Getting Around Albania

The short answer: rent a car

Everyone asks: can I do Albania by bus?

Honest answer: You can, but you shouldn’t unless you’re on a strict budget or genuinely enjoy uncertain schedules and 6 AM furgon departures.

Why rent a car:

• Albania’s best places require a car (Theth, Gjipe Beach, Syri i Kaltër, mountain villages)
• Buses skip most of the Riviera’s best beaches
• “Schedules” are suggestions—buses leave when full or when the driver feels like it
• Freedom to stop at roadside grill houses, hidden beaches, mountain viewpoints
• Cheaper than you think (€20-40/day, split between 2-4 people)

When buses work:

• You’re sticking to main cities (Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, Sarandë)
• You’re solo and don’t want to drive
• You actively prefer slow travel and don’t mind spending 6 hours on what could be a 3-hour drive

Renting a car: what you need to know

Requirements

Documents:

• Valid driver’s license
• International Driving Permit (IDP) required for non-EU licenses
• Passport
• Credit card (for deposit, usually €200-500)

Age:

• Minimum 21 years (some companies require 23)
• Under-25 surcharge: €5-15/day
• Maximum age: Usually 70-75 (varies by company)

Where to get an IDP:

• AAA office (US)
• Post office (UK)
• Automobile association in your country
• Costs ~€15-20, valid 1 year
• Get it before you leave—you can’t get one in Albania

Costs and booking

Daily rates:

• Economy car (Fiat Panda, Dacia Logan): €20-30/day
• Compact SUV (Dacia Duster): €30-45/day
• Automatic transmission: +€10-15/day (limited availability)
• 4WD for mountain roads: €40-60/day

Insurance:

• Basic insurance included (huge deductibles, €1000-1500)
• Full coverage (zero deductible): +€10-15/day
• Strongly recommended: Roads are rough, scratches happen, full coverage = peace of mind

Where to book: Compare prices on DiscoverCars or book with local companies once you arrive (often cheaper but riskier quality).

Pro tip: Book online for major cities (Tirana, Sarandë), negotiate locally for longer rentals (2+ weeks). Local companies sometimes match online prices if you ask.

What to expect from Albanian rental cars

Condition:

• Small scratches and dents are normal—document everything before driving off
• Older cars common (5-10 years old)
• Manual transmission is standard (automatics rare and expensive)

At pickup:

• Check everything: Tires, spare tire, scratches, dents, fuel level
• Take photos/video of all damage before leaving the lot
• Confirm insurance coverage in writing
• Make sure you have: Jack, spare tire, warning triangle, first aid kit (required by law)

Fuel:

• You’ll get the car with a full tank, return it full
• Gas €1.40-1.60/liter (€6-7/gallon)
• Diesel slightly cheaper
• Credit cards accepted at most stations

Driving in Albania: the reality

Road conditions:

Main highways (Tirana-Durrës, Tirana-Elbasan):

• Good condition, 2-lane, well-marked
• Tolls exist but they’re cheap (€1-2)

Secondary roads (Riviera, mountain roads):

• Narrow, winding, sometimes poorly maintained
• Potholes, gravel sections, hairpin turns
• Albanian Riviera road (SH8): Spectacular views, terrifying drops, no guardrails in sections
• Tirana to Theth/Valbonë: Rough, unpaved sections, 4WD recommended in spring

Village roads:

• Expect unpaved, rocky, single-lane roads
• Goats, cows, tractors appear out of nowhere
• Drive slow, honk around blind corners

Winter:

• Mountain roads (Llogara Pass, roads to Theth/Valbonë) close November-May
• Snow tires required in mountains December-March (rental companies provide)
• Chains needed for serious mountain driving

Driving culture:

Speed limits:

• Urban: 40 km/h (25 mph)
• Open roads: 80-90 km/h (50-55 mph)
• Highways: 110 km/h (68 mph)
• Reality: Locals drive faster, police occasionally enforce with speed cameras

What to know:

• Albanians drive aggressively. Passing on blind curves, tailgating, sudden stops—it happens.
• Honking is communication, not anger. Horn around blind mountain turns = “I’m here.”
• Pedestrians cross anywhere. Be alert in cities.
• Animals on roads. Goats, sheep, cows, dogs. Slow down in rural areas.
• Right of way: Technically follows European rules. Reality: biggest vehicle wins.

