From Montenegro to Albania

It would seem that two neighboring countries—Montenegro and Albania (with just 20 km from Podgorica to the Albanian border)—should have excellent transport connections. However, that’s not entirely the case. In this article, you’ll learn how to get from Montenegro to Albania, which transport options are available, where to find them, and how much tickets cost. Plus, you’ll get useful tips and recommendations.

Table of contents:

• Montenegro to Albania: General Information & Transport Options
• How to Travel from Montenegro to Albania by Bus
• Traveling by Car, Hitchhiking, or Shared Taxi
• Travel Tips

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Montenegro to Albania: General Information & Transport Options

A few key points:

• Montenegro and Albania are two small countries on the Balkan Peninsula.
• They share both land and maritime borders.
• Read more about Montenegro’s location, neighboring countries, and interesting facts.

Distances:

• Podgorica – Albanian border: 20 km
• Podgorica – Shkodër (a major Albanian city): 55 km
• Podgorica – Tirana: 150 km

The countries are so small that the distance between their capitals is just 150 km.

Interesting to know:

Despite both countries having well-developed roads and short distances between them, there aren’t many transport options available for ordinary travelers.

Here are some ways you CANNOT travel from Montenegro to Albania:

• No direct flights to Tirana from either Tivat or Podgorica. Only with a layover in Belgrade or Budapest. That means spending about 6 hours and around €200 for just 150 km. Understandably, no one uses this option.
• No passenger ferries between Albanian and Montenegrin ports. There is only a cargo ferry between Bar and Durrës.
• No passenger trains between Montenegro and Albania. There is a railway connection, but it is freight-only.

• Rail transport in both countries is poorly developed. One reason is the challenging mountainous terrain—mountains cover more than 60% of both Montenegro and Albania. Albania’s rail network is practically defunct, with no international passenger services at all. Montenegro has only one international rail connection—to Serbia. To illustrate how bad the situation is: Tirana’s main train station isn’t even in Tirana but in a nearby village.

How to Travel from Montenegro to Albania by Bus

Currently, you can take a bus from Montenegro to the Albanian cities of Shkodër, Lezhë, and Tirana. The longest route is to Tirana, but all buses stop in Shkodër, and some also make a stop in Lezhë (operated by Jadran Express).

You can check bus schedules on Getbybus (which official carrier websites refer to), and you can also purchase tickets there. During peak season, additional routes become available, so always check online. Tickets can also be bought at the bus station ticket counters.

To Tirana

Currently, you can travel to Albania’s capital, Tirana, from Podgorica, Budva, Kotor, and Ulcinj:

• Kotor – Tirana:
  • 08:00–13:50 (€32, Old Town Travel)
  • 10:40–16:40 (€32, Jadran Express)
• Budva – Tirana:
  • 08:30–13:50 (€29, Old Town Travel)
  • 11:20–16:40 (€30, Jadran Express)
  • 16:30–21:30 (€28, Drita Travel)
• Podgorica – Tirana:
  • 10:30–13:50 (€22, Old Town Travel)
  • 13:00–16:40 (€22, Jadran Express)
  • 16:00–20:15 (€20, Drita Travel)
• Ulcinj – Tirana: 18:05–21:30 (€20, Drita Travel)

Read a full guide to Podgorica, including bus station locations, sightseeing spots, and more.

To Shkodër

All buses traveling from Montenegro to Tirana stop in Shkodër. However, there is also an additional service operated by MS Tours, which runs exclusively between Podgorica and Shkodër. Schedules and tickets are available on Getbybus (linked above):

• Daily departures: 08:00, 11:30, 14:30
• Ticket price: €16 one way (€17 with other operators)

Shkodër is one of Albania’s largest cities, with frequent bus connections to Tirana. If you arrive in Shkodër via MS Tours and need to continue to Tirana, you can catch a Shkodër–Tirana bus at the same stop:

• Runs every 30–60 minutes from early morning until late at night
• Travel time: ~2 hours (100 km)
• Ticket price: ~€6 (600 lek), tickets can be bought in cash on board

For a detailed guide on getting from Shkodër to Tirana, bus stop coordinates, and schedules, check the link.

