Planning

Greece or Albania? Which to Choose for Your Holiday (or Do Both)

Greece or Albania: islands and easy travel vs lower prices and wilder coast. Costs, beaches, crowds, getting around, and how to combine them via Corfu and Sarandë.

By the iLoveGreece editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-10

Quick answer

Choose Greece for islands, ancient sites and easy, well-organised travel. Choose Albania for lower prices, a wilder coast and fewer crowds, with simpler infrastructure. They combine easily: the ferry from Corfu to Sarandë takes 30–75 minutes, and buses link Ioannina with Gjirokastër.

Side by side

General comparison
	Greece	Albania
Best for	Islands, ancient sites, food	Value, wild beaches, mountains
Prices	Higher, especially on famous islands	Generally lower
Getting around	Ferries, flights, good buses	Buses and furgons, few trains
Crowds in summer	Very busy on top islands	Busy in Ksamil and Sarandë, quiet elsewhere
Currency	Euro	Lek (euros sometimes accepted)
Schengen / EU	Yes	No (separate border checks)

How to combine them

Corfu ↔ Sarandë ferry: 30 minutes by hydrofoil or about 70 by ferry, all year.
Ioannina ↔ Gjirokastër: about 2 hours by bus via the Kakavijë border.
Leaving Greece for Albania is a Schengen exit, so non-EU visitors go through EES checks again on return.

FAQ

Is Albania cheaper than Greece?

Generally yes, for food, transport and most accommodation.

Can you visit Albania from Corfu?

Yes: ferries to Sarandë take 30–75 minutes, and day trips to Butrint and Ksamil are popular.

Do I need a passport to go from Greece to Albania?

Yes, it's a border crossing. EU citizens can use a national ID card.

Corfu to Albania day trip →Corfu guide →Entry rules and EES →

Related guides

Updated 2026-10. General planning guidance. Check with operators and local authorities.