Pro tip: Drive defensively. Let aggressive drivers pass. You’re on vacation, they’re not.

Parking

Tirana:

• Paid parking zones (blue lines): €1-2/hour, pay at kiosks or via app
• Street parking outside zones: Free but tight spots
• Parking garages: €1-3/hour, €10-15/day
• Park in garages overnight—street parking can be chaotic

Berat, Gjirokastër, Shkodër:

• Old towns are pedestrian-only
• Park outside old town (free or €1-2/day)
• Walk 10-15 min into historical centers

Beaches (Riviera):

• Beach clubs have parking (€2-5/day)
• Roadside parking: Free but tight in summer
• Arrive early (before 10 AM) in July-August or spaces fill up

Coastal towns (Sarandë, Vlorë, Durrës):

• Paid zones downtown (€1-2/hour)
• Free parking on outskirts, 10-15 min walk to center

Pro tip: Albanian parking is “creative.” Cars park on sidewalks, half in the street, blocking each other. If blocked in, honk—someone will move. Or ask a local to help find the owner.

Gas stations and fuel

Availability:

• Plentiful on main roads and in cities
• Scarce in remote mountains (Theth, Valbonë, Peaks of the Balkans)

Prices (2024/2025):

• Unleaded: €1.40-1.60/liter
• Diesel: €1.30-1.50/liter
• Autogas/LPG: €0.60-0.80/liter (some rental cars run on it)

Payment:

• Cash and credit cards accepted
• Some remote stations cash-only

Pro tip: Fill up before mountain drives. Gas stations in Theth, Valbonë, or remote villages are nonexistent or unreliable. Running out of gas on a mountain pass is bad.

Navigation and maps

Google Maps:

• Works well for main roads and cities
• Sometimes unreliable in mountains (suggests routes that don’t exist or are unpaved)
• Download offline maps before remote areas (mountains often have no signal)

Maps.me:

• Better for hiking and remote areas
• Shows trails, unpaved roads, accurate elevation
• Offline maps essential

Road signs:

• Main routes well-signed in Albanian and English
• Mountain roads: Minimal signage
• Ask locals if unsure—they’re helpful

Mobile signal:

• Good in cities and main roads
• Spotty in mountains (especially Theth, Valbonë, remote Riviera beaches)
• Download maps and routes offline

Tolls

Where:

• Tirana-Durrës highway
• Some newer highway sections

Cost:

• €1-3 per toll
• Cash or card accepted

Not a major expense. Total tolls across Albania rarely exceed €10 during a week-long trip.

Buses and furgons: the budget option

The truth about Albanian buses

Everyone says: “Just take the bus, it’s cheap and connects everywhere.”

Reality:

• Cheap: Yes. Tirana to Sarandë (250 km, 5 hours): €6-8.
• Connects everywhere: No. Buses stick to main routes (Tirana-Sarandë, Tirana-Shkodër, Sarandë-Gjirokastër). You need furgons for smaller towns.
• Reliable: Absolutely not. Schedules are suggestions. Buses leave when full or when the driver decides.

When buses work:

• You’re visiting only major cities
• You have flexible time (don’t mind waiting 1-2 hours if a bus is late or doesn’t show)
• You’re on a tight budget
• You’re solo (splitting a rental car isn’t an option)

How buses actually work

Finding buses:

• No central bus station in most cities
• Tirana has two main departure areas:
  • North destinations (Shkodër, Lezha, Kosovo): Buses leave from Rruga e Kavajës area
  • South destinations (Berat, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Vlorë): Buses leave from near Komuna e Parisit
• Ask locals or your hotel for exact departure points (they change)

Schedules:

