Thinking of taking the ferry from Corfu to Albania? This quick and surprisingly easy crossing opens up an entirely different side of Europe – where turquoise waters, ancient ruins and low-cost travel meet.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to get from Corfu to Sarandë, which ferry to choose, how much it costs, and the essential tips you need for a smooth border crossing. If you’re planning a Corfu holiday, this is the ultimate way to turn it into an unforgettable two-country adventure.
Albania wasn’t originally on our radar at all. It was only when we were standing in Corfu, gazing across the water at those mysterious mountains in the distance, that our daughter turned to us and said – “we should go there.” And so, on our second trip to Corfu, we did.
We booked a week in Sarandë as an add-on to our Corfu holiday, and it was one of the best travel decisions we’ve ever made. If you’re heading to Corfu and wondering whether to make the crossing, this guide tells you exactly how we did it and what to expect.
Contents
- Why Add Albania to a Corfu Holiday?
- How to Get from Corfu to Sarande by Ferry
- The Ferry Companies: Which One Should You Choose?
- 🚗 Taking Your Car Across?
- Where to Compare and Book
- What to Know Before You Go
- A Taste of What Awaits You in Sarandë
- What About the Return Crossing?
- Our Honest Verdict
- How to Book
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Why Add Albania to a Corfu Holiday?
The two destinations are very different in terms of landscape and culture but compliment each other perfectly.
Corfu gives you lush green mountains, beaches, Greek hospitality, charming villages and spectacular sunsets.
Sarandë, gives you something completely different – part of a fascinating country with dramatic natural scenery, ancient history, incredible food and prices that make Corfu look expensive. We paid around half what we’d spent in Corfu for food, drink and accommodation.
Albania is still relatively new to international tourism – and that’s a big part of its appeal. It feels genuinely different to anywhere else we’ve been in Europe.
📖 Read our full guide: DIY Sarande Albania Holiday Guide
How to Get from Corfu to Sarande by Ferry
The ferry crossing is surprisingly simple and very short. Here’s how we did it:
🚢 Operator: We used Ionian Seaways for our crossing – reliable, straightforward and easy to book online.
⏱️ Journey time: The fast ferry took us just 35 minutes port to port.
📍 Departure point: Corfu Town port (Neo Limani). It’s on the north side of Corfu Town – about 15 minutes on foot from the Old Town, or 5 minutes by car.
🎟️ Price: We paid £40 return each. There are multiple ferry companies and prices vary, so it’s worth comparing before you book.
⏰ Frequency: In summer there are lots of crossings throughout the day, so you have plenty of flexibility.
💡 Our biggest tip: Try to catch an early flight to Corfu so you can take the ferry across on the same day. Our flight was late in the evening, which meant we had to book a night’s accommodation in Corfu Town before catching the ferry the next morning – an extra cost we could have avoided.
The Ferry Companies: Which One Should You Choose?
We used Ionian Seaways for our crossing and had no complaints at all – but it’s worth knowing that there are actually three companies running this route, each with slightly different options depending on what suits your plans.
🚢 Ionian Seaways – The company we used. They run both high-speed hydrofoil services (the fastest option, around 30 minutes) and slower car ferries for those wanting to bring a vehicle across. They’ve been operating on this route for decades and have a solid reputation. Their timetable is on their website at ionianseaways.com.
🚢 Finikas Lines – Another well-established operator with a range of vessels including high-speed hydrofoils and larger car ferries. The hydrofoil crossing takes around 30 minutes, while the car ferry takes considerably longer. They also offer a handy 10% discount if you book your return ticket at the same time. Their timetable and booking can be found at finikas-lines.com.
🚢 Albania Luxury Ferries – A newer option on the route offering passenger and vehicle crossings. Worth checking if you’re looking for alternatives or if the other operators are fully booked during peak summer weeks.
All three companies depart from the same international terminal at Corfu Town port, and all arrive at Sarandë port on the waterfront, so the choice really comes down to timing, price and whether you need to bring a car.
🚗 Taking Your Car Across?
It is possible to take a hire car on the car ferries, but check with your car hire company first – some operators don’t allow their vehicles to cross international borders and charge a hefty fee, so this is worth confirming before you book. If you’re planning to drive around Albania, it’s simpler and cheaper to hire a car in Corfu and pick up a separate one in Sarandë on arrival.
We found car rental in Albania to be far cheaper than Corfu. But we made a costly mistake by not arranging it from Sarandë port on arrival. The cost of taxis in Sarandë are extortionate so if you’re planning to drive yourself – make sure you’ve planned your car hire in advance.
Where to Compare and Book
Rather than booking directly with one operator, the easiest way to see all your options side by side is to use a comparison site. These let you check departure times, crossing durations and prices across all three companies in one place:
Ferryhopper – Lets you compare all operators, filter by time and vessel type, and book e-tickets straight to your phone. No need to print anything out.
Direct Ferries – Another good comparison tool, useful for checking seasonal timetable changes.
