How do you get around Albania without a car?

If you are wondering how to get around Albania without a car, I will give you an overview of your options in this blog post.

How do you get around Albania without a car? You can get around Albania without a car by using 1) Furgon minibuses or 2) taxis. Furgon minibuses are the main public transportation in Albania. Tickets cost anywhere between 1-15 EUR. Taxis are more convenient but cost anywhere between 23-207 EUR. 

In this blog post, I will outline how you can get around Albania without a car using Furgon minibuses or taxis. I will explain where to find bus stations, bus timetables and bus ticket prices. I will also detail the taxi rates you can expect to pay for different destinations. I will also discuss car rental, driving and trains so that you get a full overview of the transportation available in Albania.

Can you get around Albania without a car?

You can get around Albania without a car by using the Furgon minibuses or by booking private taxis. 

There is quite a large price difference between Furgon minibuses and private taxis. For instance, a minibus ticket from Tirana to Saranda will cost you 15 euros per person. Whereas a private taxi from Tirana to Saranda may cost you 193 euros per taxi. 

In the next paragraphs, I will discuss:

• Getting around Albania by Furgon minibus 
• Getting around Albania by private taxi, including prices
• Car rental and driving in Albania
• Trains in Albania

Getting around Albania by Furgon minibus

You can get around Albania by Furgon minibus. The advantage of travelling by minibus is that it is cheap. 

But the disadvantage is that it will be more time-consuming. Because you will need to find the bus terminal, ask around about bus timetables, wait for the bus and wait whilst the bus makes extra stops along the road. 

You can find the bus timetables for the Furgon Minibus online on the website Gjirafa Autobus. On Gjirafa Autobus, you can search for a route from for instance Tirana to Saranda. And you will be shown buses by different bus operators, ticket prices and the times the buses depart.

That being said, it is best to treat Gjirafa Autobus as a rough indication of bus routes available. You will still get the best and most up-to-date bus information by going to the bus terminal in person. I always recommend you get to the bus terminal in the early morning. And once you arrive you ask the bus drivers at the bus terminal, when and where exactly the bus departs.

Here is a list of bus ticket prices for Albania:

• Tirana to Durres bus ticket costs 150 Leke (1.40 euros) per person
• Tirana to Berat bus ticket costs 500 Leke (4.70 euros) per person
• Tirana to Vlore bus ticket costs 6 euros per person
• Tirana to Saranda bus ticket costs 15 euros per person
• Tirana to Gjirokaster bus ticket costs 12 euros per person
• Tirana to Himare bus ticket costs 1000 Leke (9.35 euros) per person
• Tirana to Shkoder bus ticket costs 400 Leke (3.75 euros) per person
• Tirana to Kruja bus ticket costs 100 Leke (0.95 euros) per person
• Tirana to Lake Koman Ferry bus ticket costs 12 euros per person
• Shkoder to Lake Koman Ferry bus ticket costs 7 euros per person
• Shkoder to Theth bus ticket costs 12 euros per person
• Shkoder to Valbona bus ticket costs 21 euros per person (via Lake Koman)
• Tirana to Pogradec bus ticket costs 250 Leke (2.35 euros) per person
• Tirana to Korca bus ticket costs 700 Leke (6.55 euros) per person

In Albania, you cannot book your bus ticket online or pay for your bus ticket online. You are expected to pay for your bus ticket in cash when you get onto the bus. You may wonder how you can ensure there is a spot on the bus for you. And the only solution is to get to the bus terminal in the early morning. Bus travel in Albania is old-fashioned.

Therefore, it is important that you carry some cash euros and cash Albanian Leke with you when you travel through Albania. Bus drivers will accept euros (notes, not coins), and may give you your change in Albanian Leke. But often if you pay in euros the price is rounded up, so carrying some Albanian Leke for small expenses is still a good idea. 

Let me give you some insight into where you can find some of the main bus terminals in Albania. 

There is a bus terminal at Tirana airport. When you pass luggage collection, exit the airport terminal building to your left. The bus terminal is located at the car park of Tirana airport. 

• From Tirana airport, you can take a direct bus to Tirana (400 Leke, 3.75 euros). 
• From Tirana airport, you can take a direct bus to Durres (600 Leke, 5.60 euros). 
• From Tirana airport, you can take a direct bus to Fier (1000 Leke, 9.35 euros).
• From Tirana airport, you can take a direct bus to Vlore (1000 Leke, 9.35 euros). 

You can find the bus timetables from the Tirana airport shuttle services on the website of Tirana Airport. 

In Tirana, there are 3 x bus terminals. There is the International Bus Terminal for buses from neighbouring countries, like Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo or Montenegro. There is the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania for almost all buses within Albania. And there is the South Eastern Albania bus terminal for destinations near Lake Ohrid, like Pogradec and Korca.

