Corfu sits about 4 km off the Albanian coast at its closest point — close enough that you can see Saranda from the eastern Corfu hills on a clear day. The ferry is short, the arrival is dramatic, and a day trip to Saranda gives you the kind of beach experience that's harder to find on Corfu itself. Here's how to plan it in 2026 — and how to make the most of your few hours on the Albanian side.
The Corfu to Saranda ferry — basics
Two ferry operators run between Corfu Port (New Port) and Saranda Port: the fast hydrofoil and the slower car ferry. In 2026 the schedule looks roughly like this:
- Fast hydrofoil: ~30 minutes, 3–5 sailings per day in summer, around €25–35 per leg.
- Standard ferry: ~70 minutes, 2 sailings per day, around €20–25 per leg (carries cars too).
Book ahead in July and August — both ferries sell out, especially the morning departures. Tickets are easy to buy online or at the port the day before.
Passport control and arrival in Saranda
You go through Greek passport control at Corfu before boarding, then Albanian passport control on arrival at Saranda. Bring your physical passport (not a driver's licence or photocopy). Most EU/UK/US/Canadian/Australian passports clear without a visa.
Saranda port is a 5-minute walk from the waterfront. If you've booked a boat tour with us, the meeting point is at the port itself — we'll send the pin to your WhatsApp once you confirm your ferry arrival time.
What to do in Saranda on a day trip from Corfu
The honest answer: get on a boat as soon as you arrive. The town waterfront is pleasant, but the wow-factor of Saranda is the coast south of it — Ksamil, Krorez, Kakome, the hidden coves. With only 6–8 hours on the ground, the best way to use that time is on the water.
Option A — Half-day private tour to Ksamil
Take the 09:00 hydrofoil from Corfu, arrive Saranda around 09:30, meet the boat at 10:00 for a four-hour Private Ksamil Tour covering the Three Islands, Pasqyrat Beach, Pulebardha and Pigeon Cave. Back at the port by 14:00 in time for a quick lunch on the waterfront and the 16:00 ferry to Corfu.
Option B — Full-day group tour to the hidden coves
Take the 08:00 ferry from Corfu, arrive 08:30, board the Hidden Coves Group Tour at 09:30. Six hidden beaches over a long day, back to the port by 16:00, catch the 18:00 ferry to Corfu.
Option C — Sunset cruise, then ferry back
Take the noon ferry over, spend the afternoon at the Saranda waterfront, then book the Private Sunset Cruise for golden hour. Catch the last ferry back to Corfu the same night.
Costs — Corfu day trip with a boat tour
For a couple doing a full day trip with a private boat:
- Return ferry tickets: ~€60 per person (€120 total)
- Private Ksamil Tour: €200 for the whole boat (€100 each for two)
- Lunch + drinks in Saranda: ~€20 per person
- Total: ~€240 per person
Compare that to a similar half-day boat hire in Corfu (often €300–400 per person for equivalent coastline and far less clear water) and a day in Saranda becomes a fairly obvious decision.
Why Corfu travellers come to Saranda
The short version: the water is clearer, the beaches are quieter, and the prices are lower. The Albanian coast around Saranda has had a fraction of the tourism development of Corfu, which means the cliffs are still wild, the coves are still empty early in the morning, and a coffee at a beach bar costs €1.50 instead of €4.
The downsides are also worth knowing — fewer English-only services, currency is the Albanian lek (though most tourism operators including us happily accept euros), and the town infrastructure is rougher than Corfu's. But for a single day focused on the sea, none of that matters.
Practical tips for the day trip
- Book the ferry online a day or two ahead in summer.
- Bring euros in small denominations for the ferry, taxis and beach bars. Albanian lek is useful but not essential.
- Don't plan tight ferry connections — the boarding process can take 30 minutes either side.
- Book your boat tour first, then pick your ferry around it. The boat tour determines the day; the ferry just gets you there.
Book the boat tour
We get a lot of guests on day trips from Corfu and we plan tours around the ferry schedule. Browse our Saranda boat tours, pick the day you're coming over, and we'll match the start time to your arrival ferry. Message us on WhatsApp with your ferry details if you'd like us to plan it for you — we usually reply in minutes.
