Tirana International Airport operates from a single, compact terminal designed by Malaysian architect Hin Tan. Completed in 2007, this modern glass structure handles all passenger traffic efficiently. You can literally walk from one end to the other in minutes. Everything sits under one roof—check-in counters, security, gates, shops, and restaurants organized in logical flow.
Terminal Overview
The terminal building serves over 10 million passengers annually as of 2024, making Tirana one of Europe's fastest-growing airports. You can learn more details on our About TIA page. Despite handling impressive numbers, the facility maintains manageable crowds through smart design. High ceilings and abundant natural light create an airy atmosphere that never feels cramped.
The airport functions 24 hours, though most services close overnight when no flights operate. Plan accordingly for late arrivals or early departures—grab food and essentials while shops remain open.
Arriving at the Terminal
Whether arriving by car, taxi, or bus, you'll reach the main terminal entrance facing the departures hall. Drop-off zones directly front the building—perfect for quick passenger unloading. Car rental desks line the ground floor near exits, convenient for both arrivals and departures.
The terminal entrance opens to the check-in hall immediately ahead. Clear signage in Albanian and English guides you throughout. If meeting arriving passengers, stay in the public arrivals area on the ground level where family and friends wait behind barriers.
Check-in Process
Forty-two check-in counters span the main hall, each marked with airline logos and electronic displays showing which flights they serve. Major carriers maintain dedicated counter zones while budget airlines share positions, opening them only when their flights depart.
Self-Service Check-in
Self-service kiosks cluster throughout the check-in area, letting you print boarding passes and select seats without queuing at traditional counters. These machines work for passengers without checked luggage. Simply scan your passport or booking confirmation, follow prompts, collect your boarding pass, and proceed directly to security.
If you've already checked in online (available 24 hours before departure), head straight to baggage drop counters. This saves substantial time, especially during summer when lines stretch long.
Check-in Timing
Don't cut it close with check-in deadlines. Staff enforce the 40-minute closure rigidly. Miss it and you'll watch your plane depart without you. Summer months (June-August) bring heaviest crowds—arrive earlier during these periods.
Security Screening
After check-in, proceed upstairs to security control. The screening process follows standard international protocols. Remove laptops and tablets from bags, place liquids in clear containers (maximum 100ml per item, total 1 liter in clear plastic bag), take off belts and jackets, empty pockets completely.
You'll remove shoes during screening. Prepare for this by wearing slip-ons for easier processing. The security team moves passengers through efficiently, though lines build during peak morning hours between 6:00-8:00 AM when multiple flights depart simultaneously.
Fast Track Service
Fast Track lets you skip regular security queues through dedicated priority lanes. Business class passengers often receive this complimentary. Economy travelers purchase it when booking tickets or at airport service desks for approximately €10-€15 per person.
During busy periods, Fast Track proves absolutely worthwhile. Regular lines can take 30-45 minutes while Fast Track processes you in under 10 minutes. Consider it if you're running tight on time or simply hate queuing.
For more details about Fast Track services and purchasing options, visit our Fast Track guide.
Departures Area - After Security
Once through security, you enter the airside departures area containing gates, shops, restaurants, and the duty-free zone. This compact space means you're never far from your gate—walking to the furthest one takes maybe 8 minutes at casual pace.
Boarding Gates
Gates aren't numbered in traditional sequential fashion at Tirana. Instead, electronic displays throughout the departures area show which gate serves each flight. Monitor these screens regularly—gate assignments sometimes change closer to departure time.
Seating areas cluster near gates with adequate chairs for waiting passengers. Charging stations dot the space, though they fill quickly during busy times. Arrive at your gate when boarding begins, typically 30-40 minutes before departure. Airlines call passengers by rows or zones, displayed on screens and announced over speakers.
Some gates connect to aircraft via covered jet bridges. Smaller planes board using stairs directly on the tarmac—you'll walk across the apron to your aircraft. This happens more frequently with budget carriers operating smaller regional jets.
