Many buses run between the major cities of Albania. Bus travel is inexpensive and a good way of seeing the countryside. Buses travel nearly always in the day-time, but they do not always run to a regular schedule. A long-distance fare, such as from Tirana to Saranda, costs between 1,000 and 1,200 lek. Many travellers prefer to use the many private vans that rival the scheduled bus routes but which operate almost entirely without schedules or set fares. You should always consider the condition of the van before choosing to travel in one, as many operate informally.