Nestled in the heart of the Balkan region in Southeast Europe, Albania remains a hidden gem for many international travelers. However, its reputation as a burgeoning tourism destination has been steadily growing over the past decade. Those who venture to Albania are greeted with a stunning Adriatic and Ionian coastline, a rich cultural heritage, and some of the warmest and most welcoming people you'll ever meet. Beyond its beautiful coastline, Albania's rugged mountains rank among the wildest in all of Europe.
Albania Car Rental
One-way Car Rentals in Albania
For those looking to explore beyond Albania's borders, here are the top one-way rental options:
From Albania to Montenegro: 7 offers starting from €38.36 per day.
From Albania to Croatia: 21 offers starting from €49.88 per day.
From Albania to Kosovo: 4 offers starting from €41.69 per day.
Top Entry Points to Albania
1.Tirana Airport: Serving as the country's sole international airport, Tirana Mother Teresa Airport hosted 3.3 million passengers in 2019. With over 20 airlines, including budget carriers like Wizz Air and easyJet, it offers connections to various European destinations and some Middle Eastern cities. Located 18km (11 miles) northwest of the city center, the airport is approximately a 30-minute drive away.
2.By Ship: Albania has an active ferry service linking it to numerous Italian destinations, as well as the nearby Ionian Islands of Greece. If you arrive by sea, you can conveniently rent a car at the Port of Sarandë in the southern part of the country.
3.By Land: While most car rental providers do not allow crossing Albania's borders with a rental car, you can fly to neighboring countries and then access Albania via public transport. Nearby international airports within a few hours' drive include Thessaloniki Airport (Greece), Skopje Airport (North Macedonia), and Podgorica and Tivat airports (Montenegro).
Top Cities and Must-Visit Places
1.Tirana: As Albania's capital, Tirana serves as the economic, cultural, and entertainment hub of the country. Visitors are treated to an array of beautiful mosques, Catholic and Orthodox churches, and some of Albania's finest museums. The surrounding mountains offer stunning panoramic views. Don't miss Bunkart 1 and 2, transformed bunkers that now serve as museums, providing insight into Albania's communist history.
2.Gjirokastër: Situated in the southeast, this entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Renowned for its well-preserved Ottoman-era architecture, exemplified by the Gjirokastër Citadel, an almost 1,000-year-old fortress, it's a must-visit. Explore historic Ottoman mansions and the old city bazaar.
3.Vlorë: En route from Tirana to Gjirokastër, Vlorë is one of Albania's favored coastal towns. Located at the convergence of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, it's renowned for its splendid beaches, caves, natural springs, and ancient Illyrian sites.
4.Ksamil: Located south of Sarandë, Ksamil boasts some of Albania's most beautiful beaches. From here, explore Butrint National Park, featuring ancient Roman ruins, and the stunning Blue Eye water spring.
5.Shkoder: Located in northern Albania, Shkoder serves as the gateway to the Accursed Mountains. While the town itself may not have numerous attractions, it offers access to beautiful destinations like Valbona and Theth.
Most Popular Rental Car
The Volkswagen Up leads the pack as the most popular rental car in Albania, closely followed by the Fiat Panda and the Hyundai i10. The preferred rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.
Driver's License Requirements
Albania typically recognizes foreign driver's licenses from around the world, provided they are printed in a Latin alphabet and remain unexpired. Permanent residents in Albania must obtain a local driver's license.
For non-Latin alphabet licenses (e.g., Cyrillic, Arabic), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is necessary.
Similarly, if your license lacks a photograph, you may be required to have an IDP.
Always carry your physical driver's license, not a copy.
A minimum of two years' driving experience is required.
Some rental car providers impose a young driver fee for those aged 22 to 25, as well as a senior driver fee for those over 65.
Specific requirements may vary depending on the car provider and category, so it's essential to review the terms and conditions before booking.
Crossing Borders
Albania shares land borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. While Albania is in Europe, it is not an EU member, nor are its neighboring countries (except Greece). EU citizens and travelers from most Western countries (e.g., the United States, Canada, Australia) do not require visas for short-term visits to Albania or its neighboring nations. However, travelers from other parts of the world may need separate visas for these countries. Consult your Ministry of Foreign Affairs before your trip.
