Getting from Himara (Greek: Χειμάρρα, Albanian: Himarë) to Vlora Airport — officially Vlora International Airport (IATA: VLO) — is about 73 km and takes 1-1.5 hours by car depending on whether you use the Llogara Tunnel or drive over the Llogara Pass. This is the reverse of the arrival transfer covered in our Vlora Airport to Himara guide, but the departure direction has its own timing pressures. You need to think backwards from your flight time, not forwards from your hotel checkout. This guide covers every option for the Himara to Vlora Airport transfer: taxi, bus, rental car, and the critical timing math you need to avoid missing your flight.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi/transfer | 1-1.5 hours | 60-90€ (whole car) | Reliability, early flights, groups |
| Bus to Vlora + taxi to airport | 2-3.5 hours total | 8-10€ + 10-15€ taxi | Budget travelers with flexible timing |
| Rental car (drop-off) | 1-1.5 hours | Included in rental | If you already have a car |
| Hotel-arranged transfer | 1-1.5 hours | 70-100€ | Convenience, no planning |
The Route: Himara to Vlora Airport
The road from Himara to Vlora is the same scenic corridor you likely traveled on the way in — just in reverse. Vlora International Airport sits near the village of Akerni, roughly 10 km north of Vlora city center, which actually works in your favor: you don't need to drive through Vlora's traffic to reach the terminal.
Two Routes Through the Mountains
You'll hit the Llogara junction about 20 minutes north of Himara. Here's the choice:
| Llogara Tunnel | Llogara Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | ~15 minutes through | ~40-50 minutes over |
| Saves | 25-30 minutes | Nothing — but the views are spectacular |
| Road type | Flat, straight tunnel | Mountain switchbacks, 1,027m elevation |
| Best for | Early morning departures, rain, tight timing | Your last chance at those Riviera views |
| Toll | Small fee applies | Free |
My recommendation for departure day: Take the tunnel. You already saw the views on the way in (or you can see them next trip). On departure day, predictability matters more than scenery. Save the Llogara Pass for arrival days when schedule pressure is low.
Distance Breakdown
| Segment | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Himara to Llogara junction | ~20 km | 20-25 min |
| Llogara Tunnel | ~5 km | ~5-8 min |
| Llogara exit to Vlora Airport | ~48 km | 35-45 min |
| Total via tunnel | ~73 km | 1h - 1h 15min |
| Total via pass | ~78 km | 1h 20min - 1h 45min |
Option 1: Private Taxi or Pre-Booked Transfer
This is the safest option for catching a flight — and the one I'd recommend for anyone with an early departure or low risk tolerance.
Prices
| Vehicle type | Price | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sedan | 60-80€ | Up to 4 passengers |
| Minivan | 80-100€ | Up to 6-8 passengers |
Prices are for the whole car, not per person. A group of 3-4 splits this to 20-25€ each — barely more than bus plus taxi.
How to Book
- Ask your hotel. Most Himara hotels arrange airport transfers routinely. They use trusted drivers and can coordinate early-morning pickups.
- Pre-book via transfer services. GoAsLocal, KiwiTaxi, and MyTransfers all list Himara-to-Vlora Airport routes.
- Negotiate locally. Taxi drivers in Himara will quote prices. Agree before getting in. Local rates tend to be 60-70€ for a sedan.
Why Taxi Wins for Flights
Buses from Himara don't go to the airport. They go to Vlora city center. That means you'd still need a taxi for the last 10 km to the terminal. When you factor in bus schedules, wait times, and the second transfer, a direct taxi is only 40-50€ more and eliminates every variable.
For flights departing before noon, a direct transfer is essentially mandatory — there's no bus early enough to build in a comfortable buffer.
Option 2: Bus to Vlora + Taxi to Airport
If your flight is in the afternoon and you're watching your budget, the bus-then-taxi combo works. But it requires planning around fixed schedules.
