Albania, situated in the Balkan region along the Mediterranean coast, is a hidden treasure in Europe. It boasts incredible attractions like well-preserved Ottoman villages, beautiful beaches, and adventurous mountains. With rapidly improving infrastructure and tourism, it’s an ideal choice for your next vacation. Explore this amazing country at your own pace by renting a car.

Chapters:

1. Renting a Car: How to Get Started
2. Requirements for Car Rental
3. Driving in Albania: Is It Easy?
4. Helpful Tips for Renting a Car
5. Price Considerations for Rental Cars
6. Where to Find Car Rental Services

1) Renting a Car: How to Get Started

Exploring Albania on a road trip is incredibly rewarding. As you journey through diverse landscapes, you’ll encounter breathtaking sights along the way.

Renting a car in Albania gives you the freedom to explore both popular attractions and hidden treasures at your leisure. Hit the road to uncover charming towns, historical castles, stunning coastlines, and pristine natural landscapes. Here’s a comprehensive guide to renting and driving a car in Albania.

For a hassle-free experience, we recommend renting a car in Albania through Sunny Cars, which offers free cancellation and insurance coverage. You can book your rental car here

2) Requirements for Car Rental

When renting a car in Albania, you’ll need the following documents:

• Your driver’s license from your home country.
• Your ID, such as your passport.
• A credit card in your name.

The legal driving age in Albania is 18, but most rental companies require you to be at least 21 and have held your license for one to three years. All drivers must provide a valid driver’s license, an ID for identity verification, and a credit card for payment. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not necessary unless your license is not in the Roman script.

Please note that many car rental companies in Albania charge an additional fee of approximately $3.50 per day for drivers under 25 years old.

Rental car insurance in Albania

When you rent a car in Albania, it’s a legal requirement to have third-party liability insurance (CDW). Most rental companies automatically include this in your rental price. While additional or full insurance isn’t obligatory, it’s highly recommended, given that minor damage is quite common in Albania.

Opting for full insurance typically ranges from 9€ to $50 per day, depending on your choice of vehicle. It’s advisable to include this coverage when making your initial booking, as it often offers the best rates. Additionally, consider checking whether your credit card policy provides car rental insurance coverage in Albania.

To secure insurance, most agencies will request a credit card with a sufficient credit limit to cover the rental expenses and a security deposit hold. This deposit is an “authorization only” transaction and won’t charge your card unless there’s damage to the car. Typically, this deposit ranges from 100 – 800 EURO.

If you plan to take your rental car on a road trip through the Balkans, it’s important to check with the rental company in advance to ensure they permit this. Typically, traveling to other countries like Greece with a rental car from Albania may require additional insurance, so be sure to clarify these details.

3)Driving in Albania: Is It Easy?

Before renting a car in Albania, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the country’s road rules and customs.

Road Conditions & Speed Limits: Driving in Albania offers incredible views of stunning nature. Road conditions vary by destination, with rapidly developing infrastructure leading to many good roads, especially from Tirana to the south and the Albanian Riviera. In the northern mountains, you may encounter rougher roads with potholes, but they’re generally manageable. There’s only one toll road near the Kalimash tunnel, costing $5. For navigation, consider using Google Maps or Maps.me.

Speed Limits: Speed limits differ based on the road type, ranging from 110 km/h on highways to 90 km/h on expressways and 40-80 km/h in residential areas. Always adhere to posted limits, as Albania has numerous traffic checkpoints and speed cameras. Avoid matching the speed of local drivers, as on-the-spot fines are common, costing up to 5,000 LEK ($40).

Driving Etiquette: Albanian drivers may have a somewhat chaotic driving style. Traffic in Tirana can be congested. While locals may not always follow road rules, it’s essential to do so to avoid fines.

Safety: Albania enforces a strict no-tolerance policy for driving under the influence, with a maximum blood-alcohol level of 0.01 mg/ml. Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, and headlights must be on at all times. Be cautious of winter weather, which can lead to flash flooding and icy roads. In emergencies, dial 112.

For an easier trip, consider renting a car in Vlore Albania through Rent&Go Car Rentals Vlore, offering free cancellation and insurance coverage. You can book your rental car here.