Most car rental suppliers do not permit one-way rentals between Albania and its neighbors due to the country's non-membership in larger border agreements. There are exceptions, which can be found by specifying your pick-up and drop-off locations during your search. Keep in mind that one-way rentals are generally more expensive but provide flexibility for your journey.
Toll Roads
Currently, Albania does not have toll roads in operation. However, the ongoing construction of the Adriatic-Ionian Motorway, also known as the Blue Corridor, may introduce tolls once completed. This extensive motorway will connect Trieste in Italy to Kalamata in Greece, traversing Albania from north to south.
Top Driving Routes
1.Albanian Riviera: This coastal stretch, incorporating Vlorë and more, offers a scenic road trip. Explore idyllic beach towns, traverse the mountain pass of Llogara, visit the Narta Lagoon, a haven for birdwatchers, and discover archaeological sites from Ancient Greek and Roman times.
2.Albanian Alps: Known as the Cursed Mountains due to their historic inaccessibility, this highland range in northeastern Albania offers stunning peaks, deep river canyons, and breathtaking driving routes, bordering Montenegro and Kosovo.
3.Lure National Park: Situated in the Central Mountain Range south of the Albanian Alps, Lure is a protected natural area renowned for its twelve glacial lakes, considered some of the most beautiful in Europe. The valleys and wooded hillsides are home to diverse wildlife, including lynxes, deer, eagles, and capercaillies.
Car Rental Prices
Station wagons: Starting from €53 per day.
Large cars: Starting from €30 per day.
Medium cars: Starting from €20 per day.
Vans: Starting from €94 per day.
Premium cars: Starting from €74 per day.
Small cars: Starting from €15 per day.
SUVs: Starting from €25 per day.
Saving Money on Your Rental Car
To secure a budget-friendly rental car in Albania:
Compare rates from various rental car providers.
Book your rental car well in advance.
Plan your route ahead of time.
Understand your fuel and mileage requirements.
Opt for travel during the cheapest month, with March typically being the most economical, offering rental car rates around 74% lower than the yearly average and a remarkable 89% cheaper compared to September.
Nestled in the heart of the Balkan region in Southeast Europe, Albania remains a hidden gem for many international travelers. However, its reputation as a burgeoning tourism destination has been steadily growing over the past decade. Those who venture to Albania are greeted with a stunning Adriatic and Ionian coastline, a rich cultural heritage, and some of the warmest and most welcoming people you'll ever meet. Beyond its beautiful coastline, Albania's rugged mountains rank among the wildest in all of Europe.
Albania Car Rental
One-way Car Rentals in Albania
For those looking to explore beyond Albania's borders, here are the top one-way rental options:
From Albania to Montenegro: 7 offers starting from €38.36 per day.
From Albania to Croatia: 21 offers starting from €49.88 per day.
From Albania to Kosovo: 4 offers starting from €41.69 per day.
Top Entry Points to Albania
1.Tirana Airport: Serving as the country's sole international airport, Tirana Mother Teresa Airport hosted 3.3 million passengers in 2019. With over 20 airlines, including budget carriers like Wizz Air and easyJet, it offers connections to various European destinations and some Middle Eastern cities. Located 18km (11 miles) northwest of the city center, the airport is approximately a 30-minute drive away.
2.By Ship: Albania has an active ferry service linking it to numerous Italian destinations, as well as the nearby Ionian Islands of Greece. If you arrive by sea, you can conveniently rent a car at the Port of Sarandë in the southern part of the country.
3.By Land: While most car rental providers do not allow crossing Albania's borders with a rental car, you can fly to neighboring countries and then access Albania via public transport. Nearby international airports within a few hours' drive include Thessaloniki Airport (Greece), Skopje Airport (North Macedonia), and Podgorica and Tivat airports (Montenegro).
Top Cities and Must-Visit Places
1.Tirana: As Albania's capital, Tirana serves as the economic, cultural, and entertainment hub of the country. Visitors are treated to an array of beautiful mosques, Catholic and Orthodox churches, and some of Albania's finest museums. The surrounding mountains offer stunning panoramic views. Don't miss Bunkart 1 and 2, transformed bunkers that now serve as museums, providing insight into Albania's communist history.
