- Picked up from hotel on a Ionian cruise bus at around 8.30am (hotel near Corfu Town) which was the last stop for the coach - it was 10 minutes later than the time I was given but thankfully arrived
- Check in and immigration at Corfu port was very quick, quickly boarded the boat where you had to pay the €10 fee, and an extra €33 if you want to do the Butrint tour, which isn't included on this even though the entry fee to Butrint was
- I decided against the tour as I wanted to visit the site myself and in my own time
- Arrived in Saranada just after 9.30am local time, told boat departs at 4.30pm, no immigration procedures, I just walked out
- For anyone interested in exploring Butrint on their own - it's really easy and I've put together instructions from my experience as I found it quite difficult to piece all the relevant information together. - I explored Sarande when I arrived and boarded the 1030 bus, which got me to Butrint at around 11am, stayed until 12.30 then headed to Kasmil. Stayed in Kasmil for lunch and for a quick beach trip, then started heading back to Saranda at around 3pm, and walked the coast of Saranda (the beaches in Saranda are very pebblelly so Kasmil is better)
- Drop off - coach dropped me off around 5 minutes away from hotel which was annoying
Visiting Butrint solo
The local bus stop is situated is situated right opposite the "Ruins of the 5th Century Synagogue", there are no signs and no bus times, but when I boarded the bus, there was a list of times
From Saranda 0630, 0700, 0800, 0830, 0930, 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330, 1430, 1530, 1630,1730, 1830
From Butrinti 0700, 0730, 0830, 0930, 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330, 1430, 1530, 1630, 1730, 1830, 1930
You should get to the bus stop around 10 minutes before scheduled departure though as you are at the hands of the local albanian drivers. The bus goes from Sarande to Ksamil to Butrint, so it's also great if you want to visit the beautiful Kasamil beaches.
It costs 100 LEK each way (euros not accepted, plenty of ATMs everywhere - no ATM fees) - you don't pay the driver on the way in, so just get in through any of the doors. There is a man who will walk around the bus around a few stops and passengers can pay him - he gives change so no need to have small change.
It took around 30 minutes to get to Butrint (last stop so you won't miss it) - where you get off the bus is also where the bus leaves, so make a note of the spot as there are no bus stop signs.
Entry to Butrini is 700 LE