Albania should be at the top of your Mediterranean wishlist! If you’re in Italy, it’s easy to catch the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore. Sure, you can fly into Tirana, but that’s bad for the environment and you then have to catch a looooong bus to get to all the good beaches in the south.
And let’s be honest, it’s better for the plot.
None of the content in this article is sponsored. These are my genuine opinions based on real-life experiences travelling with Starlines. You may have a different experience, especially if you book with another carrier.
Overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore
Essential things to note
Highlighting these real quick because they’re important, but keep reading!
I have more wisdom to impart upon you.
Booking the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore
I searched for and booked our trip from Brindisi to Vlora with Starlines through Direct Ferries. Ferryscanner, Ferryhopper, and Omio also turned up the same results. Other ships offer the same route, but Starlines was at the top of the page and had a good price, so we went for it.
If you’re not in Southern Italy yet, you can also consider the alternative route leaving from Bari and arriving in Durres or Vlora. Both options take longer than the 8-hour overnight journey between Brindisi and Vlora, but may be preferable if you’re flying into the Bari airport.
Average pricing for different cabins on the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore:
- 55 euros – deck space
- 60 euros – inside (washbasin)
- 65 euros – outside (washbasin)
- 70 euros – inside cabin ensuite
- 80 euros – outside cabin ensuite
What this all means:
Deck space = you’ll just get a seat. Nothing is reserved with your name on it, but there are lots of chairs around the boat, though none look comfortable enough for sleeping.
Inside = no window.
Outside = should have a window (though ours didn’t…)
Washbasin = sink in your room.
Ensuite = your own bathroom.
Note: You may need to pay more if you’re one traveller and booking a 2-berth cabin. Some boats had a 25€ “extra bed” fee.
We paid 135€ for 2 people in a 2 berth outside (washbasin) cabin
Not bad if you consider that it’s also a “free” night of accom 🙂
Getting to the terminal
For the sake of simplicity, the best way to get to the ferry terminal is to take a taxi. We took one from the city centre and it cost 20€. Not exactly cheap, but walking would take an hour and a bus will only get you so close. Assuming you have luggage, I suggest hopping in a taxi.
I highly recommend bringing some snacks or dinner to eat at the terminal while you’re waiting for the boat. There’s only a very small bar/convenience store that only has a few bar stools to sit at.
If you forget to bring food, definitely buy something at this convenience store to bring on the boat. The food on the boat is atrocious and you won’t board until around midnight.
Getting on the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore
The whole process will take longer than you think. It’s more like a 12-hour journey, not 8.
We were supposed to start embarking between 9 and 10, and we started moving at 10, but it was slowwwwwww going. Chesney and I got our stamps from the customs desk at 11:30, and didn’t get on the boat until midnight. We were asleep by 1.
Bags have to go through security, and in our experience there was literally 1 scanner and 2 guys working, so maybe that’s what took so long. People brought some hilarious stuff on board, including a fridge, which was at least entertaining throughout our long wait.
Right after the security scanners, you pass through immigration and get your departure stamp.
Then you can get on the boat!
What it's like on board the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore
There’s a “reception” desk where you check in and get a key. This was way nicer than we were expecting. After standing in line for so long, we were starting to question whether we’d even get a key or if the cabin would be more like a train car, lol. Anyway, totally worked out, we got our key super quickly and someone showed us to our room. He even offered to carry my luggage! Very fancy.
The cabins
We had shared bathrooms just around the corner, including showers! Seemed a little unnecessary for an 8-hour journey but nice to know they’re there. If you can’t manage to sleep, at least you can get to the other side feeling refreshed.
I can usually sleep through anything, but I found it impossible to sleep until after we left Brindisi, around 2am. I’d dozed off but then the engines started going to maneuver us out of the port and it was loud. Once you’re out at sea though, you should be golden! Neither of us felt seasick or anything.
The "restaurant"
There is only one restaurant on the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore, and I use the term “restaurant” loosely.
As mentioned at the very top of the article, not only do they only take cash, they only accept euros! Not even Albanian Lek (even though you’re literally on your way to Albania…)
We didn’t see this information anywhere at the restaurant and if we’d known in advance, we would have packed some sandwiches. Fortunately, the food on offer is horrible anyway, and there were lots of people trying to get cozy and sleep in the restaurant area, so it’s kind of a weird place to eat.
Fortunately (?), you won’t be on the boat until midnight-ish and you’ll be sleeping for most of the journey. But having a few euros handy will get you an espresso in the morning.
Arriving in Albania after the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Vlore
We arrived around 8am instead of the scheduled 7. It was way quicker and easier to disembark, including getting through customs. We were in our Airbnb by 9am! Bless hosts who offer early check-in.
Even if your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb can’t let you check in early, you can always ask them to hold onto your bags so you can go explore the city until the room is ready. Perhaps get in a nice nap on the beach if you couldn’t sleep on the boat?
Important - SIM cards!
Don’t get a SIM card from the people selling them at the exit! There are several – arguably too many – Vodaphone stores around the city with more legit pricing. I asked one woman at the ferry terminal and she quoted me 6,000 Lek!? $65 USD?! I don’t think so.
I picked up the same 15-day tourist SIM for $25 USD at the actual Vodaphone store just an hour later.