The Vlorë to Himare bus takes 1.5-2 hours and costs €8-10. Five buses depart daily, with the 10AM-1PM departures offering the best experience—you catch the famous Llogara Pass descent in full daylight and arrive in Himare with afternoon beach time available.
This is one of Albania’s most scenic bus routes. The journey covers just 63km but climbs through Llogara National Park before descending the dramatic coastal switchbacks with the Ionian Sea stretching below. Expect basic bus service with variable AC, no assigned seating, and views that make the winding road worthwhile.
Cost Comparison: Bus, Taxi, or Rental Car
Your transport options from Vlorë to Himare:
Bus: €8-10, 1.5-2 hours. Budget-friendly and scenic, but schedules can be unreliable and some buses take the inland route (not the coastal one). You need to confirm your bus goes via the coast. Once in Himare, you’re limited to the main beach area without taxis.
Private Transfer: €60-80, 1-1.5 hours. Door-to-door service, guaranteed coastal route, can stop at viewpoints for photos if arranged. Worth considering for couples or small groups splitting costs — book a private transfer
Rental Car: €30-35/day + fuel (€10-15), 1.5 hours. Best option for flexibility—stop at Palasa Beach, Dhermi, and Drymades on your schedule, explore multiple Riviera beaches, drive at your own pace through the famous Llogara switchbacks — compare rental car prices
Budget solo travelers choose the bus for the scenery. Couples often prefer transfers for convenience. Most travelers planning to explore multiple beaches rent a car for the freedom.
Finding the Terminal
Vlorë’s bus terminal recently moved (as of 2024) to Rruga Demokracia, about 7 minutes north of the previous location. It’s more organized than Tirana’s terminal but still chaotic by Western standards—multiple companies operating from the same area, minimal English signage, and hand-written destination boards.
Location: Rruga Demokracia, north of the Main Post Office Getting there: 10-15 minute walk from beach promenade, or €2-3 taxi from anywhere in central Vlorë
Finding your bus: Look for “Himare” or “Himara” on cardboard signs. Critical question to ask: “Llogara?” (coastal route) or “Inland?” Not all buses take the scenic coastal road through Llogara Pass—some take the faster inland route. You want the coastal one for the views.
Arrive 20-30 minutes early. Confirm with the driver that your bus goes through Llogara before boarding.
How to Book
You have three booking options:
Option 1: Book Online (Recommended for Peace of Mind)
Check live prices and availability →
Click through to see all departure times for your dates. You’ll find multiple bus companies running this route, compare schedules, and book the timing that works for you.
What you get:
- Real-time seat availability across all operators
- Compare prices (€8-10 depending on company)
- Choose your preferred departure time (10AM-4PM window)
- Pay with international card (instant confirmation)
- PDF ticket emailed immediately
- Print it (not all drivers accept phone screens)
Important: Online booking guarantees your seat but doesn’t guarantee the coastal route through Llogara Pass. When you board, confirm with the driver: “Llogara?” Some buses take the boring inland route.
Option 2: Buy at Terminal (Works Fine, More Flexible)
Walk to ticket window, ask for next Himare bus via Llogara (coastal), pay €8-10 cash (800-1,000 lek), board when called. With 5 daily departures, you’ll rarely wait more than 2-3 hours for the next bus.
Off-season (October-May)? This works perfectly. Peak summer (July-August)? Online booking removes uncertainty.
Option 3: Bookaway (International Platform)
Book via Bookaway if you want English support and familiar interface. Same €8-10 base fare with possible small booking fee.
Advantages: English support, payment in your currency Disadvantage: Still need to print ticket and confirm coastal route
Schedule & Best Departure Times
Year-round schedule: Departures: 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM (approximately—times vary by company and season)
Recommended departures:
- 10-11AM: Best light for Llogara Pass views, arrive Himare by 1PM with full afternoon
- 12PM: Arrive ~2PM, still good beach time
- Avoid 4PM: Arrives at dusk, harder to find accommodation, miss the sunset views on the pass
The 10-11AM buses fill quickly in summer. Mid-morning offers the best combination of availability and daylight for the scenic sections.
The Journey Segment by Segment
Segment 1 (Vlorë → Llogara Base - 30 minutes): Flat coastal driving through olive groves and small beaches. You’ll pass Radhima and Orikum. The AC works or it doesn’t—dress in layers.
Segment 2 (Llogara Climb - 20 minutes): The road begins climbing through dense pine forest. Switchbacks start, the air cools, and you’re winding up into Llogara National Park. If you’re prone to motion sickness, sit in front and take medication before departure.
Segment 3 (Llogara Pass Descent - 30 minutes): The famous section. The mountains suddenly open and the Ionian Sea appears far below, turquoise and endless. The bus descends through continuous hairpin turns with dramatic cliff-edge views. Sit on the RIGHT side (when traveling south from Vlorë to Himare) for the best sea views. This is one of Europe’s most spectacular coastal roads.
Segment 4 (Palasa → Himare - 20 minutes): Coastal driving past Palasa Beach, Dhermi village, and Drymades Beach before arriving in Himare. The elevation drops, the temperature rises, and you’re back at sea level.
Arrival: The bus stops at Himare’s bus station at the crossroads of SH8 and Rruga 25 Marsi across from Big Market. Walk to nearby hotels or take a taxi (€2-3) to accommodations further from the center.
