I'm traveling in August from Athens, Greece to Croatia and curious what is the cheapest but most time efficient means of transportation (train, bus, etc.)?? Thank you for your help!!!
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
Probably something like Athens-Tirana (Albania) then to Skodra (mini bus)- another minibus to Ulcinj, Montenegro. From there onwards to Kotor and the Dubrovnik. Not sure whether you will get a direct bus from Ulcinj to Dubrovnik but you'll definitely get it from either Budva or Kotor.
Crossing between Albania and Montenegro can be tricky since you need to figure out where and at what times the minibuses leave. I believe there are only 2 a day.
I don't have the details between Albania and Greece but check out www.balkanology.com which has a lot of great info.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7548 posts
The Albania route is better than it was, but still more for the experienced traveller willing to take a bit of risk. Otherwise, your options are either cheap flights through a third country, or Ferry via Italy.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, Il, USA
126 posts
Paul, when you say a bit of a risk... what type of risk am in for?
Thanks for your help guys!!!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7548 posts
At one time just after the fall of the Iron Curtain, Albania was a dictatorship with rampant crime and corruption. Travel was not recommended, if even possible. Things are better now, but transportation options may be limited. For more info, go here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1076.html
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
We traveled through Albania on our way to Macedonia last year and this was with our kids (9 & 15) and didn't have any problems or worry about safety, etc.
The key thing is that as Paul mentioned, information is especially hard to come by when on the ground. That is why you need to have your guidebooks or print outs ahead of time and know what your travel options are. Besides lonely planet also download the Inyourpocket guides (free) which are the best guides for the cities that they cover.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7548 posts
Just to add, I am not suggesting that it is very dangerous, just that Albania is not yet developed for the casual tourist. Being a little more prepared, a little more savvy, and more experienced as a traveller would be advisable.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, Il, USA
126 posts
Arnold, how long was the travel time and how many trains did it take? Thanks for your help everyone!
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
In this part of the world, trains are not an option. Our travel last year was Dubrovnik-Kotor-Ulcinj-Tirana (via Skohdra)-Lake Ohrid and onwards. The first time we actually took a train was only when we got to Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria and were moving onto Bucharest.
Buses are really your only options. Obviously, I can't speak to the Tirana-Greeece portion - but check out some of the other resources on the web.