albania: border crossing near butrint

[felix-the-dr]

lookng for the cosest exit to igoumenitsa. took the border near gjirokaster last time, but is the border near scala, south of butrint, is open to foreigners? and if the road going there is gravel or paved?

thx
g

[markharf]

It's a normal crossing. A year and some ago the road south of Butrint was deteriorated (i.e. consisting largely of muddy potholes) but fine no matter what you're driving. Roads on the Greek side are a delight.

enjoy,

Mark

[Laura Bennitt]

I rode to Butrint yesterday, no problem at all, and a tiny ferry thing over the river - didn't go as far as the border though, I'm heading north again now!
Laura

[Vaufi]

Yep, take the little ferry just opposite to the entrance to Butrint. The last village on the albanian side is Konispol. Actually the road turns off to the right before entering Konispol. The first village on the greek side is Skala.

The road is under construction, but not too bad.

[felix-the-dr]

allright, thanks a lot! i remember the litltle ferry, but never rode up to the border. will do this time.

[Mike]

Was very straightforward last September, and all the non-tarmac sections were due to be paved by this summer. Although...

1. I had to remind the Butrint ferryman I hadn't paid -- this after several people had warned me they would try to rip me off. Standard price is 100 lek;

2. Albania allowed me out, but the Greek customs officers were on strike and wouldn't let me in. Hmmm.. I was preparing to camp in 'no mans land' until the strike ended the next morning, when someone pointed out that pedestrians were allowed through. So as long as I pushed the bike past the customs post....

Much waffle on the above:
In Which I Don't Cross A Picket Line.. Sort Of