Hiring a car in Albania is one of the best ways to explore the country’s stunning landscapes, from the turquoise beaches of the beautiful Albanian Riviera to the dramatic peaks of the Accursed Mountains.
While public transportation exists, it’s often slow and unreliable with time tables, making a rental car the ideal choice for travelers who want flexibility and adventure.
However, driving in Albania comes with its own set of challenges – uneven roads, narrow streets, unpredictable traffic, and a driving culture that might surprise you.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about renting a car in Albania, including rental tips, road conditions, and essential driving advice to ensure a safe and unforgettable journey on your Albanian road trip.
For full transparency, this post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase - at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I genuinely use, trust, or believe will add value to your travels. Your support helps me continue creating free travel guides for you to enjoy.
How to Rent a Car in Albania
Hiring a car in Albania is one of the best ways to experience the country’s rugged mountains, hidden beaches, and charming villages at your own pace. While buses and furgons (shared minibuses) are cheap and plentiful, they don’t always reach the more remote destinations that make Albania so special.
Having your own set of wheels gives you the freedom to explore off-the-beaten path spots, stop at viewpoints, and create a flexible Albania itinerary without being tied to public transport schedules.
Car rental in Albania is straightforward, but it does work a little differently compared to other European countries. Most rentals are available through local agencies rather than big international chains.
This means low prices but also some quirks – like manual transmission being the norm and varying levels of insurance coverage.
During my month long travels through Albania, I used Local Rent. Local Rent is sort of like Turo in the United States, where you are able to rent local vehicles for a very affordable price.
I found it very easy to book online in advance and they arranged drop-off locations of the vehicle anywhere in the city (We started our road trip in. Tirana). Other smaller car rental companies will sometimes arrange rentals directly through WhatsApp or even on the spot when you arrive.
Renting a Car from Tirana Airport
If you’re flying into Tirana airport there are known car rental agencies like Europcar and Avis if you want to go that route. You can also use Discover Cars to hire a car in Albania.
We used Discover Cars to book a rental car in Montenegro for a week. We got a great deal and were happy with how everything went. Discover Cars offer a wide range of vehicles and has an easy booking process.
What Do You Need Before you Hire a Car in Albania
Before you hit the road in Albania, there are a few essentials you’ll need to have ready to rent a car in Albania smoothly. We don’t want any surprises when you pick up your car.
- 🪪 Driver’s License – A valid driver’s license from your home country is required. Many rental companies accept US, Canadian, EU licenses without issue. That said, carrying an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended but not always required). While I was never asked for one during my Albania rental car experience, both Joe and I have our IDP’s to avoid any sort of hassle.
- 🛂 Passport – You’ll need your passport for identification when signing the rental agreement. Make sure the name of your passport matches your license and payment method.
- 💳 Credit Card – Most rental car companies require a credit card in the driver’s name to hold a deposit. Some even accept a debit card or cash, but expect to pay a higher deposit if you go this route. When we hired a car in Turkey, I was able to use cash for the deposit which seemed so wild to me.
- Minimum Age – The minimum age to rent a car in Albania is usually 21, but many companies charge a young driver surcharge if you’re under 25. Some rental agencies require drivers to be at least 23 or even 25, depending on vehicle type.
- Insurance Coverage
Rental Car Insurance in Albania
Basic insurance is typically included when you hire a car in Albania, but coverage levels can vary. Make sure you understand whether you’re getting just third-party liability or also collision damage protection.
Many travelers choose to purchase extra coverage for peace of mind, especially given Albania’s narrow mountain roads and unpredictable driving styles. Many credit cards include rental car insurance benefits, covering things like collision or damage protection.
In addition, some travel insurance policies extend to car accidents. It’s a good idea to review both before your trip so you know exactly what’s covered and where you might need extra protection.
I personally always book my rental cars through my Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card. It’s saved me from paying out of pocket several times when renting a car (I’m looking at you Mexico City 🫵🏼).
If your road trip includes crossing into nearby countries, be aware that most rental companies require additional insurance or a special “green card” permit. This basically just means you’ll have to pay more money to cross a border.
In some cases, car hire companies won’t allow border crossings at all, so it’s important to confirm the rules before booking. We personally crossed the border from Albania to Kosovo and had to get permission through local rent before which did cost a few extra bucks.
Cost of Hiring a Car in Albania
Hiring a car in Albania is surprisingly affordable compared to much of Europe, but there are some hidden costs that can sneak up on you if you don’t plan ahead.
On average, expect to pay between €25-€45 per day for a standard, compact car during the summer high season. You will see rates drop in spring and fall, which is why traveling in the shoulder season is my personal favorite.
