Corfu to Albania Ferry: Tips for a Smooth Trip
We took the ferry from Corfu to Albania and back in August. Overall, getting a ticket and crossing the Ionian was pretty straightforward. But honestly? We thought it would be a quick and painless experience.
If people are able to visit Albania for just one day from Corfu, then a 30-minute ferry ride should be no big deal, right? You’d expect to arrive before you can even say, “Albania, here we come!”
Well, not so fast.
We’re not sure if there’s some VIP tour package that no one told us about that makes the whole process a breeze, but let’s just say we spent way more time waiting in line than we’d care to admit. Both in Albania and Greece, we found ourselves waiting and queuing, and wondering how long this was actually going to take.
So, if you want to avoid standing around and twiddling your thumbs, keep reading. We’ll break down what to expect and how you might be able make the trip smoother (and avoid possible boredom at the ferry terminal).
Are There Ferries from Corfu to Albania?
Daily ferry connections run between the Greek island of Corfu and Saranda, Albania, making it a super convenient way to hop between these two destinations. The big players in the ferry game? Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways—both offering crossings year-round, with an even busier schedule in the summer months. Together, they run enough ferries that you won’t be left stranded.
For us, the Corfu to Albania ferry was the perfect way to reach the Albanian Riviera without the hassle of flying to Tirana and then enduring a five-hour drive. Plus, visiting Corfu first? A no-brainer. Who says no to another stunning Greek island getaway?
Our Trip
We booked our round-trip tickets with Ionian Seaways, and overall, they ran a pretty tight ship (pun intended). But let’s be honest—the whole boarding and disembarking process reminded us of a frantic rush-hour subway ride.
Everything feels rushed, but despite the chaos, the crew remains friendly and helpful. They even prioritize children and elderly passengers, assisting them and helping with luggage—a small but much-appreciated gesture.
Also the customer service in Greece was fantastic. We had a ticket mix-up, and within minutes of calling, they had everything sorted and sent over by email. Super efficient.
Their website suggests arriving one hour before departure, which, let’s be honest, is probably a bit of overkill. Thirty minutes was more than enough at both the Albanian and Corfu ports, unless you really enjoy people-watching in a minimalist waiting area.
At one point, after passport control in Corfu, we were all packed into a tiny area, sweating and using our bags as makeshift chairs while attempting to maintain personal space.
So, is the ferry worth it? Yes. But be prepared for a little bit of organized chaos along the way!
Most ferries depart from Corfu Port and arrive at Saranda Port, the main gateway to southern Albania. From there, you’re just a short ride away from Ksamil, Butrint National Park, and the Blue Eye.
How Long is the Ferry from Corfu to Albania?
The Ionian Seaways fleet includes high-speed hydrofoils and catamarans, with crossings taking around 30 to 35 minutes. If you opt for a car ferry, expect a longer trip of 70 to 90 minutes. Be sure to check their timetable carefully—some crossings are quick, others not so much, and prices vary depending on the type of boat.
Their competitor, Finikas Lines, also has high-speed hydrofoils, with the shortest crossing clocking in at 30 minutes. Another fast ferry takes 40 minutes, while the slow ferry takes 50 minutes—but both of these options can accommodate cars.
While the fast ferry itself might take 30 minutes (and they technically kept their promise), the entire journey takes way longer. Think about it—there’s waiting for the ferry, passport control, boarding, waiting to depart, the actual crossing, arrival, disembarking, and another round of passport control. By the time you’re done, you forget that the ferry ride was only half an hour!
Maybe our experience was just unlucky, but between our delayed ferry, the long passport control queues, and a taxi driver who was absolutely convinced we needed to leave three hours before departure (for a 40-minute drive!), it felt the trip took a whole day…which, well, it basically did.
To put it in perspective, we left our accommodation in Corfu at 10:00 AM and finally arrived at the motor scooter rental in Saranda at 2:45 PM. Sounds reasonable, right? But here’s the catch—Albania is an hour behind Corfu.
Corfu to Albania Ferry Timetable
We took the ferry in August, the busiest time of year when most travelers are cramming onto boats like it’s the last ferry on Earth. During peak season, there’s one ferry almost every hour. Ionian Seaways runs 10 crossings a day between 8:00 AM and 10:30 PM, with five of them accommodating cars.
