Albania wasn’t always on my radar. Tucked away in the western Balkans with its rugged mountains, crystal-clear beaches, and unpretentious charm, it felt like a well-kept secret. But as I scoured through Instagram and travel blogs, one photo of the Albanian Riviera sealed the deal for me. I knew I had to go.

What I didn’t know, though, was how to get there affordably. Flights to Albania aren’t as straightforward or abundant as those to Western European hubs like Paris or Rome. But through trial, error, and a fair bit of flight-search obsession, I finally cracked the code for scoring great-value flights to this beautiful country—and in this article, I’m sharing everything I learned, with you.

Why Flying into Albania Requires Strategy
If you’re planning a trip to Albania, chances are you’ll be flying into Tirana International Airport (TIA)—the country’s main international gateway. Located just outside the capital, Tirana, this airport serves as the hub for most international arrivals and offers connections to a growing number of cities across Europe and the Middle East. However, because Albania is still relatively under the radar for mass tourism, especially compared to nearby destinations like Greece or Croatia, direct flight options can be limited—particularly if you’re coming from outside Europe.

This limited accessibility often means flights can be more expensive or involve layovers, especially during peak travel seasons. That’s why a little extra planning goes a long way. Using price comparison tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner, considering nearby airports in Italy or Greece for potential regional connections, and staying flexible with your travel dates can unlock surprising savings. In fact, many travelers find it rewarding to combine Albania with another nearby destination as part of a multi-country itinerary. With a bit of creativity and flexibility, flying into Albania becomes less of a challenge and more of a rewarding travel puzzle.

Step 1: Use Hub Cities to Your Advantage

I quickly learned that booking a direct flight to Tirana from my home city wasn’t the best deal. What I started doing instead was identifying major European cities that offer low-cost or frequent flights to Albania, and then piecing together my journey.

Some of the best-connected cities to Tirana with budget carriers include:

Istanbul (IST or SAW)

Vienna (VIE)

Rome (FCO)

Milan (MXP or BGY)

London (LTN or STN)

Athens (ATH)

Munich (MUC)

Flying into one of these hubs with a major airline and then catching a budget flight to Tirana saved me hundreds of euros compared to flying direct.

Step 2: Leverage Budget Airlines Wisely

Albania is well served by budget airlines—particularly in Europe. I had great success flying with Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet. These airlines often offer one-way fares under €50 from places like Milan, Rome, or Vienna.

Here’s a brief breakdown of the best routes I found:

Wizz Air: Connects Tirana to cities in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Italy. I flew Vienna–Tirana for just €29.

Ryanair: Offers competitive fares from Rome, Milan, and London. I saw Milan–Tirana return flights for €58.

easyJet: Has seasonal routes, particularly from Switzerland and the UK.

Pro Tip: Always check the total cost including bags. Budget fares may look cheap but can balloon with luggage fees.

Step 3: Flexibility Pays Off

I played around with dates a lot—leaving a day earlier or later often made a big difference. I used Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kiwi.com to compare combinations of departure and return dates.

One trick that really helped me was using Google Flights’ calendar view to see the cheapest fares across a month. It visually laid out the best days to fly, and I could mix and match my inbound and outbound flights accordingly.

Flexible with the airport too? Consider flying into a nearby country, like Montenegro or North Macedonia, and then taking a scenic bus ride into Albania. Flights to Podgorica or Skopje are sometimes cheaper and allow for an overland Balkan adventure.

Step 4: Avoid the Last-Minute Trap

I’m usually the kind of traveler who likes spontaneous trips—but for Albania, that strategy didn’t pay off. Prices for flights tend to climb rapidly if you book within 2-3 weeks of departure. For my trip, I started looking about six weeks in advance, and the sweet spot for best prices was around 4–5 weeks before departure.

I also signed up for fare alerts via platforms like Skyscanner and Hopper, which notified me when prices dropped. Thanks to that, I snagged a Rome–Tirana one-way flight for just €23 on Ryanair—yes, €23!