Onboard Amenities
Seats: Comfortable enough for 2 hours. No assigned seating—first come, first served. Arrive early for a RIGHT-side window seat (essential for the Llogara descent).
AC: Inconsistent. Some buses are freezing, others sweltering. The driver controls it. Bring layers.
Luggage: One checked bag (underneath) + one carry-on included. Extra bags rarely incur charges on this short route.
Bathrooms: Not on board. No rest stop on this short journey. Use the terminal bathroom before boarding.
Wi-Fi: Advertised but rarely functional. Download content beforehand.
Outlets: Hit or miss. Charge devices before departure.
Snacks: Not sold onboard. Bring water and snacks—the journey is short enough that you won’t need much.
Important Details
Terminal arrival time: Get there 20-30 minutes early to buy tickets (if not booked online), confirm coastal route, and claim a good seat.
Coastal vs. Inland route: This is critical. Some buses take the faster inland route and skip Llogara Pass entirely. Ask “Llogara?” when buying tickets and again when boarding. The inland route is 30 minutes faster but you miss the entire point of this journey.
Right-side seats: The right side (when traveling south from Vlorë to Himare) offers better views during the Llogara descent. Arrive early to claim one.
Print that ticket: If booking online, print it. Many drivers won’t accept phone screens.
Cash for luggage: Rare on this route, but have €2-3 ready just in case.
Motion sickness: The Llogara switchbacks are real. If you’re prone to it, sit in front and take medication before departure.
Common Questions
Is it safe? Yes. The Llogara road looks dramatic but drivers know it well. Accidents are rare. The bigger risk is motion sickness on the switchbacks.
Do I need to speak Albanian? No. “Himare” (or “Himara”) and “Llogara” are universally understood. Point at your ticket and you’ll manage.
Can I store luggage before the bus? Some Vlorë hotels offer luggage storage for guests. The terminal has no left-luggage service.
What if I miss my bus? The next one leaves in 1-3 hours depending on time of day. Relax, grab coffee, board the next departure.
Can I break the journey at Dhermi? Technically yes, but you’ll need to buy separate tickets (Vlorë → Dhermi, then Dhermi → Himare). Most buses will stop in Dhermi if you ask, but space isn’t guaranteed on the next leg.
Do all buses stop at Llogara National Park Restaurant? No. This is a tourist bus thing. Regular buses pass through without stopping. If you want to stop at the famous Llogara restaurant viewpoint, rent a car or book a private transfer.
Which side is better for views? Right side (when traveling south from Vlorë to Himare) offers better sea views during the Llogara descent. Both sides have great mountain views on the climb.
Arrival in Himare
The bus drops you at Himare’s main bus stop on the crossroads of SH8 and Rruga 25 Marsi, near Big Market.
From here:
To the main beach: 5-10 minute walk downhill To most hotels: 5-15 minute walk or €2-3 taxi To the old town (Kastro): 10-15 minute walk uphill To southern beaches (Livadhi, Potami): €5-8 taxi
Himare spreads along several kilometers of coastline. The main beach (Spile Beach) is walkable from the bus stop. Southern beaches like Livadhi require taxis or rental scooters (€15-20/day).
Getting around Himare:
- Main beach area is walkable
- Taxis for distant beaches: €3-8
- Scooter rental: €15-20/day
- Bicycle rental: €10/day (challenging due to hills)
Why This Route Is Special
The Vlorë to Himare bus isn’t just transport—it’s one of Albania’s most scenic journeys. The Llogara Pass descent offers views that rival the Amalfi Coast without the crowds or prices.
What makes it unique:
- Dramatic elevation change (sea level → 1,000m → sea level in under 2 hours)
- Famous switchbacks featured in countless Albania travel videos
- Dense pine forests transitioning to coastal scrub and beaches
- Turquoise Ionian Sea views from cliff-edge roads
- Access to Albania’s most authentic Riviera beach town
Best for:
- Travelers who want scenic coastal routes
- Photography enthusiasts (bring a good camera)
- Budget travelers connecting coastal destinations
- Those avoiding the longer Tirana → Himare route
Not ideal for:
- Travelers prone to severe motion sickness
- Those in a rush (the inland route is faster but boring)
- People with large amounts of luggage (consider a transfer)
Connecting Routes
From Himare you can continue to:
- Sarandë: Buses continue south from Himare (1.5-2 hours, €6-8)
- Dhërmi/Drymades: Backtrack north (30 minutes, €3-5)
- Ksamil: Via Sarandë (total 3-4 hours)
Combining with Vlorë: Many travelers use Vlorë as a hub—arrive from Tirana by bus (2.5-3 hours, €7), then take this bus to Himare the next day. It’s cheaper than the direct Tirana → Himare route and breaks up the journey.
The Vlorë to Himare bus is short enough to be comfortable but scenic enough to be memorable. The two hours take you from where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, up through mountain passes, and down one of Europe’s most dramatic coastal descents to a fishing village turned beach town.
Make sure you’re on the coastal route (ask “Llogara?”), claim a right-side seat, skip breakfast if you’re prone to motion sickness, and keep your camera ready for the descent. The views you’ll see tomorrow are worth confirming the route twice.
The beaches waiting for you in Himare—Livadhi, Potami, Gjipe—are worth every hairpin turn.
Safe travels (rrugë të mbarë).