Getting Around Albania: How to Travel the Country with Ease
Planning a trip to Albania is exciting, but figuring out the best way to get around can be a little overwhelming at first. Should you rent a car? Can you rely on public transportation? Is Tirana walkable? What’s the best way to explore the Albanian Riviera? If you’re wondering about getting around Albania, you’re in the right place.
We’ve explored Albania by road, driving everywhere from the mountains to the stunning Riviera, while also using local taxis to get around places like Sarandë and Ksamil. Every transportation option comes with its own advantages, and the best choice really depends on your itinerary and travel style.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to travel Albania with confidence, from renting a car and using public transportation to getting around the country’s most popular cities and destinations.
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The Basics of Getting Around Albania
Before deciding how you’ll get around Albania, it’s important to think about the type of trip you’re planning. The amount of time you are spending and number of destinations will certainly impact our recommendation for you.
While the country is relatively small, for a longer trip you’ll likely be traveling between bustling cities, mountain villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the stunning Albanian Riviera. The best mode of transportation depends on where you’re going, how much time you have, and whether you value convenience or saving money.
✈️ How to Get to Albania
Before getting into the options for getting around Albania once you are here, it helps to know how most visitors arrive. The most common ways include:
✈️ Flying into Tirana, Kukes, or Vlora
🛳 Sailing to Albania on a cruise or ferry
🚌 Arriving by bus or Bla Bla Car
🚗 Renting a car and driving
👉🏻 For a full breakdown of each option, check out our complete guide on how to get to Albania, which covers every route in detail.
How to Get to Albania (Flights, Sailings, & Entry Requirements)
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to get to Albania, with some fun options you may not have heard of before!
❣️ What is the Best Area to Base Yourself in Albania?
If you’re planning to travel Albania, we recommend staying in multiple destinations rather than choosing one base for your entire trip. Distances may look short on a map, but mountain roads and winding coastal highways often mean journeys take longer than expected.
Some of the best places to base yourself include:
Once you’ve decided where you want to visit, let’s take a look at all of the different ways to get around Albania and which transportation option is best for your trip.
👉 Not sure where to focus your trip? Read our guide: The 20 Best Places to Visit in Albania (Including our Favorite Hidden Gems!)
🗺️ Options for Getting Around Albania
Here are the main ways of getting around Albania:
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🚗 What’s the Best Way to Get Around Albania?
For most travelers, we believe renting a car is by far the best way to get around Albania. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore hidden beaches, scenic mountain roads, charming villages, and lesser-known attractions that are difficult or impossible to reach by public transportation.
That said, renting a car isn’t the only option. Albania has an extensive network of buses and furgons (shared minibuses) connecting most major destinations, while taxis, ferries, and guided tours can also be great choices depending on your itinerary.
Albania has some incredible hidden gems that can only be reached by car.
How to Travel Albania: Comparing Transportation Options
Now that you know a bit about visiting the island, let’s dive into how to get around Albania! We’re covering all of the different options, and which one is best for which kind of trip.
🚗 Getting Around Albania by Car
If you’re deciding how to get around Albania, renting a car is hands down our top recommendation. After road-tripping across the country ourselves, we can confidently say it’s the best way to experience everything Albania has to offer.
Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to visit hidden beaches along the Albanian Riviera, drive through spectacular mountain scenery, stop at roadside viewpoints, and explore charming villages without being tied to bus schedules. It also makes it much easier to fit multiple destinations into one trip, especially if you’re planning to visit places like Berat, Gjirokastër, Theth, Shkodër, and Sarandë.
The easiest way to rent a car is from Tirana, where you can find cars both in the city and at the airport.
➕ Pros of Renting a Car in Albania
➖ Cons of Renting a Car in Albania
If you’re comfortable driving abroad, we think renting a car is by far the best way to travel Albania and see more than just the major tourist destinations.
🚌 How to Travel Albania by Public Transportation
Public transportation in Albania is limited and generally not recommended for tourists trying to cover a lot of ground or explore off the beaten path. That said, there are a few options worth knowing about.
🚕 Getting Around Albania by Taxi & Ride Share
While Uber is not available in Albania, there are taxis, as well as similar ride-share apps. The two that we heard about are Speed Taxi for more budget-friendly rides, and UPS Taxi which is a bit pricier with newer and nicer cars.
Taxis are popular in Tirana, and can easily be found in popular areas like Sarande and Himare. In lesser populated areas you can also find taxis, but you’ll most likely have to call them from a local number as opposed to flagging them down.
We wouldn’t recommend using taxis for longer distances, but they can be helpful for quick trips in areas that aren’t as walkable.
⛴️ Getting Around Albania by Ferry
If you are planning to visit the interior beach areas in the Alps, ferries are sometimes the only option. The good news is that they are pretty affordable, and offer breathtaking mountain views. This is how we visited Lumi i Shales, and there were a few other destinations offered at Komani Lake Pier.
Some ferries leave once an hour, while others leave once or twice a day. We highly recommend checking schedules in advance, and giving yourself extra find to find parking if you have a rental car.
🚐 Getting Around Albania by Guided Tour
Guided tours are one of the easiest ways to get around Albania without the stress of renting a car or navigating on your own. They are especially useful for day trips from Tirana, where transportation to certain destinations can be tricky to arrange independently.
Other popular areas have tours leaving from places across the Albanian Riviera, and from Berat, Shkoder, & Theth. Many include hotel pick-up and drop-off, making them a completely stress-free option, and a good opportunity to meet other like-minded travelers.
