How to get to Saranda from Poland?
Plane
The fastest and safest means of transport is by plane:
option one - it's the easiest way to fly to Corfu (Kerkyra International Airport)
and the fastest way to get there by plane. Flights to Corfu are offered by many low-cost airlines from as many as 4 Polish cities: Poznań (Ryanair), Warsaw (Ryanair and Wizzair), Katowice (Ryanair) and Rzeszów (Ryanair).
We can also get to Corfu from the airport at our western neighbors. Easyjet flies from Berlin to Corfu. Two-way flights can be hunted for around 250 - 300 PLN. The flight was operated by Ryanair, and you can take up to 10 kg of luggage on board + an additional handbag, which allows you to pack, apart from clothes and sunscreen, also a backpack with photo equipment and a laptop.
Airport website: https://www.cfu-airport.gr/en
After landing at the airport of Corfu, we drive to the Port of Corfu, approx. 4 km. We choose Taxi transport for around 10 euro or by public transport by Green Bus No. 15 from the airport terminal itself, costing 1.5 euro per person.
Upon arrival at the port, we will have a baggage check-in, just like at the airport, because we will cross the border by ferry. When we get off at the ferry port in front of the main gate, you can buy ferry tickets for people who have not done so online before.
Three companies operate ferry crossings to Saranda (offices are next to each other):
- Joy Cruises http://corfu.joycruises.gr/
- Ionian Cruises https://ionian-cruises.com/
- Sarris Cruises & lines https://sarrislines.gr/
I recommend Joy Cruises, a hydrofoil to be exact, due to the crossing time, which is only 30 minutes and we are already in Saranda.
In case of longer waiting for the ferry, there is a left-luggage office at the port (waiting room at the roundabout) (500 meters from the Ferry Terminal,
600 meters from Corfu Main Square). An hour before departure, you call to pick up your luggage. During this time, you can visit the old town. The cost of leaving luggage is € 5 per item, with no weight or size restrictions. In addition, each baggage is covered by a security guarantee, open daily from 9:00 to 21:00
https://radicalstorage.com/pl/przechowalnie-bagazu/korfu/port-korfu/przechowalnia-bagazu-terminal-promowy-korfu?dropOff=2020-10-13T13:30:41%2B03:00&pickUp=2020-10-13T19:30:41%2B03:00&bags=2
From the terminal of the port in Saranda, you are picked up by a nice driver to your apartment or hotel.
option two - a flight to the capital of Albania, Tirana (Tirana International Airport Mother Terese). Flights to Tirana in the seasonal period are offered by many airports in Polish cities: LOT, Ryanair and Wizzair.
We can also get to Tirana all year round from the airport in Vienna. Two-way flights can be hunted for as little as EUR 20-30 per person. Flights are operated by WizzAir https://wizzair.com/pl-pl#/, and you can take a handbag on board, which allows you to pack a few clothes and sunscreen, as well as photo equipment with a laptop. Access from Poland to Vienna via the highway is very quick.
After arriving in Vienna by car, you can use the car park offered by WizzAir or the unmanned car park, which I recommend due to the low price is Park & Fly, located near the airport (details are available on the website)
https://www.park-and-fly.at/en).
After arriving in Tirana from the airport, we go to the bus station (Taxi cost 20 euro or by public transport), where we buy tickets to Saranda at the ticket office (on the left in front of the gates to the bus square). The cost of a ticket for an adult is 1300 LEK (about 45 PLN).
The timetable can be checked on the website:
https://gjirafa.com/Autobus?nisja=Tirane&destinacioni=Sarande
Travel time on the E853 via Durres, Fier, Vlore, Gjirokaster to Saranda currently takes from 4.5 to 5 hours (including 3 stops for a meal and a toilet). In Albania there is very well organized transport by buses (with air conditioning). Travel time will soon be shortened to 3 hours as a new expressway is being built. You can follow the current information on the website:
http://en.ata.gov.al/2020/07/16/works-on-kardhiq-delvine-road-go-ahead-at-high-pace-tirana-saranda-distance-cut-into-3-hours/
When we get to Saranda, just tell the driver that we want to get off at the OMW station (On My Way, the green characteristic in front of the Mediterrane hotel). It is 100 m from the station to the apartment or we go to the center of Saranda, where the bus stops. We get off at the ruins of an ancient synagogue if we are going to Hotel Romi (approx. 300 m from the stop).
