Across the border · Greece
Visit Ioannina by minibus with driver from Albania
Rent a minibus with a driver in Albania and visit Ioannina, the city of the castle and the lake in the heart of Epirus, about 5 hours and 45 minutes from Tirana Airport and about 1.5 hours from Gjirokastra. With the same minibus, you can also visit the villages of Zagori, the monasteries of Meteora and the Greek Ionian coast.
From Albania to Ioannina by minibus with driver
It takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes from Tirana Airport to Ioannina, not counting the wait at the border. The route passes through Fier, Tepelena and Gjirokastra, then enters Greece at the Kakavija–Kakavia border crossing; from the border, Ioannina is less than an hour away. You’ll find the fixed transfer price on the Airport – Ioannina transfer page.
- Departure from Tirana Airport, from Tirana or from any city in Albania
- Your whole group and luggage in one vehicle, up to 19 passengers
- Stops along the way, for example in Tepelena or Gjirokastra
- From Saranda, Ioannina is about 2 hours away, a good idea for a day in Greece
The main cities of Greece
Ioannina is the main city of Epirus and is connected by the Egnatia motorway to Thessaloniki and by the Ionia motorway to Athens. Times are approximate, from Ioannina:
- Metsovo, about 45 minutes: the mountain town of the Pindus, with stone houses and local cheeses.
- Zagori and the Vikos Gorge, about 45 minutes: stone villages, arched bridges and one of the deepest gorges in the world.
- Igoumenitsa, about 1 hour: the ferry port for Corfu and Italy.
- Meteora, about 1.5 hours: the monasteries on top of the rocks, near Kalambaka.
- Parga and Preveza, about 1.5 hours: the Greek Ionian coast.
- Thessaloniki and Athens, about 3 hours and 4.5 hours: the two largest cities in Greece.
The nearest airports
Ioannina Airport is only about 5 kilometers from the center, with flights mainly to Athens. Preveza Airport (Aktion), with more international flights in summer, is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away, while Thessaloniki Airport is about 3 hours away.
If you land at Tirana Airport, it takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes to reach Ioannina. Many groups combine the two: they fly into Tirana, travel through southern Albania and fly home from Preveza or Thessaloniki, or the other way around. We plan the trip around your flights.
What to see in Ioannina
- Ioannina Castle: the old town within the walls, with narrow streets, stone houses and views of the lake.
- Its Kale and the tomb of Ali Pasha of Tepelena: the inner citadel where Ali Pasha ruled, with the Fethiye Mosque.
- The Aslan Pasha Mosque: now an ethnographic museum, in the corner of the castle above the lake.
- Lake Ioannina (Pamvotida): the lakeside promenade, with cafés and restaurants.
- The island in the lake: about 10 minutes by boat, with its village, monasteries and the Ali Pasha Museum.
- Perama Cave: stalactites and stalagmites, a few minutes from the city.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do we need to travel to Greece?
Greece is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Albanian citizens need a valid biometric passport, while EU citizens can also travel with an ID card. Check the rules for each passenger’s nationality before you travel.
Which border crossing do we use?
Usually Kakavija, after Gjirokastra, because it’s the fastest route to Ioannina. In summer and during holidays the wait can be longer, so we plan the departure time accordingly.
Can we visit Ioannina as a day trip?
From Tirana it makes for a very long day, with about 11.5 hours of driving there and back. From Gjirokastra or Saranda, on the other hand, Ioannina is an easy day trip: it’s about 1.5 hours and 2 hours away.
How many passengers does the minibus take?
Our minibuses have up to 19 passenger seats. For larger groups, we arrange several minibuses that travel together.
Plan your trip to Ioannina
From southern Albania to Epirus and beyond, with the same minibus and driver.