Getting Around Albania
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use buses and furgons for Tirana and coastal cities. Rural: Rent a car for mountain exploration. Coast: Buses and ferries to Saranda. For convenience, book airport transfers from Tirana to your destination.
Train Travel
HSH National Rail
Limited but affordable train network connecting Tirana to Durres, Shkoder, and Vlora with basic services.
Cost: Tirana to Durres 100-200 ALL, journeys 1-2 hours between main routes.
Tickets: Buy at stations or from conductors on board. Cash only, no mobile tickets yet.
Peak Times: Avoid weekends and holidays for less crowding and delays.
Rail Options
No national passes available, but single tickets are cheap for short trips like Tirana-Durres.
Best For: Budget coastal travel, significant savings over buses for families.
Where to Buy: Main stations in Tirana or Durres, arrive early as services are infrequent.
Regional Connections
Limited international links to Montenegro and North Macedonia via Shkoder or Pogradec routes.
Booking: No advance reservations needed, but check schedules on HSH website for updates.
Main Stations: Tirana Station central, with basic facilities and nearby bus connections.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring mountains and rural areas. Compare rental prices from €25-40/day at Tirana Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (EU or International), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised due to road conditions, verify inclusions.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 40 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 110 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal, mainly on new highways like Tirana-Elbasan (€2-3).
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads, watch for pedestrians.
Parking: Free in rural areas, €1-2/hour in cities like Tirana, use guarded lots.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations common at €1.50-1.80/liter for petrol, €1.40-1.60 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation in remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy in Tirana during rush hours, cautious driving on potholed rural roads.
Urban Transport
Tirana Buses & Furgons
City buses and minibuses (furgons) cover Tirana, single ticket 40 ALL, day pass 200 ALL.
Validation: Pay conductor on board, no tickets needed, routes to suburbs.
Apps: Use local apps like Tirana Transport for schedules and real-time info.
Bike Rentals
Bike-sharing emerging in Tirana, €5-10/day with stations in central areas.
Routes: Flat coastal paths ideal, cautious in traffic-heavy cities.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours in Berat and Gjirokastra for historical sites.
Intercity Buses
Gjirafa and local operators run buses from Tirana to Shkoder, Saranda, and Korca.
Tickets: 300-800 ALL per ride, buy at stations or online via apps.
Furgons: Flexible minibuses for rural routes, €5-15 depending on distance.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus stations in cities for easy access, central Tirana or Saranda beach for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 1-2 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and major festivals like Gjirokastra.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable mountain weather.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Good 4G coverage in cities and coasts, 3G in rural mountains of Albania.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from €5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Vodafone Albania, AMC, and Albtelecom offer prepaid SIMs from €5-15 with solid coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, kiosks, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for €10, 10GB for €15, unlimited for €20/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in hotels, cafes, and tourist spots across Albania.
Public Hotspots: Bus stations and squares in Tirana have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally decent (10-50 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for browsing.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC+1, daylight saving March-October (CEST, UTC+2).
- Airport Transfers: Tirana Airport 15km from city center, bus 300 ALL (30 min), taxi €20, or book private transfer for €25-40.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus stations (200-500 ALL/day) and services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and trains basic, many historic sites have steps due to Ottoman architecture.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses (small free, large 200 ALL), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on buses for 100 ALL, easier to rent locally in cities.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Albania
Tirana International Airport (TIA) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Tirana International (TIA): Primary gateway, 15km west of city with bus and taxi links.
Kukës International (KUK): Small northern airport with seasonal European flights, bus to Tirana 2 hours.
Corfu (CFU) Nearby: Greek island airport for southern Albania access via ferry, convenient for Saranda.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Podgorica or Thessaloniki and busing to Albania for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Eurowings serve Tirana with European connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee 200-300 ALL, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in cities, cash preferred in rural spots.
- Contactless Payment: Growing in Tirana, Apple Pay and Google Pay in larger hotels.
- Cash: Essential for buses, markets, and small cafes, keep 5,000-10,000 ALL in small notes.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, round up or add 5-10% for good service in restaurants.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.