Search for flights from London to Tirana
Your flight from London to Tirana
Like all savvy travellers, you know the holiday starts before you leave home. You’ve got to make it to the airport on time, prepare yourself for what could be a long flight, and wear some comfy clothes.
A non-stop flight from London (all London airports) to Tirana, Albania, is 3 hours. There are indirect flights but they're not ideal if you're only spending 3 days in Tirana as they take upwards of 10 hours. Add to this the fact Tirana is 1 ahead of the UK, and it makes sense to book direct flights to Albania from London.
Whatever flight you book, make sure you factor in the airport arrival time into your travel plans. It's best to get to a London airport three hours before an international flight, but also consider the airport size: London Heathrow is a much larger airport than London Stansted, for example. You might need to arrive earlier if you’re using Heathrow or Gatwick at peak times.
Here is a tip for you to make it easier to plan your holiday: next time book a hotel in Tirana
or book a hotel
or flight + hotel in London
if you have an early flight, a stepover or multi-city flight. If you book your flight + hotel together you can save up to 40% when compared to booking separately and all that's left for you to do is relax and enjoy your trip!
Which airlines fly from London to Tirana?
Wizz Air UK offers direct flights to Albania from London Luton International, but it’s not the only option. You can also catch flights cheap from London to Tirana on these airlines:
- British Airways: Heathrow to Tirana (3.05 hour average flight time – direct)
- Austrian Airlines: Heathrow to Tirana (4.20 hour average flight time with one stop)
- easyJet: Luton/Gatwick to Tirana (11.05 hour average flight time with one stop)
- Lufthansa: Heathrow to Tirana (4.50 hour average flight time with one stop)
Airports in London
As a major international city, London has a total of six airports to choose from: Luton International Airport (LTN), Heathrow Airport (LHR), Gatwick Airport (LGW), Stansted Airport (STN), London City Airport (LCY) and Southend Airport (SEN). Not all “London” airports are actually in central London - not only this but the sites vary in size and offer different ranges, in terms of domestic and international flights.
For direct flights from London to Tirana, you'll be considering one of the following as a departure airport:
Luton International Airport (LTN)
- Location: Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY
- Average number of passengers per year: 13.3 million
- Transport links: Road, rail, bus, taxi
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Location: Heathrow, Longford TW6
- Average number of passengers per year: 61 million
- Transport links: Road, rail, bus/coach, taxi
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
- Location: North Terminal Gatwick Airport RH6 0PJ/ South Terminal at Gatwick Airport RH6 ONP
- Average Number of Passengers: 32.8 million
- Transport links: Road, rail, bus/coach, taxi
If you wish to explore the surroundings of the city at your own pace, you can always rent a car in London with Opodo.
Tirana International Airport
Unlike England's capital, where you're spoiled for choice, Tirana has a more humble setup with only one airport. Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) is based in Rinas, Durrës County, which is around six miles northwest of Tirana's city centre. You need to factor this in when considering how to get from Tirana airport to the city centre.
This modest arrival site has two public transport options, which will get you from Tirana International Airport to the city centre. You can either opt for taxis, which are easily available 24/7 and take between 20 and 30 min, with an average cost of £20. Alternatively, buses run daily between 7 am and 2 am. The average journey time by bus is 30 min and costs approximately £3.
Tirana Airport Facilities
Tirana International Airport serves more than 5 million passengers per year, so it's well-equipped to welcome you with open arms and make your journey home the best it can be. Here is a brief overview of the airport’s services and facilities:
Facilities:
- ATMs.
- Bureau de Change.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Smoking areas.
- Telephone booths.
- baby changing.
- First aid.
- Special assistance.
Finally, if you don't mind spending a bit extra for some privacy, there's a lounge where you can escape from the crowds, chill out and get some free snacks. All in all, the airport has something to offer everyone.
Best time to fly to Tirana
As the capital of Albania, Tirana is a colourful, bustling city. The best time to enjoy its beauty is from May to June or from September to October to catch the rays without it being overbearingly hot
Think about your own preferences when it comes to planning a trip to Tirana and use our smart search engine to compare flight times and prices.
What to do in Tirana
The rapidly modernising Tirana is the capital of Albania. The country's largest city is full of rich history and culture ready to be explored. If that wasn't enough, the city has some incredibly picturesque views that you can experience in a single weekend.
The stunning central plaza, Skanderbeg Square, is a hub of activity, where tourists and locals alike gather to gather their bearings, meet up, or just admire the scenery.
To learn more about Tirana, and Albania’s dark but fascinating history, you can visit the House of Leaves, otherwise known as the museum of secret surveillance, as it was the headquarters of the infamous Sigurimi, who spied on Albanian citizens. There is also the Bunk'Art, a massive, five story nuclear bunker designed to hold the old communist government in case of war. To learn more about the man who was Albania’s dictator for 50 years until 1944, you can visit Piramida, a museum dedicated to dictator Enver Hoxha and his legacy.
To enjoy some less dark Albanian culture, head to one of Tirana’s many revolving street markets or the modern bazaar Pazari i Ri for some traditional Albanian cuisine.
Tirana is also a great location to explore Albania’s beautiful landscapes as it sits in the shadows of mountains to the east and the Adriatic Sea to the northwest.
Consider a relaxing cable car ride up Mount Dajti to look out at the city and its stunning coastline below. If you're not the biggest fan of heights you can marvel at the Pyramid of Tirana instead, explore the wonders of Dajti Mountain National Park or take a stroll around Grand Park.
FAQs about your flight from London to Tirana
Which airlines fly directly to Tirana?
You can fly direct from London to Tirana via Wizz Air UK or British Airways. Direct flights to Tirana with Wizz Air UK depart from Luton International Airport and take just over three hours. Direct flights with British Airways also take three hours and depart from Heathrow.
How can I find last-minute flights from London to Tirana?
You can find last-minute flights to Tirana from London using Opodo. Our artificial intelligence-based software scours the best available prices when you search, always showing the best flights to Albania from London, even if it’s last minute.
What are the cancellation fees and policies for my flight
Airlines and flight tickets have their own cancellation fees and policies, so cancellations and refunds will be dependent on these. However, Opodo may need to charge a £25 administration fee for any cancellations, unless you bought the Cancel For Any Reason Guarantee at checkout.
What is the distance between Tirana International Airport and the city centre?
The distance from Tirana International Airport to Tirana city centre is between 6 and 11 miles, depending on your final destination. The average trip by taxi or bus takes 30 minutes. You’ll pay approximately €23 (£20) for a taxi ride and €3.50 (£3) to travel from the airport by bus.
Can I change or cancel my flight from London to Tirana?
You can change/cancel your flight from London to Tirana but there will be fees to pay. You can change Wizz Air UK flights up to three hours before you travel and pay the fare difference plus a fee (£30 to £40). Cancellations are possible but incur fees of up to £72.
Which month is the cheapest flight ticket from London to Tirana with Wizz Air UK?
The cheapest month for flights to Albania from London is, typically, December. The average cost is around £50 in the lead-up to Christmas. If you want some sunshine without the cost, September is the best month. Temperatures average 27 degrees and flights are around £61.