If you’re looking for even more options, Finikas Lines ups the game with 12 crossings per day at its peak. However, just like Ionian Seaways, ferry frequency drops significantly in winter from January through early March—sometimes to as little as one or two ferries per day.
Service starts to ramp up in May, with around five daily crossings.
Here’s something we learned the hard way: don’t trust the ferry timetables blindly. While both ferry companies list their schedules online, the actual dates available for booking don’t always match up. For example, when we tried to book an Ionian Seaways ferry for March 1st, their timetable showed available ferries, but—surprise!—we couldn’t actually book anything.
Moral of the story? Skip the timetable and go straight to the booking page to check availability. It’ll save you from planning an itinerary around a ferry that might not even be running!
Corfu to Albania Ferry Price
Ticket prices vary based on the ferry company, boat type, and season. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
- Low season: Expect to pay around €20-€25 per person.
- High season: Prices range from €25-€30 per person.
- High-speed ferries cost slightly more than the regular ones.
Surprisingly, taking a car doesn’t significantly affect the ticket price, but it does mean a longer journey since car ferries take more time to load and unload.
If you are looking for the cheapest option? You’ll usually find the best prices if you book the first ferry of the day or the last one at night.
Passengers are entitled to one free piece of luggage up to 25kg and 0.25m³. There may be additional fees for larger bags—check with your ferry operator beforehand.
You can purchase tickets online at Ionian Seaway or Finikas Lines, or at the ticket office in Corfu Town. If you’re traveling in a group of 16 or more, you can request special group fares directly from the ferry company.
Where Do You Get the Ferry from Corfu to Albania?
To catch the ferry, head to the Port of Corfu Town, conveniently located near the city center– a quick taxi or city bus ride away and just a short drive from Corfu International Airport, just a 10 to 15 minutes ride.
If you’re taking a taxi, rest assured—the driver knows exactly where to drop you off. But if you’re driving yourself, be sure to enter Corfu Port Authority Company into your GPS to ensure you arrive at the correct entrance.
You’ll know you’ve found the right place when you spot the big red building—that’s your landmark.
Once inside, the ferry terminal is pretty basic. You’ll find ticket counters, a few chairs scattered around, and, in the far-left corner, a tiny café with about four tables.
Maybe it was just an early morning thing, but the staff there were less than friendly—Matt even claimed it was the first unfriendly Greek encounter he’d ever had. So, fair warning.
Since we were absurdly early (thanks to an overzealous taxi driver), we had plenty of time to sit and wait. Unlike the traffic horror stories we had been warned about, we zipped through Corfu Town in no time.
Maybe the driver felt a little guilty about dragging us out so early—he even took a quick detour to show us the famous Spianada Square before dropping us at the terminal. At least we got a sneak peek at Corfu Town, a place we luckily were able to visit when we returned and highly recommend exploring.
About an hour before departure, the terminal starts filling up quickly. A long passport control queue forms, sometimes stretching outside the building.
And, as mentioned earlier, after passport control, there’s another waiting area—not much seating, but at least a larger café where you can grab a last-minute coffee or snack before boarding.
When it’s finally time to board, the doors open, and passengers walk along the dock to the ferry.
Is it worth going from Corfu to Albania?
While the trip felt like an eternity (because, let’s be honest, travel is never as quick as we imagine), we still think it’s absolutely worth visiting Albania from Corfu.
Why? Because the Butrint National Park is a unique mix of ancient ruins and lush landscapes, and the drive to the Blue Eye, a stunning natural spring, is nothing short of magical. Check how easy it is to visit Blue Eye from Sarandë
As for the famous beaches of Ksamil? Meh… we spent two days exploring its beaches and we personally weren’t blown away. But plenty of people love them, so take that with a grain of salt. It is a great pit stop on your way to Butrint National Park.
Would we recommend visiting Albania just for the day? Absolutely not. If you’re in Corfu and thinking about making the trip, do yourself a favour and stay at least one night. This way, you can explore Butrint and the Blue Eye at a relaxed pace, find accommodation nearby, or even push on to Gjirokaster, a charming historic town we absolutely enjoyed.
Waking up in Gjirokaster’s ancient old town and strolling through its cobbled streets before heading back to Saranda to catch the ferry? Now that’s a trip worth taking.