Shopping After Security
Aelia Duty Free
The main duty-free shop from Aelia (Lagardère Travel Retail) dominates the departures area. This tax-free shopping zone opened in January 2025 after comprehensive refurbishment. You'll find premium perfumes, cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, electronics, and fashion accessories from recognized international brands.
Albanian products deserve attention—local wines, raki (traditional spirit), honey, and handicrafts make excellent gifts showcasing regional specialties. Prices beat city center shops for alcohol and tobacco, though other items show modest savings. Payment accepts Albanian Lek, euros, and major credit cards.
The duty-free shop opens one hour before the first flight and closes when the last flight departs. Operating hours fluctuate daily based on flight schedules. Staff speak English, Albanian, and often Italian.
Additional Retail
Beyond duty-free, roughly 11 smaller shops sell newspapers, magazines, snacks, souvenirs, and travel essentials. A small supermarket (Conad) stocks basics like bottled water, chips, sandwiches, and forgotten toiletries. Grab supplies here rather than paying inflated café prices.
Souvenir shops feature Albanian-themed merchandise—traditional clothing items, decorative crafts, local food products. These shops also open one hour before first flights and close with the last departure.
Dining Options
Food choices exist both before and after security, though options remain limited compared to larger European hubs. No restaurants operate 24 hours, so overnight travelers face slim pickings once evening flights finish. For a full breakdown, see our Shopping & Dining guide.
Before Security (Landside)
The check-in hall area contains several cafés and small restaurants. KFC sits near the entrance, perpetually packed with long queues. An American pizzeria serves decent slices. Albanian cafés offer local dishes and European standards. Italian dessert bars provide pastries and gelato.
These landside establishments generally open from early morning (5:00-6:00 AM) until late evening (10:00-11:00 PM). Exact hours depend on flight schedules. The KFC operates longest hours, sometimes staying open past midnight for late flights.
After Security (Airside)
Airside dining remains more limited. A couple of coffee bars serve drinks, pastries, and light snacks while you wait for boarding. Segafredo Caffè operates here, pouring espresso-based drinks and selling sandwiches.
Expect airport markup pricing—€5-€8 for coffee and pastry, €8-€15 for sandwiches, €15-€25 for sit-down meals. Quality satisfies without impressing. Albanian specialties like byrek (savory pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach) appear on some menus if you want authentic local flavor.
Bring an empty water bottle through security—filling stations near gates provide free drinking water. This saves money versus buying bottled water airside where prices jump significantly.
VIP Business Lounge
The Tirana Airport Business Lounge sits on the first floor above the duty-free store. Access it via stairs or elevator after security screening. This quiet space provides refuge from terminal crowds with comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, and faster WiFi than the general terminal.
Business and first-class passengers enter free by showing boarding passes. Economy travelers purchase day passes (around €25-€30 for three hours) at the lounge entrance or online beforehand. Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, and similar membership programs grant access. Some premium credit cards include lounge benefits—check yours before paying.
The lounge offers hot and cold drinks including alcoholic beverages, light snacks, newspapers and magazines, shower facilities, and business amenities like printing and faxing. Walk-in availability depends on capacity—booking ahead guarantees admission during peak summer periods.
For complete lounge details including amenities, pricing, and access requirements, see our dedicated VIP lounges page.
Arrivals Process
International arrivals follow standard procedures. After disembarking, proceed through passport control first. Check our visa information page for entry requirements. Lines separate by nationality—EU citizens use faster lanes, while Albanian citizens enjoy dedicated quick-processing counters.
Have your passport ready and any required entry documents. Immigration officers rarely ask many questions for tourist visits. The process typically takes 5-15 minutes depending on flight loads and how many passport booths operate.
Baggage Claim
After passport control, descend to the baggage claim area. Six carousels distribute checked luggage. Electronic screens show which carousel serves your flight—verify this before camping beside the wrong belt.
Bags typically appear 15-20 minutes after your plane lands. Albanian baggage handlers work efficiently. If your luggage doesn't arrive or arrives damaged, report it immediately at your airline's baggage service desk located beside the carousels. Each carrier manages its own lost baggage separately from the airport.
