Traveling around Albania by car is probably the best decision you can make before your trip. It is by car that you get to see the country as it really is: with small mountain villages, hidden beaches of the Albanian Riviera, passes through the Albanian Alps, ancient cities, and plenty of places where public transport simply does not go.
We drove through Albania from north to south, visited the mountains, the coast, and the inland areas of the country. In two weeks behind the wheel, we encountered herds of goats, steep serpentines, unexpected traffic jams, very fast drivers in expensive Mercedes and BMWs, but at the same time realized—driving in Albania is much easier than many people imagine.
This guide collects all the nuances you should know before a road trip.
Is it worth traveling around Albania by car?
It’s very convenient to have a car for traveling in this country, even despite some points which I’ll write about below.
A car gives access to most of the country’s most interesting places:
- the Albanian Alps and the village of Theth;
- Llogara Pass;
- hidden beaches between Vlorë and Saranda;
- the cities of Berat and Gjirokastër;
- numerous viewpoints, which buses do not visit or do not stop at.
Public transport exists in Albania, but it’s not very convenient for tourists. There are practically no passenger trains, and buses and minibuses run between cities, whose schedules often change, and stops are not always obvious even for locals.
If you want to see the country without being tied to schedules—a car is the best option.
Own car or rental?
Both options are popular — if you have the time and confidence to drive to Albania in your own car, without a doubt it’s better than renting locally. But sometimes a short vacation is all you have, and you want to see as much as possible—renting saves the day.
Traveling in your own car
More and more tourists are going to Albania in their own car. This allows you to:
- take more things and even food (for example, if you are allergic);
- not depend on flights—ticket prices are high in summer, and there can be delays or cancellations;
- combine Albania with Montenegro, Greece or North Macedonia;
- spend a few weeks by the sea.
The main thing is not to forget to arrange a Green Card, which is mandatory for all cars with foreign registration. When you buy the Green Card, you need to select “the whole world” and check if Albania is included in the list of countries.
Toll roads
There are very few of them in Albania—A1 (Durres – Kukës Highway), which leads to the border with Kosovo. Payment is like in Croatia or Italy—at the barrier with the operator—600 lek (6 euros). But it is very easy to bypass it with free roads.
There is also a new tunnel connecting Vlorë and Dhërmi, its cost is 250 lek (2.5 euros) for a car. However, in summer 2026 it was still free.
Payment is possible in cash or by card.
The rest of the roads are free, no vignette is required (it doesn’t exist).
Car rental in Albania
If you arrive by plane, it is most convenient to rent a car directly at Tirana airport. This is where most international and local companies operate, so prices are usually the best.
We did the same, booking the car in advance.
What documents are needed to rent a car in Albania
To pick up the car, you will need:
- passport;
- driver’s license;
- credit card in the driver’s name.
An international driver’s license is not required.
Most companies rent cars to drivers from 21 years old. But for drivers under 25 and over 65, there is often an extra charge.
Why do you need a credit card
This is one of the points that often surprises tourists. The company blocks a deposit on your credit card—usually from 250 to 1200 euros. If the car is returned without damage, the money is simply unblocked.
Most international companies do not accept debit cards. But local companies can block the deposit on a debit card, and also accept deposit in cash. Check the rules for each company separately.
If you don’t want to leave a deposit, you can get full insurance, although it raises the rental cost.
Car insurance
Basic insurance is already included in the rental price.
It usually covers:
- third-party liability;
- car damage;
- theft.
But it often doesn’t cover:
- windscreen;
- tires;
- underbody;
- lost keys.
That’s why in the office they almost always offer comprehensive insurance. It costs about 10–30 euros per day, but significantly reduces financial risk.
What is included in the car rental price?
Car rental in mid-June 2026 cost us 300 euros with almost full insurance and zero excess.
The insurance did not cover damaged tires and wheels. But I did not pay an additional 70 euros for this, since I did not plan to drive on unpaved mountain roads. Besides, the rental contract stated that the road from Gjirokastër to Berat and a couple of others were prohibited for this car. Why break the contract?
Can you leave Albania in a rental car?
Yes, but not all companies allow this (rules should be read carefully before booking). If you plan to travel to Montenegro or North Macedonia, be sure to mention this already during the booking process.
The company will issue additional documents and international insurance. For Kosovo there are separate rules—you need to purchase a local insurance policy at the border.
Book your car in advance
Especially if you plan to travel in July or August. Honestly, prices also rise in the second half of June, but there is still a selection. I booked the car two weeks before the trip—there were no problems finding a car with automatic transmission.
In high season, demand is very high, and prices can double.
Also pay attention to a few points:
- unlimited mileage;
- amount of excess (preferably zero);
- cross-border policy (whether the company allows it and how much extra it costs);
- fuel policy (Albanian companies may provide a car with an almost empty tank—document this by photo, in the contract, to return with the same amount).
Small car or crossover?
For most routes, a normal compact car with a not very powerful engine is enough. I booked a KIA Stonic automatic, and it was enough (even for a trip to Theth and Valbona, where there is now good asphalt).
But if your plans include:
- mountain roads in eastern Albania;
- wild beaches of the Albanian Riviera,
a more powerful crossover or a car with higher clearance will make the trip more comfortable. An SUV is not necessary, but it does make life much easier on secondary roads.
Automatic or manual?
In Europe, most rental cars have manual transmission. Automatic transmission should be booked in advance. They are quickly snapped up in high season.
I can drive both manual and automatic. But automatic is much more comfortable, so I choose it if possible. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s easier in the mountains—you don’t have to shift gears all the time.
Tip: in Albania, it’s common to rent out very old cars—there’s a risk of getting stuck somewhere on the road or in the mountains and waiting for repair or replacement. Choose companies that have a new fleet of cars. Mostly, old cars are with local rental companies or private individuals. I wouldn’t risk it, even if it’s cheaper.
Features of driving in Albania
In fact, the roads here are much better than many expect. Most main highways have good asphalt.
Especially surprising are the new roads:
- to Theth—from Shkodra there is new asphalt;
- along the Albanian Riviera—from Vlorë to Dhërmi there is a new road and a 60-kilometer Llogara tunnel (free in summer 2026);
- between big cities.
However, there are a few features you need to be ready for.
Always-on headlights
In Albania, dipped (or side) lights must be switched on even during the day. The easiest way is to leave the switch in Auto mode.
Traffic in the country is right-hand.
Mountain roads
These are what scare tourists the most. The most difficult roads can be called:
- to Theth good asphalt, but a very steep serpentine (almost like on the Romanian Transfagarash road);
- across Llogara pass—very sharp turns, but lots of viewpoints to see beautiful landscapes (alternative is the tunnel under this mountain, if you are not confident as a driver or your car is not very powerful).
There are many steep serpentines, sharp turns, and narrow sections here.
Don’t drive into the mountains in the evening
If you don’t have mountain driving experience, it’s better not to plan these routes in the evening.
The road to Theth takes significantly longer than the navigator shows. If Google Maps shows 3.5 hours—count on about five. Don’t drive serpentines after sunset.
Tip: It’s better to overnight in Shkodra or Kruja and set out for the mountains the next morning.
A hotel in Shkodra North Alb Hotel has a very convenient location in the center of Shkodra, 5 minutes from all central streets. We set out for the mountains on a transfer and it’s also convenient, because it’s located near the square from where transfers to Lake Koman and further to Valbona depart. It’s very clean here, the owners are ready to meet you even at night. The hotel has its own parking where you can leave your car for two days—it costs 5 euros per day.
Google Maps sometimes makes mistakes
Albania is actively building new roads. Because of this, the navigator sometimes plots the route on old roads. Always read the road signs before turning—sometimes the new expressway is nearby, even if Google hasn’t “seen” it yet.
Be sure to download offline maps before your trip.
On the roads you can meet anyone
In the mountains and villages, this is absolutely normal. On the road, you may see:
- goats;
- sheep;
- cows (or lying right in the middle of the mountain road);
- donkeys.
That’s why it’s better not to hurry and watch carefully ahead. Especially in the evening.
Local driving style
Most Albanian drivers drive absolutely normally. But there’s a category of drivers, often in new or old BMWs, Mercedes, or Porsches, who like to drive very fast.
If such a car quickly catches up to you from behind and flashes its headlights—just let it overtake.
Do not try to “educate” such drivers.
Although sometimes they behave completely inadequately: cut you off on expressways, suddenly brake from 110 to 60 in front of your car, while having no obstacles ahead. In short, there are a lot of crazies too.
Keep to the right lane
On expressways, the right lane is for quiet driving. The left is only used for overtaking.
This rule helps you avoid unnecessary stress.
Parking
In cities, there are both free and paid parking lots. On the Albanian Riviera, most popular beaches have private parking.
Parking usually costs:
- 400–500 lek per day;
- in Ksamil—up to 800 lek in high season.
If you arrive early in the morning, you can find a free spot a bit farther from the beach.
A strange feature of local drivers
In Albania, hazard lights do not always mean an emergency.
Often people just:
- stop in the middle of the road;
- leave the car near a store;
- double park.
So if you see a car ahead with its hazard lights on, don’t be surprised—most likely the driver just went to buy coffee. And others wait until he comes back and clears the lane. So allow extra time for this too!
Gas stations
There are plenty of filling stations in the country. But there are a few nuances:
- on the coast, fuel is more expensive;
- before going to the Albanian Alps, better to fill up—there are few stations there;
- don’t wait until your tank is almost empty.
At most stations, the attendant fills your car. Even if you pay by card, he’ll bring the terminal to your window. You don’t have to leave the car.
Not all gas stations accept bank cards, so a small amount of cash will never hurt. Although we managed to pay by card everywhere.
Summary
Despite lots of scary stories on the Internet, traveling by car in Albania is not scary at all (sometimes you’ll want to curse, but with some experience, you can handle different situations easily).
Yes, there are features: serpentines, goats on the roads, chaotic parking, and very fast, or on the contrary—very slow in the wrong places—local drivers. But after a few days you get used to the local rhythm, and in return get the main thing—freedom.
It is the car that lets you see real Albania: wild beaches, mountain passes, ancient cities, small villages, and incredible views that remain in your memory forever. If you love independent traveling, Albania is one of those countries where a car turns an ordinary vacation into a real adventure.
Useful articles and links:
- Hiking in the Albanian Alps: route from Valbona to Theth via Valbona Pass
- Sea vacation in Himarë, Albania
- Albania itinerary—a week in the mountains and at the sea
- Velvet season—the best places for vacation by the sea in September
Tourist medical insurance – online on the portal HotlineFinance
Hotel reservations and apartments – Booking.com
Cheap car rental – DiscoverCars
