Overview
Albania has gone from well-kept secret to one of Europe's most talked-about summer destinations, and UK flights have multiplied to match. In under three and a half hours you can swap grey skies for the turquoise coves of the Albanian Riviera, Ottoman-era towns and excellent-value Mediterranean food. This page is a hub for every Albanian city we fly to, so you can compare routes, carriers and dates in one place.
Best time to fly to Albania
The coast is at its best from late May to early July and again in September, when the sea is warm, fares ease and beaches are calmer. July and August bring reliable heat and peak prices, so book well ahead for those dates. Spring and autumn suit sightseeing and hiking; winter stays quiet and mild in Tirana. See the When to book chart above for how fares shift through the year.
Main gateway cities and airports
Tirana International Airport (Nene Tereza), about 17km from the capital, is the main entry point and handles almost all UK flights. It is compact and modern, with a direct bus into central Tirana in around 30 minutes plus fixed-price taxis. Vlore International Airport on the southern coast has recently opened and should add routes over time, while small Kukes Airport in the north-east sees a few low-cost flights.
Airlines and routes
Low-cost carriers lead the UK to Albania market. Wizz Air flies to Tirana year-round from London Luton and London Gatwick, Ryanair serves Tirana from London Stansted and several regional airports, and easyJet operates seasonal flights from Gatwick and Manchester. British Airways adds a summer Gatwick service, and Air Albania is the national carrier. Reckon on about 3 hours from London and 3 hours 15 minutes from Manchester; other UK cities usually connect via a European hub.
Popular places to visit in Albania
- Tirana: a colourful, fast-changing capital with Cold War history at Bunk'Art and a lively cafe culture.
- Albanian Riviera and Ksamil: clear Ionian water, white-pebble beaches and tiny offshore islets near the Greek border.
- Saranda and Butrint: a seaside base beside a UNESCO archaeological park of Greek, Roman and Venetian ruins.
- Berat: the UNESCO town of a thousand windows, Ottoman houses stacked beneath a lived-in hilltop castle.
- Gjirokaster and the Albanian Alps: a southern stone city, plus dramatic hiking around Theth and Valbona.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Albania
- Travel in the shoulder months of May, June, September and October, when both fares and crowds drop.
- Compare departure airports; Luton, Gatwick and Stansted often undercut regional bases for Tirana.
- Fly midweek rather than Friday or Sunday, and use the price charts on this page to find the cheapest dates.
- Book summer trips two to three months ahead, as the coast sells out and last-minute fares rarely fall.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and your passport should be valid for the length of your stay. The currency is the Albanian lek; euros are taken in some tourist spots, but you get better value in lek and should carry cash outside the cities. Book early for July and August and check the price charts on this page first.
