Maritime connections to Albania
The ferries to Albania that depart from Italy are those of the shipping companies Ventouris Ferries, GNV, Adria Ferries, European Ferries. The most popular destination is Durres, the city, which overlooks the Adriatic Sea, with the largest and most operational port of the Albanian Balkan Republic. Some ships leave their moorings from the port of Ancona, others from the port of Bari. But there is also the possibility, starting from Brindisi, to disembark in Vlora, on the Otranto canal, where there is the second most important Albanian port.
If you are interested in timetables, prices and other information relating to the shipping lines that cover the Italy-Albania routes, you can click on the links below:
Brindisi ➜ Vlora
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Ferries and travel times
Adria Ferries (“Claudia“, “Marina“, “Francesca“) depart both from Ancona (capital of the Marche) in the late afternoon to arrive in Durres after sixteen hours of navigation, and from Bari (capital of Puglia). From here the departure time is in the evening, arriving the next morning, and the duration of the navigation is eight or nine hours; in some months of the year there is also a daytime departure with arrival on the evening of the same day. The “Claudia” ferry has a VIP cabin with double bed, quadruple cabins, lounge chairs, a bar, a self-service restaurant, duty free shop, satellite TV and Wi-Fi. On the ship “Marina” there are cabins (external or internal), seats, two bars, self-service restaurant, duty free shop, satellite TV and Wi-Fi. On the “Francesca”, in addition to the latter services, there is also an à la carte restaurant and pizzeria and a picnic area with benches and tables for refreshments. There is also the possibility to travel in the bridge passage.
Ventouris Ferries (“Rigel II“, “Rigel III” or “Rigel VII“), on the other hand, sail only from Bari, departing in the evening and arriving the following morning; the duration of the trip is nine hours. 2/3/4 bed cabins, dorms, armchairs, deck are available. There is also a cinema on Rigel II, while self-service restaurants, bars and duty free shops are available on all three ferries.
Even the GNV ferryboat “Azzurra” departs exclusively from the Bari port, and takes between nine hours and forty-five minutes and ten hours and forty-five minutes to complete the crossing. On board there are internal cabins and cabins with sea view, suites, armchairs, deck seats, snack bar and self-service restaurant, pizzeria, à la carte restaurant, lounge bar, meeting room, children’s room, shop and Wi-Fi.
The “Ionian Star” navigation unit of European Ferries connects Brindisi to Vlora in seven hours (it leaves in the evening). There are internal or external cabins, which can accommodate from two to four people, armchairs and deck passages, self-service and à la carte restaurant, bar, casino, satellite TV and Wi-Fi internet connection.
Check-in procedures
The check-in procedures, that is the acceptance with the ticket purchased, once you reach the ferry terminal, vary from company to company. They are also usually more onerous when it comes to non-Schengen European countries as is currently the case in Albania.
With Adria Ferries you must show up with a ticket at the boarding agency at least three hours before the departure time. The operations are carried out in the maritime station by the port agent. Check-in is closed one hour before departure.
With Ventouris Ferries, passengers must go to the boarding area at least two hours before the scheduled departure time to fulfill the formalities of the check-in procedure.
With GNV it is necessary to go to the maritime terminal for boarding, to carry out the usual acceptance procedures, four hours before the departure of the ship, showing the paper copy of the ticket and the identity documents of the passengers.
With European Ferries you must show up at the boarding offices of the shipping company at least three hours before departure.
Boarding procedures
In all cases, after having completed the check-in procedures and having obtained the boarding passes, you can go to the area dedicated to security checks with documents and boarding pass in hand, which will be shown to the staff on board, on the ferry access ramps. The crew will also show you how to reach reception or accommodation. If you are traveling with a vehicle, they will indicate in advance where to park. Parking on the ship must be done by the driver, while any other passengers will have to get off the vehicle.