🚴 Fun and Unique Ways of Exploring Albania
Beyond the standard options, there are some fun and exciting ways to travel Albania, especially if you are spending time in the mountains.
🚐 Getting Around Albania with Organized Trips
Don’t want the hassle of getting around Albania on your own? Other than daily tours you can take, there are also organized trip you can take – whether it’s through a creator or a tour company. These are fun because you get to go with a group and have everything taken care of for you.
🗺️ Getting to the Best Spots Across Albania
Some of Albania’s most beautiful destinations require a bit of planning to reach. Here is a quick look at how to get around Albania to reach to some of the most popular spots.
💡 You can click on each destination to learn more about each place.
FAQ About Getting Around Albania
Now you know pretty much everything you need for getting around Albania! But in case you missed anything, here are some frequently asked questions we’ve gotten and found across the web about how to get around in Albania as a tourist.
Do you need a car to get around Albania?
In most cases, yes. Renting a car is the easiest way to explore Albania, especially if you want to visit hidden beaches, mountain villages, and places that are not easily reached by public transportation. However, buses, furgons, and tours can work well if you are sticking to the main destinations.
Is it easy to drive in Albania?
Driving in Albania is generally manageable, but it can feel different from driving in other European countries. Main roads are usually fine, but mountain roads can be narrow, winding, and slower than expected. Taking your time is the best approach.
Is public transportation good in Albania?
Public transportation in Albania is affordable but limited. Buses connect most major cities, while furgons (shared minibuses) reach smaller towns. They are great for budget travelers but may not be the most convenient option for shorter trips.
What are furgons in Albania?
Furgons are shared minibuses that operate between towns and are one of the cheapest ways to travel around Albania. The downside is that schedules can be irregular, and they do not always have easy-to-find online timetables.
Can you use Uber in Albania?
No, Uber is not available in Albania. However, taxis are common in larger cities and tourist areas like Tirana, Sarandë, and Ksamil. For longer distances, renting a car or taking a bus is usually a better option.
Are taxis easy to find in Albania?
Taxis are easy to find in popular destinations and cities, but they can be harder to arrange in smaller towns. In less populated areas, you may need to call a local taxi service or ask your accommodation to arrange one.
Can you travel around Albania without a car?
Yes, you can travel around Albania without renting a car, especially if you focus on popular destinations like Tirana, Berat, Shkodër, and Sarandë. However, having your own vehicle makes it much easier to explore hidden gems and remote areas.
What is the best way to get around the Albanian Riviera?
The best way to explore the Albanian Riviera is by car, as it gives you the freedom to stop at beaches, viewpoints, and small coastal villages. Buses and boat tours are also good options for visiting the most popular areas.
How do you get to Theth and Valbona?
Theth and Valbona can both be reached by car, although the roads through the Albanian Alps are slower and more mountainous. Many travelers also visit these areas through organized tours from Tirana or Shkodër.
How do you get to Lumi i Shales?
Lumi i Shales is most commonly reached by ferry from Komani Lake Pier. The boat ride is part of the experience, with incredible mountain views along the way, but schedules can be limited, so planning ahead is recommended.
Are buses reliable in Albania?
Buses are a practical and affordable way to travel between major destinations, but they may not operate with the same consistency as buses in other European countries. Schedules can change, and information is not always easy to find online.
Is Albania walkable?
Many Albanian cities and towns are very walkable, including Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, and Sarandë. However, you will need additional transportation if you want to explore the country’s beaches, mountains, and natural attractions.
What is the cheapest way to travel around Albania?
The cheapest way to get around Albania is by using buses and furgons. They are very affordable, but travelers should be prepared for longer travel times and less flexibility compared to renting a car.
Should you book tours in Albania?
Guided tours are a great option for travelers who do not want to drive or navigate public transportation. They are especially useful for destinations that are harder to reach, such as waterfalls, mountain areas, and natural attractions.
Getting Around Albania: Final Tips and What’s Next
Now that you know all of your options for getting around Albania, here are a few final tips to keep in mind.
✨ Other Things to Know About Visiting Albania
✈️ Getting There: Most visitors fly into Tirana, take buses from surrounding countries, or take scenic ferried from Greece or Italy.
🏨 Where to Stay: Shkoder is best for the north, Tirana for central Albania, and Sarande/Ksamil for the south.
🗣️ Language: Albanian is the main language, but English is widely spoken across the country.
💵 Currency: Albanian Lek
👮 Safety: It’s overall a safe country, and has great people despite having a bad reputation.
☀️ Weather: Four seasons, with hot and sunny summers, and cold, snowy winters.
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👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know how to travel Albania to visit, let’s dive a bit deeper! Here are our other Albania travel guides:
✈️ How to get to Albania
🤩 The best places to visit in Albania
📸 24 best photo spots in Albania
🏙️ How to spend one day in Tirana
💎 How to visit Lumi i Shales
🏔️ Theth travel guide
🏞️ How to visit Osum Canyon
🏖️ Albania Riviera travel guide
🌊 How to visit Gjipe Beach
📖 Complete guide to planning a trip to Albania
So are you ready to experience to travel Albania? No matter what way you choose to move around the country, we know you’re going to love your trip!
Want to learn more about traveling around Albania? Check out our other Albania travel guides! We have more guides coming every week, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest article updates, as well as exclusive discounts.
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