10 tips for renting a car in Albania + our experience

Renting a car in Albania is a great idea because this country is perfect for an epic road trip! Driving through nature, along mountain roads, through lively cities and charming villages, you will discover how diverse Albania is. Exploring Albania with a rental car gives you complete freedom and takes you to the most beautiful places in the country. Start the engine, put on your favorite playlist, and go! Of course, it’s nice to go well prepared. Below you will find all about the roads, traffic rules, and many practical tips for renting and driving a car in Albania.

It is definitely safe to explore Albania with a rental car. Of course, you’re always dependent on other road users, and the country is known for drivers who don’t always follow the rules. It is also important to choose a car that suits the route you want to take. We will share more tips on this later in the article.

Many traffic rules familiar from the Netherlands and Belgium also apply to Albania. People drive on the right, and traffic coming from the right has right-of-way unless signs indicate otherwise. Speed ​​limits are slightly different than in the Netherlands and Belgium; In built-up areas the speed limit is 40 km/h, outside built-up areas 80 km/h, and on highways and highways the speed limit is 90 and 110 km/h. As is the case in many mountainous countries: uphill traffic has priority over downhill traffic when passing on narrow roads.

Traffic lights in Albania: Albania also has some traffic lights that need a little extra explanation as they are not common in the Netherlands and Belgium.

• Minimum Speed ​​Limit -Blue round sign with white numbers.
• Keep your distance – A white round sign with a red border, with two cars and a number between them.
• General danger – A triangular sign with a red border and a black exclamation mark.

Roads in Albania have improved significantly in recent years. The main roads – such as the A1 and the highways around Tirana and Durres – are now of good quality and pleasant to drive on. In many places, the pavement has been renovated and signage is clear. However, on regional and local roads, this is not always the case yet. Road works still occur regularly and are not always well signposted. You may have to take an unexpected turn or suddenly drive over an unpaved section.

Heading towards mountainous areas or less touristic areas such as the north or east of the country? You will often encounter narrow, poorly maintained roads with potholes, ruts, or completely unpaved areas. The road network there is less developed, signs may be missing, and street lighting is rare – especially outside towns and villages. You may also encounter cattle roaming freely on the road in these areas. For these reasons, driving after dark is not recommended.

It is important to choose a rental car that suits your itinerary and plans. Would you like to visit remote mountainous areas such as Theth? It is therefore wise to rent a larger, sturdier vehicle, preferably an SUV. In most cases, it doesn’t have to be an SUV if you don’t have specific off-road plans. SUVs handle unpaved roads, deep potholes, steep climbs, and variable weather well. Even outside the mountains, you can encounter unpaved roads, near small inland villages or remote beaches, for example. You can get around using any car, but SUVs make it more comfortable and reduce the risk of a breakdown or flat tire.

Driving mainly on main roads and visiting cities like Tirana, Berat or Sarandë? Then a regular passenger car is perfectly fine.

Although Albania is rapidly improving its infrastructure, there are only a limited number of toll roads in the country. Most of the routes are free to access, so you can use them without paying a fee. The most popular road in Albania is the A1 between Milot and Moreni. The fee here is about $6, and you can pay with cash or credit card. Always keep some cash in the car in case your credit or debit card is not accepted at the toll booth.

There are a lot of gas stations in Albania, in some areas, even every few kilometers. Naturally, you’ll find fewer in remote mountainous areas. So make sure your fuel tank is full before driving to the mountains. At the stations, an attendant will pump gas for you, so you can simply tell them how much you want to spend from your car.

We recommend using Google Maps to navigate during your Albanian road trip. Make sure to download the maps beforehand so you can navigate offline. In mountainous or rural areas, cell phone coverage can be interrupted, and it’s helpful to have your navigation system still working.

However, do not rely on Google Maps blindly, as it is not always up to date. We have noticed this in places like Gjirokastër and Krug, where roads are incorrectly marked or closed. Did your residence share a specific road? Always follow their directions, even if Google Maps suggests something else. Local knowledge is often more reliable than a map in Albania.

In most rental companies, you can rent a car from the age of 21. You will also often need to have a driving license for at least three years. Some rental companies allow you to lower the minimum age for a fee. You can find all these conditions during the booking process under “Specific Conditions”.

It’s also good to know: You do not need an international driving license in Albania.

When you pick up the rental car, it is important that you are able to present your credit card In the name of the main driver. You will use it to pay the insurance amount. A credit card with a different name will not be accepted, and you will not receive the vehicle. The same applies if there is insufficient balance on the card. Don’t have a credit card yet? Then we can recommend this credit card.

When renting a car in Albania, prices can vary depending on the season and how early you book. Book a rental car through Rentalcars.com Highly recommended for Albania. With a car rental, you always have a chance of damage and problems along the way, which is why it’s smart to book with a trusted party. At Rentalcars you always get full protection insurance, you can change your reservation for free and all conditions are clearly indicated. So you don’t have to worry about obstacles, and if something goes wrong on your trip, everything will always be compensated and taken care of. This is worth it to us, especially on holidays.

Note: Sometimes, the local rental company will try to sell you additional insurances. These are completely unnecessary as everything is covered in them Full protection insurance for Rentalcars. So don’t be fooled as you are 100% protected, even the excess amount will be refunded in case of damage.

Prices rise due to shortage of cars: There is currently a huge shortage of car rentals around the world. To overcome the Corona crisis, car rental companies were forced to sell a large portion of their cars. As demand is increasing rapidly, there are not enough chips for new cars and prices are rising dramatically due to the shortage. As a result, many rental cars are overpriced or even fully booked. It is best to book as early as possible to ensure a fairly affordable car rental. in Rentalcars.com, You can currently cancel or change your booking for free up to 48 hours in advance, so you’re not stuck for anything but still sure of your rental car.