Corfu to Albania Day Trip
Prices and departure times checked
Cross the strait to Albania in 30 minutes — the seaside town of Saranda and the UNESCO ruins of Butrint National Park, where Greek, Roman, and Venetian history sit in one site. Guided tour with buffet lunch. 948 reviews · 4.3 stars.
A Corfu to Albania day trip crosses the strait by ferry to Saranda in about 30 minutes, then a guided coach tour of the UNESCO ruins at Butrint National Park — layered Greek, Roman, and Venetian remains in one site. The day includes a buffet lunch and free time in Saranda before sailing back, totalling 9–10 hours from $75 per person. A passport is required and a €20 port fee is paid at the border.
Butrint National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site packed onto one peninsula — Greek ruins from the 4th century BC, a Roman amphitheatre, an early-Christian baptistery with a famous mosaic floor, and a Venetian castle on the hill. The guided walk lasts around 90 minutes through marshland and olive groves, ending with lake views from the acropolis.
Saranda Town
The seaside town on the Albanian Riviera where the ferry docks. After Butrint you return here for a buffet lunch and free time to walk the beachfront promenade. Albanian coffee and food are noticeably cheaper than on Corfu — a good moment to sit by the water before sailing back.
The Sea Crossing
Corfu sits just a couple of kilometres off the Albanian coast at its closest point, so the ferry to Saranda takes only about 30 minutes. It’s a calm, scenic crossing of the strait — and the simplest international day trip you can make from any Greek island.
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08:15 – 08:45
Check-in at Corfu Port
Meet at the Corfu Port terminal. Have your passport ready — you’re crossing an international border. Arrive early to clear customs without rush.
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~09:00
Ferry to Saranda
The crossing takes about 30 minutes across the strait. Clear Albanian passport control on arrival (the €20 port fee is paid here).
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~10:00
Guided Butrint Tour
Board the coach to Butrint National Park. A professional guide leads a 90-minute walk through the Greek, Roman, and Venetian ruins.
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~12:30
Buffet Lunch in Saranda
Return to Saranda for an included buffet lunch, then free time to walk the seafront promenade and explore the town at your own pace.
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~16:30
Free Time & Coffee
A last stretch of free time in Saranda — grab Albanian coffee or browse the shops before heading back to the port.
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~18:00 – 18:30
Ferry Back to Corfu
Sail back across the strait to Corfu Port, arriving early evening — the same day you left.
Included in your ticket
- Return ferry crossing Corfu ↔ Saranda
- Guided coach tour to Butrint National Park
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Butrint entrance and guided walk (~90 min)
- Buffet lunch in Saranda
- Free time in Saranda town
Not included
- €20 port fee — paid in cash at the Albanian border
- Hotel pickup (optional add-on at checkout)
- Drinks at lunch and personal spending
- Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Border essentials & what to bring
Butrint was the absolute highlight — walking through 2,400 years of history in one afternoon was incredible. Our guide was excellent and the tour was not rushed at all. Lunch was very good too.
A fantastic and well organised tour. The guide was very informative and gave us a comprehensive review of the history and people of Albania. Two hours in the world heritage site, then lunch and a walk on the promenade.
A long day with some unavoidable queues at the border crossings and ports, but well done overall — and Butrint made it worth it. Don’t forget your passport and remember the €20 port fee they charge on the day.
Reviews displayed are representative summaries of verified bookings on GetYourGuide. See all 948 reviews on the booking page →
Is a day trip from Corfu to Albania worth it?
For most visitors, yes. Butrint is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the Mediterranean, and crossing into a second country in a single day is a rare, memorable experience — the tour holds 4.3 stars across 948 reviews. The honest trade-off is that it’s a long day with border queues. If you mainly want beaches and swimming, a Paxos cruise may suit you better; if you want history and something different, Albania delivers.
Do I need a passport for the Corfu to Albania day trip?
Yes — a valid passport is required because you’re crossing an international border by ferry. EU ID cards are also accepted. Bring the physical document, not a photo. A €20 per-person port fee is paid in cash at the Albanian border and isn’t included in the ticket price.
How long is the ferry from Corfu to Saranda?
About 30 minutes. Corfu sits just a couple of kilometres off the Albanian coast at its closest point, so the crossing is short and usually calm. The ferry departs from Corfu Port (the New Port / Domestic Terminal), not the cruise or Old Port.
Is Butrint included, or is it an optional extra?
On this guided tour (the higher-rated Saranda & Butrint trip), the Butrint visit and guide are included in the price. Note that some cheaper “Albanian Adventure” cruises sell Butrint as an optional add-on paid on the boat — always check the inclusions on the booking page before you reserve.
What is there to do in Saranda?
Saranda is a relaxed seaside town on the Albanian Riviera. On this trip you get a buffet lunch plus free time to walk the beachfront promenade, sit at a café, and browse shops. Prices for coffee and food are noticeably lower than on Corfu, so it’s a good spot to relax before the ferry back.
Is the Albania day trip suitable for cruise ship passengers?
It’s tight. The full trip runs 9–10 hours including border crossings, which is longer than a typical cruise-ship port day. It’s only realistic if your ship overnights in Corfu. Cruise passengers with a single port day are usually better served by a shorter excursion closer to Corfu Town.
How much does the Corfu to Albania day trip cost?
The guided Saranda & Butrint trip starts at $75 per person, including the return ferry, guide, Butrint tour, and buffet lunch. Budget an extra €20 cash for the port fee at the border, plus any drinks or personal spending. Optional hotel pickup can be added at checkout.
What should I bring for the Albania day trip?
The essentials: your passport, €20 cash for the port fee, comfortable walking shoes (Butrint has uneven stone paths), sunscreen and a hat (there’s little shade at the ruins), and some extra cash since Albania is cheaper than Corfu. Water is useful for the guided walk.
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View tour →Ready to Cross into Albania?
Two countries in one day, UNESCO ruins, and a buffet lunch by the sea — from $75 with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Just don’t forget your passport.