• You can see the location of the International Bus Terminal on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/VMypoQ8M8kmV2CdX6 
• You can see the location of the Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/JqgyME3VjS7g4Xyp9 
• You can see the location of the South Eastern Albania bus terminal on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/9wqKv4DTxrkxVTje7 

If you want to travel to the Albanian Alps, you may be looking for buses from Shkoder to Lake Koman, Valbona or Thethi. You can find the bus timetables, bus ticket pricing and bus station locations on the website of Komani Lake Ferry, which operates these buses. 

The main bus terminal in Saranda is alongside a street in the centre of the city. The buses from Saranda depart from the street between Friendship Park and Synagogue – Basilica, Archeological Remains. You can see the location of the Saranda bus terminal on a Google Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/ESPEKVQs3CoAMds78 

Of course, you may be looking for a different bus terminal in another city in Albania. You can find the location of other bus terminals by looking at both Gjirafa Autobus and Google Maps. Gjirafa Autobus will describe the departure location of buses in Albania. However, I still recommend you verify yourself on Google Maps, to ensure the information is correct, before walking or taking a taxi to the location of the bus terminal.

The main advantage of travelling by bus in Albania is that it is affordable. You may travel a long distance from Tirana to Saranda for only 15 euros. And any shorter distances will cost you even less for a bus ticket. 

The main disadvantage of travelling by bus in Albania is that it will be time-consuming for you. You will spend time figuring out where the bus terminal is located. Then you will spend time walking or taking a taxi to the bus terminal. Then when you arrive at the bus terminal it will take time to figure out when the bus departs and where exactly. All in all, I will say that bus travel in Albania will require patience and time, but it is cheap!

Getting around Albania by taxi

If you want to travel around Albania without a car, your next option is a private taxi. Private taxis in Albania are the most convenient and easy way to get around Albania. 

That being said, private taxis can be expensive, especially for long-distance journeys. Here is an overview of what you can expect to pay for a taxi in Albania. 

• A taxi from Tirana airport to Tirana costs between 23-28 euros depending on your destination in Tirana.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Durres costs between 28-32 euros depending on your destination in Durres.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Kruja costs 28 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Shkoder costs between 65-74 euros depending on your destination in Shkoder.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Fier costs 77 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Vlore costs 103 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Pogradec costs 128 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Dhermi costs 156 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Korca costs 160 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Gjirokaster costs 160 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Himare costs 165 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Saranda costs 193 euros.
• A taxi from Tirana airport to Ksamil costs 207 euros.

Of course, there are many different taxi companies in Albania. You can request your own prices from Tirana Airport Taxi Service, Speed Taxi, Merr Taxi, City Taxi or Green Taxi. Or you can contact an independent taxi driver yourself via Google Maps and WhatsApp.

Although there might be slight differences in their pricing. For the most part, taxi drivers charge prices comparable to the taxi prices listed above. 

Taxi drivers do often accept foreign currency in cash or local currency in cash. So you may be able to pay in euros, pounds or US dollars. Or you can pay in the Albanian Leke. However, card payment may not be available, so I always recommend you carry some cash money with you whilst you travel through Albania. 

If you want to take a private taxi to the Albanian Alps, then you will likely hire a private 4-wheel drive. These are some of the prices for 4 Wheel drive transportation in the Albanian Alps

• A private 4-wheel drive taxi from Shkoder to Koman Lake costs 70 euros
• A private 4-wheel drive taxi from Shkoder to Thethi costs 150 euros
• A private 4-wheel drive taxi from Fierze to Valbona costs 60 euros

Car rental & driving in Albania

It does cost at least 20-25 euros per day to rent a car in Tirana. Of course, 20-25 euros per day would be the starting price for the most basic rental car available. It is also important to note that car rental rates are high in July and August as it is the tourist high season. 

To give you a good insight into the prices for car rental companies in Albania, I did reach out to several car rental companies and compared their rates. I will say that I asked for the cheapest car they had available, so nothing luxurious on this list!

• Albania Airport Rent a Car charges 20 euros per day for a Skoda Fabia with manual gear from 2019.
• ARA Auto Rental Albania at Tirana airport charges 20 euros per day for a Fiat Punto from 2018. 
• Avis Rent a Car Tirana Airport charges 25 euros per day for an Opel Corsa manual gear from 2022.
• G Rentals Tirana airport charges 20 euros per day for an Opel Corsa from 2021. 
• Green Motion Tirana airport charges 20 euros per day for a Skoda Fabia.
• Hertz Tirana airport charges 22 euros per day for a Suzuki Ignis from 2019. 
• Eurocar Rentals Tirana charges 25 euros per day for a Kia Rio from 2021.
• Easy Rent Tirana charges 30 euros per day for a Fiat Panda.
• Eagle Rent Car Renting Albania charges 20 euros per day for a manual Volkswagen Up.