Is the Podgorica–Shkodër–Tirana route worth it?

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend this option. Not only do you have to switch buses, but it also ends up more expensive than a direct Podgorica–Tirana bus.

How to Travel from Montenegro to Albania by Car, Hitchhiking, or Shared Taxi

The Montenegro-Albania border crossing is simplified. Citizens of both countries only need a passport to cross—no additional documents are required. The border is largely a formality, and the queue moves quickly; we’ve never had to wait longer than 30–40 minutes.

Good to know:

The border checkpoints between Montenegro and Albania are simplified. Customs officers from both countries work in the same building. Cars pass through very quickly.

By Private Car:

If you’re driving your own car, there’s nothing complicated about the trip. You already have insurance—otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to enter Montenegro in the first place. Just get in and drive.

By Hitchhiking or Shared Taxi:

If you’re staying in Bar or Ulcinj, direct transport to Albania is limited. As mentioned earlier, Ulcinj has only one daily bus to Tirana, meaning you may need to travel via Podgorica.

This is where private drivers, shared taxis, and informal ride-sharing come in. These are unofficial transport providers—local drivers who shuttle passengers between Montenegro and Albania in their personal vehicles. They’re easy to find near bus stations, where they wait and offer their services. They are especially common in border towns like Podgorica, Ulcinj, and Bar, and even in Budva. You’ll also see notices and phone numbers posted on poles and boards at bus stations.

There are two types of these private transport providers:

1️⃣ Border runs (visa runs) – Some drivers only go to the border and back, which is popular among tourists for visa runs. You leave in the morning and return by lunchtime.

• Learn more about Montenegrin visas, visa runs, and why Albania is the most popular visa-run destination.

• Prices vary depending on your departure city, but typically:
  • Ulcinj to the border and back: €15
  • Budva to the border and back: €30

Day-trip shopping tours – The second, more common option is a one-day shopping trip to Albania.

• These trips usually go to Shkodër, stopping at stores and markets.
• You get 3–4 hours to shop before heading back.
• By evening, you’re already home.

Why shop in Albania?

• Prices for fruits, groceries, and general goods are cheaper in Albania.
• Albania, in general, is more affordable than Montenegro.
• A one-way ride to Shkodër typically costs €20.

Example:
In peak season, persimmons in Montenegro cost €3–4 per kg, while in Albania, they cost just €1 per kg.

Travel Tips

If you’re unsure how to travel from Montenegro to Albania, don’t worry. While there are few official buses, most tourists and locals use private drivers. In these countries, it’s completely normal—and more importantly, it’s safe for tourists.

Simply go to a bus station, and a driver will likely find you before you even start looking for them. Agree on a time and price, and the rest is easy.

A Few Tips:

• If you’re staying in Bar or Ulcinj, the easiest option is to take a shared minibus to Shkodër. From there, a scheduled bus to Tirana departs every 30 minutes. You’ll barely notice the transfer.
• Personally, I prefer private drivers in regular cars. They take only four passengers, drive directly to the destination, and save time.
• Minibuses take longer—there are more passengers, and unexpected stops are common. One person may want to pick up a sheep, another might need to drop off goods along the way, and someone else might realize they forgot to buy cigarettes and ask the driver to stop at a store. This is normal here.

For more information on taxis and transfers within Montenegro, including the best ways to get from the airport to your hotel, check out.

Final Thoughts

Now you know exactly how to travel from Montenegro to Albania. The process is very simple, but there aren’t many transport options: just buses or private, unofficial drivers. However, these services operate frequently and run 24/7 between the two countries.

Thanks to short distances, the trip is quick and easy, so you won’t even have time to get tired.

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Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro

• WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
• Car rental in Montenegro:
  • LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
  • DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
• Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
• Hotels and apartments all over the country:
  • Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
  • TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
• Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
  • GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
  • Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
• Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
• Internet and Calls:
  • Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
  • Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
• Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel