Renting a Car in Albania: The Complete Guide 2024
Renting a car in Albania lets you discover this beautiful Balkan country at your own speed. You can explore Tirana’s lively streets and the peaceful Albanian Riviera. Albania has ancient ruins, lovely beaches, and stunning mountains to explore. Albania, located in the Balkans, is famous for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. It boasts sunny beaches and towering mountains. Cities like Tirana and quaint villages offer a blend of lively and peaceful spots to discover, appealing to travelers seeking both relaxation and excitement.
Read also: The Best Beaches in Albania near Tirana
How to rent a car in Albania?
Embarking on a road trip through Albania offers an enriching travel experience, allowing you to traverse diverse landscapes and encounter stunning sights along the way. Notably, the roads have significantly improved, making most itineraries manageable without the need for a 4×4 vehicle.
Renting a car lets you freely explore Albania. You can see its famous spots and hidden gems at your own pace. Drive to villages, castles, and the beautiful coastline. Here’s what you need to know about renting a car in Albania.
Looking to rent a car in Albania? Book your rental car here
Required Documents for Renting a Car in Albania
To rent a car in Albania, you must provide several key pieces of documentation:
- A valid driver’s license issued by your home country
- An identification document, such as a passport
- A credit card issued under your name
In Albania, you need to be 18 to drive legally. But to rent a car, you generally must be at least 21 and have held your license for one to three years. Bring your driver’s license, ID, and credit card when you rent. You only need an International Driving Permit if your license isn’t in the Roman script.
Insurance for Renting a Car in Albania
In Albania, when you rent a car, you need third-party liability insurance (CDW). This insurance is often part of the rental cost. It’s suggested to get extra or full insurance because there might be small damages during your trip in Albania. While it’s not a must, it’s a good idea for more coverage. Car rental insurance in Albania typically ranges from $10 to $20 per day based on the vehicle you choose. You can get better rates by adding extra coverage when you book. Before you go, review your credit card’s policy for any coverage it might offer for car rentals in Albania.
Read also: Best Things to do in Albania in 2024
Many insurance companies need a credit card that can cover rental costs and a security deposit of $100 to $500. This deposit is just a hold and is charged only if the car gets damaged.
Before starting a Balkan road trip with a rental car, check if cross-border travel is allowed. Often, driving from Albania to Greece requires extra insurance.
Note : Random checkpoints by traffic police are common occurrences, where you may be required to present your documents. It’s advisable to keep proof of insurance, the car’s documentation, and your passport readily accessible in the vehicle while driving.
Is it Easy to Drive in Albania?
Before you rent a car in Albania, it’s important to know some of the road rules and customs of the country.
Roads & Speed Limits
Driving in Albania provides a scenic journey through beautiful landscapes. However, road conditions differ throughout the country. Albania is developing quickly, improving its infrastructure and creating many well-kept roads. For example, routes from Tirana to the southern regions and the Albanian Riviera usually have good road conditions.
Note : For navigation assistance, consider using apps like Google Maps or Maps.me to help guide you along your journey through Albania.
In higher areas such as the northern mountains, roads can be rough and have more bumps and holes. Despite this, you can still drive on them if you’re careful. Albania has just one toll road near the Kalimash tunnel, where you’ll pay a $5 fee.
Speed limits vary based on the type of road. They range from 110 km/h on highways to 90 km/h on expressways and between 40 to 80 km/h in residential areas. Road signs show these limits, so it’s important to follow them. Albania often has traffic checkpoints and speed cameras to enforce these limits, highlighting how crucial it is to obey the signs.
Read also: International Driving Permit Requirements in Albania
Tip : Avoid matching your speed to that of local drivers, who tend to drive fast. Traffic authorities often target foreign drivers and rental vehicles exceeding the speed limits, regardless of the prevailing speed of local traffic. Expect frequent on-the-spot fines, which can amount to a maximum of 5,000 LEK (approximately $40).
Driving Rules in Albania
Driving in Albania can be tricky because local drivers often behave unpredictably, especially in cities like Tirana where traffic jams are common. Despite traffic rules, many drivers ignore them. So, it’s important to stay alert and follow the rules to avoid fines and stay safe on the road.
In Albania, you can’t drive if you’ve been drinking at all. It’s illegal. Also, don’t use your phone when you’re driving. Keep your headlights on all the time. Be careful in winter because of flooding and icy roads, which can be dangerous for driving. If you need help in an emergency, call 112.
Tips for Renting a Car in Albania
1. Thorough Inspection Upon Pickup
When you pick up your rental car in Albania, do a thorough check to spot any existing damages. If you see scratches or problems, make sure they’re noted on the check-out form or rental agreement. If not, tell a staff member right away and have the damages recorded. Taking photos or videos of the car’s condition can provide important evidence of any pre-existing damage. Also, make sure the rental car has a first aid kit, which is required by Albanian law.
2. Exercise Caution with Other Drivers and Parking
It’s important to watch out for other drivers, especially in busy traffic. Some drivers in Albania don’t follow traffic rules. Speeding, passing on both sides, and unpredictable driving are common. Keep a safe distance from the cars ahead and watch for brake lights that might not work.
Parking can be challenging in Albania, where you might frequently see cars pulled over with hazard lights on. Even in the capital, finding parking spots can be a bit tricky, requiring some driving around to locate a suitable spot or car park.
3. Renting a Car in Albania: Ensuring You Use the Correct Fuel
Albania has many gas stations, mostly found in cities for easy access. You can use apps like Google Maps to find the closest one. Gas costs around $1.71 per liter ($6.45 per gallon) in Albania, and they sell both diesel and regular gasoline.
If you’re not sure which fuel to use, check your rental car. Look for a sticker on the key, dashboard, or fuel door. This will tell you the right fuel for your car’s engine.
Gas stations usually open from 8 AM to 8 PM. Some don’t take cards, so bring cash. Many provide full-service, so tell the attendant what fuel you want and how much.
Good to know : Albania is a small country with lots of mountains and curvy roads, especially in the north. Because of this, driving can take longer than you’d think. For instance, going from Tirana to Berat usually takes around two hours. But many people use fuel-efficient European cars, so they can travel far without needing to fill up often.
How much is renting a car in Albania?
Renting a car in Albania is cheap, usually between $20 to $90 per day. You’ll need to pay an extra $10 to $20 for insurance. The cost depends on the type of car you choose and how long you rent it. Bigger cars cost more each day and use more fuel, which adds to your total expenses.
Choosing an automatic rental car usually costs a bit more than a manual one. Also, renting a car for longer often means a lower daily rate. For example, a five-day rental might not cost much more than three days. If possible, consider spending at least a week exploring Albania to really experience all it has to offer.
Read also: Getting a Visa for Albania: Everything you Need to Know
Renting a car in Albania: Selecting the ideal vehicle
When planning your Albanian road trip, select a vehicle based on your itinerary and group size. Choose a spacious car for family trips or a compact one for exploring towns like Ksamil with a partner. For rural or mountainous areas, a 4×4 is necessary.
If you’re thinking of traveling to other Balkan countries or Greece, ask your rental agency if it’s okay to take the car across borders. Sometimes, there are extra fees and insurance requirements for crossing into other countries with a rental car. If it’s too expensive, consider taking a bus or taxi across the border and renting another car once you’re in the next country.
Tip : Upon returning the rental car, make sure it’s filled up with gas and cleaned up properly on the inside. This way, you won’t be charged for any extra cleaning fees!
Rachel Biles
If I pick up a rental car in Dubrovnik, will they let me drive the car into Albania? Do I need special auto insurance? From what I am reading online, it seems many car rental companies will not let you take it into Albania! Thank you.