Corfu to Ksamil: The Route Explained Step by Step

Corfu is Ksamil's natural gateway: from the Greek airport to the Albanian beach can take as little as 2 hours.

But the route has three legs (airport→port, ferry, Saranda→Ksamil) and each has its own tricks.

Here is how to do all three without mistakes.

From Corfu airport to the port

Corfu airport (CFU) is about 3 km from the ferry port for Saranda (the New Port, on the west side of Corfu Town).

• Taxi: 10 minutes, around €10-15.
• Bus: blue line 15 connects the airport with town/port, about €1.20.
• On foot: 30-35 minutes — only with light luggage and no time pressure.

Allow at least 45-60 minutes between landing and boarding: in high season passport control at the port builds queues.

Corfu-Saranda ferries: companies and schedules

Several companies work the route, including Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways. In summer there are up to 10+ departures a day; in winter the service shrinks drastically, sometimes to one daily crossing.

• Hydrofoil (passengers only): 30-minute crossing.
• Regular ferry (takes cars): about 70 minutes.

Fares run €19-25 one way depending on company and speed. In July and August, book online a few days ahead, especially for midday departures.

The timezone trick (the one that catches everyone)

Greece is one hour ahead of Albania. A ferry leaving Corfu at 10:00 arrives in Saranda at 09:30 local time.

Coming back it works the other way: leave Saranda at 10:00 Albanian time and you reach Corfu at 11:30/12:10 Greek time. If you have an afternoon flight from Corfu, do not take the last possible ferry — leave yourself at least 3 hours of buffer before check-in.

Arriving in Saranda: customs and getting out

There is passport control in Saranda (bring a document valid for travel abroad — an EU national ID card is fine). In summer this can take 20-40 minutes.

Outside the terminal you will find a taxi line and currency exchange. Albania runs on the lek, but euros are accepted almost everywhere in Ksamil — at a worse exchange rate, though.

Saranda → Ksamil: the last 15 km

• Taxi: €10-15, 20-25 minutes. Agree the price before getting in or ask for the meter.
• Local bus: leaves near the Saranda waterfront, costs about €1-1.50, but stops on Ksamil's main road: from there to the islands waterfront can be a 10-15 minute walk.

If you land in the early afternoon and want to use the day, the sunset cruise departs around 18:30-19:00 and is the most relaxed way to start the holiday.

Frequently asked questions