The Saranda to Ksamil bus is the municipal Saranda–Ksamil–Butrint line: about 150 to 200 lek, 20 to 30 minutes for the 14 km, and roughly one bus an hour. That last part is what catches people. Older guides promised a bus every 20 to 30 minutes for 100 lek; the 2026 timetable is hourly on the half hour with a few extra early runs, and the fare has gone up. Plan around the clock face and it's still the cheapest way to Ksamil's beaches. Continuing up the coast afterwards? Compare every south Albania bus route, with fares, durations and frequencies side by side.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Operator | Bashkia Sarandë (Saranda municipality) city bus |
| Fare | 150–200 ALL to Ksamil, 200–250 ALL to Butrint (sources differ; the newest 2026 report says 200 and 250) |
| Duration | 20–30 minutes to Ksamil |
| Distance | 14 km Saranda to Ksamil, ~4 km more to Butrint |
| Summer frequency | Roughly hourly on the half hour, 06:30–18:30 from Saranda |
| Off-season | Reduced; confirm at the port stop |
| Payment | Cash only (ALL), to the driver |
| First stop | By the ferry terminal on Rruga Jonianet |
Where to board in Saranda
The bus starts at the port: the stop is just outside the ferry terminal on Rruga Jonianet, at the roundabout with the big tree. Board here if you want a seat, because by the next stops it fills up in summer.
It then climbs through the centre on Rruga Skënderbeu (stop near SOS Bar) and passes Hotel Butrinti before taking the Butrint road south. If you're staying in the centre or southern Saranda, wait at one of those stops instead of walking to the port.
This is not where the intercity buses stop. Since July 2026 coaches from Tirana, Vlorë and Gjirokastër use the new bus terminal at Qafë Gjashtë, about 2.2 km east of the port, so arriving by coach means a taxi into the centre first.
Saranda to Ksamil bus timetable (summer 2026)
There's no printed timetable at the stop, but the municipal line runs to a fixed clock:
| From Saranda (port) | From Butrint (back to Saranda) |
|---|---|
| 06:30, 07:00, 08:00, 08:30 | 07:05, 07:30 |
| Then hourly at :30, 09:30 to 18:30 | Then hourly at :30, 08:30 to 19:30 |
| Last bus: 18:30 | Last bus: 19:30 |
The Saranda times come from the 2026 timetable published by albania-blog.com and match the 2025 municipal table on visitsaranda.net, which ran 06:30 to 17:30 hourly. Some riders report extra half-hourly buses between Saranda and Ksamil in July and August that don't continue to Butrint. Treat those as a bonus, not a plan.
Pro tip: in July and August, board at the port before 10 AM. Later in the day the bus can pass the centre stops already full, and the next one is an hour away.
Ksamil drop-off points
The bus follows the main road through Ksamil and on to Butrint. Tell the driver where you want to get off:
| Stop | Best For |
|---|---|
| Ksamil centre (main intersection) | Restaurants, town beaches, the island viewpoint |
| Southern Ksamil (toward Butrint) | Quieter southern beaches |
| Butrint (end of the line, entrance car park) | Butrint National Park |
Ksamil to Saranda bus: catching the return
The return bus starts at Butrint and reaches the Ksamil stops roughly 10 to 20 minutes later, so a bus leaving Butrint at 15:30 passes through Ksamil around 15:40 to 15:50. Stand visibly on the main road and flag it down. The last bus back leaves Butrint at 19:30, which puts it in Ksamil at about 19:40 to 19:50. In peak summer it can arrive full; with an hour to the next one, that's when a taxi earns its fare.
