Across the strait to Albania
Corfu to Saranda ferry
Cross to Albania in under an hour, as a day trip or with your own car
- Daily all year, up to 13 boats in summer
- 30 to 45 minutes by high-speed boat
- EU citizens travel with an ID card or passport
- Cars and caravans travel on the ferry service
Table of Contents
Which Corfu-Saranda ferry fits your trip?
The strait between Corfu and the Albanian coast is short, and boats cross it every day of the year. The choice on it is the service type. The high-speed boat, a hydrofoil, crosses in about 30 to 45 minutes and suits day trips and light luggage. The ferry service takes about 55 to 70 minutes and carries cars and caravans. Ionian Seaways runs both from the New Port in Corfu Town; Finikas Lines also sails the line every day.
Corfu-Saranda timetable 2026 by season
The number of boats changes with the season, the crossing itself runs every day. Corfu times are Greek time, Saranda times Albanian time, one hour behind.
| Period | Boats a day from Corfu | Boats a day from Saranda | Last boat back from Saranda |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January to 6 March | 1 | 1 | 10:00 |
| 7 March to 10 April | 2 | 2 | 16:00 |
| 11 to 30 April | 4 | 4 | 16:00 |
| May | 7 | 7 | 18:00 |
| June | 7, Mondays 8 | 13 | 20:00 |
| July to September | 13 | 12 | 20:00 |
| 1 to 15 October | 12 | 12 | 18:00 |
| 16 to 31 October | 8 | 8 | 18:00 |
| 1 to 10 November | 4 | 4 | 16:00 |
| 11 November to 31 December | 1 | 1 | 10:00, Fridays and Saturdays 14:00 |
The 09:00 departure from Corfu runs on every day of the year. For a day trip, take a morning boat out and one of the afternoon boats back; that works from 7 March to 10 November. In winter only the Friday and Saturday return at 14:00 leaves time in Saranda. With the 09:00 out and the 16:00 back you get about seven hours in town.
Departure port and check-in in Corfu
The Saranda boats leave from the international passenger terminal at the New Port in Corfu Town, not from Lefkimmi in the south. Be at the terminal at least one hour before departure, with a car as well, since vehicles go through customs. There you show your ticket at the terminal entrance, your passport or ID card at passport control, and then pass customs. Boarding starts one hour before departure and closes 30 minutes before.
Arrival in Saranda
You land in the middle of the town: Saranda's harbour sits directly on its seafront promenade, with hotels, restaurants and the bus connections within walking distance. Passport control on the Albanian side comes first. Remember the clock when planning onward: Albania is in the same time zone as central Europe, one hour behind Greece, which effectively gives a day trip a little extra time in Saranda and takes it back on the return.
Passport, vehicle and rental-car rules
Documents: EU citizens travel with a valid ID card or passport. Non-EU citizens who need a Schengen visa bring a valid passport and their visa or residence permit; to come back to Corfu, the visa has to allow multiple entries. Children need their own travel document, and a child travelling with only one parent needs a written authorisation signed by the other parent; the forms are available at the operator's ticket office at the port. Own vehicle: cars and caravans travel on the ferry service and are booked with the ticket and the number plate. Rental car: Ionian Seaways does not take rental cars from Corfu to Albania, so plan a rental car day on the Corfu side and cross to Saranda on foot.
Tickets and fares
The fare depends on service type, date, passengers and vehicle, and it includes the port taxes. Each passenger may bring up to 25 kg of luggage free of charge, and children under five travel as infants but still need a ticket. Book the high-speed boat if the day is about Saranda itself, the ferry service if you bring your own car. Enter your travel day, passengers and vehicle in the booking, see the total and book the crossing. The way back works the same: Saranda to Corfu runs every day with the same service types. For the island's other crossings, start on the Corfu ferry overview or the timetable.
Corfu - Saranda
Corfu and Saranda at a glance
Saranda sits barely across the strait: the Albanian Riviera starts within sight of Corfu's east coast. Ionian Seaways sails the crossing every day of the year with two service types, a high-speed boat of about 30 to 45 minutes and a ferry service of about 55 to 70 minutes that also carries cars; Finikas Lines also runs daily.
The boats leave from the international passenger terminal at the New Port in Corfu Town. Passports and ID cards are checked before boarding, and boarding closes 30 minutes before departure.
- Route
- Corfu Town to Saranda, Albania
- Operators
- Ionian Seaways, Finikas Lines
- Service
- daily all year, 30-70 min
Next departures
FAQ Corfu - Saranda
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Corfu - Saranda crossing.
How long is the ferry from Corfu to Saranda? +
About 30 to 45 minutes on the high-speed boat, a hydrofoil for foot passengers, and about 55 to 70 minutes on the ferry service, which also carries cars and caravans.
How often does the ferry run? +
Every day of the year. In 2026 the number of boats changes with the season: one boat a day each way in midwinter, four a day in late April and early November, and up to 13 a day from Corfu between July and September. The 09:00 departure from Corfu runs on every day of the year. The timetable by season lists every period.
Can I visit Saranda as a day trip? +
Yes, from 7 March to 10 November. Take a morning boat from Corfu and return on the 16:00 from Saranda or later: in May and October the last boat back leaves at 18:00, from June to September at 20:00. From 11 November a day trip works on Fridays and Saturdays, out at 09:00 and back at 14:00. Saranda times are Albanian time, one hour behind Corfu.
Which documents do I need? +
EU citizens travel with a valid ID card or passport. Non-EU citizens who need a Schengen visa travel with a valid passport and their Schengen visa or residence permit; for the return to Corfu the visa has to allow multiple entries. Children need their own travel document, and a child travelling with one parent needs a written authorisation signed by the other parent. The operator needs the document details of every passenger with the booking.
Can I take a car or rental car to Saranda? +
Your own car or caravan travels on the ferry service and is booked with the ticket, together with its number plate. Rental cars are the exception: Ionian Seaways does not take rental cars from Corfu to Albania. With a rental car, plan Saranda as a foot-passenger visit.
How early do I need to be at the port? +
At least one hour before departure at the international passenger terminal at the New Port, with a vehicle as well, since cars go through customs. Boarding starts one hour before departure and closes 30 minutes before.
How much is the ferry from Corfu to Saranda? +
The fare depends on the service type, the date, the passengers and any vehicle, and it includes the port taxes. Enter your travel day, passengers and vehicle in the booking to see the total for your crossing, then book it in one step.