Tirana Rinas Airport (TIA) Flights & Flight Status

Tirana International Airport (TIA), officially known as Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza (after Mother Teresa), is the main airport servicing the capital of Albania. It’s one of only 2 international airports in the country and, while it’s not overly big, it’s got everything you’ll need for a quick entry or exit. I’ve found that the compact size means navigating through security and immigration is usually a breeze, making it quite a joy to fly in and out.

As one of the busier airports in the Balkans, Tirana Airport is easily accessible from the city and has all the modern facilities that you’d expect from bigger international airports. Plus, I love that Albanian hospitality is always on full display, so it makes for a warm atmosphere not always found in other airports. Here are my top tips for your net visit to TIA.

Tirana Airport layout

Tirana Airport has definitely improved since its initial construction in the 1950s. My favorite later addition is the large, modern glass building designed by Malaysian architect Hin Tan, officially completed in 2007. With everything under one roof, I always appreciate that you can easily navigate the space and literally walk from one end to the other in just minutes.

Upon entering the terminal, you’ll find all of the check-in counters directly in front of you, followed by security and passport checks before entrance to the departure gates. There’s also an arrivals hall to one side of the terminal for those waiting for pickups. It all tends to flow quite nicely, with the processes for both departures and arrivals pretty efficient all around.

Airlines flying in and out of Tirana

Most of Europe’s biggest airlines operate flights to and from Tirana, including Aegean Airlines, Air Albania, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, EasyJet, Lufthansa, Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air. There are daily flights to many popular destinations across Europe, along with regular flights to cities in Türkiye, the Middle East and the Gulf states.

TIA is a hub for budget airlines WizzAir and RyanAir, with both offering an extensive flight schedule to cities across Europe. There are additional services in the peak summer period. But many of these low-cost flights are carry-on only, so check before jumping on board a cheap flight deal.

Getting to and from Tirana Airport

The main transport options for getting to and from the airport are bus, car and taxi. The only form of public transport is the bus, but don’t worry – buses in Albania are quite budget-friendly and very convenient to use.

There are shuttle buses running direct from various cities in Albania to the airport, including Tirana, Durres, Fier and Vlore. The buses between the airport and Tirana operate every hour of the day with the journey taking about 30 minutes. Buses stop behind the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana, and right in front of the terminal door at the airport.

Tickets for all buses can be purchased on the bus for a reasonable fee. The direct buses to other cities in Albania operate less frequently, but still have plenty of departures each day so you can head out from Tirana as soon as you arrive and start exploring the rest of the country if that’s your goal.

Taxis and parking at TIA

When I want a little more comfort, I use a taxi service. They are available at the airport and throughout the city. While this option is more expensive than public transport, it is quicker than the bus and can be a good choice if you're traveling with luggage or in a group. Be sure to agree on a fare or ensure the meter is running before starting your journey.

Uber doesn’t exist in Albania yet, but there are some other ridesharing apps you can use, such as Speed Taxi. Generally, most people still opt for taxis in Albania instead, so you may have an easier time finding one of these.

If you’ve driving your own vehicle to the airport, there are a few different parking areas, each offering covered and uncovered sections. The first few minutes are free if you’re just dropping or picking someone up. Beyond that you’ll have to pay for parking, which differs between the facilities. P1 parking area is a little more expensive, while P2 and P3 are cheaper and also offer long-term parking by the day.

Food and restaurants at TIA

As it’s a relatively small airport, don’t expect a generous choice of food and be sure to plan accordingly. Near the entrance, you’ll find a KFC that always seems to have a long line. However, there’s a handful of cafes and small bars around the arrivals and check-in hall, including an American pizzeria, Albanian cafe and Italian dessert bar. I grab a coffee and gourmet snack before or after each flight.

Conad, a small market, is near check-in. Here you can grab all your favorite little snacks and drinks, plus other travel essentials for your flight if you have forgotten anything. Once you’re through to the departure gates, you’ll find a couple of coffee bars selling drinks and snacks while you wait for your flight, but keep in mind that the options are limited at this point.

Business Lounge

If you want to avoid the crowded terminal, head up to the one of my favorite spots at TIA, Business Lounge. You’ll be surprised how comfortable and spacious the lounge is, with a dedicated work space and a large seating area with plenty of charging points.

The whole area is decorated in art pieces from Albanian folklore with indoor plants, so it’s quite a cozy place to sit for a while. You can also take advantage of the fast and free Wi-Fi, which is better than the public Wi-Fi in the terminal.

The lounge is located on the second floor on the departure side. It’s open to all frequent flyer customers and eligible VIP guests, so check with your airline whether you’re able to get access to the lounge.

Other services at Tirana International Airport

For travelers entering Albania for the first time, there are some other helpful services at the airport to get your holiday started on the right foot. You’ll find several ATMs and a currency exchange service directly after immigration and before the baggage belts. Save time by organizing your money while waiting for your luggage to arrive on the carousel.

There are also a few ATMs and a currency exchange in the main departure hall for those flying out of the country.

If you want to stay connected in Albania, you’ll find some mobile phone shops offering local SIM cards with data bundles for foreign nationals in the arrivals hall. This can help you avoid expensive roaming charges with your carrier.

Otherwise, there is free Wi-Fi available across the whole terminal for passengers to use. It’s pretty easy to select and log on without any hassle and has always worked for me for the most part, although I have found it slow at times.

Security and check-in procedures at TIA

I’ve always found Tirana Airport to be really streamlined. If you’ve already checked in online, then you can simply use the self-service machines in the departure hall. From there, you can do a quick baggage drop before proceeding to passport control. On a quiet day, you can literally go from checking in to waiting at your gate within 20 minutes.

Regardless, you should definitely still show up at the recommended 2 to 3 hours before your flight, just to be sure. In the summer holidays, it can certainly get busier and lines can lengthen considerably.

For security, you’ll have to be prepared to remove your shoes, belt and any items in your pockets, along with placing your carry-on luggage and electronic devices in the provided trays for screening. I always wear easily removable footwear and avoid excessive accessories to speed up this process.