Saranda to Ohrid by Bus – How to Do it in 2023

Saranda to Ohrid by Bus

After spending some time in the south Albanian costal town we decided to take the bus from Saranda to Ohrid, North Macedonia. In this post, we detail exactly how to navigate the Saranda bus system. Travelling from Saranda to Ohrid by bus can be complicated, but with our helpful tips it will be a really efficient way to travel.

The Town of Saranda, Albania

The town of Saranda is a seaside resort, but not as you might know it. Relatively new to international tourism, Albanians have been spending their summers in Saranda for decades. However, the invitation to global travellers has been a relatively recent development. The usual apartment blocks, hotels and beach bars are there but this holiday town certainly has a different vibe to it.

Its location in Southern Albania provides an excellent base for day trips from Saranda. One example is Butrint National Park. Just a rickety bus ride away and well worth the effort as the park contains ruins of ancient civilizations and allows you to stroll through 3,000 years of history.

Ways to Travel from Saranda to Ohrid

There are several ways to travel from Saranda to Ohrid. We consider a few of them as detailed in our neat table below.

Lake Ohrid is split over the Albanian and North Macedonian border. It is one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes and it was our next stop our Balkan tour.

However, the bus from Saranda to Ohrid was going to be a long journey. All modes of transport were considered. Unfortunately, there are no trains, driving is dubious if you’re not used to Albanian roads and private hire was out of our price range.

We decided to take the bus from Saranda to Ohrid and booked our tickets in advance on GETBYBUS. The journey was said to be direct and to take 7.5 hours. This ticket MUST be printed before you go as it will be handed to the driver. This particular route is more direct and goes Via Elbasan. However, it only runs during the summer months.

The regular bus will go via Tirana and take up to 9 hours.

	Travel time (hours)	Cost (1 way)	Distance (km)	Comfort Factor
Bus	7.5 – 9	35 Euro	346	**
Drive	5.5	25 – 35 Euros	309	****
Private Hire Taxi	6	100 Euros per person	310	*****

We Travel from Saranda to Ohrid by Bus

The bus from Saranda to Ohrid departed from the Stacioni i autobusave in central Saranda. We had to ask a few people before we found the right spot and we also learned that we would need to change buses in a town called Elbasan – about 5 hours into the journey.

After finding the correct minibus, or furgon as they are known, we waited outside in the shade. Temperatures regularly reach 40°C in the summer and, unfortunately, the buses are old and don’t have air conditioning. However, based on our previous Balkan bus experience, we knew to pack plenty of water, snacks that won’t melt, a mini electric fan and some wet wipes. This trip was going to get very sticky!

Travelling from Saranda to Ohrid by bus is not for the faint hearted! After waiting to fill the majority of the bus, the driver set off. Even with the windows wide open there was no way to reduce the heat inside as the incoming air was roasting. Both of us had our knees squashed up against the seat in front and our luggage placed on our lap. We settled in for what was going to be a long 7 and a half hours. Having said that, the scenery outside was beautiful!

The Saranda to Ohrid Bus Stops at Elbasan

Just as the last of our water was running out, we approached Elbasan. This is the third largest city in Albania and sits on the Shkumbin River. The bus pulled into a petrol station where passengers for Ohrid alighted. A little unsure of what was going on, we were just so pleased to get off the bus, breathe some relatively fresh air and stretch our legs.

We replenished our snacks from the small shop in the garage and waited for the next bus in the shade. Having no timetable for the next furgon’s arrival, we stood in hope. Fortunately, there was a Dutch couple also going to Ohrid so that was reassuring.

After about 25 minutes, the next minibus pulled up. The final, sweaty stage of our journey from Saranda to Ohrid by bus! Reluctant to get back on a stuffy, cramped bus we kept thinking about how beautiful it would be when we finally arrived.

Spending a night or two in Elbasan would be a great way to split up the journey, if you can spare the time.

The Elbasan to Ohrid Bus

This leg of our journey took about 3 hours. We crossed into North Macedonia at the Kjafasan border crossing. The bus queued for a short time and when we arrived at the booth, all the passengers stepped off the bus. We walked individually through the booth to have our documents checked before boarding the bus again.

Any time spent off the bus was greatly appreciated! There were a few stray dogs around but we noticed they were tagged so it seems like they are being monitored an improvement from the stray dogs we found in Tirana.

Back on the bus with about 30 minutes left. The temperature had reduced slightly and the rest of the drive was beautiful as we passed Lake Ohrid in the early evening sun.

Useful Tips when Travelling from Saranda to Ohrid by Bus

• Pack plenty of water in the summer
• Bring snacks that won’t melt easily
• Have a good supply of wet wipes, not just for kids!
• Maybe bring a handheld fan in the hotter months
• An audio book allows you to enjoy the scenery outside
• There isn’t a luggage hold so pack light and prepare to sit with you bags if they don’t fit above
• Always have cash if you haven’t already bought a ticket
• Print any tickets before travel
• Keep your passport handy and carry any documents you might need for border crossings

Arrival in Ohrid

We finally arrived in Ohrid at about 7:30pm. After a long day of travelling we went in search of food. The centre had a quiet bustle about it and many great places to eat and drink as it is a popular destination for Balkan tourists in the summer. We spent a while choosing before we settled with Pizzeria & Restaurant Luna in Krushevska Republika – the town square .

After recharging our batteries, we took a 5 minute taxi to our hotel on one of the hills overlooking the lake. We planned one night’s stay in the Hotel Monastery Sveti Stefan before it was time to move on to Skopje, the North Macedonian capital.

One day in Ohrid

Fortunately, our bus to Skopje wasn’t until late afternoon. We spent the morning relaxing by the lake. The lake is a peaceful place to enjoy the sun, take a hike or appreciate the spectacular views over the water and the monasteries nestled in the hills. There are several bars along the shore where you can hire sun loungers in the summer and sip on a cocktail overlooking the lake – which is what we did.

After a few hours by the water we took a taxi back into the town. Having a couple of hours to spare before our next bus, we explored the centre of Ohrid. We walked through the busy, ancient streets, found a bakery and over indulged in delicious fresh burek.

The old town is full of traditional, red roofed houses, mosques and has a large square filled with restaurants and market stalls. We browsed the shops selling pearls from the lake, ornaments and dazzling jewels.

With time running out, we had to make our way from the centre up to Ohrid Bus Station where we waited for our next journey to begin.

More Information

• For Ohrid tourist info click HERE
• For Saranda tourist info click HERE

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Saranda or Ohrid? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

Saranda to Ohrid by Bus, Is it Worth it?

Is it worth taking the long trip from Saranda to Ohrid by bus? Absolutely! Yes, the buses are small, cramped and boiling in the summer. However, this way of travelling provides a might more authentic Balkan experience. This is how the locals travel. You will definitely meet interesting people who will be happy to provide recommendations for your time in their country. You might also learn a few new words!

The buses are a really cheap way of getting around. This long trip only cost us 35 euros and that was booked at short notice in the height of summer. We did not have to worry about parking, we were able to appreciate the incredible scenery out the window and we were free to enjoy a cocktail whenever necessary (not always advised!).

Follow the tips above and you’ll be surprised at how quick the journey passes.

Finally, Ohrid is an incredible destination that you must visit in your lifetime. However you get there, make sure you see this place. It will leave a lasting impression.

Where to go next

Ready for another adventure? Why not try travelling from Podgorica to Dubrovnik? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Dubrovnik.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Albania or North Macedonia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

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Saranda to Ohrid by Bus