But if you’re in Corfu and thinking of squeezing in Albania just for the sake of it, do yourself a favor—skip it. Rushing through the trip will just make everything feel stressful, and you won’t get to fully experience what Albania has to offer. Instead, use that day to soak in all the beauty of Corfu—trust us, it’s worth it. Want some inspiration for your Corfu Trip, check out our 4 to 10 days Itinerary.
How is the Ferry from Saranda to Corfu?
Ready to head back to Corfu? Here are a few things we wish we knew before taking the return ferry:
Arrive at the port about 45 minutes before departure—not sooner if you can help it.
There’s no real seating area—just the café upstairs. It’s not exactly the most attractive place, but at least it’s bigger than the one at the Corfu terminal. If you’re early, grab a drink and claim a table—it’s the only comfortable spot around.
Tempted to kill time at a café outside the terminal? Think twice. The ones right in front of the port seem to survive off clueless travelers who arrive way too early. Let’s just say, you won’t be writing any rave reviews. Instead, head straight inside and grab a bag of crisps at the terminal café—trust us, it’s the better option.
Be one of the last to board. Why? Because if your luggage is on top, you’ll be first off the ferry in Corfu. Sure, you might not score the comfiest seat, but when you see the endless passport control queue in Corfu, you’ll thank yourself later. In peak summer, we spent almost an hour waiting in the heat. Thankfully, there was some shade.
Pre-arrange a pick-up. The ferry terminal in Corfu can be chaotic, with taxis and buses swarming the area. We were grateful we had someone waiting for us—it made our return so much smoother.
Take these tips, make your return trip easier, and enjoy one last smooth sailing experience before bidding Albania farewell!
Do I Need a Passport from Corfu to Albania?
You will need a valid passport when traveling from Corfu to Albania. EU citizens can also use a valid national ID card instead. Non-EU travelers, such as US citizens, will need their passport and typically receive a 90-day stay upon arrival.
However, not all nationalities enjoy visa-free entry. Some require a visa, so it’s best to check ahead of time to avoid any unwelcome surprises at border control.
And if you’re wondering why you didn’t get a fancy passport stamp—don’t panic. Albania now records entries electronically, so your arrival is still logged, even if your passport remains ink-free. (source: US Embassy Albania)
FAQ: Corfu to Albania Ferry
1. Can I use euros in Albania?
While the Euro is not the official currency in Albania, it is accepted at most places such as hotels and restaurants. We were even able to pay our taxi with a 5 euro bill. However the change is in Albanian Lek. (€1 = LEK 99)
2. Can you do a day trip from Corfu to Albania?
You can do a day trip from Corfu to Albania. Best is to take the morning ferry and return in the evening. You will have time to explore Saranda, Ksamik and Butrint. Would we recommend this? No. Stay at least the night to fully enjoy your visit to Albania.
3. Which Greek island is closest to Albania?
The closest Greek island to Albania is Corfu. It is just located just 35 nautical miles from Saranda. The 30 minute fast ferry trip makes the crossing between Corfu and Albania a quick process.
Wrap Up: Corfu to Albania Ferry
While we expected the Corfu to Albania ferry crossing to be a quick and easy process, reality had other plans. Between passport control, boarding, and the actual ride, the waiting time added up more than we anticipated. Looking back, we definitely would have cut down on the stress by not arriving way too early before departure. Lesson learned!
That being said, we absolutely appreciate that this ferry option exists. The ability to seamlessly explore both Corfu and Albania in one trip makes this part of Europe incredibly unique. One moment, you’re leaving Corfu—a stunning Greek island with Venetian charm—and in just a short ferry ride, you arrive in Saranda, the gateway to the breathtaking Albanian Riviera.
The contrast between Corfu and Albania is striking, and experiencing both cultures, landscapes, and histories on the same trip is an adventure worth taking.
So now that you’re armed with everything you need to know about the Corfu to Albania ferry, there’s nothing stopping you! Grab your ferry tickets, pack your passport, and let the adventure begin.
Monico was born in Kuwait and grew up in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia, which gave her a unique perspective on the world from a young age. Her first solo travel experience took her to Indonesia, where she volunteered at an orangutan rehabilitation center, and since then, she has focused her travels on environmental and conservation projects in places like Panama and Australia. Along with her love for wildlife, Monico enjoys exploring historic European cities, swimming in the sea, and tasting street food in Asia. She’s also passionate about sharing her experiences of living abroad, inspiring readers to embrace new cultures and adventures. Monico’s future travel goal is to explore more of South, Central, and North America.