Timetables do change between summer and winter – there are far fewer sailings outside of peak season, sometimes just one or two a day – so always check the current schedule rather than relying on old information online.
💡 Our tip: In July and August the ferries fill up fast, especially the faster hydrofoil services. Book as early as you can to guarantee your preferred crossing time, and aim for a morning departure so you arrive in Sarandë with a full day ahead of you.
What to Know Before You Go
🛂 You’ll need your passport. This is an international border crossing, so a driving licence won’t cut it. Make sure everyone in your group has theirs to hand. The passport control process on both sides is usually quick, but factor it in.
⏰ Arrive an hour early. Even though the crossing itself is only 35 minutes, you need to allow time to get through passport control before boarding. We’d recommend arriving at the port at least an hour before your sailing.
⏰ Time difference. Albania is one hour behind Greece, so factor that in when you’re planning your day around the crossing.
💶 Sort your currency in advance. Albania has a closed currency – you cannot buy Albanian Lek outside of the country. Euros are generally accepted in tourist areas.
Our advice is to take Euros with you; they’re widely accepted in Sarandë and you can exchange them locally at good rates. Expect change in lek and better prices when paying in local currency. Try to avoid the ATMs in Albania as the fees can be steep.
Getting from the Port to Your Hotel in Sarande The ferry drops you right on the Sarande waterfront, which is wonderfully convenient. However, we made the mistake of not arranging transport in advance – and ended up paying £20 for a taxi to our hotel, which felt steep.
With hindsight, we’d strongly recommend hiring a car from the port on arrival for the duration of your stay. Taxis in Sarande are expensive, especially if you want to explore beyond the town centre. Car hire, on the other hand, is very affordable – we hired a car for three days to drive to Ksamil, and another for a day trip to the Blue Eye and Gjirokaster, and both felt like exceptional value compared to organised tours.
💡 Tip: The day trips advertised online can be very pricey – around £70 per person. Renting your own car for the day works out far cheaper and gives you much more freedom.
A Taste of What Awaits You in Sarandë
We don’t want to repeat everything from our full Sarande guide here (link below!), but these are the highlights that made the crossing absolutely worth it:
🏖️ Kroreza Beach – We took a boat trip with Rei dos Mares (@reidosmaressaranda on Instagram) to this stunning beach: crystal clear water, white pebbles and blissful peace away from the tourist crowds. £30 each including soft drinks and sandwiches all day. Unmissable.
👁️ The Blue Eye – A natural freshwater spring where vivid blue water rises from a depth of over 50 metres. Gazing into it is genuinely mesmerising – one of the most extraordinary natural sights we’ve ever seen. The water is absolutely freezing (around 10 degrees!) but the kids loved it.
🏔️ Gjirokaster – A beautiful mountain town with a well-preserved ancient castle and spectacular valley views. We paired it with the Blue Eye in a single day trip by hire car and had a wonderful afternoon wandering the streets and shops.
🏝️ Ksamil – Often called the “Maldives of Europe” and the Instagram pictures don’t lie. Just be aware that in peak summer it gets very busy and the beaches are mostly privately operated with sunbed charges that vary wildly. Our favourite spot was Ohana Beach – a little further around the cove, less crowded, clearer water and much more reasonable prices.
🏛️ Butrint – A UNESCO World Heritage Site just 15 minutes from Ksamil. An ancient Greek city dating back to 800 BC, with remarkably well-preserved ruins including an amphitheatre, acropolis and palace, all surrounded by beautiful nature. Easily a couple of hours of exploring.
What About the Return Crossing?
Exactly the same in reverse. We drove from Ksamil back to Sarandë port, caught the ferry back to Corfu. We picked up our hire car from Corfu airport (a short taxi ride from the port), and enjoyed a wonderful week in Corfu. Simple and smooth!
Our Honest Verdict
Albania is a country of contrasts – you might turn from a beautifully lit restaurant terrace and spot a derelict building around the corner. It’s raw, real and still finding its feet as a tourist destination. But that’s precisely what makes it so interesting.
The natural beauty is extraordinary, the history is rich, the people are warm and welcoming, and the value for money is genuinely unbeatable by European standards. A full dinner for five people, including drinks, came to around £50 most evenings.
If you’re planning a trip to Corfu, tacking on a week in Sarande is one of the best things you can do. The ferry makes it easy, the cost makes it sensible, and Albania makes it unforgettable.
We’re already planning to go back – at a quieter time of year, so we can enjoy the beaches without the summer crowds.
How to Book
🚢 Ferry: Ionian Seaways – book online in advance, especially in summer
🏨 Accommodation: Booking.com – check reviews carefully and always contact the hotel directly to confirm your booking before you travel
🚗 Car hire: Rentalcars.com – book in advance for best prices
Read Next:
DIY Sarande Albania Holiday Guide – Our full week-by-week itinerary, accommodation tips and everything we saw and did
Our Best Places to Visit in Corfu – Plan the Corfu leg of your trip
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