You will receive telephone support from us at any time during your journey.
the third option - this is the longest journey due to covering 1,850 km from the Polish border, but the most attractive due to the possibility of visiting beautiful places while covering the next kilometers of the route. It is also an individual route mapping for everyone. I will present the optimal journey from Poland to picturesque Saranda.
The individual stages of the route in the following text are presented in the way that is needed for the driver and planning the route.
The route starts from Katowice through the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and ends in Albania, Saranda.
SLOVAKIA
TICKETS: There is an electronic vignette system in Slovakia. Vignettes for passenger cars under 3.5 tons can be purchased via the EZNAMKA website or the mobile application.
You can also buy e-vignettes (10-day, 30-day or annual): at some petrol stations in Slovakia, at points of sale, at self-service vending machines at border crossings.
Unfortunately, in Slovakia you should watch out for the local police. In Slovakia, we can get a fine for driving a car in which the windshield does not provide the driver with adequate visibility. For example, a GPS or a camera holder can be considered problematic.
When choosing the route through Žilina and Bratislava, it seems reasonable to buy a vignette and a comfortable toll road ride.
FOOD: In this episode, we recommend the KOLIBAGORAL pub in Donovaly. Dumplings with smoked pork neck and sour cabbage are especially noteworthy.
FUEL: in principle, we can refuel with LPG at any gas station. Before the section through the Low Tatras, if you think about replenishing your fuel tank, it is worth refueling in Ružomberok. In general, it is worth refueling in Slovakia, as it is cheaper than in Hungary.
CURRENCY: Euro and no problem with card payment
INSURANCE: OC
HUNGARY
WINIETS: Tolls for driving on Hungarian highways are placed in the form of e-vignettes, which we can buy ON-LINE or in designated places (usually these are selected gas stations or border crossings, eg Shah). Instructions for using the e-vignette in Polish.
FOOD: In Hungary, we recommend a nice pub located in Szendehely. They have good food, large portions, an amazing chestnut dessert, and something that we have been paying more attention to for some time, i.e. amenities for children in the form of a special menu or high chairs for children. We recommend!
Bars and restaurants (also those at the stations) are closed at 20: 00-21: 00, so if we plan a dinner, we have to take it into account.
ROADS: The route through Hungary is flat and rather monotonous. Quite often placed rest places for travelers deserve a plus.
FUEL: In this country it is definitely more difficult to find LPG filling stations.
CURRENCY: HUF (Forint). They accept euros at some stations. There is no problem with card payment
INSURANCE: OC
SERBIA
BORDERS: When driving to Albania by car, crossing the borders in the Schengen area is not difficult. A problem may arise on the border between Hungary and Serbia. Probably Google maps, as well as most of the navigation, will direct you to the Horgos - Roszke border crossing. However, it should be avoided in high season (especially on weekends!) When you can get stuck at the border for hours. We usually choose the smaller Tompa - Kelebija border crossing. There is also a Bački Vinogradi - Àsotthalom Hatàràtkelőhely crossing nearby, but open from 7:00 to 7:00. We cross borders on the basis of a valid ID card or passport.
WINIETS: Driving through Serbia is rather hassle-free - most of the route is motorways, for which we pay, as in Poland - in sections. There may be traffic jams at the gates only in the vicinity of Belgrade and Novi Sad. Of course, it is possible to pay in Euro and pay by card and we recommend the latter method.
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION: The most popular places where you can find accommodation is Subotica, a tourist destination, located on Lake Palić, and Mandić, approx. 70 km from the border. When it comes to food, there are many options, because basically every gas station has a restaurant with traditional Balkan food, and if you are in a hurry, you can get the most famous Balkan fast food, i.e. burka.
CURRENCY: dinar, but sometimes they accept euros at gas stations, no problem with card payment
FUEL: There is no problem with the availability of LPG (much better than in Hungary). Petrol prices around 1.3 euros and gas 0.6 euros.