• Posted timetables exist but are unreliable
• Most intercity buses depart morning (6-8 AM) and midday/afternoon (12-4 PM)
• Confirm departure time the day before at the station or with your hotel

Booking:

• No online booking for most routes
• Show up 20-30 min early, buy ticket from driver or station kiosk
• Cash only (Lek or Euro)

Costs (2024/2025):

• Tirana ↔ Sarandë: 800-1000 Lek (€7-9), 5-6 hours
• Tirana ↔ Shkodër: 300-400 Lek (€3-4), 2 hours
• Tirana ↔ Berat: 300-400 Lek (€3-4), 2.5 hours
• Tirana ↔ Vlorë: 500-700 Lek (€5-6), 3 hours
• Gjirokastër ↔ Sarandë: 300 Lek (€3), 1.5 hours

Pro tip: Buses are slow. They stop frequently for passengers, bathroom breaks, coffee breaks. A 3-hour drive becomes a 5-hour bus ride. Bring snacks, water, and patience.

Furgons: Albania’s minibus taxis

What they are:

• 8-15 passenger minivans that run set routes or on-demand
• Cheaper and faster than buses for shorter routes
• No schedule—they leave when full

Where they go:

• Everywhere buses don’t (villages, beach towns, mountain areas)
• Common routes: Sarandë to Ksamil, Himarë to Dhërmi, Tirana to Krujë

How to catch one:

• Ask locals where furgons depart (usually near bus stations or main squares)
• Flag them down on the road if heading the right direction
• Tell the driver your destination, they’ll nod or wave you off

Costs:

• €1-5 depending on distance
• Pay driver in cash when you arrive
• Negotiate price before getting in for non-standard routes

Experience:

• Cramped (you might share a seat or sit on a cooler)
• No A/C usually
• Drivers play loud music
• Stops anywhere passengers want

Pro tip: For return trips from remote spots, negotiate with the furgon driver to pick you up later (€10-20 for private return). Otherwise you’re waiting roadside hoping another passes.

Major bus routes and times

Tirana to Sarandë:

• 3-4 buses daily
• Departs: ~7 AM, 12 PM, 3-4 PM
• Cost: €7-9
• Duration: 5-6 hours

Tirana to Shkodër:

• Hourly departures 6 AM-6 PM
• Cost: €3-4
• Duration: 2 hours

Tirana to Berat:

• 4-5 buses daily
• Cost: €3-4
• Duration: 2.5 hours

Tirana to Vlorë:

• 5-6 buses daily
• Cost: €5-6
• Duration: 3 hours

Sarandë to Gjirokastër:

• 3-4 buses daily
• Cost: €3
• Duration: 1.5 hours

Shkodër to Theth:

• 1 furgon daily in summer (June-Sept), departs ~7 AM
• Cost: €5-7
• Duration: 3-4 hours (rough road)
• Winter: No service

Pro tip: For Riviera beach towns (Dhërmi, Himarë, Jale), take a bus to Vlorë or Sarandë, then catch a furgon. Direct buses are rare.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Taxis:

• Available in cities (Tirana, Sarandë, Shkodër, Berat)
• Meter taxis exist in Tirana (start at 300 Lek + 70-80 Lek/km)
• Negotiate price before getting in non-metered taxis
• Short city ride: €3-5
• Tirana to Airport: €20-25 (25 min)

Ride-hailing:

• SPEED and Porsche apps work in Tirana (like Uber, cheaper and more reliable than taxis)
• Download apps, pay by card
• Not available outside Tirana

Intercity taxis:

• Can hire taxis for longer trips (Tirana to Berat, Sarandë to Gjirokastër)
• Negotiate hard: €50-100 depending on distance
• Only worth it if splitting among 3-4 people

Pro tip: In Tirana, use SPEED or Porsche apps. Outside Tirana, negotiate price clearly before getting in a taxi. Have the fare written down if there’s a language barrier.

Ferries

For coastal travel and international connections: See our detailed Ferry Services Guide for routes, schedules, and booking.

