Vlora International Airport (IATA: VLO) has no passenger flights as of October 2026, so if you are leaving Himara by air, your flight home goes from Tirana. The airport near Vlora is built and sits about 73 km from Himara, but it has never had a scheduled passenger service. This guide covers the airport's current status, how to get from Himara to Tirana Airport instead, and the Himara to Vlora Airport road route in case VLO opens later. For the arrival direction, see our Vlora Airport to Himara guide.
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Vlora Airport Status (October 2026)
Vlora International Airport (VLO) is built but has never had a scheduled passenger flight. Chair Airlines had announced Vlora flights for summer 2026 and cancelled them in June because the airport was not ready. In August 2026 the Albanian government started proceedings to terminate the airport's concession over project delays, and the operator, Mabco, is contesting the decision. There is no confirmed opening date.
Until there is a confirmed opening date and real departures, plan your flight home from Tirana. If you see a VLO flight for sale, check that the airline is actually operating it before you build a trip around it. For Tirana, Vlora and Corfu compared side by side, see our closest airport to Himara breakdown.
Flying Home From Tirana Instead
Tirana International Airport (TIA, also called Rinas) is about 211 km from Himara, 3.5-4 hours by car or private transfer. The full breakdown is in Himara to Tirana Airport. The short version:
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private transfer | 130-220€ (whole car) | 3.5-4 hours | Any flight, groups, early departures |
| Night in Tirana + morning taxi | 40-80€ | Split over two days | Morning flights |
| Bus to Tirana + taxi or Rinas Express | ~14-40€ | 6-8 hours | Afternoon and evening flights |
For the direct run, pre-book rather than look for a taxi on the day. You can lock in a fixed price for Himara to Tirana Airport with Kiwitaxi, or ask your hotel to arrange a local driver. Book at least 48 hours ahead, ideally at the start of your stay.
Allow at least 5 hours from Himara to the check-in desk: 3.5-4 hours of driving plus about 90 minutes at the airport, and more in August. For a flight before about 9:00 AM, sleeping in Tirana the night before is usually the better plan than a 2:00 AM pickup.
If Vlora Airport Opens: The Route From Himara
Everything in this section is about the road, which stays the same whatever happens to the airport. Only plan around it once your airline is actually flying from VLO.
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.
| Via Llogara Tunnel | Via Llogara Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | ~73 km | ~80 km |
| Drive time, off-peak | 1h 45min - 2h | 2h 30min - 2h 45min |
| Road | 5.9 km tunnel, no toll for now | Mountain switchbacks to 1,027 m, free |
| Best for | Early departures, rain, tight timing | Your last chance at those Riviera views |
The times are the measured Himara to Vlora drive from our Llogara Pass vs Tunnel guide, plus 15-20 minutes from Vlora to the airport. In August, add about 20 minutes.
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 pass for arrival days when schedule pressure is low.
Getting There
- Taxi or private transfer. Expect around 60-80€ for a sedan and 80-100€ for a minivan, for the whole car. Ask your hotel, or agree a price with a Himara taxi driver before getting in.
- Don't count on online transfer platforms. Kiwitaxi has Himara to Vlora Airport route pages but no bookable fare, so a hotel or local driver is the way to arrange this run.
- Bus plus taxi. Buses from Himara go to Vlora city center, not the airport. They are the same buses listed in our Tirana transport guide, with morning departures around 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Check Gjirafa Travel for current timetables. From the bus station it is a 15-20 minute taxi north to the airport, about 10-15€ (1,000-1,500 lek). Only realistic for an afternoon flight.
- Rental car. Confirm with your rental company that it accepts drop-off at VLO before relying on it. If you picked up in Tirana, some companies charge a one-way fee of 30-50€.
Vlora Airport vs. Tirana Airport From Himara
| Vlora Airport (VLO) | Tirana Airport (TIA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Flights right now | None | Full international hub |
| Distance from Himara | ~73 km | ~211 km |
| Drive time | 1h 45min - 2h | 3.5-4 hours |
| Taxi cost | 60-90€ | 130-220€ |
| Public transport | Bus to Vlora + taxi | Bus to Tirana + taxi or Rinas Express |
If VLO starts operating and has a flight to your destination, it would save you about 2 hours and roughly half the transfer cost. Until then, Tirana is where the flights are.
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, last-minute taxi
- Fuel level (if driving), fill up in Himara or on the SH8 approaching Vlora
- 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
Tips From Experience
Mind peak season traffic. In July and August, add another 15-20 minutes to any estimate. The road between Dhermi 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.
Book your transfer early. Himara is a small town. There aren't dozens of taxis circling at 5:00 AM. Ask at reception early in your stay and confirm the pickup 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 transfer, nothing will be open.
Save your Albanian lek. You won't need much after Himara. But keep 1,000-2,000 lek for the driver or a coffee at the airport. Don't change money at the airport, terrible rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vlora Airport open?
No. As of October 2026, Vlora International Airport (VLO) has never had a scheduled passenger flight. Chair Airlines cancelled its planned summer 2026 flights in June, and in August 2026 the Albanian government started proceedings to terminate the airport's concession, which the operator is contesting. Fly home from Tirana instead.
How far is Himara from Vlora Airport?
The distance from Himara to Vlora Airport is approximately 73 km via the Llogara Tunnel, or about 80 km over the Llogara Pass. Driving takes about 1h 45min to 2 hours via the tunnel off-peak, and closer to 2h 30min over the pass.
How do I get from Himara to the airport for my flight home?
Go to Tirana Airport, about 211 km and 3.5-4 hours away. A pre-booked private transfer costs 130-220€ for the whole car. For a morning flight, a night in Tirana is usually easier than a pre-dawn pickup. See our Himara to Tirana Airport guide for every option.
Is there a direct bus from Himara to Vlora Airport?
No. Buses from Himara go to Vlora city center, and from there it is a 15-20 minute taxi (10-15€) to the airport. With no flights at VLO, there is currently no reason to make the trip.
How much would a taxi from Himara to Vlora Airport cost?
Around 60-90€ for the whole car, depending on vehicle size and whether you go through your hotel or negotiate locally. For a group of 3-4, that splits to about 20-25€ per person.
Should I fly out of Vlora or Tirana?
Tirana. Vlora Airport has no flights as of October 2026. If it opens, compare both when booking, since Vlora would be about 2 hours closer. For a detailed comparison, read our guide on the closest airport to Himara.