Manual cars are cheaper and more common, while automatic vehicles are limited and costlier. SUV’s and larger vehicles also come with higher daily rates but are worth it if you’re heading deep into the mountains.
Beyond the base rental price of hiring a car in Albania, here are the common extra costs and fees to watch out for:
⛽️ Fuel Policy – I found it very interesting, or shall I say odd, that most rental companies give you the rental car on empty and that’s how you should return it. This means you have to quickly map out your route to a gas station.
Gas stations in Albania are cash friendly, but some don’t accept foreign credit cards, so keep a little cash handy. Also I’d like to note that most vehicles take diesel gas ← make sure you find out for sure which gas your vehicle takes before filling up!
Security Deposit. Rental companies usually place a hold of €100-€500 on your credit card. This isn’t charged (just frozen) unless you return the car with damage or late.
Albania has very few toll roads, but the main highway near Tirana (A1 towards Kosovo) has a toll booth. It’s not expensive, but it’s cash only, so keep small bills or coins.
If you’re planning to take the car into Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Greece, you’ll need extra paperwork (“green card” insurance). It will cost anywhere from €30-50 for this. Just be sure to check with your car hire company before as some agencies don’t allow cross-border travel.
Is Driving in Albania Safe?
Driving in Albania can feel a little chaotic at first, especially if you’re used to more structured traffic systems. I admit, at first I was a little nervous when we decided to road trip around the country for a month.
Local drivers often…shall we say bend the rules – using the horn instead of signals and squeezing into roundabouts aggressively. Lane markings and traffic lights aren’t always respected, and you’ll notice pedestrians crossing wherever they please.
I kid you not our clutch broke on us as we were in the middle of a busy roundabout in the middle of the city. It was about 4 lanes wide and had about 6 exits, it was a bit chaotic and stressful to say the least. Joe literally had to push the car onto the middle of the roundabout.
We instantly hopped on WhatsApp to tell the Local Rent guys who just dropped off that car with us what happened. They met us in the roundabout and handed us the keys to their car and we left them with the broken clutch car.
It was an insane way to start our road trip through Albania but looking back its a memorable story. The key is to stay calm, drive defensively, and expect the unexpected.
Once you adjust to the rhythm, it becomes part of the adventure. I’d also like to note that Google maps isn’t the most accurate in this part of the world. Roads were apparently built after google maps came. in.
Overall, we had a good experience road tripping around Albania. Even with our clutch breaking in Tirana (the capital of Albania and the busiest city in Albania), I still recommend using Local Rent as they have the best prices and cheapest rental cars.
Honestly, it’s nice to drive a car that looks more ‘local’ versus a brand new rental car that screams, ‘I’m a tourist’. I loved the convenient pick-up locations and it is a reliable car rental service that operates throughout the Balkans.
Roads in Albania
Driving in Albania is an adventure in itself, and the road conditions can vary dramatically depending on where you go. Major highways and roads between popular cities like Tirana, Shkoder, and Saranda are generally paved and in decent condition.
Keep in mind you may encounter sudden potholes, uneven surfaces, and limited signage, but nothing you can’t handle. Once you venture into mountains and rural villages, expect narrow roads that sometimes turn into gravel or dirt tracks.
Expect steep hills in a few of the more popular towns to visit like Berat and Gjirokaster. If you are planning to visit any of these towns, make sure you book a hotel that has accessible parking.
We booked a stay in Gjirokaster which was located on top of the hill. Parking was sort of a nightmare and the roads were very steep and narrow. Honestly, I’m thankful our car didn’t roll down the giant hill when it was parked.
Guardrails aren’t always present on steep mountain passes, and livestock occasionally wander across the road (check out this video if you want to see what I’m talking about). Trust me, it only adds to the unpredictability and the adventure.
That said, the scenery is stunning, and if you drive cautiously and give yourself extra time, the journey becomes just as memorable as the destination. Overall we felt that the roads were fine and would recommend hiring a car in Albania to anyone.
Hiring a Car in Albania + Driving Tips
Hiring a car in Albania might feel intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that driving in Albania is the best way to experience the country. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey.
- ⚠️ Stick to the Speed Limits – Enforcement can feel random, but police checkpoints are common. We actually got a ticket in North Macedonia and if we were going just 5 more km above the limit we would have had a €300 ticket instead of a €30.
- Drive Defensively – Stay calm and expect the unexpected.
- 🔦 Use Headlights at all Times – It’s the law, even in broad daylight.
- Most cars are Manuals so know how to drive a stick shift before you hire a car in Albania.