4) Helpful Tips for Renting a Car

1. Inspect the Car: When you collect your rental car in Albania, take a walk around and carefully check for any existing damages. If you spot any scratches or other issues, ensure they are documented on the check-out form or contract. If not, inform an employee and have them record the damage. It’s a good practice to capture photos or videos as evidence of pre-existing damage. Keep in mind that every car in Albania should have a first aid kit, as per the law.
2. Stay Alert on the Road: It’s important to be cautious of other drivers, particularly in traffic. Some drivers in Albania may not strictly adhere to traffic rules, resulting in behaviors such as speeding, overtaking from both sides, and erratic driving. Maintain a safe following distance and check if the brake lights of cars in front are functioning, as they may not be.
3. Parking Challenges: Finding suitable parking spots in Albania, even in the capital, can be challenging. It’s common to see cars parked on the side of the road with hazard lights on. Be prepared to search for appropriate parking spaces or car parks. Patience may be required as you look for parking solutions.
4. Choose the Right Fuel: Albania has numerous gas stations, especially in urban areas. Navigation services like Google Maps can help you locate the nearest one. Gas prices in Albania average around €1.71 per liter (€6.45 per gallon) for both diesel and unleaded gasoline. If you’re unsure about the fuel type your rental car requires, look for a sticker inside the car, often found on the key, dashboard, or fuel door. Gas stations typically operate from 8 AM to 8 PM, and not all accept cards, so it’s advisable to carry cash. Attendants at gas stations usually fill up your car, so you just need to specify the fuel type and quantity.

Tips Good to know: While Albania is not a large country, driving distances and times can be longer than expected due to the mountainous terrain, especially in the north. For instance, the trip from Tirana to Berat typically takes about two hours. Fortunately, European cars tend to be smaller and more fuel-efficient, allowing you to cover longer distances with just one refueling.

5) Price Considerations for Rental Cars

• Car rentals in Albania typically range from 20 to 76 euros per day.
• Full insurance can cost an additional 8 to 45 per day.
• Automatic cars may have a slightly higher daily rate compared to manual cars.
• Longer rental periods often result in reduced daily rates, making a week-long rental only slightly more expensive than a three-day rental.

Selecting the right vehicle for your road trip in Albania depends on your travel plans and group size. Consider a car that accommodates both passengers and luggage. For family trips, a slightly larger car may offer more comfort, while couples exploring the coastal towns like Ksamil might find a small economy car sufficient.

A 4×4 vehicle is essential when navigating rural and minor roads, especially in mountainous regions. For instance, the route from Berat to Gjirokaster, via Komar, requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle for accessibility.

For a hassle-free car rental experience in Albania, we recommend renting through Rent&Go Car Rentals Vlore 🇦🇱, which offers free cancellation and insurance coverage. You can book your rental car here.

6) Renting a car in Albania is straightforward, and you have several options:

1. Book Online: The easiest way to rent a car in Albania is to browse and book online in advance. This allows you to secure your preferred vehicle type and potentially get a better price. Many reputable rental agencies have online booking platforms.
2. Airport and Port Locations: If you haven’t booked in advance, popular rental locations are Tirana Airport and near the port in Sarandë. These are convenient places to pick up a rental car.
3. One-Way Rentals: Keep in mind that one-way car rentals within Albania might be limited due to the scarcity of rental agency offices in different locations. Check with the rental agency in advance if you plan to drop the car off in a different city, and be prepared for possible additional charges.
4. Crossing Borders: If you plan to cross the borders into other Balkan countries or Greece, confirm with your rental agency if it’s allowed. Crossing borders with a rental car often involves different insurances and border-crossing fees. If it’s expensive, consider taking a bus or taxi to cross the border and rent a car in the next country.
5. Return Requirements: When returning the rental car, ensure it’s filled with gas and cleaned properly on the inside to avoid additional cleaning fees.

Remember to consider travel insurance, especially if you plan to explore multiple countries or regions in the Balkans. Travel insurance can cover unexpected events and emergencies during your trip.