Komani Lake ferry from Shkodër: the complete 2026 guide
How to do the Komani Lake ferry as a day trip from Shkodër. Exact times, prices, season, morning minibuses and what to expect on board.
Komani Lake is one of the strongest experiences in northern Albania: a narrow reservoir squeezed between steep slopes, a ferry moving slowly through it, and fjords, waterfalls and villages with no road access opening up along the way. From Shkodër it makes an ideal full day trip.
Do not confuse the two lakes
Lake Skadar sits right next to the city, is the largest lake in the Balkans and is where you go cycling or swimming. Komani Lake is something else entirely: a reservoir on the Drin river, deep in the mountains. The famous Koman to Fierza ferry runs across it, often called one of the most beautiful boat rides in Europe.
The ferry in numbers
Figures come from the price list of the operator Berisha, who runs the line.
| Season | daily from 15 April to 5 November |
| Koman → Fierza | departs 09:00 |
| Fierza → Koman | departs 13:00 |
| Per person | 9 € online, 10 € (1,000 lekë) in cash |
| Car | 7 €/m² online, 8 €/m² (800 lekë) in cash |
| Motorcycle | 18.5 € online, 21 € (2,100 lekë) in cash |
| Bicycle | 10.6 € online, 12 € (1,200 lekë) in cash |
The crossing takes roughly two and a half hours. Booking online is cheaper than paying cash at the pier, and in high season, roughly May to September, we recommend it because seats fill up.
Besides Berisha there is a smaller Dragobia boat carrying passengers and motorcycles only: from Fierza at 06:00, from Koman at 09:00. Useful if you need a different time.
Getting from Shkodër to the ferry
Koman is about 50 to 60 km from Shkodër and roughly two hours of driving. The road starts winding as soon as you leave town, so plan for the longer estimate rather than what the map shows.
- Morning minibus: leaves around 06:30 from the Migjeni theatre and roughly 06:40 to 07:00 from the bus terminal. You reach the pier in Koman between 08:30 and 08:45, in time for the nine o’clock boat.
- By car: drive yourself and take the car on board, priced per square metre.
- Arranged transfer: the most comfortable option, a driver picks you up at the door and brings you back afterwards. We give our guests contacts for trusted drivers in the house instructions, and the ferry operators’ own contacts are below.
You have to start early. There is no realistic way to catch anything other than the nine o’clock boat if you leave from Shkodër.
Ferry contacts that work for us
Do not turn up at the pier without a reservation, especially not with a car or a van. Outside high season the schedules are reduced and vehicle capacity on the ferries is strictly limited. What works best for us is messaging the operators on WhatsApp in advance: they confirm the times, tell you whether your vehicle fits, and agree the booking flexibly.
These are the contacts we use ourselves and pass on to our guests:
| Operator | ||
|---|---|---|
| Komani Lake Ferry (Berisha, Mirjan Marku) | +355 69 680 0748 | [email protected] |
| Rozafa Ferry (car ferry, fixed timetable) | +355 68 538 1882 | [email protected] |
| Komani Lake Holidays (Zef Berisha) | +355 68 201 4459 | |
| Komani Ferry 2 | +355 68 503 0541 | |
| Komani Lake Ferry Wild Tour | +355 69 211 7117 | |
| My Albania Explorer Lake Komani | +355 69 889 7808 |
Rozafa Ferry runs to a fixed timetable: Koman → Fierza at 09:00, Fierza → Koman at 13:00.
When you write, state the date, the number of people, the direction (Koman → Fierza) and whether you are bringing a vehicle. For a larger van, add the rough dimensions.
What the day looks like
Most people treat the ferry as a full day loop: early drive to Koman, morning crossing to Fierza, lunch, afternoon boat back and evening in Shkodër again. Those continuing into the mountains change at Fierza for the minibus to Valbona and walk the pass over the Alps to Theth. The ferry is often the first step of the big northern Albania loop we describe in our one week itinerary.
From the lake you can also reach the Shala river, a turquoise stream nicknamed the Albanian Maldives. We cover it separately.
Practical tips
- Bring cash, cards are not accepted at the pier. Lekë and euros both work.
- Mornings are cold in the mountains even in summer, pack an extra layer.
- Buy food and drink in Shkodër, the choice on board is limited.
- The best light and fewest people are in June and September, July and August are packed.
- Check the times the day before, they shift outside high season.
With small children, consider something else
We did Komani Lake with our boys when they were two and four, and for children that small it is not ideal: the day is very long. If you want a strong mountain experience with kids, we would rather rent a 4x4 and drive the road from Prekal to Theth. The scenery is breathtaking and it is a more adventurous and authentic way to see the mountains.
Why stay in Shkodër
Shkodër is the natural gateway to northern Albania. You leave for the ferry in the morning and come back to your own place in the evening instead of hunting for a bed in the mountains. Most other trips start here too, to the lake, to Theth or to the sea. Have a look at availability.
Enjoy Komani Lake, it is among the best Albania has.