Himara to Vlora Bus Schedule
Buses run from Himara's main road (near the promenade) heading north to Vlora. These are the same buses listed in our Tirana transport guide, stopping in Vlora on the way:
| Departure (Himara) | Duration | Price | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~7:00 AM | 1h 15min - 2h 30min | 8-10€ | Via tunnel or pass (varies) |
| ~9:00 AM | 1h 15min - 2h 30min | 8-10€ | Via tunnel or pass (varies) |
| ~11:00 AM | 1h 15min - 2h 30min | 8-10€ | Via tunnel or pass (varies) |
Schedules shift seasonally. Check Gjirafa Travel for current timetables, and confirm the day before at your hotel. Buses that take the Llogara Tunnel are faster (closer to 1h 15min). Buses over the pass take closer to 2h 30min.
From Vlora Bus Station to the Airport
Vlora's bus station is in the city center. From there, you'll need a taxi to the airport — about 10 km north.
| Segment | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi from Vlora center to airport | 15-20 min | 10-15€ (1,000-1,500 lek) |
There is no dedicated airport shuttle bus from Vlora center as of early 2026. This may change as the airport matures and flight volume increases.
Total Budget Route Cost
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bus Himara to Vlora | 8-10€ |
| Taxi Vlora to airport | 10-15€ |
| Total | 18-25€ |
That's a real saving over a 70€ direct taxi — but you lose about 1-2 hours of buffer. Only use this option if your flight departs after 3:00 PM and you're comfortable with some unpredictability.
Option 3: Rental Car
If you rented a car for your Albanian Riviera trip, driving to the airport yourself is the most straightforward option — assuming your rental company supports drop-off at Vlora Airport.
Drop-Off Logistics
Vlora Airport is new. Not all rental companies have established drop-off desks there yet. Before you plan on this:
- Confirm VLO drop-off with your rental company at booking time.
- Check for one-way fees. If you picked up in Tirana (TIA) and want to drop off in Vlora (VLO), expect a surcharge of 30-50€ with some companies.
- Return early. Plan to arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes before you normally would to handle the car return process at a new, still-developing terminal.
If your rental company doesn't support VLO drop-off, you have two options: return the car at a Vlora city office and taxi to the airport, or drive to the airport and arrange pickup there (some local operators accommodate this with advance notice).
Fuel
Fill up in Himara or at the stations along the main road between the Llogara exit and Vlora. There are reliable fuel stations on the SH8 approaching Vlora. Don't count on finding fuel close to the airport — the surrounding area is still developing.
Timing: When to Leave Himara
This is the section that actually matters. Miss your timing and none of the route details help.
Work Backwards From Your Flight
| Flight time | Arrive at airport by | Leave Himara by (taxi) | Leave Himara by (bus) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | 6:00 AM | 4:30-5:00 AM | Not feasible by bus |
| 10:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 6:30-7:00 AM | Not feasible by bus |
| 12:00 PM | 10:00 AM | 8:30-9:00 AM | 7:00 AM bus |
| 2:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 10:30-11:00 AM | 9:00 AM bus |
| 4:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 12:30-1:00 PM | 11:00 AM bus |
| 6:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 2:30-3:00 PM | 11:00 AM bus (extra buffer) |
These assume:
- 2 hours before flight for international departures at a new airport
- 1-1.5 hours drive via the tunnel
- 30-minute buffer for traffic, fuel stop, or unexpected delays
Peak Season Warning
In July and August, add another 15-20 minutes to your estimate. The road between Dhermi (Greek: Δρυμάδες, Albanian: Dhërmi) and the Llogara junction sees more traffic during these months, particularly around the Dhermi Beach turnoff. Morning departures (before 8:00 AM) largely avoid this.
What About Vlora Airport Itself?
Vlora International Airport (VLO) opened its first certification flight in May 2025 and has been ramping up operations since. Chair Airlines launched the first scheduled commercial service (Zurich-Vlora) in June 2026, with Air Albania and other carriers expected to expand the route network through 2026 and into 2027.
As a new airport, keep these things in mind:
- Terminal size is modest. Check-in and security should be quick compared to Tirana, but facilities (shops, restaurants, lounges) are limited.