IMPORTANT – If you are travelling to Albania in July or August, it is the absolute top of the high season. So you will most likely pay more for a rental car since the cheapest cars won’t be available anymore. And as a result, you will only be able to rent a more expensive rental car.

IMPORTANT – I highly recommend you reach out to car rental companies in Albania before you travel. I have received messages from travellers who paid 50-70 euros per day for a rental car. There might be a better deal out there for you, but you must reach out to several car rental companies and compare their offers, to get a good deal.

IMPORTANT – Driving in Albania as a foreigner can be daunting and challenging. Albanian drivers have a chaotic and sometimes aggressive driving style. Of course, there are rules on the road, but Albanian drivers often do not follow these rules. 

That being said, you are the only one who can judge your driving experience and ability. But I will say that if you have any doubts about driving in Albania, I recommend you take a bus or taxi instead.

Trains in Albania

If you are planning to travel around Albania without a car, the train is not a viable option. This is due to the fact that there are as few as 2-3 operational trains within Albania per week. 

When you travel through Albania, you will actually see some of the old railway tracks in the landscape. However, many of these old railway tracks are currently not in use. 

The railway network and train tracks were constructed during the period that Albania was a communist country. So train tracks were built between the end of the Second World War and 1992 when the communist regime ended. 

Since 1992, there has been little interest and little investment in the railway network. As a result, many old train tracks are currently not in use. 

There are usually 2 trains per week in operation between Durres and Elbasan. And 1 train per week in operation between Shkoder and Lac. But you can always double-check the latest train timetable on the website of “Albanian Railways” or “Hekurudha Shqiptare” here: https://hekurudha.al/ 

If you want to take a train in Albania simply for the experience of seeing an old communist train, you may enjoy the adventure. However, I will say that trains are not an effective way of getting around the country quickly. That is why the Albanian people always take Furgon minibuses instead. 

What is the easiest way to get around Albania?

The easiest way to get around Albania is by booking a tour or booking a private taxi. Because a private driver or private tour guide can pick you up from your hotel when requested and drop you off at the end of the day. A private driver knows how to drive in Albania, knows the roads and speaks the language, so that is the easiest way to get around Albania.

Of course, travelling by Furgon minibus is much checker than booking a private taxi driver. However, if you travel by minibus, you will certainly spend time figuring out the bus timetables, finding the location of the bus terminal, waiting for the bus and waiting whilst the bus makes stops along the journey. So although the Furgon minibus is cheaper, it is not the easiest way to get around. 

Another alternative is renting a car and driving through Albania yourself. How easy this is depends on your destination. Some roads are beautiful and new, like the Albanian Riviera route for instance. Other roads to more remote destinations are sand paths with rocks and potholes, like the roads to Lake Koman, Valbona or Lake Bovilla for instance. 

You must also consider that Albanian drivers do have quite a chaotic and aggressive style of driving. Whether you are comfortable driving through Albania, is something only you can judge for yourself. But remember, that you also do not know the roads and directions.

What is the best mode of transportation in Albania?

The best mode of transportation in Albania is:

• Budget Traveller -> Furgon Minibus
• Comfort Traveller -> Private taxi driver or private tour guide
• Experienced Driver -> Rent a car

Of course, the best mode of transportation in Albania is a personal decision. It depends on how much money you are willing to spend, how comfortable you are driving in a foreign country and the time you have available to get to your destination. 

If you are travelling on a budget, then your best option is taking the Furgon Minibus. I do have many blog posts on my blog with timetables, bus station locations and ticket prices. By far, the Furgon Minibus is the cheapest way to get around Albania. 

However, if you want to have a more comfortable trip. Then of course, a private taxi driver or private tour guide will make your trip much easier. The driver can pick you up from your hotel, bring you to the sightseeing locations and bring you back at the end of the day. It is more expensive than a local bus, but you have a much easier trip.

And finally, Albanian drivers do have a chaotic and aggressive style of driving. Whether you would be comfortable renting a car and driving independently, is only something you can judge. You know how much driving experience you have, how alert you are in the car and how you feel driving in a foreign country where you do not know the roads.

Related Questions

Is it easy to travel around Albania? It is easy to travel around Albania if you pay for a private taxi, of course, this costs anywhere between 23-207 euros depending on your destination. Bus travel is much cheaper 1-15 euros per person, but is less easy and more time-consuming. Driving and renting a car costs anywhere between 20-25 euros per day. Drivers have a chaotic and aggressive style of driving.

How do people get around in Albania? Local people get around Albania by Furgon minibus or private car. Foreign tourists get around Albania by private taxi, Furgon minibus or a rental car. Trains are not an effective way to get around Albania, due to the limited number of trains in operation.

 

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