Frequently asked questions about Tirana Airport

Tirana Airport (IATA code TIA) is located in Rinas, 7 km southwest of Tirana city. It is the main international airport of Albania.

There is only one airport in Tirana: Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), operated by Kastrati Aviation Holding through TIA SHPK. It serves the whole of Albania and is the country's only international civil airport (over 99% of national traffic).

The IATA code is TIA, the ICAO code is LATI. The official name is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (in Albanian). The TIA code uses the 4th and 5th letters of the name because MAL and MAG were already taken by other airports.

Tirana Airport was inaugurated on March 9, 1919 by Pierre Latécoère on the Toulouse-Casablanca route, and is the only international airport in Albania. It later saw the inauguration of Terminal T2 (1991, designed by Hochtief) and Terminal T3 (2010).

Yes, it is the only international civil airport in Albania, the main gateway to Tirana, Durrës and the entire Albanian coast. In 2025 it handled 8,500,000 passengers (+7.4% vs 2024), with 69,896 aircraft movements (2025). It ranks eighteenth in the EU.

Tirana Airport real-time flights: in high season (July-August) more than 570 flights land per day, with a record of 630 flights on July 14, 2024. In low season (January-March) the number drops to 200-300 flights per day, maintaining connections with Madrid, Barcelona, London, Manchester.

Tirana Airport Ryanair: the airline lands at Tirana Airport (TIA), where it has one of its main Spanish bases. It operates direct flights from Milan-Bergamo, Bologna, Rome-Ciampino, Pisa, Treviso, Naples, Bari, Milan-Malpensa, Turin, plus numerous seasonal flights.

For international Schengen flights, arrive 2 hours before departure; for charter or non-Schengen flights, 2 and a half hours before. Check-in desks close 40 minutes before domestic flights and 1 hour before international flights.

For Schengen flights it takes about 30-40 minutes for baggage collection (no passport control). For charter flights from the UK and Russia it takes 50-70 minutes for passport control plus baggage. If you are picking someone up, arrive 30 minutes after the scheduled landing time.

At least 1 hour and 30 minutes between two flights for Schengen connections. For international connections with baggage reclaim, at least 2 hours. Most flights to/from Tirana are not connecting flights.

More than 40 airlines, with peaks of 570+ aircraft movements per day in August. Ryanair is the dominant carrier, followed by Vueling, easyJet, Air Europa, Volotea, Iberia Express, Jet2.com, TUI Airways, Norwegian, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, KLM, ITA Airways.

The Cercanías C1 train connects the airport to Tirana Centro Alameda in 12 minutes for €1.80, running every 20 minutes. The A Express EMT bus connects to Paseo del Parque in 20 minutes for €4.00, running every 25-30 minutes.

The Cercanías C1 train reaches Tirana Centro Alameda in 12 minutes. The train station is located inside Terminal T3, accessible from the Transport Interchange without going outside.

The Cercanías C1 train operates from 6:43 to 23:54, every 20 minutes. The A Express EMT bus operates from 7:00 to 24:00, every 25-30 minutes during the day.

A taxi to the center of Tirana costs €20-25 during the day and €25-30 at night (22:00-06:00) and on holidays. Fares are metered according to the Federata Shqiptare e Taksive (Albanian Taxi Federation). To Durrës the fare is €70-85, to Pogradec €100-115.

Three options: intercity bus (45-60 min, €7-10), taxi (45 min, €70-85) or a private Kiwitaxi transfer at a fixed price from €81. The transfer is the most convenient solution for groups of 3-4 people with luggage.

The Cercanías C1 train is the direct line to Tirana Centro Alameda. It departs from the station inside Terminal T3 every 20 minutes, costs €1.80, and takes 12 minutes. The A Express EMT bus to Paseo del Parque costs €4, takes 20 minutes, and runs every 25-30 minutes.

Yes, international and local agencies are present in the arrivals terminal: Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Enterprise, TiranaCar.com, CarGest, All In Car Hire. Over 140 models can be booked online through Localrent.

Yes, some agencies such as My Tirana Scooter (4.7★) rent scooters of 50, 125 and 300 cc. To rent a scooter at Tirana airport you need an A1 license (for 125+ cc) and a helmet is provided free of charge. Rates from €25-50/day.

Three commercial terminals connected on foot: T1 (historic, from 1948, currently not operational), T2 Madre Teresa (1991, designed by Hochtief, 14 jet bridges), T3 (2010, main terminal, 86 check-in desks, 20 boarding gates, 12 with jet bridges).

The smoking area at Tirana Airport is only outside the terminal: dedicated zones outside the Arrivals and Departures entrances. TIA SHPK prohibits smoking inside the entire terminal building.

Yes, the luggage storage service is located at Terminal T3, Level 0, open from 6:00 to 23:00. Rates from €6/4h to €15/day depending on luggage size.

Yes, the TIA Wi-Fi network is completely free throughout the airport, with no limits. Simple connection via an access portal on the welcome page.

Yes, the Albania VIP Lounge on Terminal T3 Level 1 is accessible for a fee (€35-45) or with Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeMe, Mastercard LoungeKey. Buffet service, premium Wi-Fi, magazines and a relaxation area. It is located near gates C31-C33.

Tirana Airport hosts 25+ dining spots between Terminal 2 and 3, including Burger King, Costa Coffee, La Tagliatella, Pans & Company, Albanian tapas bars, and local delis. Open from 5:00 to 23:00 in high season.

A total of 2,600 parking spaces: P1 (500 covered), P2 (200 covered), P3 (1,200 covered) and underground parking (700 spaces). In addition, there are external private car parks (Hotel Airport Tirana, Park & Fly Albania, TIA Express Parking) for long stays with a free shuttle.

Yes, Global Exchange currency exchange points are present on Level 0 (T3 Arrivals) and Level 1 (T3 Departures), as well as several ATMs (BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank) in the terminal.

No, but 3-5 km from the terminal there are many hotels in Tirana and Albania: Parador de Tirana Golf, Hotel Plaza Del Castillo, AluaSun Costa Park, with shuttle on request.

Tirana Airport is normally operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any temporary closures are due only to exceptional weather conditions (strong easterly winds, fog in winter) or security drills, announced on the official website tirana-airport.com.

The terminal is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most shops and restaurants operate from 05:00 to 23:00. Car rental agencies such as TiranaCar.com, CarGest, Goldcar and All In Car Hire operate 24 hours a day.