When going to and from the Peaks of the Balkans trail you have a variety of options. Reaching the trail may take more logistical planning than your average hike, but the payoff is huge: fewer crowds, untouched nature, and a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure. I've gathered some of the most common entry points so you can decide what suits you the best.
Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Plav (recommended)
Flying to the capital city of Montenegro, Podgorica, is accessible from a large range of international airports - mostly via Vienna, Istanbul, or Belgrade. The airport is small, efficient, and located about 12 km from the city center. From the Podgorica Airport take a taxi to the bus terminal at the city center. Expect to pay between €15 and €25 for the ride (many people will be doing the same as you so consider ride sharing). At the bus terminal you can buy bus tickets (€20) for the 4 hour ride to Plav in direction of Berane. Going by taxi to plav is also possible, but will cost you more than €100 (again, ride sharing!). In Plav you have the best food supply options with several large supermarkets, many different acommodation options and the trail going straight through the city.
Tirana Airport (TIA) to Theth or Valbona
Tirana Airport is also a typical destination from many international aiports. From Tirana city center you can get a bus to Shkodër and change for another bus that will take you all the way to Theth. Expect a total travel time between 4 and 5 hours. The price for transportation will be in the range of €40 to €50. Another alternative is taking the ferry route. For this option take the bus from Tirana to Koman (at the shore of Lake Koman) and take the 3 hour long ferry ride to Fierze. From here grab the bus to Valbona. The ferry ride is €8 and the bus ride is €7. This is more complex, but if you have the time by far the most scenic.
Pristina International Airport (PRN) to Rugova Valley
Pristina Airport is not as common a destination - in case it is for you, consider this option too. Take the airport shuttle from Pristina airport to the central bus terminal in Pristina 20 km from the airport. From there you can catch buses to Pejë (a ride of 2 hours). This is a standard route with frequent departures and a ticket price of approx. €10. From Pejë catch another bus towards Rugova Valley from where you can hike 5 km to the trail.
Tips & Tricks
In the Balkan region it is very common to either ride share taxis or go by local minibusses. The guest houses and hotels in the region are helpful and can arrange transportation for you. This is the recommended way of planning to avoid lanaguage barriers when it comes to transportation details.
Lastly if you feel the logistics are draining you consider using a company to arrange the trip for you and plan your itinerary.