Main routes:

• Sarandë ↔ Corfu (Greece): 30-40 min, €15-25, 4-6 times daily in summer
• Vlorë/Durrës ↔ Italy: 4-9 hours, €50-100, daily year-round

Book ferry tickets online

Organized tours

When tours make sense:

• You don’t want to drive and buses don’t go where you want
• You’re solo and prefer a group
• You want a guide’s local knowledge

Popular day tours from Tirana:

• Berat UNESCO town
• Krujë castle and bazaar
• Albanian Alps day trip
• Riviera beach tour

Multi-day tours:

• Albania highlights (Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Riviera)
• Peaks of the Balkans trek
• Albania + North Macedonia + Kosovo combos

Browse day trips from Tirana

Browse multi-day Albania tours

Costs:

• Day tours: €40-80/person
• Multi-day tours: €400-800 for 5-7 days (includes transport, guide, some meals, accommodation)

Pro tip: Tours are convenient but expensive for what you get. If you’re comfortable driving or busing, you’ll save 50-70% doing it yourself.

Domestic flights

Short answer: None.

Albania is small. Tirana to Sarandë (opposite end of the country) is a 5-hour drive or 6-hour bus. No one flies domestically.

Future: Vlorë International Airport is planned but construction has stalled. Don’t count on domestic flights anytime soon.

What actually works best

For couples or groups (2-4 people): Rent a car. Split €30/day four ways = €7.50 each. Add gas (€10-15/day) and you’re spending €10-15/person/day for total freedom. That’s the same cost as two bus tickets.

For solo budget travelers: Combine buses (main cities) + furgons (smaller towns) + occasional taxis. Slow but doable. Budget €10-15/day for transport.

For solo travelers with money: Rent a car anyway. €30-40/day is worth the freedom, even alone.

For families: Rent a car, no question. Fitting 4 people + luggage on buses/furgons is miserable.

For short stays (3-5 days): Base in one city (Tirana or Sarandë), do day trips by bus/tour. Not worth renting a car for such a short time.

For longer stays (1-2 weeks+): Rent a car. You’ll go places buses can’t reach (Gjipe Beach, Syri i Kaltër, Blue Eye, mountain villages).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need an International Driving Permit?

Legally: Yes, if you have a non-EU license.

Reality: Some rental companies don’t check. Police sometimes do. Fine for driving without IDP: €100-140.

Recommendation: Get one. It costs €15-20 and takes 10 minutes at your local automobile association. Not worth the risk.

Is it safe to drive in Albania?

Yes, but it requires alertness.

Main risks:

• Aggressive local drivers (tailgating, sudden passing)
• Unpredictable pedestrians and animals on roads
• Potholes and rough roads in remote areas
• Mountain roads with steep drops and no guardrails

Drive defensively, go slow on mountain roads, and you’ll be fine. Hundreds of thousands of tourists rent cars in Albania every year without incident.

Can I drive to Kosovo, Montenegro, or Greece with a rental car?

It depends on the rental company.

Most local Albanian companies: No cross-border allowed.

Major international companies (Europcar, Hertz, Sixt): Usually allowed with advance notice and extra insurance (€10-20/day).

Greece: Most companies allow Albania → Greece.

Kosovo: Some allow, some don’t. Ask when booking.

Montenegro: Usually allowed.

Pro tip: Confirm cross-border policy in writing before booking. Extra insurance for cross-border travel is mandatory.

Are automatic transmission cars available?

Yes, but:

• Limited availability (90% of rental fleet is manual)
• Cost €10-15/day extra
• Book 2-4 weeks ahead in summer

Most rental companies have 2-3 automatic cars max. They sell out fast in peak season.

What if I get into an accident?

Immediate steps:

1. Call rental company (number on rental contract)
2. Call police (129) for official report
3. Take photos of damage, other vehicle, scene
4. Get other driver’s info (license, insurance)
5. Don’t admit fault

Insurance:

• Basic insurance = you pay deductible (€1000-1500) for damage
• Full coverage (zero deductible) = rental company handles it

Pro tip: This is why full coverage is worth €10-15/day. One scratch and your deductible wipes out any savings from skipping it.

