an hour, and the fare is approximately 150 lek, paid in cash on board. The ride takes about half an hour.
Do taxis use a meter?
Usually not, so always agree the fare before you get in. A short ride across town runs to a few hundred lek.
Can you drive right up to the water at the Blue Eye?
Not quite – you park in the car park (small fee) and walk the last 2 km or so through the forest, or take an electric scooter or the little shuttle train. The entrance fee is only nominal.
