Albania by Rail
- 7
- £999
- Albania
- Travel by rail and ferry via Lyon and Pescara to the port of Bari
- Take a ferry across the Adriatic to Durrës on the Albanian coast
- Spend 3 nights in capital Tirana
- Choose how you’d like to return – by air or over land & sea
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- All rail journeys, in standard class
- Seat reservations where required
- 5 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- An overnight journey by ferry from Bari to Durrës in a 2-berth cabin
- Private car transfer from Durrës to Tirana
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email
- Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions
Suggested Itinerary
Start your epic journey to Albania with a Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris or Lille. From either station, you can transfer onto a high-speed TGV direct to Lyon. On arrival, check in for an overnight stay at the Mercure Lyon Centre Part Dieu (or similar).
Spend an evening exploring the narrow streets of Lyon’s charming old town and choosing from the tempting options for a traditional Lyonnaise dinner.
Check out ofter breakfast this morning and catch a direct train across the Italian border to Milan. Here, change onto a domestic Italian journey down the spine of Italy to the Abruzzo coast and the city of Pescara, where you’ll arrive in the evening and check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Plaza Pescara (or similar).
If you have time, why not break this journey with a night or two in the lovely city of Milan?
This morning, you can leave your bags at your hotel and spend a morning discovering Pescara. Not-to-be-missed attractions include the Ponte del Mare, one of the longest pedestrian and cycling bridges in Europe which connects two beaches.
After sampling some of the city’s regional cuisine, washed down with a glass of local Trebbiano or Montepulciano wines, collect your bags head back to the station for a train journey to Bari. Here, you’ll check in for your overnight ferry to Durrës on the Albanian coast. Settle into your cabin and then enjoy the amenities onboard. The following morning, you’ll dock in Durres and meet your private transfer driver, who will take you to Albanian capital, Tirana. Check in at the Mulaj Hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay.
Spend two days discovering the colourful Albanian capital of Tirana, a city that has transformed itself from a secretive communist stronghold into one of Europe’s most vibrant and engaging destinations. The lively Skanderbeg Square forms the heart of the city, surrounded by elegant Italian architecture, fascinating museums and the striking Et’hem Bey Mosque, whilst there’s a wealth of trendy cafés, restaurants and tree-lined boulevards.
You might like to delve into Albania’s recent past at the remarkable Bunk’Art museums, ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car for spectacular views across the city and surrounding mountains, or simply wander the fashionable Blloku district, once reserved for the country’s communist elite.
We can tailor make your trip from here. You could simply fly back to the UK or travel back by ferry and rail with different stops on the way back. Alternatively, we can include destinations further afield in Albania or add day trips by private transfer from Tirana to destinations like stunning Lake Ohrid or the hilltop town of Kruja with its imposing 5th century fortress. Give us a call for details and prices.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Lyon
Conveniently located close to Lyon’s Part Dieu station, this hotel also offers access to Lyon’s historic centre via local metro and tram links. All bedrooms are sound-proofed and air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi internet access, flat-screen TVs and tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel also offers a restaurant, where you can enjoy local and traditional French cuisine along with a wine bar.
Pescara
The Hotel Plaza is conveniently located within close walking distance of the train station and the seafront promenade. Air-conditioned bedrooms come with a flat-screen TV, safe deposit box, mini bar and en suite bathroom. There’s also a 24 hour reception with luggage storage available, and a hospitality bar with free tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks.
Tirana
The Mulaj Hotel is centrally located in Tirana, within easy walking distance of the central Skanderbeg Square. Bedrooms are designed in a modern style and are equipped with en suite facilities, flat-screen TV and balconies overlooking the city or the gardens. There’s also a restaurant on site, as well as 24 hour reception, a concierge and tour desk and a lounge.
