The mistake people make with the Himara to Ksamil bus, in either direction, is searching for a line that doesn't exist. There's no direct service between the two. Ksamil is a beach village at the dead-end south of Saranda, 65 km from Himara by road, so every route runs through Saranda. Once you accept it's a two-leg trip, it's cheap and straightforward. The thing that actually catches people out isn't the transfer, it's the last coastal bus north, which leaves Saranda at 18:00 in season, and the Ksamil bus that only runs about once an hour. Miss the connection and you're paying for a taxi or staying an extra night. Here's how the day really works in 2026.
The route in one picture
Ksamil → (local bus) → Saranda → (coastal furgon) → Himara
| Leg | Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ksamil → Saranda | Municipal bus | 150–200 lek (~1.50–2 €) | 20–30 min |
| Saranda → Himara | Coastal bus | 10 € (~1,000 lek) | 1h30–1h50 |
| Total (bus + bus) | , | ~1,150–1,200 lek (~12 €) | 2.5–4h with transfer |
The whole thing costs about twelve euros. The trade-off is timing discipline. The two legs run on independent schedules and neither is frequent.
Leg 1: Ksamil → Saranda (easy)
The municipal bus from Ksamil back to Saranda is 150–200 lek and 20–30 minutes, running roughly hourly on the Saranda–Ksamil–Butrint line (from Saranda about 06:30–18:30 on the half hour; the last bus back from Butrint leaves around 19:30, passing Ksamil a few minutes later). Buses marked "Saranda" pick up along Ksamil's main road. Pay the driver in cash. Full detail on this hop, including drop-off points and the taxi alternative, is in the Saranda–Ksamil bus guide (same route, reversed).
The Ksamil bus ends in the centre by the ferry terminal. Saranda's long-distance buses moved in July 2026 to the new bus terminal at Qafë Gjashtë, about 2 km above the port, and Gjirafa lists the Himara buses (Transbus Saranda and Olgeno) from "Saranda Station". Ask your host or the driver the day before whether the Himara bus loads at the terminal or still picks up in the centre, and budget a 10-15 € taxi up the hill if it is the terminal.
Leg 2: Saranda → Himara (the one with the catch)
This is the leg that needs planning. The coastal bus up the Riviera to Himara runs ~1h30 for 10 €, with six departures a day in season: 05:30, 07:00, 09:00, 10:00 (Transbus Saranda), 13:30 and 18:00 (Olgeno), per Gjirafa Travel in October 2026. Note the gap between 10:00 and 13:30, and that 18:00 is the last one.
The rule that saves your day: confirm the last Saranda→Himara departure the night before, and plan to be at the Saranda stop with a 30–45 minute cushion. If you leave Ksamil late and reach Saranda after the last coastal bus has gone, your only options north are a taxi (60–100 €) or an unplanned night in Saranda.
The reverse direction, with the same operators and timing logic, is covered in our Himara to Saranda transport guide, worth a skim for the corridor detail.
When a taxi or transfer is worth it
| Option | Cost | Time | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus + bus | ~1,150–1,200 lek (~12 €) | 2.5–4h | Budget, flexible, daytime departure |
| Hybrid (taxi to Saranda + bus to Himara) | ~30–55 € | 2–3.5h | You want a controlled first leg to catch the bus |
| Direct taxi / private transfer | 60–100 €/car | 1h30–2h15 | Late departure, missed last bus, families, luggage |
A direct taxi makes sense in three cases: you've missed the last coastal bus, you're a family with kids and bags who don't want a two-leg shuffle in the heat, or you're a group of 3–4 splitting the fare down to 15–25 € a head. Always agree the total price before getting in, and share your Himara accommodation pin in chat rather than just naming the town. Himara stretches several kilometres along the coast.
Save a taxi driver's number from your Ksamil days as a backup, and keep your phone live for maps and calls with a Saily Albania eSIM. The coastal road has patchy stretches where you'll want offline maps loaded.
Distance from Himara to Ksamil
The self-drive route is about 65 km, ~1h30 in clear conditions (64.6 km by OSRM road routing, Himara centre to Ksamil centre), north out of Saranda and up the SH8 coastal road through Borsh and Qeparo to Himara. In July–August allow 1h45–2h30 with beach-town congestion. The road is paved but narrow and winding with steep sea-side drops, fine in daylight, less fun after dark. Fuel up in Saranda; options thin out along the coast.
When to leave Ksamil
| Your goal | Leave Ksamil by | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Himara check-in by mid-afternoon | Before 08:30 | Makes the 10:00 bus from Saranda |
| Relaxed arrival, no deadline | Late morning | Makes the 13:30 from Saranda |
| Evening arrival | By 16:30 | The 18:00 from Saranda is the last one |
| Hard evening commitment in Himara | Take a direct taxi | Removes all transfer and last-bus risk |
In peak summer, add 45–75 minutes to any optimistic plan. The Ksamil and Saranda beach traffic is the variable that breaks tight connections.
Arriving in Himara
Himara spreads from the old town and castle down to Spile beach and the Livadhi flats, and where you stay shapes your trip. Compare hotels, guesthouses and apartments on the map.
Once you've settled into Himara, the half-day boat tours to Pirate's Cave and the hidden coves are the thing to book. The coastline between here and Ksamil is best seen from the water.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct bus from Ksamil to Himara?
No. Ksamil sits at the southern dead-end past Saranda, so every public route goes through Saranda: the 150–200 lek municipal bus to Saranda, then the coastal bus north to Himara. Plan it as two legs and confirm the last northbound departure (18:00 in season) before you set out.
How far is Himara from Ksamil?
About 65 km by road: 54 km on the SH8 coastal road from Himara to Saranda, then 14 km south to Ksamil. Allow 1h30 by car off-peak and 2 hours or more in August, when the Saranda–Ksamil stretch jams.
How much does Ksamil to Himara cost?
By bus, about 1,150–1,200 lek (~12 €) total: 150–200 lek for the Ksamil–Saranda bus plus 10 € for the Saranda–Himara coastal bus. A direct taxi or private transfer runs 60–100 € per car, which splits well across a group of three or four.
How long does the trip take?
The driving distance is only ~65 km (about 1h30 nonstop), but the bus version takes 2.5 to 4 hours once you factor the Saranda transfer and waiting time. A direct taxi does it in 1h30–2h15. Add 45–75 minutes to bus plans in July and August.
What happens if I miss the last bus to Himara?
The last northbound coastal bus leaves Saranda at 18:00 in season, and earlier off-season. If you miss it, you're choosing between a 60–100 € taxi north or an unplanned night in Saranda, this is why an early-morning start from Ksamil matters.
Can I do this trip in reverse from Himara to Ksamil?
Yes. Same route, same logic: Himara to Saranda on the coastal bus (08:00, 11:40, 14:00, 14:40, 17:00 or 19:40 in season), then the municipal bus down to Ksamil, which runs roughly hourly until about 18:30. Our Himara to Saranda transport guide covers the northbound-to-southbound corridor in full.