Bring your baggage claim ticket and flight details when reporting issues. Airlines provide reference numbers for tracking missing bags and contact information for delivery once located.
Customs and Exit
Green and red customs channels await after baggage claim. Nothing to declare? Walk straight through the green channel to the public arrivals hall. Carrying goods exceeding duty-free allowances? Use the red channel and speak with customs officers. Occasional random inspections happen regardless of channel choice.
Once past customs, you exit into the public arrivals area where friends and family wait behind barriers. This ground-floor space contains car rental desks, currency exchange offices, ATMs, and small cafés. Exit doors lead directly outside to taxi ranks, bus stops, and parking areas.
Terminal Amenities and Services
For detailed information about all available services, visit our comprehensive terminal services page.
WiFi and Connectivity
Free wireless internet covers the entire terminal. No registration, no passwords—simply select the airport WiFi network and connect. Connection speeds handle browsing, email, and social media adequately, though heavy streaming may buffer during peak usage.
Some travelers report intermittent connectivity issues when the terminal gets crowded. The WiFi occasionally struggles under heavy user loads. If experiencing problems, consider purchasing a local Albanian SIM card from stands near the KFC outside the terminal. Mobile data provides more reliable connectivity.
Smoking Policy
Tirana Airport enforces strict no-smoking policies throughout most of the terminal. Smoking inside is prohibited except in one designated area—a ventilated smoking lounge inside Segafredo Bar in the arrivals area (landside).
No smoking areas exist after security in the departures zone. If you need to smoke after check-in, you're out of luck until boarding and flying. Some flights permit smoking (though increasingly rare), but the airport itself maintains smoke-free airside areas.
Special Assistance and Accessibility
The terminal maintains excellent accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility or special needs. Elevators connect all levels. Ramps provide barrier-free access throughout. Accessible toilets feature on all floors with proper grab bars and space for wheelchairs.
Request wheelchair assistance and escort services when booking tickets, ideally 48 hours before departure. Airport staff provide comprehensive support including help through check-in, security, and boarding. Special security lanes accommodate passengers with medical equipment.
Contact the airport at (+355) 4 238 1800 or email [email protected] to arrange special assistance. Emergency help works too—approach any information desk upon arrival and staff will coordinate support immediately.
For complete details about accessibility services and reduced mobility assistance, visit our dedicated PRM page.
Airlines and Destinations
Over 20 airlines operate from Tirana Airport, connecting Albania to 95+ destinations. For current flight schedules and airline information, check our airlines page.
Navigation Tips
Smart Terminal Navigation
- Arrive 2 hours early for European flights, 3 hours during summer peak
- Check in online 24 hours ahead to save time at the airport
- Security lines peak 6:00-8:00 AM—plan around this if possible
- Monitor gate displays regularly—assignments sometimes change
- Walking end-to-end takes under 10 minutes at normal pace
- No 24-hour food options—eat before late arrivals or early departures
- Bring empty water bottle through security—free filling stations airside
- Purchase local SIM card if WiFi proves unreliable
- Consider Fast Track during busy summer periods
- Charging stations fill quickly—bring portable battery for devices
Ground Floor Public Area
The ground level serves passengers and non-passengers alike. This public area requires no ticket or boarding pass for access—perfect for those meeting arriving passengers or seeing off departing travelers.
Car rental desks from Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, and local Albanian companies cluster near the main entrance. Book vehicles online beforehand during summer when demand surges and availability tightens.
Future Expansion Plans
Tirana Airport continues rapid growth. Passenger numbers jumped 48% in 2024, reaching 10 million for the first time. Terminal capacity expanded to 11 million in 2025, with plans targeting 15 million passengers annually in coming years.
Future development includes additional gates, expanded retail space, more dining options, and improved facilities. Discussions about a second terminal or major expansion circulate as traffic growth strains current infrastructure during peak summer periods.
A new light rail connection between Tirana and Durrës, including an airport link, is planned for early 2027. This will provide faster, more convenient public transport access to the terminal.