I couldn’t wait for my adventurous traveling across Albania. As usual, I flew with a little plan of hiring a car in Albania and heading on the road, exploring the entire coastline from north to south, and the interior of the country on the way back.
If you are a first-time visitor in Albania there are two things you should know: the Albanian drivers can be a bit unpredictable, and the road infrastructure is a bit tricky sometimes.. but generally touring Albania by car is great and gives you freedom to wander off the beaten path and discover incredible places you will never be able to reach with organized tours.
My road trip in Albania ended up as an amazing journey, and the country turned out to boast one of the most stunning natural wonders across Europe. Here is a bunch of tips and practical advice for hiring a car in Albania to make your adventure successful and unique.
Best tips for hiring a car in Albania.
First of all, hiring a car in Albania is very cheap, compared to other holiday countries. Here is my recommendation for the best car hire in Albania:
- Go to: Rentalcar.com, I have been using this platform for the last few years – it gives you a rating of each company and an overview of online reviews,
- Pick dates and choose any company with ratings above 8/8.5,
- I always go for full coverage, which makes the trip hassle-free and ensures 24-hour road assistance.
- Choose the right car for your journey – I would recommend a comfortable sedan or SUV, 4×4 WD car is not required for Albania
- Check terms regarding insurance, mileage limits (safer to go for unlimited), and fuel policies.
- Take photos or record the condition of the car.
Choose the right rental company.
Choosing a car rental company is a key factor for your journey. Local agencies often offer better rates compared to international chains, but do not take the price as a primary criterion.
I chose the top-rated Rent Motors, and their service was great. However, the waiting time for the pick-up was almost 2 hours. At the pick-up, they explained in detail which roads to use and which you must avoid! The whole pick-up process was smooth and lasted max 10 minutes.
Most rental cars are equipped with GPS trackers. If you drive on forbidden roads, the rental company may block or track the car, and you will be fined at the drop-off.
I was traveling in May and paid slightly over 200 USD for a 10-day car hire. An average price per day OUTSIDE OF A HIGH SEASON rate between 20 USD – 60 USD. Prices in peak season double.
The car I got was a Hyundai BAYON.
- I got a brand new Hyundai, which was perfect for my long road trips!
- I got an automatic gear, convenient for long trips.
- I purchased full coverage, which includes 24-hour Road Assistance but everything worked fine.
The guy from the rental company told me I could leave the keys inside the car at the drop-off. When I told him he must be joking, he smiled and said – Albania is safe, nobody is going to take the car even with the keys inside. Besides, we have monitoring, so if you are in a rush and don’t have time to drop the keys in the box, leave the car at the car park with keys inside.
I couldn’t believe what he said, but after traveling around the country, I can believe the guy was telling the truth. People are warm and friendly, and I haven’t had a single situation, even late at night, when I would be feeling unsafe walking alone the streets of Albania.
For Albania car rental, you will require:
- driving licence
- credit card
- passport
- booking confirmation/usually not required but sometimes make things much easier, when it comes to booking details confirmation.
Tips before hiring a car in Albania.
There’s right-side traffic in Albania.
Do not drive in Albania unless you are a confident driver.
Do not hire a car in Albania if this is your first right-side traffic experience.
Bear in mind, some drivers might cut in front of you or weave between lanes. Using turn signals seems to be an optional practice rather than a necessity for many Albanian drivers.
Using horns in Albania.
Horns are frequently used as a means of communication among drivers in Albania. They might beep to say hello, alert you of their presence, or simply express frustration. If you’re driving, don’t be alarmed if you hear horns regularly; it’s a common part of the driving culture.
Renting a car in Tirana Airport.
So I made it, landed in Tirana airport late evening, having only to pick up my pre-booked car from the rental company and start my adventurous traveling.
The most recognized and most expensive car rentals are located right at Tirana Airport hall.
Most of the car rental counters are located in front of the arrival terminal on the right.
All the rest of the Albanian car rentals are located on the other side of the street, along the airport – this is where Rent Motors was located, just next to Sicily by Car.
Buy eSIM & Download Offline Maps.
Two things I did before traveling to Albania were:
- Purchasing eSIM card online. It’s a fantastic solution, no swapping cards, hassle-free usage.
- Downloading off-line maps – while many parts of Albania have good mobile coverage, some remote areas may not. Before you set off, download offline maps or use a GPS device. This will ensure you stay on track even in areas with poor reception.
Advantages of hiring a car in Albania.
One of the best ways to experience the diverse beauty of this Balkan country is by hiring a car in Albania.
As the public transportation is poor and there are no trains, the best way to explore the country is by car.
Renting a car in Albania gives you the freedom to drive and explore unknown parts of this unspoiled, fascinating country.
Additionally, you’ll be able to see twice as much as during any tour.
While driving throughout the country, I stuck to the main roads and faced no serious road situations. I was driving slow and careful, which allowed me to react on time, if there was a sudden change in traffic.
I also read about mafia presence in Albania, to be honest, I recognized zero mafia activity, and I think it is one of the safest countries in Europe. Once you get there, you’ll see yourself. People are extremely friendly, honest, and the hospitality is great!
Plan your fuel stops.
Outside of Tirana, gas stations may not be as frequent as in other countries, especially in rural areas. Therefore, it’s wise to keep your tank topped up whenever possible—especially before heading to the countryside or mountains.
Always have cash with you – in some small towns (like Dhermi) it was not possible to pay by card.
Can I cross the border with a rental car in Albania?
YES, you can cross the border and travel to different countries from Albania, except Greece, as it is in the European Union.
You are allowed to travel from Albania to Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro.
Is driving in Albania safe?
Generally, stick to national roads as long as you can. Driving in the southern part of the country – Ksamil, is very pleasant.
You need to be aware that there is a lot of construction work going on in Albania at the moment (2025). The country is going through a massive modernization to attract investment and tourism. Some roads may be closed and you will be redirected to take a longer route.
Some dusty roads in small towns were a bit tricky, but at the end, if you see the road is under construction, you can turn back and find another way.
I met many motorcyclists from Austria, who were driving across the country, which confirms it is doable.
How are the roads in Albania?
The main roads in Albania are usually well-maintained highways connecting major cities.
Some rural roads are in a fatal condition, but these are the ones NOT to travel. Avoid unpaved or rocky roads – usually those leading to hidden beaches.
Mountain roads can be narrow and winding, but they were actually fine to drive.
There are a lot of unmarked speed bumps – they can appear suddenly and cause damage to your vehicle if you’re not careful.
And most importantly, be mindful of other drivers. While most drivers follow traffic rules, some are more aggressive or less predictable.
Parking in Albania.
Hiring a car in Albania is easy compared to parking in Albania. In some cities, it is insane! It looks like they built the city and forgot to dedicate spaces for cars. This happens in Sarande. Ksamil is very car-friendly; most restaurants and hostels have car parks.
Speeding in Abania.
Don’t be surprised to see Police on roads in Albania. Police actively monitor and enforce speed limits, using both fixed and mobile speed cameras.
PARKING TICKETS: I got a parking ticket for parking in the wrong direction – can you imagine that! I had to find a post office and pay the fine! 😉 It was only 1000 LEK, but still a bit crazy. You need to park in the direction of the driveway.
Albania by car - the best places to see.
Here are a few amazing places I found while driving throughout the country:
- DHERMI – an amazing small town with cobblestone streets and burnt orange rooftops, and incredible beaches, with comfortable parking along the coastline.
- KSAMIL AND BUTRINT PARK – on the southern part of the country.
- UNIQUE VIEWING POINT – located on the mountain road SH8 near the highest peak in Albania – Mount Cika.
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