Step 5: Consider Multi-City Bookings

One of the smartest things I did was booking a multi-city trip. Instead of returning from Tirana, I flew back from Corfu, Greece—which is just a short ferry ride from southern Albania. This not only gave me the chance to explore Albania’s Riviera, but also allowed me to fly a cheaper route back home.

Other smart open-jaw combos I’ve seen:

In: Tirana → Out: Podgorica

In: Tirana → Out: Thessaloniki

In: Tirana → Out: Skopje

In: Tirana → Out: Corfu

It opens up the chance to explore more of the Balkans while keeping costs low.

Best Airlines to Consider for Albania Travel

If you’re not going the budget airline route, here are a few traditional carriers I researched and tested:

Austrian Airlines: Smooth, professional, and direct to Tirana from Vienna.

Turkish Airlines: Excellent service and frequent flights via Istanbul.

ITA Airways: Offers solid connections through Rome or Milan.

Lufthansa: Good if connecting through Munich or Frankfurt.

Air Serbia: Often overlooked but has affordable regional connections.

Turkish Airlines was especially good to me—they even served a full hot meal on a two-hour flight. Worth it if you value comfort and include baggage.

Airport Experience: Tirana International Airport (TIA)

Tirana’s airport is relatively small but modern. Immigration was fast, and the baggage carousel wasn’t chaotic. One thing to note: public transport from the airport is limited, so I recommend arranging a shuttle or booking a taxi in advance, especially if you arrive late.

The airport does offer a Rinas Express bus, which runs to the city center hourly. It’s cheap and convenient—but not ideal if you’re traveling with lots of luggage.

Extra Travel Hacks That Helped

Hidden-city ticketing: Sometimes, booking a flight to another city with a stop in Tirana is cheaper than booking to Tirana itself. Be cautious with this hack though—it’s not always allowed by airlines.

Late-night departures: Budget airlines often offer cheaper red-eye flights. I flew a 10:55 PM departure from Milan to Tirana for half the daytime price.

Use points/miles: If you’re a frequent flyer, check if your points can be used to book flights to Tirana through partners like Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa.

Check local travel forums: Balkan travel Reddit threads and Facebook groups often post promo codes and current deals for Wizz Air and Ryanair.

Worth Every Search

Planning the flights to Albania took more effort than some of my other trips—but honestly, it was part of the fun. There’s something deeply satisfying about the process: digging through flight search engines late at night, juggling tabs with maps and fare calendars, and finally piecing together the perfect route. I felt like a treasure hunter, uncovering low-cost sweet spots hidden between major hubs and obscure flight times.

What made it even more rewarding was landing in Tirana with extra budget left over—budget that went straight to what matters most to me when I travel: amazing local food, spontaneous side trips, and unique cultural experiences. Whether it was sitting down to a steaming plate of grilled lamb in a family-run restaurant or hopping on a bus to explore a hidden village in the mountains, I had more room to say “yes” to what truly enriches a trip.

Albania is still a hidden gem in so many ways. While much of Europe is overwhelmed by overtourism, Albania offers something increasingly rare: authenticity without the crowds. You’ll find ancient ruins without selfie sticks, coastal towns where fishermen still mend their nets at sunrise, and smiling locals who are genuinely happy to see you—because they’re not jaded by mass tourism. The slower pace, the friendliness, the untouched landscapes—it all felt like stepping back in time in the best way possible.

Yes, flight options aren’t as abundant or straightforward as they are to more touristed neighbors like Greece or Italy. But honestly, that’s part of the charm. It requires a little creativity, a bit of patience, and a willingness to step off the beaten path. And that effort pays off tenfold. With the right tools—flight comparison sites, fare alerts, and an open mind—you’ll realize that getting there can be just as exciting as the destination itself.

If you’re thinking about exploring Albania, trust me: don’t let the flight logistics hold you back. What awaits you is a country filled with turquoise waters, ancient castles, dramatic mountain roads, and a hospitality that feels almost lost in other parts of Europe. And let’s not forget the food—crispy byrek, slow-cooked meats, fresh seafood, and strong coffee that fuels conversations with strangers-turned-friends.

Book smart. Pack light. Go with an open heart.

Albania is calling—and it’s absolutely worth every search.