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Airport Transportation

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza

Also known as: Tirana Airport, TIA Airport, Tirana International Airport, Rinas Airport, Mother Teresa Airport.

TIA · LATI · Tirana

Airport facts

Name
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza
IATA code
TIA
ICAO code
LATI
City
Tirana
Country
Albania
Address
Rinas, Krujë Municipality, Durrës County, Albania
Coordinates
41.4147, 19.7206
Time zone
Europe/Tirane
Terminals
One passenger terminal, with arrivals and departures on the ground floor

About Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), named after Mother Teresa, is the international airport for Tirana, the capital of Albania, and the main gateway for travelers to the country. It stands in the village of Rinas, about 17 km (11 miles) northwest of Tirana by road, close to the SH2 highway between Tirana and Durrës.

Low-cost airlines carry most passengers: Wizz Air and Ryanair both base aircraft here and fly to cities across Italy, Germany, the UK, Poland and the rest of Europe. Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Aegean, Air Serbia, British Airways and Vueling link Tirana with their hubs, and many seasonal and charter flights are added in summer. The airport handled about 11.6 million passengers in 2025.

All flights use one passenger terminal, opened in 2007 and extended several times since, with arrivals and departures on the ground floor and the gates airside.

From the airport, most travelers head into central Tirana, around Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku district, or west to Durrës and its beach hotels on the Adriatic. Others continue south to Vlorë, Berat, Sarandë and the Albanian Riviera, or north to Shkodër.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Tirana International Airport SHPK, owned by Kastrati Group since 2020

Passengers per year

About 11.6 million in 2025

Runway

One, 17/35, 3,000 m

Terminal

One passenger terminal, opened in 2007 and extended in 2009 and 2022

Airline bases

Wizz Air and Ryanair

Arrival tips for Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza

Albania is outside the EU and the Schengen area, so every international arrival goes through passport control. Citizens of the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and many other countries enter without a visa; e-gates opened in 2022 read Albanian, EU, UK, US and Canadian passports, and other travelers use the staffed desks. Lines can be long on busy summer afternoons, when many flights land close together.

Tirana has one terminal, so there is no terminal to choose: after baggage claim you walk through customs into the arrivals hall. ATMs, currency exchange desks and the car rental counters are in arrivals, and a supermarket and mobile phone shop there sell local SIM cards.

Outside the terminal, licensed yellow taxis with the airport logo wait at the taxi stand, and the Rinas Express bus leaves every hour for central Tirana. Pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the arrivals hall.

Albania is on Central European Time and uses the Albanian lek.

Ground transportation

The bus is cheapest into Tirana; a taxi or pre-booked car is easier with luggage, at night or for Durrës and the coast.

  • Rinas Express bus to Tirana

    LU-NA's airport bus runs around the clock, leaving every hour on the hour, and reaches its stop behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet near Skanderbeg Square in about 30 to 40 minutes.

  • Bus to Tirana's bus terminals

    LU-NA also runs hourly daytime buses between the airport and Tirana's South and North bus terminals, for connections to other Albanian cities.

  • Bus to Durrës

    Adis runs scheduled buses between the airport and Durrës several times a day, from morning until late evening; check the timetable on the airport website, as departures are spaced out.

  • Taxi from Tirana airport

    Licensed taxis, yellow with the airport logo on both sides, wait in front of the terminal around the clock and take about 20 to 25 minutes to central Tirana, depending on traffic.

  • Car rental

    International and local car rental companies have desks in the public arrivals area; book ahead in summer, when cars run short.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups, late arrivals and trips to Durrës or down the coast.

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Terminals

Passenger Terminal

The single terminal handles every scheduled and charter flight, Schengen and non-Schengen alike. Check-in, arrivals and departures are on the ground floor, with shops, duty free and the gates airside.

Airlines and destinations

All airlines use the one passenger terminal. Seasonal routes are marked.

Aegean Airlines

Athens, Heraklion, Rhodes (seasonal)

AJet

Ankara, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen

airBaltic

Riga (seasonal), Tallinn (seasonal), Vilnius (seasonal)

Air France

Paris Charles de Gaulle (seasonal)

Air Serbia

Belgrade

Air Transat

Toronto Pearson (seasonal)

Austrian Airlines

Vienna

British Airways

London Heathrow

easyJet

Geneva, Lisbon (seasonal)

Eurowings

Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart (all seasonal)

flydubai

Dubai

LOT Polish Airlines

Warsaw Chopin

Lufthansa

Frankfurt, Munich (seasonal)

Norwegian

Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo (all seasonal)

Pegasus Airlines

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, Antalya (seasonal)

Ryanair

Birmingham, Bologna, Bergamo, Dublin, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Stansted, Manchester, Milan Malpensa, Naples, Pisa, Prague, Rome Ciampino, Treviso, Warsaw Modlin and more

Scandinavian Airlines

Copenhagen (seasonal), Stockholm Arlanda (seasonal)

Sky Express

Athens, Heraklion

SunExpress

Antalya (seasonal), Bodrum (seasonal)

Transavia

Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Paris Orly (all seasonal)

Turkish Airlines

Istanbul

Vueling

Barcelona

Wizz Air

Barcelona, Bari, Berlin, Bologna, Budapest, Dortmund, London Gatwick, London Luton, Madrid, Milan Malpensa, Naples, Rome Fiumicino, Valencia, Vienna, Verona and more

Facilities

  • Wi-Fi

    Free wireless internet is available in the terminal.

  • ATMs and currency exchange

    ATMs and exchange desks are in the check-in hall and in arrivals.

  • Car rental desks

    International and local car rental companies have counters in the public arrivals area.