Can I use my foreign driver’s license?

EU license: Yes, no IDP needed.

US/UK/Canada/Australia license: Technically need IDP, but often tolerated.

Other countries: Check if your country is signatory to 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. If yes, IDP required. If no, you can’t drive in Albania.

How’s mobile phone signal for navigation?

Cities and main roads: Excellent 4G coverage.

Mountains (Theth, Valbonë, Llogara Pass, remote Riviera): Spotty or none.

Solution: Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before leaving cities.

Pro tip: Buy a local SIM at the airport (€5-10 for tourist SIM with 10-20 GB data, sold at Vodafone/ALBtelecom kiosks). Better coverage than roaming.

Where shouldn’t I drive?

Winter mountain roads:

• Theth, Valbonë, Llogara Pass: Closed or requires 4WD + chains
• Roads close Nov-May due to snow

Tirana city center:

• Doable but parking is hell and traffic is chaotic
• Park outside center, walk or taxi in

Old towns (Berat, Gjirokastër):

• Pedestrian-only cobblestone streets
• Park outside, walk in

How much does gas cost for a week?

Depends on distance, but typical week:

• 1000 km driving (Tirana → Riviera → Albanian Alps → back): €80-100 in gas
• Split among 4 people = €20-25 each for the week
• Fuel-efficient car (Dacia Logan, Fiat Panda): €70-90
• SUV or larger car: €100-130

Can I park overnight on the street?

Cities: Yes, but not always safe or legal.

Paid zones (blue lines): Free overnight (usually 8 PM-8 AM), paid during day.

Tirana/Durrës/Sarandë: Use hotel parking or paid garages overnight (€3-5).

Smaller towns: Street parking is fine and free.

Remote areas/beaches: Free parking anywhere, generally safe.

Pro tip: Don’t leave valuables visible in the car overnight, anywhere.

Are speed cameras common?

Yes, especially on:

• Tirana-Durrës highway
• Main roads near cities

Fines: €20-100 depending on how much you’re speeding.

Enforcement: Cameras send tickets to rental companies, who charge your card + admin fee (€20-40).

Pro tip: Stick to speed limits in urban areas and main highways. Mountain roads are too slow for speeding anyway.

What’s the best route from Tirana to the Riviera?

Two options:

Via Vlorë (main route):

• Tirana → Vlorë (2.5 hrs) → Llogara Pass → Dhërmi/Himarë/Sarandë
• Paved, well-maintained
• Llogara Pass is spectacular (but winding and narrow)

Via Berat and Tepelena (scenic inland route):

• Tirana → Berat → Gjirokastër → Sarandë
• Longer (5-6 hours) but includes Berat and Gjirokastër UNESCO towns

Recommendation: Vlorë route for speed, Berat route for sightseeing.

How do roundabouts work?

Theoretically: Yield to cars already in the roundabout.

Reality: Albanian roundabouts are chaos. Whoever goes first wins.

Survival tip: Slow down, make eye contact with other drivers, inch in when there’s a gap. Aggressive drivers will honk and go—let them.

Can I rent a scooter or motorcycle?

Yes, in beach towns (Sarandë, Himarë, Ksamil) and Tirana.

Costs:

• Scooter (50cc): €15-25/day
• Motorcycle (125cc+): €30-50/day

Requirements:

• Motorcycle license
• Helmet (provided)
• IDP (same rules as cars)

Pro tip: Scooters are fun for short coastal rides (Sarandë to Ksamil, beach-hopping on the Riviera). Not recommended for long distances or mountain roads.

Are hitchhiking and car-sharing common?

Hitchhiking:

• Common in rural areas, less so in cities
• Safe and culturally accepted (locals often pick up hitchhikers)
• Wave down passing cars on mountain roads if stuck

Car-sharing/rideshares:

• Not formalized (no BlaBlaCar equivalent)
• Sometimes organized in Facebook groups for expats/travelers

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Last updated: October 2025