Looking for a budget-friendly way to get around Vlorë, Albania? Whether you are an expat setting up a new home or a senior nomad running everyday errands, riding the local bus network is the easiest way to travel—once you figure out how it works. Because local transit information can be hard to track down, we are mapping all four of Vlorë’s primary city bus routes from scratch: Uji i Ftohtë, Çole Spital, Tulla Unazë, and Tulla Plazhi i Vjetër. Below, we share our completed visual route maps, step-by-step street paths, window placard identification tips, and the exact cultural “rules of the road” we use to ride the bus confidently down the Lungomare waterfront and across the city.

Note: This page is a work in progress – please be patient with us as we map the other routes. Bookmark the page and check back often or subscribe to get updates. If you find a mistake please let us know!

🪧 Look for the New Official Bus Stop Signs!

(Update 6/18/2026) Thanks to a great tip from a local expat we are happy to share that the Municipality of Vlorë has recently started installing official name signs at some of the major bus stops across the city!

While not every single stop has one yet, they are rolling out quickly. Here is what they look like so you know exactly what to look for when waiting on the street:

Tip: If you see one of these signs on your side of the street, you are definitely in the right spot! Keep an eye on our custom maps as we match these physical landmarks to bus stops on the maps.

Vlore’s Lungomare Bus Route Guide aka Uji Ftohte Bus Route

Uji Ftohte Bus Route Map Legend & Tips

Blue line is the route the Uji Ftohte bus takes.

• 🔴 Red Pins = Bus Stops – Heading South (Toward Lion Fountain)
• 🟢 Green Pins = Bus Stops – Heading North (Toward Old Town/Center)
• Bus Runs about ever 20 mintues – from 6am to 11pm in the summer and until 8 in the winter

How to catch this bus in Vlore:

If you want to go north toward the Center/Old Town, ensure you are standing on the side of the road where traffic flows North / Inland (toward the Center/Old Town).

If you want to go south toward the tunnel/Uji i Ftohtë (Cold Water), ensure you are standing on the side of the road where traffic flows toward sea (if you’re in town), stand on the beach side of the road if you are on the Lungomare.

Get on the bus. Don’t wait for an orderly queue, getting on a bus in Albania is more of a rugby scrum. A guy, usually wearing an orange vest, will come around and collect your 40 lek (per person) and maybe give you the stink-eye if you try to pay 80 lek with a 1000 lek note. We always carry a couple of 100 lek coins in case we decide to ride.

How to Open This Route in Your Google Maps App

Want to use this bus map while exploring Vlorë? You can open our custom route and all of its bus stops directly inside your official Google Maps app on your phone or computer!

📱 On Your Mobile Phone (iPhone & Android)
IMPORTANT: Before you start, make sure you are signed into your primary Google/Gmail account on your phone’s map app.

Step 1: Open the Map: Tap the “View Larger Map” icon (the small square bracket symbol [ ] ) in the top right corner of the map embedded on our website.

Step 2: Launch the App: This will automatically force your phone to open the official Google Maps app and load our Vlorë bus route.

How to find it later

Once opened, this map is saved to your account. To view it again anytime:

1. Open the Google Maps app.
2. Tap the Saved or You tab at the bottom menu bar.
3. Scroll down and tap Maps.
4. Select “Vlorë Bus Route” to overlay the lines and stops instantly on your screen.

💡 Tip: To hide the bus route overlay when you are done, tap the map title at the bottom of your phone screen and select “Close” or “Clear Map”.

💻 On Your Computer

Step 1. Click the “View Larger Map” icon (the small square bracket symbol [ ] ). It will open a new tab directly in google.com/maps.

To find it later on your desktop:

1. Go to Google Maps.
2. Click the Saved (bookmark) icon in the left-hand sidebar.
3. Click the Maps tab at the top of that menu to see your saved custom routes.

⚠️ A Quick Note on GPS Navigation
While you can see all of our labeled Northbound and Southbound bus stops on your live map, Google Maps cannot provide turn-by-turn live driving navigation along a custom-drawn bus line. Use this overlay as a visual guide to see exactly which streets the bus travels on and where the nearest stop is relative to your live location!

Other Bus Routes within the city of Vlore, Albania

Çole Spital Bus Route

Quick Snapshot: This line operates as an east-west transit loop, connecting the Çole neighborhood and the central city to the Regional Hospital.

How to Identify It: Has a blue & yellow placard in the window

Route Path: Departs the Regional Hospital area traveling southwest along Rruga Ali Demi into the center, passing the Independence Monument, and heading south down Boulevard Ismail Qemali before turning west onto Rruga Hasan Kushta. Then follows Rruga Hasan Kushta west, loops north via Rruga Mis Durhan, and heads east along Rruga Enver Jaho. Exits the loop via Rruga Gjergj Kastrioti, cuts past the Muradie Mosque, and loops right back onto Rruga Ali Demi to return to the hospital.

Bus stops will be added to the map soon.

Tulla Unaze Bus Route

Bus Stops Coming Soon – This section is under construction

Tulla – Plazhi I Vjeter Bus Route aka Old Beach Bus

Bus Stops Coming Soon!

Quick Snapshot: This route connects the city’s central corridor directly to the historic Old Beach (Plazhi i Vjetër) area on the western waterfront and the Technoplastic Factory further west.

How to Identify It: These buses are designated by a green & white placard in the window.

The Route Path: Starts up at the North End Park (Fredi Pasticeri), cuts south through the middle of town, and turns west onto Rruga Kosova by the port roundabout. It crosses over to Rruga Sazani, turns right past the Post Office onto Rruga Andrea Varfi, and loops through Rruga Rrapo Meto. It then drives north past Rruga Damian Humariti to turn around near the Technoplastic Company before retracing its steps back to town.

Schedule & Timing: Operates from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM. It consistently reaches the Rruga Kosova (University/Mall) bus stop at roughly 40 minutes past the hour, and hits the Technoplastic turnaround point near the beach at 50 minutes past the hour, and then returns along a similar route.

📌 Bookmark This Page & Stay Updated!

As we mentioned earlier, this comprehensive guide is an active work in progress! We are currently out on the streets mapping the exact stops and digital routes for the Çole-Spital, Tulla Unazë, and Tulla Plazhi i Vjetër lines. Because bus paths and local transit details in Vlorë can change, we highly recommend bookmarking this page and checking back often. Better yet, subscribe to our newsletter below to get instant travel updates, budget living tips, and real-world expat guides delivered straight to your inbox as soon as they drop!