Albania to Corfu ferry: Everything you need to know for a day trip
One of the biggest reasons we chose southern Albania for our most recent girls' trip was the opportunity to hop on an express ferry and spend the day exploring Corfu, Greece. It turned out to be a surprisingly easy process, and if you're considering adding Greece to your Albania itinerary, here's exactly how to do it.
Viewpoint of Agios Gordios
Book Your Ferry Tickets for Sarandë to Corfu in Advance
I had read that tickets can sometimes be a little cheaper if you buy them at the terminal, but since we were traveling in the middle of July, we didn't want to risk missing our preferred departure with the summer crowds. We booked our tickets online through Finikas Lines, and the process was very easy. After purchasing, we received a PDF ticket that we could save directly to our phone for easy access.
There are several departures throughout the day. Some ferries take about 30 minutes, while others take closer to an hour and offer outdoor seating if you'd like to enjoy the scenery. We wanted to maximize our time in Corfu, so we booked the 8:00 a.m. departure and the 8:30 p.m. return on the express ferry, which uses smaller, faster boats.
Arrive Early for Immigration
Plan to arrive at the ferry terminal 45 minutes to an hour before departure to allow enough time to clear immigration. Our morning departure from Albania had no lines, but the return from Corfu had a much longer immigration line, and we were glad we had arrived early.
For military families traveling under SOFA status, be prepared for a few extra questions. Immigration officials weren't familiar with our SOFA visa or why we weren't enrolled in the EES system, so it took a little additional explanation on both sides of the crossing.
Getting to the Sarandë Ferry Terminal
We stayed in Himarë and rented a car, which meant about a 90-minute drive along narrow, winding coastal roads to reach the ferry terminal in Sarandë. If you're staying in Sarandë, getting to the terminal is incredibly easy. We preferred Himarë for its quieter beaches, but if you're making the drive, I'd recommend allowing closer to two hours for the commute. Summer traffic, slow-moving vehicles, and even the occasional herd of goats can all add time to the journey. Honestly, the goats were the highlight of the morning for everyone.
There's a small parking lot directly at the ferry terminal. We paid 1,000 LEK (about €10) to park for the entire day.
Will You Get Motion Sickness on the Ferry?
I'll admit, I was a little nervous when we first boarded. The ferry rocked quite a bit while sitting in the harbor, and since I'm very prone to motion sickness, I took a Dramamine just to be safe. Once we left the harbor, though, the ride was smooth, even with a high wind advisory in effect that day. Our return trip was even calmer, from boarding through the entire crossing. The ferry was air-conditioned, which made the ride much more comfortable during the summer heat.
Corfu, Greece
Note the Time Change Between Albania and Greece
There is a one-hour time difference between Albania and Corfu. You will jump ahead an hour when you arrive in Greece and go back an hour when you return to Albania. You will notice this when booking your ferry tickets, when the times appear to be off at first.
Is a Day Trip from Albania to Corfu Worth It?
Absolutely.
While an overnight stay would have given us more time to explore, we still managed to experience several of Corfu's highlights in a single day. Originally, we had booked a private two-hour boat tour, but high winds forced the company to cancel since it was a small boat. The ferry itself still operated without any issues. Instead, we booked a guided ATV tour that took us through the countryside and down to Agios Gordios Beach.
Afterward, we spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through Corfu's Old Town, enjoying the architecture, cafés, and lively atmosphere before catching the evening ferry back to Albania.
If you're already visiting southern Albania, especially Sarandë or Himarë, adding Corfu for the day is an easy and worthwhile excursion. Just don't be surprised if you leave wishing you'd booked one more night.
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