The Tirana–Durrës–Rinas railway: new deadlines and what it means for property along the line

A train between Tirana and Durrës has been promised many times. This summer the project took some concrete steps: in July a winner was announced for the electrification, in August parliament ratified the EBRD loan, and the government is looking for a private operator that will also bring the trains. The official date for starting passenger services is now the fourth quarter of 2027. For anyone who owns, or is thinking of buying, property in Kashar, Vorë, Sukth, Shkozet or near Rinas airport, this line could change how property value is worked out. Here is what has been decided, what is still uncertain and how to read it.

Cover photo: Mateusz Wysocki / Unsplash

What was decided this summer

The call for an operator was published by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy on 27 May 2026, and companies had until 26 July to express interest; the tender is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 (Monitor, 9 June 2026). The operator will sign a 10–15 year contract, be paid per kilometre run, and must supply 4 electric trains (6 including reserves). The risk on ticket revenue stays with the state.

For the electrification, the winning contract is worth about €22 million, half of it financed by an EU grant, and includes two electrical substations, in Tirana and Durrës (Lexo, 3 July 2026). The €11.62 million EBRD loan, ratified in August, covers electrifying about 34.17 km of the Tirana–Durrës line and a new link to the airport (Zyrtare.net, 2 August 2026).

Tirana–Durrës by rail (Monitor)

37.9 km

Tirana–Rinas airport (Monitor)

15.4 km

Planned top speed (Top Channel)

120 km/h

Project cost so far, up from €69.7m in 2020 (ACQJ)

>€118m

How many trains there will be

According to Monitor, 44 Tirana–Durrës services (22 round trips) and 74 Tirana–Airport services (37 round trips) are planned on weekdays, about 1.1 million train-kilometres a year. Trains will be able to reach 120 km/h, but within Tirana speed will be limited to 70 km/h (Top Channel, 17 May 2026).

Why so late and so expensive

The construction contract was won in 2020 by the Italian company INC S.p.A. for €69.7 million, with a 2023 deadline. The project has now cost more than €118 million and over 97% of the core works are done (ACQJ, 12 May 2026). According to ACQJ, the delays were caused by expropriations, new seismic standards, rebuilt bridges and the addition of electrification. A new segment of about 4 km that will bring the station to the New Boulevard in Tirana has a €15.7 million tender with a 24-month deadline.

Photo: Sonny Sixteen / Pexels

The stations and the areas affected

According to Albanian Railways director Ergys Verdho, the project includes new stations in Kashar, Vorë, Tirana, Sukth and Shkozet, the rebuilding of the Durrës and Tirana stations, and a stop for students near Epoka University (Shqiptarja, 18 August 2025). The airport link branches off at Domje, where the new segment towards Rinas is being built (ATSH, 17 June 2026).

Photo: Caleb Williams / Unsplash

What this means for property along the line

There is no data yet showing that prices near the stations have risen because of the train, and you should not assume they will rise automatically. But the experience of other European cities shows that a frequent, reliable service makes it easier to live away from the centre. With 22 round trips a day, Durrës and its suburbs could become a more realistic option for people who work in Tirana, and areas near Rinas could attract more demand for short-term rentals and logistics.

The risks are just as real: deadlines have slipped several times, the operator has not yet been chosen and the service will not start before the end of 2027. Buy for what the property is worth today, and treat the train as a possible bonus, not a guarantee.

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Sources

• Monitor: Durrës–Tirana–Rinas railway to run at the end of 2027, search begins for a private operator and trains (in Albanian), 9 June 2026
• Lexo: Electrification of the Tirana–Durrës–Rinas railway, loan agreement approved (in Albanian), 3 July 2026
• Zyrtare.net: EBRD loan agreement for electrification ratified (in Albanian), 2 August 2026
• ATSH: Bilali, Tirana–Durrës–Rinas railway operational in 2027 (in Albanian), 17 June 2026
• Top Channel: By train in 2027 (in Albanian), 17 May 2026
• ACQJ: Millions more, years later, what is happening with the Tirana–Durrës railway (in Albanian), 12 May 2026
• Shqiptarja: Work continues on building 8 stations (in Albanian), 18 August 2025