- Allow extra time anyway. New airports have teething issues — signage, staffing, process flow. Don't assume efficiency yet.
- Confirm your airline operates from VLO. Some booking engines may still default to Tirana (TIA). Double-check your ticket.
For a full comparison of which airport makes more sense for your trip, see our closest airport to Himara breakdown.
Departure-Day Checklist
Before leaving Himara for the airport, run through this:
- Hotel checkout time confirmed — coordinate with your transfer pickup
- Transfer booked or bus schedule confirmed — don't wing it on departure day
- Cash on hand — 2,000-3,000 lek for tips, tolls, last-minute taxi
- Fuel level (if driving) — don't count on stations near the airport
- Flight confirmation printed or downloaded offline — mobile signal can be spotty in the Llogara corridor
- Tunnel vs. pass decision made — tunnel for reliability, pass only if you have 30+ minutes of buffer to burn
- Albanian SIM/roaming active — for driver coordination and real-time updates
Himara to Vlora Airport vs. Himara to Tirana Airport
Some travelers still fly out of Tirana because it has more routes. Here's how the two compare for departing from Himara:
| Vlora Airport (VLO) | Tirana Airport (TIA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Himara | ~73 km | ~220 km |
| Drive time | 1-1.5 hours | 3.5-4 hours |
| Taxi cost | 60-90€ | 130-185€ |
| Bus option | Partial (bus + taxi) | Direct bus available |
| Flight selection | Limited (growing) | Full international hub |
| Best for | Available routes, short transfers | Long-haul, budget airlines, more flexibility |
If Vlora Airport has a flight to your destination, it's the obvious choice — you save 2-3 hours and 50-100€ on the transfer. But Tirana still wins on route variety. Check both before booking.
Tips From Experience
Book your transfer the night before. Himara is a small town. There aren't dozens of taxis circling at 5:00 AM. Your hotel can arrange it — just ask at reception the evening before.
Don't plan a "last morning" beach session before an afternoon flight. It sounds tempting. In practice, you'll be sandy, rushed, and stressed about timing. Your last beach day should be the day before departure.
Bring water and snacks for the drive. The stretch between the Llogara Tunnel exit and Vlora has limited stops. If you're on an early taxi, nothing will be open.
Save your Albanian lek. You won't need much after Himara. But keep 1,000-2,000 lek for the taxi driver or a coffee at the airport. Don't change money at the airport — terrible rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Himara from Vlora Airport?
The distance from Himara to Vlora Airport is approximately 73 km via the Llogara Tunnel, or about 78 km over the Llogara Pass. Driving takes 1-1.5 hours depending on which route you choose, traffic conditions, and time of day. The tunnel saves about 25-30 minutes compared to the mountain pass.
Is there a direct bus from Himara to Vlora Airport?
No. There is no direct bus from Himara to Vlora Airport as of early 2026. Buses from Himara go to Vlora city center, and from there you need a taxi (10-15€, about 15-20 minutes) to reach the airport. The total trip takes 2-3.5 hours depending on the bus schedule and connection time.
How much does a taxi from Himara to Vlora Airport cost?
A private taxi from Himara to Vlora Airport costs 60-90€ for the whole car, depending on the vehicle size and whether you pre-book or negotiate locally. For a group of 3-4, this splits to about 20-25€ per person. Most hotels in Himara can arrange transfers with a trusted driver.
How early should I leave Himara for a flight from Vlora Airport?
Leave at least 3.5 hours before your flight time. That gives you 1.5 hours for the drive (with buffer) and 2 hours at the airport for check-in and security. For early morning flights, add another 30 minutes since visibility and road conditions are less predictable before sunrise.
Should I fly out of Vlora or Tirana?
If Vlora Airport has a flight to your destination, choose Vlora — it saves 2+ hours of driving and 50-100€ in transfer costs. But Tirana International Airport offers far more routes and airlines. Check both airports when booking. For a detailed comparison, read our guide on the closest airport to Himara.
