November 2, 20267 min read

Komani Lake Ferry and Valbona by Car: A Northern Albania Road Trip

Plan a northern Albania road trip with a rental car: Shkodra, the Komani Lake ferry, Fierza and the Valbona valley, with timings, ferry tips and what is not allowed.

The Alps of Albania, by Car and Ferry

Lake Komani is a reservoir that looks like a Norwegian fjord: green water squeezed between vertical cliffs. A ferry crosses it from Koman to Fierza, and from there a paved road leads to the Valbona valley in the Albanian Alps. It is one of the most memorable trips in the Balkans.

Route Overview

Tirana → Shkodra: 100 km, about 1.5–2 hours

Shkodra → Koman ferry port: 60 km, about 1.5 hours (narrow mountain road at the end)

Ferry Koman → Fierza: about 2.5–3 hours on the water

Fierza → Bajram Curri → Valbona: about 45 km, 1 hour

Taking the Car on the Ferry

Car ferries run in the season (roughly May to October), usually once in the morning. Space for cars is limited, so book a day or two ahead and arrive early. Out of season, check that the car ferry is running before you set off — otherwise you can drive to Valbona through Kosovo or via the long road through Kukës.

Valbona Valley

Valbona is a wide valley surrounded by peaks over 2,000 m, with guesthouses serving home-cooked food. Stay at least one night. Easy walks follow the river; the famous hike over the Valbona Pass to Theth takes 6–8 hours.

What About Theth?

Theth is a beautiful village, but the rental terms of Rentalux do not allow driving to Theth (it is on our list of prohibited mountain roads, alongside Bovilla and Gjipe). The classic way to see it is the Valbona–Theth hike: leave the car in Valbona or Shkodra and use a local transfer for the return. Your guesthouse can arrange it.

Shkodra

Spend an evening in Shkodra: Rozafa castle, the pedestrian Kolë Idromeno street and Lake Shkodra at sunset. It is also the base for a day trip to Montenegro.