Albania has a network of railway lines more than 400 kilometers long. The first standard gauge railway line between Durrës and Peqin was inaugurated on 07 November 1947. Two years later, the tracks reached Tirana. After 1991 the railway lines fallen into disrepair. The trains ran very slowly, rolling stock was neglected and, children playing near the tracks throw stones at passing trains. But train travel in Albania was considered as an adventure and tourist attraction and for many railway enthusiasts as a dream trip.
Last update: 11.07.2024
Train travel in Albania – current situation
There are discrepancies in reports and is impossible to obtain up-to-date information about timetable of passenger trains in Albania. There is a passenger train from Elbasan to Plazh which runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Trains depart from the temporary railway station situated around 6 kilometers from the downtown of the Durrës. Construction of the new railway station in Durrës is underway. There is also a daily train from Shkoder to Gjozma via Lac.
On 6 July 2024 a new passenger train between Plazh and Lushnje was introduced. Train runs only on Saturdays and Sundays.
Train timetable in Albania – an unofficial fanpage (check the fanpage for updates)
The rehabilitated railway line Fier – Vlorë is used only for freight traffic.
Tracks between Durrës and Tirana were dismantled and the construction of a new railway line is underway. Train station Kashari on the outskirts of Tirana was demolished. The railway station in Tirana was closed in 2013 for the construction of the New Boulevard. There are plans to rebuild and reopen the station.
There are no trains from Tirana and Durrës to Shkoder. In 2019 a powerful earthquake causes damage to railway infrastructure on this line.
Passenger trains are operated by Hekurudha Shqiptare (HSH). All HSH trains are hauled by Czechoslovak-built ČKD diesel-electric locomotives.
Albanian Railways – official website
Albanian Railways – official fanpage
There are some plans to rehabilitate parts of the network in the future.
Rolling stock of Hekurudha Shqiptare consists second-hand passenger carriages from Germany and Italy.
Train travel in Albania – international trains
There are no international trains in Albania. Albania has the only one railway link to adjacent countries. In 1986 the railway line from Podgorica to Shkoder was inaugurated. There has never been a passenger train between Albania and Montenegro and the line from the beginning is used only for freight transport. The passenger train between Podgorica and Shkoder would has huge tourism potential.
There is no railway link with Greece but there are plans to build a new railway line from Pogradec to Krystallopigi and Florina in Greece (130 km).
There were passenger trains from Durrës to Podgradec. Pogradec lies on the shore of Lake Ohrid close to the border crossing Tushemisht -St. Naum. It was one of the most scenic railway lines in Europe but due to the poor condition of the tracks and infrastructure part of the line was closed in 2012. For several years trains end in Librazhd. On 19 October 2021 Albania and North Macedonia signed an agreement to complete Pan-European Corridor VIII. According to the plans Durres – Pogradec line will be rehabilitaded and extended by 3 km to the North Macedonia.
In 2022 Albania and Kosovo signed and agreement to build the railway line connecting Durrës and Pristina.