- 🐮 Don’t be surprised if you encounter goats, cows, horses, or sheep on the road.
- ⛽️ Most vehicles take diesel gas, make sure to ask your rental agency what type of fuel your car takes before hitting the road.
- Most rental companies give you the rental car on empty and that’s how you should return it. This means you have to quickly map out your route to a gas station.
- 💶 Carry Cash for fuel, parking, and tolls – some places don’t accept cards.
- 🪪 Always have your license, passport, rental agreement, and proof of insurance in the car in case you’re stopped by the police.
- Rent a 4×4 vehicle if you plan on visiting the mountain areas. We spent a week in the mountains but traveled there via public transportation.
- 🗺️ Google Maps isn’t always the most accurate in rural areas of the country.
- ↑ That being said, type in your destination via google maps and avoid using the directions via a hotel app…it will not take you to your exact destination.
- 🅿️ Parking can sometimes be a challenge so just check about the parking situation when you book a hotel.
Hiring a car in Albania might feel intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that driving in Albania is the best way to experience the country. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey.
- ⚠️ Stick to the Speed Limits – Enforcement can feel random, but police checkpoints are common. We actually got a ticket in North Macedonia and if we were going just 5 more km above the limit we would have had a €300 ticket instead of a €30.
- Drive Defensively – Stay calm and expect the unexpected.
- 🔦 Use Headlights at all Times – It’s the law, even in broad daylight.
- Most cars are Manuals so know how to drive a stick shift before you hire a car in Albania.
- 🐮 Don’t be surprised if you encounter goats, cows, horses, or sheep on the road.
- ⛽️ Most vehicles take diesel gas, make sure to ask your rental agency what type of fuel your car takes before hitting the road.
- Most rental companies give you the rental car on empty and that’s how you should return it. This means you have to quickly map out your route to a gas station.
- 💶 Carry Cash for fuel, parking, and tolls – some places don’t accept cards.
- 🪪 Always have your license, passport, rental agreement, and proof of insurance in the car in case you’re stopped by the police.
- Rent a 4×4 vehicle if you plan on visiting the mountain areas. We spent a week in the mountains but traveled there via public transportation.
- 🗺️ Google Maps isn’t always the most accurate in rural areas of the country.
- ↑ That being said, type in your destination via google maps and avoid using the directions via a hotel app…it will not take you to your exact destination.
- 🅿️ Parking can sometimes be a challenge so just check about the parking situation when you book a hotel.
Albanian Road Trip Itinerary
Okay, so you’ve decided to take on Albania by car, now where to go? I wrote a dedicated Albania itinerary post that highlights the best of Albania in 1 week. For a lot more details check out the post linked below 👇.
Here are some of the best scenic drives in Albania:
- Tirana to Theth (via Shkoder) – Stunning but requires a 4×4 for the last stretch.
- Llogara Pass (Vlora to Himara) – Breathtaking coastal mountain drive.
- SH8 Coastal Road (Vlora to Saranda) – One of the most scenic drives in Europe.
- Berat to Gjirokaster – A mix of well-paved and rural roads with great views connecting the historic city of Berat to Gjirokaster. This is area where we encountered hundreds of cows cruising down the road.
☕️ Read Full Post: 7 Day Albania Road Trip Itinerary + Bonus Adventure in the Mountains
Albania Travel Vlogs
Would you rather see what it’s like to road trip through Albania? Joe and I filmed several travel vlogs while we explored this underrated Balkan country.
Check them out after you read this post and please subscribe or give us a thumbs up. It doesn’t cost you anything and really helps us be able to continue creating free content for you to enjoy 🙂.
🎥 Watch our Albania Series on YouTube
Final Thoughts on Hiring a Car in Albania
Renting a car in Albania may feel a little daunting at first, but it’s by far the most rewarding way to see the country. From winding mountain passes to quiet beaches, you’d never reach by bus, having your own set of wheels gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Yes, the driving culture can be unpredictable, the roads a little narrow and steep, and the paperwork sometimes quirky – but that’s all a part of the adventure.
With the right preparation, you’ll find the experience not just manageable but unforgettable. For me, those spontaneous stops at viewpoints, remote villages, and roadside cafes were some of the highlights of my Albanian road trip.
If you’re ready to embrace the adventure, hiring a car in Albania will turn a great trip into an epic one. If you found this article useful, let fellow travelers know in the comments below 👇.
Albania Travel Guides ↓
📍 Planning a trip to Albania? Check out the guides below for some Albania aid and inspiration.
18 Dreamy Places to Visit in Albania
Enjoy this Post?!?! Pin in for Later ↓
