How to Get from Shkodër to Theth (My Honest Tips After Living in Albania)

Theth is one of the most beautiful places in Albania, but working out how to get there from Shkodër can be confusing.

I had lived in Albania for two years before I finally made it to Theth, and the views on the way in took my breath away.

The tricky part is that the van, the road and the timing all need a bit of planning, and there are no ATMs once you arrive.

So here’s exactly how to get from Shkodër to Theth by van, car, taxi or on foot from Valbona, plus where I’d stay.

Quick Answer

⭐⭐⭐ The shared van is the easiest way: it leaves Shkodër around 7am, takes about 2 hours and costs about €10 to €12. Stay at Çoçja Boutique Hotel the night before so it can pick you up. Check prices & availability →

⭐⭐ Short on time? This Theth and Blue Eye day tour picks you up in Shkodër and includes the Blue Eye hike. Check availability →

⭐ Stay at least two nights if you can, and Bujtina Terthorja is the best-rated guesthouse in Theth. Check prices & availability →

Note: Theth is very isolated and there are no ATMs in the village or Valbona.

Please take enough cash with you for the time you are staying there.

Getting to Theth from Shkoder by van

The most popular way to get to Theth is from Shkoder, which is a city in the north of Albania, and a very beautiful one at that!

You should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder if you can.

There is a shared van (a furgon) that leaves Shkodër at around 7am and costs about €10 to €12 per person.

The road is now paved all the way, so it’s about a 2-hour drive, but it’s still very windy, so take something beforehand if you get carsick.

Your accommodation supplier should be able to arrange it for you if not the number of the shuttle is +355682473011.

You will need to book the night before as a furgon will pick you up from your hotel or hostel.

It will then take you to a van just outside the city which will take you all the way to Theth.

Getting to Theth by Car

When I visited, you needed a 4×4 to reach Theth, but the new road has changed that.

The road from Shkodër is now paved all the way to Theth, so a normal car is fine in the warmer months.

I visited in October when there was some rain and the road in places was mud.

The road can still close with snow in winter, so check the conditions before you set off.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of places to pull over and take pictures but it’s a beautiful drive even if you cannot stop.

Getting to Theth by taxi or tour

It is also possible to hire a private taxi if you don’t fancy catching the shuttle bus.

Expect to pay around €90 one way for the whole car.

There are also day tours from Shkodër if you only have one day, like this Theth day tour with a local guide.

Getting to Theth from Valbona on Foot

The Theth to Valbona hike is one of the best things I have done, and I’m not even a hiker.

The journey can take from 6 to 8 hours depending on your fitness levels and how long you stop at the top on the way.

It took us 8 hours, maybe a little over because we stopped to take a hundred photos as well as flying the drone and stopping to take a break.

I would recommend leaving at the latest 8 am, otherwise if you do take a lot of breaks you may be walking to Valbona in the dark which can be a little scary.

There are a few cafes on the way where you can buy a drink and freshen up along the way.

The food in Theth is amazing by the way, some of the best food in the Balkans in my opinion!

You do not need a guide to do this hike.

The path is relatively easy to follow.

There were about 3 times where there were 2 paths but luckily, I had maps.me downloaded on my phone to tell me which way was right.

I highly recommend you download that before the hike because it gives you offline maps and the correct paths for the hike.

I did meet one person who said they got lost and took an hour detour which wouldn’t be nice to do on an already long hike!

Usually, you can leave a bag with your accommodation supplier in Shkoder before doing the hike, so you don’t have to hike with all your stuff.

There is also the option to hire a mule to take it over to the other side for you.

Once you arrive in Theth, make sure your accommodation organises a shuttle to pick you up the next day.

However, I do recommend that you stay a couple of nights in Theth as there are some great things to do in the area.

We stayed a total of 2 nights, but I could have happily stayed longer as there are a few different walks you can do.

I highly recommend hiking to the Blue Eye (3 hours one way) and the Theth waterfall which is around 45mins-1 hour walk from Theth.

There are the top ways to get to Theth, whether you’re an adventure lover or not there are options for everyone.

If you’re not a huge hiker, it is possible to still enjoy Theth.

The area is beautiful and although there isn’t a lot to do other than walk and hike, it’s still the perfect place to relax and take in the surroundings.

If you have any questions relating to getting to Theth make sure you leave them below and I will do my best to answer them for you.