Bus vs taxi
| Option | Cost | Time | Best When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 150–200 ALL | 20–30 min | Budget trips, flexible schedule |
| Taxi | ~2,000–3,000 ALL (20–30 €) | 20–25 min | Late returns, luggage, groups of 3–4 |
Ksamil–Saranda taxi price: expect 20 to 30 € in 2026. Locals still consider about 2,000 lek a fair fare, but quotes of 30 € from the port are common in July and August, and a taxi company's own price list goes to about 35 €. Agree the price before you get in. Split four ways, a 25 € taxi is about 6 € each, worth it for a late return or a car full of beach bags. Taxi firms in Saranda and Ksamil, and fares to Butrint and the airport, are in our Saranda taxi guide.
Which Ksamil beach should you visit?
If you are coming from Saranda for a day trip, these are the main options:
| Beach | Character | From the bus | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ksamil Islands beaches | Sandy, turquoise, busy | Ksamil centre stop, 5–10 min walk | Iconic views; arrive early for a sunbed |
| Southern Ksamil coves | Smaller, rockier | Southern stop | Quieter, better for snorkeling |
| Butrint area | Lagoon side, few facilities | End of the line | Combine with the archaeological park |
| "Mirror Beach" | Pebble/sand, clear water | Not on a stop | The name is used for two different shores; see the Mirror Beach guide |
Sunbed prices change every season; the Ksamil sunbed prices guide has the 2026 numbers. For a full Ksamil breakdown, see our Ksamil honest review. If you'd rather have a guide handle the logistics, browse Ksamil tours and boat trips for fixed prices and free cancellation.
Skipping the day-trip rush and basing yourself in Ksamil overnight? Compare hotels, guesthouses, and apartments right by the beaches on the map below.
Common mistakes
- No cash. The bus takes lek only. Withdraw in Saranda before you go.
- Waiting at the intercity terminal. The Ksamil bus doesn't run from the new bus terminal at Qafë Gjashtë. Use the port stop or Rruga Skënderbeu in the centre.
- Missing the half hour. Buses run on the half hour; arrive at :20, not :35.
- No water or shade plan. The roadside stops in Ksamil have no shelter. Bring water if returning midday.
- Planning on the last bus. The 19:30 from Butrint is the last one back. Have a taxi backup number saved.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Saranda to Ksamil bus cost?
The 2026 fare is reported at 200 ALL to Ksamil and 250 ALL to Butrint; 2025 reports put it at 150 and 200. Carry 200 ALL in coins or small notes and pay the driver in cash when boarding. Cards are not accepted.
How often does the bus run?
Roughly hourly on the half hour. From Saranda the summer 2026 timetable runs 06:30, 07:00, 08:00, 08:30, then 09:30 to 18:30 every hour. Back from Butrint it runs 07:05, 07:30, then 08:30 to 19:30 every hour, passing Ksamil 10 to 20 minutes later.
Where is the Ksamil bus stop in Saranda?
The line starts outside the ferry terminal on Rruga Jonianet, at the roundabout with the big tree, then stops on Rruga Skënderbeu near SOS Bar and by Hotel Butrinti. It does not use the Rruga Flamurit stop where the Tirana buses arrive.
When is the last bus from Ksamil to Saranda?
The last return bus leaves Butrint at 19:30 on the summer 2026 timetable and passes through Ksamil at roughly 19:40 to 19:50. Outside summer it can be earlier. If you miss it, a taxi to Saranda costs about 20 to 30 €.
How far is Ksamil from Saranda?
About 14 km by road, 20 to 30 minutes by bus or about 20 to 25 minutes by car. Butrint is about 4 km further south of Ksamil, the end of the same bus line.
Should I take a taxi instead of the bus?
A Saranda–Ksamil taxi costs about 20 to 30 € (2,000 to 3,000 ALL) and takes 20 to 25 minutes. For groups of 3 or 4, splitting a taxi is close to the bus fare per head, and it's the only sensible option after the last bus.
Can I take the bus to Butrint National Park?
Yes. The timetabled buses run Saranda, Ksamil, Butrint, so stay on past Ksamil to the end of the line at the park's entrance car park. If a summer short-run bus turns back at Ksamil, the Butrint entrance is about 4 km further south.
