The short answer
Ksamil is only about 14–15 km south of Sarandë — roughly a 20 to 25 minute trip along the coast. It's an easy, cheap connection: a local bus, a short taxi, a private transfer, or your own rental car. Many people base themselves in Sarandë (more hotels, transport and nightlife) and day-trip to Ksamil's beaches, or the other way around.
Local bus — the cheapest
A local bus runs between Sarandë and Ksamil roughly every hour for about 100 lek (under €1) — by far the cheapest option. It follows the coastal road and continues towards Butrint, so it's handy for combining Ksamil with the ancient ruins. Services are more frequent in summer; ask locally for the current stop and timetable, as they shift with the season.
Taxi — quick and easy
A taxi covers the 15-minute-ish drive for roughly €8–10. It's the simplest option with beach gear or a family, and worth it if the bus timing doesn't suit you. Agree the fare before you set off, or ask for the meter.
Private transfer or rental car
A pre-booked transfer gives you a fixed price and a door-to-door ride — good if you're arriving from Tirana Airport and heading straight to your Ksamil hotel. A rental car makes most sense if you'll be exploring the wider area: Butrint, the Blue Eye and Sarandë itself are all short drives from Ksamil.
From the road
Practical tips
- → The Sarandë–Ksamil bus continues to Butrint — combine both in one day.
- → Carry small lek notes for the bus; drivers rarely have change for large bills.
- → In July and August the coastal road gets busy — leave earlier for beach days.
- → Staying in Ksamil but arriving late? A pre-booked transfer beats waiting for a bus.
