Currently, there are no trains between Albania and Montenegro. Both countries have a good railway connection but it is only used for freight trains.
I don’t understand why seasonal passenger trains from Podgorica to Shkodra were not launched. The railway line has a great potential and the distance between two important cities is approximately 65 km.
There is only one railway border crossing between Albania and Montenegro. Railway border crossing Tuzi ŽCG – (- Hani i Hotit HSH) – Bajzë HSH lies on the railway line Shkoder – Podgorica. It is the only point where railway network of Albania is connected with railway network of the adjacent countries. Albania has no other international railway connections.
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. Freight trains also run rarely. The section of the line along Skadar Lake is scenic.
The line was temporarily closed in 1990 as part of UN sanctions on the then former Yugoslavia. In 1997 the line was reopened but shortly after was closed again due to political tensions in Albania. During closure some of the tracks were stolen and sold for scrapping. A short cross-border section was reopened in 2002, the following year the whole Albanian section was rebuilt.
Border controls are carried out out at either Tuzi or Bajz stations.
The line is in very poor state but the rehabilitation of the line between Vorë (railway junction in Albania) and Han i Hotit was announced. The Montenegrin section between Podgorica and Hani i Hotit also will be upgraded.
The rehabilitation and electrification of the railway line between Vore and Hani i Hotit on the border with Montenegro, approximately 120 km in length will be completed by 2028. Traffic speed up to 120 km/h is assumed.
Construction of the new railway line between Tirana and Durres in Albania is underway. The new line will be connected with upraged railway line to Podgorica in Vorë. The Vorë – Han i Hotit line will be primarily intended for freight trains but as far as I know that passenger trains between Albania and Montenegro will be launched.
I would like to travel by train from Podgorica to Tirana or Durres via Shkoder. For now it is impossible.
Related articles:
Train travel in Albania – an essential guide
Train travel in Montenegro – an essential guide
