Getting around from town to town

Hey guys - I%26#39;m hoping to travel from Corfu in Greece to Gjirokastra in Albania, but depending on the wind direction at the time, I may want to move on instead, or from there, to Budva in Montenegro. Or Dubrovnik. Or Hvar. Or Skocjan in Slovenia. Any tips for people who have travelled around this area for how easy it is to get around via public transport, point-to-point like this in Eastern %26amp; Central Europe, or is it better to get back to big towns like Athens or Zagreb first? Specifically, can I even get to Gjirokastra from Saranda (which is where I figure the ferry from Corfu drops us)???

Cheers

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All major Albanian cities are connected by regular busses. Second posibility: the little minibuses that leave when they have enough or almost enough passengers (they are much more comfortable !) = turkish style of travel.

have a nice trip

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Hey there,

If I were you I would really try to go through Albania. You could go to Gjiorkastra from Saranda and be there in two hours. Also you could travel to Vlora via coastal area, this is an amazing experience and you will not regret it. When you arrive in Saranda visit Butrinti. Shame you miss this place since you are already there.

If you chose to go through Gjiorkaster (which is also an amazing city)and if you have some spare time please go to Berat for one day, beautiful place.

Should you need any other advices please let me know.

Have a great time,

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Mini buses are used to get from city to city and quite cheaply - usually no more that £3 for a fare. It won%26#39;t get too crowded. Don%26#39;t take a coach as they just keep piling them on!

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I just came back from 3 days in Albania and %26quot;saw%26quot; Tirana, Kruja, Berat, Gijrokastra, Saranda and Butrinti. Here are some comments.

1. Duration of trips between towns and cities were SHORTER than most guides suggested. Quality of roads seem to have improve markedly and getting even better.

2. I travelled mostly by minibuses and they ARE quick. Nearly had an accident on one occasion. Did Gijrokastra-Saranda in less than 1 1/2 hours if I remember correctly but had to wait half an hour for minibus to fill up.

3. It%26#39;s getting easier to travel round Albania but still, after 3 pm or so, public transport is limited or absent on many routes.

4. The highlight of Albania, for me, is undoubtedly Berat. Depending on amount of time you have, try to see Gijrokastra or Kruja (no need for both unless you have plenty of time). Butrinti is nice but if you have seen loads of Roman ruins elsewhere, you can skip it.

If you arrive by the morning ferry, you could cacth the first transport to Gijrokastra, get a taxi to the main square at the foot of the castle, have lunch in a restaurant near there and ask to leave your luggage for a couple of hours while you walk up to see the castle (it seems pretty safe) and then taxi again to minibus station and try to get to Berat (you may have to change in Fier or somewhere there). Next morning or midday, get minibus to Tirana and then to Skhodra. Day after to Montenegro.

Anyway, fascinating country and friendly people. Try to visit one ethnographic museum for an insight into Albanian life in the past - Berat has a nice one but other places like Kruja also has one.