Ferry company
Ionian Seaways
The Corfu - Saranda line to Albania: boats, booking, boarding, documents, pets
- Hydrofoil 30 to 45 min, ferry 55 to 70
- Daily all year, up to 13 a day in summer
- Boarding closes 30 minutes before
About Ionian Seaways
Table of Contents
About Ionian Seaways
Ionian Seaways runs the daily ferries between Corfu and Saranda on the Albanian coast opposite, and works hand in hand with its sister company Ionian Cruises, as the two have since 1979. Beyond the line they run excursions on Corfu and in Albania, cruises in the Ionian Sea, tailor-made trips for groups with multilingual guides, bus transfers to the ports of Corfu and Saranda and transfers from Corfu airport to the port. The company has its ticket offices in the New Port of Corfu Town and next to the port of Saranda.
The boats
Four vessels make up the fleet. The high-speed craft Santa (35.19 metres, 31 knots, 130 passengers) and Santa III (35.10 metres, 31 knots, 124 passengers) are the fast boats on the line: a hydrofoil crossing takes 30 to 45 minutes. The passenger ships Ionian Sun (330 passengers) and Christina (30.26 metres, 14 knots, 300 passengers) are slower; the crossing by passenger ship or car ferry takes 55 to 70 minutes. Cars and caravans can be booked as well, but rental cars from Corfu may not be taken to Albania.
Routes from this site
Corfu - Saranda is the only line: from the New Port of Corfu Town across the strait to Saranda, every day of the year. From mid-November to early March one boat a day sails each way; the timetable builds up through spring to seven departures a day from Corfu in May and 12 to 13 in July to September, then thins out again from mid-October. Departure times are local, and Saranda runs one hour behind Greece. The current departures are in the timetable.
Booking and boarding
Tickets are booked online with payment from 90 days until 24 hours before departure, and the printed ticket takes you straight to the international passenger terminal. Online reservations without payment open 120 days ahead and are paid at the ticket office in the port before departure; phone reservations are collected there up to one hour before. Everyone reports to the terminal at least one hour before departure, drivers included for customs: the ticket goes to security, the passport or identity card to passport control, and then through customs. Boarding opens one hour before departure and closes 30 minutes before.
Travel documents, luggage and pets
Passport control asks for a valid passport or identity card. Minors need their own passport, and a child travelling with only one parent needs a written authorisation from the other. Travellers who need a Schengen visa carry it with their passport, or a residence permit, and need a multiple-entry visa to come back from Albania to Greece. Each passenger carries up to 25 kilos and 0.25 cubic metres of luggage free. Pets are not allowed in the indoor areas; they travel in the pet cabins on deck, with their original health documents.
Tickets
Fares are per person and include the crossing, port taxes and fees, and seats are not numbered. Children under five travel as infants with their own ticket; children from five to twelve get up to half off, and groups of 16 or more can ask for a group fare. Tickets are refunded in full up to seven days before departure and not after that; there are no cancellations by phone and no refund for a no-show. If bad weather or the port authority stops a departure, the ticket can be changed or the full fare refunded.
FAQ Ionian Seaways
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Ionian Seaways and its Corfu - Saranda line.
Which route does Ionian Seaways sail? +
One line: Corfu - Saranda, from the New Port of Corfu Town to Saranda in southern Albania, every day of the year. The hydrofoils take 30 to 45 minutes, the passenger ships and car ferries 55 to 70 minutes. Departure times are local, and Saranda runs one hour behind Greece. The departures are in the timetable.
Which boats does Ionian Seaways sail? +
Four vessels: the high-speed craft Santa and Santa III, each about 35 metres long, with a service speed of 31 knots and room for 130 and 124 passengers, and the passenger ships Ionian Sun for 330 passengers and Christina for 300 passengers.
How do I book a ticket? +
Online with payment from 90 days until 24 hours before departure; with the printed ticket you go straight to the international passenger terminal. An online reservation without payment is possible from 120 days ahead, paid at the company's ticket office in the port before departure. Tickets reserved by phone are collected at the ticket office in the New Port of Corfu or in Saranda up to one hour before departure. Groups of 16 passengers or more can ask the company for a group fare.
When do I have to be at the port? +
At the international passenger terminal at least one hour before departure, with or without a vehicle; drivers need the time for customs. You show the ticket at security, a valid passport or identity card at passport control, and then pass customs. Boarding starts one hour before departure and closes 30 minutes before.
Which travel documents do I need for Albania? +
A valid passport or identity card for passport control. Minors need their own passport, and a child travelling with one parent needs a written authorisation signed by the other parent. Travellers who need a Schengen visa carry a passport with a Schengen visa or residence permit, and a multiple-entry visa to return from Albania to Greece. Rental cars from Corfu may not be taken to Albania.
Can I take luggage and pets? +
Each passenger carries up to 25 kilos and 0.25 cubic metres of luggage free. Pets are allowed but not in the indoor areas: they travel in the pet cabins on deck, and their owners carry the original health documents.
How do fares and cancellation work? +
Fares are per person and include the crossing, port taxes and fees; seats are not numbered. Children under five travel as infants but need a ticket, and children from five to twelve get up to half off. Tickets are refunded in full up to seven days before departure and not after that; they cannot be cancelled by phone, and a no-show is not refunded. If bad weather or the port authority stops a departure, you can change the ticket or get the full fare back.
Sailing with Ionian Seaways?
Pick your route in the timetable and see the next departures with arrival times.