Tirana's Mother Teresa Airport is Albania's only international airport and has experienced strong growth in recent years, in line with the country's tourism boom, becoming an increasingly popular destination for the Albanian Riviera coast and prices still contained compared to neighboring Balkan countries.
It is located approximately 17 km northwest of central Tirana, the Albanian capital.
How to get to Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to TIA
Parking near Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa
The multi-level car park, located a short distance from the terminal, offers generally accessible rates compared to Western European standards.
Availability is generally good even during peak summer periods, despite steady traffic growth.
Official rates are tiered: in car park P1, roughly 3 euros up to 3 hours, 4 euros up to 5 hours, 6 euros up to 8 hours, 8 euros up to 12 hours and a ceiling of about 15 euros for 12-24 hours; car park P2/P3, more economical, starts from 2 euros for the first 2 hours with a ceiling of about 5 euros per day.
How to get to Tirana from TIA
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Tirana: Airport Transfer with Smart Taxi
Tirana Airport: Bus Transfer from/to Tirana Central
Tirana/Airport: Transfers for Every Destination in Albania
Tirana: Airport Pickup & Transfer to your address in Tirana
Car rental at Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa
The major international car rental chains, along with some local operators, have dedicated desks in the terminal, very useful for exploring the Albanian Riviera and interior mountains.
Car rental is particularly popular among foreign visitors, given the growth of beach tourism along the entire coast.
The desks are generally open during flight times. Bring your driver's license, identity document, and credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit, and photograph the vehicle condition at pickup. EU licenses are generally accepted without an International Driving Permit; for other nationalities an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Hotels near Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa
At the airport in Rinas
Hotel Airport Tirana is about 1.2 km from the terminal and offers a free shuttle available round the clock on request, to be booked by reporting the flight in advance.
Best for: Layovers of just a few hours and departures before dawn, when you want to stay right next to check-in without relying on the Rinas Express.
- The hotel's free shuttle is available at any hour, even at night
- No risk of missing the flight due to traffic or queues on the main road to Tirana
- Just the industrial area of Rinas around: for dinner you stay at the hotel
- For an evening in Tirana you still need 20-25 minutes by taxi (18 km, about 22-28 euros)
Skanderbeg and downtown
The Rinas Express arrives every hour from the airport in 30-40 minutes (400 lek, about 4 euros) and stops behind the Opera Theatre, just steps from Skanderbeg Square; the official Auto Holiday Albania taxi covers the 18 km in 20-25 minutes for 22-28 euros.
Best for: Travelers who want the main square, museums and downtown restaurants within walking distance, with the Rinas Express arriving a block from the room.
- Skanderbeg Square, the National History Museum and the Et'hem Bey Mosque reachable on foot
- The Rinas Express terminus just steps away, convenient for the return trip to the airport too
- The bus doesn't run in the very early hours of the night: for dawn flights only the taxi remains
- A central area, so traffic and noise from the main boulevard until late
Recommended hotels
- Tirana Marriott Hotel 1.3 km from Skanderbeg Square, in the business district just steps from Blloku and the ministries; an indoor pool and gym among the few of international standard in the city. View availability
- Mercure Tirana Opened in 2024 in Art Deco style on 29 Nëntori street, a few hundred meters from Skanderbeg Square; 64 rooms, a seasonal outdoor pool and a gym. View availability
Blloku and the business district
Same route as downtown to the Rinas Express terminus behind the Opera Theatre (30-40 minutes, 400 lek) or a direct taxi (20-25 minutes, 22-28 euros); from Skanderbeg Square, Blloku and the Gjergj Fishta boulevard are another 10-15 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride.
Best for: Travelers who want evenings among Blloku's bars and restaurants or prefer a more boutique style, accepting a few extra minutes to reach Skanderbeg Square.
- Blloku, with bars, restaurants and boutiques, about 1.4 km from the New W Hotel
- A quieter area than the main boulevard in the evening, away from the traffic of Skanderbeg Square
- A taxi or a walk is still needed to reach the Rinas Express terminus downtown
- The Hilton Garden Inn is on the Gjergj Fishta boulevard, a business area with little evening life on foot
Recommended hotels
- New W Hotel A 23-room boutique property about 1.4 km from Blloku and 2.5 km from Skanderbeg Square; breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi included in the room rate. View availability
- Hilton Garden Inn Tirana The first Hilton in Albania, opened in 2018 on the Gjergj Fishta boulevard, 2 km from downtown and about 20 minutes from the airport; 143 rooms and an indoor gym. View availability
Liqeni i Thatë and the Grand Park
About 10 minutes by car from Skanderbeg Square; the Rinas Express doesn't cover this area, so from the airport you can only arrive by taxi or rental car.
Best for: Travelers looking for a quiet stay surrounded by greenery next to Tirana's Grand Park, who don't mind taking a taxi to get downtown.
- Right next to Tirana's Grand Park and the artificial lake, handy for a walk or a run
- A residential area among the quietest in the capital, far from the traffic of the central boulevard
- No direct public transport: every trip requires a taxi
- The evening life of Blloku and downtown is still 10-15 minutes away by taxi
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The airport has a single terminal, expanded several times in recent years to cope with very rapid passenger traffic growth.
During summer peak periods, security check wait times may be longer than at other times of year, due to ongoing infrastructure expansion.
From check-in to gate generally takes 5-10 minutes. Queues at security remain manageable except during summer peak hours.
Map of Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa
Frequently asked questions
Q. How much does the Rinas Express ticket to Tirana cost?
The Rinas Express is actually a bus service (not a train — Tirana has no airport rail link): it costs 400 lek one-way, running 24 hours a day to Skanderbeg Square.
Q. Does Tirana airport have just one terminal?
Yes, the facility is compact with a single terminal, well signposted and easy to navigate.
Q. Are there direct trains from Tirana airport?
No, Albania has no direct rail link from the airport: bus and taxi remain the only practical options.
Q. Is it worth exchanging currency on arrival in Tirana?
It's useful to have some lek in cash for the bus and initial expenses: airport currency exchanges generally apply less favourable rates than those in the city.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