  • Supermarket and SIM cards

    A Conad supermarket and a Vodafone store are in arrivals; the Vodafone store sells local SIM cards.

  • Duty free

    Aelia Duty Free runs the duty-free shop airside, past security.

  • Shops and restaurants

    Cafés, bars and shops are airside, with a fast-food outlet landside near the entrance; most close late in the evening.

  • First aid

    A first aid facility is available in the terminal.

  • Families

    The terminal has a mother-and-child room and a children's play area.

  • Lost and found

    The airport's lost and found office handles items left in the terminal; for delayed or missing bags, contact your airline first.

Airport lounges

  • Tirana Airport Business Lounge

    On the second floor of the terminal, on the departures side, open from an hour before the first departure until the last one. Frequent flyers and eligible guests enter free, and other passengers can pay to enter.

  • Private Terminal & Exclusive Club

    A separate private terminal offering VIP handling for passengers who book the service ahead through the airport.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Ask your airline or travel agent when you book, or at least 48 hours before your flight. You can also call the airport on +355 4 2381 800, or ask at the information desk at the terminal entrance or at check-in.

  • Reduced mobility

    Assistance staff accompany you to signposted waiting points near the gate, and wheelchairs are available for passengers with temporary injuries. Drop-off spaces for passengers needing assistance are in P1.

  • Hearing and visual support

    Passengers with visual impairments are guided to the gate or onto the aircraft, and deaf or hard-of-hearing passengers get visual communication support at the gate.

  • Hidden disabilities

    Passengers with non-visible disabilities can ask for discreet support tailored to their needs.

  • Arrive early

    Passengers needing assistance should arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure, and earlier with a mobility aid to check in.

Parking

The airport has about 2,600 parking spaces in four parking lots, plus a short-stay drop-off zone.

P1

500 spaces, half of them covered, with drop-off spaces for passengers needing assistance.

P2

200 covered spaces.

P3

1,200 covered spaces, the largest parking lot.

Underground parking

700 covered spaces below ground.

Kiss & Fly

A short-stay zone for dropping off and picking up passengers, charged after the first few minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Tirana airport from the city center?

Tirana airport is at Rinas, about 17 km (11 miles) northwest of the city center by road. A taxi takes about 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic, and the Rinas Express bus takes about 30 to 40 minutes to its stop behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet, near Skanderbeg Square.

Is Tirana airport the same as Rinas or Mother Teresa airport?

Yes. The airport's official name is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, Albanian for Mother Teresa, and it stands in the village of Rinas, so many people call it Rinas Airport. Its code is TIA. It is the airport for Tirana and the main international gateway to Albania.

Is there a bus from Tirana airport to the city?

Yes. The Rinas Express bus, run by LU-NA, leaves the airport every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day, for central Tirana. It stops behind the Palace of Opera and Ballet, near Skanderbeg Square, after about 30 to 40 minutes. LU-NA also runs daytime buses to Tirana's South and North bus terminals.

How do I get from Tirana airport to Durrës?

Adis runs scheduled buses between the airport and Durrës several times a day, from morning until late evening; the timetable is on the airport website. Durrës is about 37 km away, roughly 40 minutes by road on the SH2 highway, so a taxi or pre-booked car is quicker and goes straight to your hotel on the beach.

How many terminals does Tirana airport have?

Tirana has one passenger terminal, opened in 2007 and extended in 2009 and 2022. It handles every flight, Schengen and non-Schengen alike, with check-in, arrivals and departures on the ground floor. All arriving passengers exit into the same arrivals hall.

Which airlines fly to Tirana?

Wizz Air and Ryanair carry most passengers and both base aircraft at Tirana, flying to cities across Italy, Germany, the UK and the rest of Europe. Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Aegean, Air Serbia, British Airways and Vueling serve their hubs, and many seasonal and charter flights are added in summer.

Where do I find a taxi at Tirana airport?

Licensed taxis wait in front of the terminal and at its pick-up area, 24 hours a day. They are yellow with the airport logo on both sides, and the airport advises using only these. The ride to central Tirana takes about 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic.

Do I need a visa to fly into Tirana?

Many travelers do not. Albania is outside the EU and Schengen, and citizens of the EU, the UK, Canada and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, while US citizens can stay up to a year. Holders of a used multiple-entry Schengen, UK or US visa are also exempt. Check the rules for your nationality before you fly.

Can I use euros at Tirana airport?

Albania's currency is the lek, and prices are set in lek. Euros are often accepted in tourist areas, but change is usually given in lek. ATMs and currency exchange desks are in both the check-in hall and the arrivals hall, so you can get lek as soon as you land.

Is there a lounge at Tirana airport?

Yes. The Tirana Airport Business Lounge is on the second floor of the terminal, on the departures side, open from an hour before the first departure until the last one. Frequent flyers and eligible guests enter free, and other passengers can pay to enter. The airport also runs a private terminal with VIP service.

Where can I park at Tirana airport?

Tirana airport has about 2,600 parking spaces in four parking lots: P1, P2, P3 and an underground parking garage, most of them covered. P3 is the largest, with 1,200 spaces. A Kiss & Fly zone in front of the terminal is for quick drop-offs and pickups only.

Is there a train from Tirana airport?

Not yet. An electrified railway linking Tirana, Durrës and the airport, with its own airport station, is under construction, and train service is planned to start in 2027. Until then, travelers use the airport bus, taxis, car rental or a pre-booked car to reach Tirana and Durrës.

What is the time zone at Tirana airport?

Albania is on Central European Time, UTC+1, the same as Italy and most of Western Europe. It moves to UTC+2 for daylight saving time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, so check your watch if you are arriving from the UK, Greece or Turkey.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from TIA