# Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa (TIA) > Rinas, AL · 11 km (6.9 mi) northwest of Tirana Web: https://airport.flights/airport/tia JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/tia.json ## Facts - **IATA**: TIA - **ICAO**: LATI - **Timezone**: Europe/Tirane - **Runways**: 1 - **Terminals**: 1 - **Passengers**: 3.1M/yr - **Hub for**: Albawings, Air Albania - **Official site**: https://www.tirana-airport.com ## Overview ## Welcome Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa (TIA) is not your typical bustling capital city airport. Situated just 11 kilometers northwest of Tirana, it offers a surprisingly polished experience for a facility handling 3.1 million passengers yearly. With its compact layout and upscale duty-free shopping, travelers often laud it for an ambiance more reminiscent of a modern regional hub than the typical capital-city chaos. The presence of a separate private terminal adds a touch of exclusivity, akin to a boutique FBO. ## At a glance Serving as a hub for Albawings and Air Albania, TIA features a single terminal (T1), making navigation straightforward. Despite its size, it boasts a range of amenities including a well-stocked Aelia Duty Free, seven dining options ranging from Segafredo Zanetti to Taverna Tirona, and three lounges with access fees starting at €15 for the Business Lounge in T1. ## Terminals & layout The main terminal (T1) houses all retail and dining options as well as the three lounges. It’s compact, minimizing walking times, but seating can be scarce near the gates during peak times. The Private Terminal is a notable feature for those seeking extra privacy and services, equipped with its own security, lounge, and shopping area, offering a level of comfort comparable to international premium lounges. ## Getting to and from the city Positioned close to central Tirana, TIA has several transport options. The Rinas Express bus provides an economical choice at approximately 400–500 ALL (€4–5) and takes about 30–35 minutes to reach Skanderbeg Square. Taxis like the Taxi Tirana Airport offer faster transfers at $18-22 for the 20-25 minute ride. However, if opting for a rideshare, be prepared as these operate more like traditional taxis. ## Traveller essentials Cash is king when dealing with smaller vendors and the bus service, even though most places accept cards. Note that use of the SKY Fast Lane at security requires an advance purchase through the operating airline, which can save time during busy periods. Travelers planning longer road trips should be cautious of Albania’s mountainous terrain, potentially turning a 150 km journey into a 3-4 hour drive. ## Dining & shopping highlights Dining options are concentrated within T1, with cafes and bars like Kolonat and Air Café offering a last taste of Albanian culture. While food prices are steeper than in Tirana, Aelia Duty Free stands out for its value, especially in regional wines and spirits. Souvenir and fashion shopping rounds out the available retail therapy. ## Lounges The main airport lounges, including the Business Lounge in T1, offer quiet retreats for €15. For those looking for an upscale experience, the Private Terminal provides facilities such as a cigar room and VIP meeting area, available through exclusive services. These facilities ensure a pleasant respite from the main terminal’s busier zones. ## Insider tips - **Money:** The airport-run Rinas Express shuttle to Skanderbeg Square is the cheapest transfer option at around €4-5. - **Avoid:** Expect higher food prices inside T1 compared to downtown Tirana – bring snacks from the city. - **Time:** Arrive earlier than normal during summer peak when charters increase traffic; lines can spike unexpectedly. - **Quiet:** Head to the central café or Business Lounge area for seating when the gates get crowded. - **Local:** Enjoy the airport's relaxed bar zones for one last Albanian drink; they are cozy and calm compared to typical airport bars. - **Insider:** The Private Terminal Lounge is a hidden oasis with no usual airport hustle; ideal for VIPs and private flyers. - **Insider:** Advance purchase the "SKY Fast Lane" to slice through security lines quickly if flying with SKY express. ## Terminals (1) - **Main Terminal** — Albawings, Air Albania, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa ## Dining (7) - **Air Café** — $ - **Bar Caffè** - **Bottega Prosecco Bar** — Main Terminal · $$ - **Kolonat** — $ - **Piazza Bar** — $ - **Segafredo Zanetti** — Main Terminal · $ - **Taverna Tirona** — $ ## Lounges (3) - **Business Lounge** — T1 · Main Terminal, airline/priority access · €15 - **Exclusive Club** — Private Terminal, VIP access - **Private Terminal Lounge** — Private Terminal, VIP/charter access ## Shops (8) - **Aelia Duty Free** — Terminal - **Fashion Boutique** — Terminal - **Jewellery Shop** — Terminal - **Local Products Shop** — Terminal - **Relay** — Terminal - **Souvenir Shop** — Terminal - **Tech Kiosk** — Terminal - **Travel Shop** — Terminal ## Parking (5) - **Bus Parking** — Coach - **P1 Parking** — Short-stay - **P2 Parking** — Long-stay - **Staff Parking** — Employee - **VIP Parking** — Premium ## Ground transport (8) - **Car Rentals** — Car hire · : Albania’s mountainous routes often take much longer than mapping apps suggest; 150 km can easily become a 3–4 hour drive. · : extra cleaning fees for returning cars dusty after mountain or coastal roads. · : Recurring complaints in Google and TripAdvisor - **Hotel Shuttle Buses** — Bus · slower than a normal taxi because it detoured to pick up or drop off other guests · per ride or per person · *Guests arriving on 02:00–04:00 flights report being told to just take a taxi instead. - **Intercity Coach Services** — Bus · Albania rarely run on exact timetables · . No direct airport bus to most cities; you usually have to go into Tirana first and then change at the regional bus terminals · Routes like Tirana–Durrës and Tirana–Shkodër are frequent in daytime, but early-morning and late-evening services thin out significantly. - **Private Transfer Services** — Car · 20 minutes · 25 euro · Night supplement for pickups between about 22:00 and 06:00. - **Rideshare Pick-up Zone** — Car · : no rideshare available. · : Local taxi companies offer their own apps, but travellers say pick-up works like a normal taxi dispatch rather than true ridesharing with dynamic pricing. · . International ride-hailing brands (Uber, Bolt, Lyft) do not operate in Tirana, so there is no dedicated rideshare pick-up lane at TIA. - **Rinas Express** — Bus · 30-35 min · $2-3 · Every 60 min · roughly 06:00–24:00 - **Taxi Tirana Airport** — Taxi · 20-25 min · $18-22 · On demand · 24/7 - **Tirana Airport Shuttle** — Bus · 20–30 minutes longer than the advertised · : quote is given in euros, then a higher amount is demanded in cash lek on arrival, especially with middlemen agencies. · do not always match flight arrivals, forcing a wait of up to an hour if you just miss one. ## Insider tips - _Money_: The airport-run Rinas Express shuttle to Skanderbeg Square is the cheapest transfer option at around €4-5. - _Avoid_: Expect higher food prices inside T1 compared to downtown Tirana – bring snacks from the city. - _Time_: Arrive earlier than normal during summer peak when charters increase traffic; lines can spike unexpectedly. - _Quiet_: Head to the central café or Business Lounge area for seating when the gates get crowded. - _Local_: Enjoy the airport's relaxed bar zones for one last Albanian drink; they are cozy and calm compared to typical airport bars. - _Insider_: The Private Terminal Lounge is a hidden oasis with no usual airport hustle; ideal for VIPs and private flyers. - _Insider_: Advance purchase the "SKY Fast Lane" to slice through security lines quickly if flying with SKY express.