
javber26
 |
London to Durrës & Tiranë - Albania
There are no international passenger trains between Albania and the rest of Europe, and travel in some of the border regions is inadvisable, so the fastest and easiest way to reach Albania is to take a train to Bari in Italy and sail overnight to Durrës on the daily Tirrenia Line ferry. The journey from London to Albania is quite straightforward and comfortable, and can all be booked from the UK:
London â–º TiranĂ«:
Travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 12:30 and arriving in Paris Gare du Nord at 15:56. On Sundays there's also a 13:00 Eurostar arriving Paris 16:17. Cross Paris by métro to the Gare de Bercy.
Travel from Paris to Bologna overnight on the 'Palatino', leaving Paris at 18:59 and arriving in Bologna at 05:58 next morning. The Palatino has sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3-bed rooms, modern 4-berth 'comfort' couchette and standard 6-berth couchettes - click here for an illustrated guide to on-board accommodation on this train.
Travel from Bologna to Bari on a modern, air-conditioned Eurostar City Italia train, leaving Bologna at 08:56 and arriving in Bari at 14:52. In Bari, it's a reasonable 25 minutes walk across town to the ferry terminal near the old city, or you can take a taxi. Bari's old town is well worth a wander, it was the birthplace of St Nicholas (Santa Claus, no less!).
Sail from Bari to Durrës in Albania on the overnight Tirrenia Line (formerly Adriatica Line) passenger ship. The ship sails daily from Bari ferry terminal at 23:00, arriving in Durrës at 08:00 next morning. A range of comfortable cabins is available.
Alternatively, Agoudimos Lines also sail overnight Bari-Durrës 3-5 times per week, to a similar schedule. Another option is www.venezialines.com, who operate fast ferries from Bari to Durrës in only 3 hours 30 minutes, but these may leave too early for train connections, or get you to Durrës late at night, so see what's available.
There are eight trains a day from Durrës to Tiranë (Tirana). The 09:50 from Durrës will get you to Tirana at 10:50.
For full info and timetables see:
http://www.seat61.com/Albania.htm
Have a great time!! |