2.Gjirokastër: Situated in the southeast, this entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Renowned for its well-preserved Ottoman-era architecture, exemplified by the Gjirokastër Citadel, an almost 1,000-year-old fortress, it's a must-visit. Explore historic Ottoman mansions and the old city bazaar.
3.Vlorë: En route from Tirana to Gjirokastër, Vlorë is one of Albania's favored coastal towns. Located at the convergence of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, it's renowned for its splendid beaches, caves, natural springs, and ancient Illyrian sites.
4.Ksamil: Located south of Sarandë, Ksamil boasts some of Albania's most beautiful beaches. From here, explore Butrint National Park, featuring ancient Roman ruins, and the stunning Blue Eye water spring.
5.Shkoder: Located in northern Albania, Shkoder serves as the gateway to the Accursed Mountains. While the town itself may not have numerous attractions, it offers access to beautiful destinations like Valbona and Theth.
Most Popular Rental Car
The Volkswagen Up leads the pack as the most popular rental car in Albania, closely followed by the Fiat Panda and the Hyundai i10. The preferred rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.
Driver's License Requirements
Albania typically recognizes foreign driver's licenses from around the world, provided they are printed in a Latin alphabet and remain unexpired. Permanent residents in Albania must obtain a local driver's license.
For non-Latin alphabet licenses (e.g., Cyrillic, Arabic), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is necessary.
Similarly, if your license lacks a photograph, you may be required to have an IDP.
Always carry your physical driver's license, not a copy.
A minimum of two years' driving experience is required.
Some rental car providers impose a young driver fee for those aged 22 to 25, as well as a senior driver fee for those over 65.
Specific requirements may vary depending on the car provider and category, so it's essential to review the terms and conditions before booking.
Crossing Borders
Albania shares land borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. While Albania is in Europe, it is not an EU member, nor are its neighboring countries (except Greece). EU citizens and travelers from most Western countries (e.g., the United States, Canada, Australia) do not require visas for short-term visits to Albania or its neighboring nations. However, travelers from other parts of the world may need separate visas for these countries. Consult your Ministry of Foreign Affairs before your trip.
Most car rental suppliers do not permit one-way rentals between Albania and its neighbors due to the country's non-membership in larger border agreements. There are exceptions, which can be found by specifying your pick-up and drop-off locations during your search. Keep in mind that one-way rentals are generally more expensive but provide flexibility for your journey.
Toll Roads
Currently, Albania does not have toll roads in operation. However, the ongoing construction of the Adriatic-Ionian Motorway, also known as the Blue Corridor, may introduce tolls once completed. This extensive motorway will connect Trieste in Italy to Kalamata in Greece, traversing Albania from north to south.
Top Driving Routes
1.Albanian Riviera: This coastal stretch, incorporating Vlorë and more, offers a scenic road trip. Explore idyllic beach towns, traverse the mountain pass of Llogara, visit the Narta Lagoon, a haven for birdwatchers, and discover archaeological sites from Ancient Greek and Roman times.
2.Albanian Alps: Known as the Cursed Mountains due to their historic inaccessibility, this highland range in northeastern Albania offers stunning peaks, deep river canyons, and breathtaking driving routes, bordering Montenegro and Kosovo.
3.Lure National Park: Situated in the Central Mountain Range south of the Albanian Alps, Lure is a protected natural area renowned for its twelve glacial lakes, considered some of the most beautiful in Europe. The valleys and wooded hillsides are home to diverse wildlife, including lynxes, deer, eagles, and capercaillies.
Car Rental Prices
Station wagons: Starting from €53 per day.
Large cars: Starting from €30 per day.
Medium cars: Starting from €20 per day.
Vans: Starting from €94 per day.
Premium cars: Starting from €74 per day.
Small cars: Starting from €15 per day.
SUVs: Starting from €25 per day.
Saving Money on Your Rental Car
To secure a budget-friendly rental car in Albania:
Compare rates from various rental car providers.
Book your rental car well in advance.
Plan your route ahead of time.
Understand your fuel and mileage requirements.
Opt for travel during the cheapest month, with March typically being the most economical, offering rental car rates around 74% lower than the yearly average and a remarkable 89% cheaper compared to September.
Albania