INSURANCE: OC
OPTION BY KOSOVO
ROADS: Approximately in Niš there is an exit for Prokuplje. This is how we start our way to the Merdare crossing - for the next 90 km we will not find any sign that we are going in the right direction. The route is at times full of holes and narrow, but luckily with asphalt. You can also say that it is quite picturesque and on the way we can stop and see the so-called City of the Devil or Djavola Varos.
At the small crossing in Merdare, you should prepare a passport, because we can enter Kosovo only on the basis of it. We also buy insurance there, because our third party liability insurance and the Green Card system do not work here.
We have a narrow route from the border crossing to Pristina, but at the height of the Kosovo capital, a motorway begins, which will basically reach the Albanian coast with some breaks. At the end of the post I am posting a few short videos of what this road looks like on the Kosovo and Albanian side.
The route through Kosovo is about 125 km, mainly on the Ibrahim Rugova highway. We are able to cross Kosovo really smoothly, but we can also stop in the cafe Pristina or beautiful Prizren. You should also look for accommodation there - many hotels are actually located in the suburbs of Pristina, among others in the vicinity of the airport and Fushe Kosove.
There is one more interesting possibility. Especially for mountain lovers who absolutely want to cross Koman Lake! At the height of Prizren, exit the highway to Gjakovë, from which we will go to the Qafa e Morinës or Qafa e Prushit border crossings, and then towards Bajram Curri or Valbony. The route is not that fast and comfortable, of course, but don't expect wild wilderness either. I think it's a good idea if we want to go to the Albanian Alps.
Choosing the faster option, we will get to the Vërmicë border crossing (also called Morinë because of the town on the Albanian side, but do not confuse it with the previously mentioned Qafa e Morinës), where you need to show your passport on the Kosovo side, and you can already check the Albanian side.The first stop can be made in the vicinity Kukës, with many pubs with paca soup and pilaf. Behind Kukës, in front of the tunnel, there are gates where we should pay the toll for the highway (on the Albanian side of Rruga e Kombit), but the inhabitants of the surrounding towns got so upset that they smashed the gates and currently the toll is not charged. If the state of affairs before the holidays changes, a passenger car costs 5 euros and a motorcycle costs 2.5 euros.
FUEL: In Kosovo and Albania there are no major problems with refueling with LPG. In Kosovo, we pay by card more often at the station, but in both countries they accept euro. In Kosovo, gasoline costs about EUR 1-1.05, while gas costs EUR 0.6. In Albania, about 1.3-1.4 euro petrol, 0.6 euro gas.
CURRENCY: Kosovo euro, Albania ALL (medications), but also accept euro.
INSURANCE: There is no third party liability insurance or Green Card system in Kosovo. The smallest insurance costs EUR 15/10 days. There is a Green Card in Albania.
OPTION BY MACEDONIA AND GREECE
At the height of Niche in Serbia, we have signs for Skopje, so we won't have a problem to find the Presevo / Tabanovtse border crossing. Just continue your journey on A1.
MACEDONIA
In Macedonia, the situation is similar to that in Serbia. The highways and main roads are in good condition and there is a charge for using the motorway network. The amount of the toll depends on the motorway section and the vehicle category. You can pay in the local currency, i.e. Macedonian denars (MKD) or in euros - in the latter case, the fee may be slightly higher. It is also possible to pay by card.
Kumanovo -> Miladinovci - 60 denars / 1.5 EUR
Skopje -> Petrovec – 40 denars / 1 EUR
Petrovec -> Veles – 80 denars / 1,5 EUR
Veles -> Gradsko – 60 denars / 1,5 EUR
Skopje -> Miladinovci – 40 denars / 1 EUR
Tetovo -> Gostivar – 30 denars / 0,5 EUR
Gostivar -> Tetovo – 30 denars / 0,5 EUR
Skopje -> Tetovo – 40 denars / 1 EUR
Tetovo -> Skopje – 40 denars / 1 EUR
In summer, traffic jams may occur at the Macedonian-Serbian Tabanovce-Presevo and Macedonian-Greek Bogorodica-Evzoni crossings.
