Renting a Car in Albania – The Ultimate Guide
When we planned our 10-day trip through South Albania, we knew one thing immediately: there was no way we’d do this without a car.
Sure, you can get from Tirana to some of the bigger cities by bus, but if you want to travel on your own schedule, stop wherever you feel like, and explore the variety the country has to offer, renting a car in Albania is pretty much essential.
We booked ours through DiscoverCars, which turned out to be super easy and convenient.
The site compares offers from international and local companies, and we quickly found a great deal with a local provider at Tirana Airport.
It only took a few minutes to book, and the pickup was smooth and uncomplicated.
If you’re also planning a road trip through Albania, this guide will help you navigate everything you need to know about renting a car, from choosing the right car to how much it might cost, and some useful tips.
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking.)
Why You Should Rent a Car in Albania
Albania surprised us in the best ways. From scenic drives along the coast to quiet mountain roads with stunning views, it felt like the perfect country for a road trip.
Renting a car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. We could stop whenever we wanted, take unplanned detours, and stay longer in places we liked.
Without a car, we probably would’ve missed some of our favorite moments – like that quiet beach south of Himara or having Butrint National Park almost to ourselves because we were there right when it opened.
Public transport does exist, but it’s often slow and doesn’t reach many of the places we wanted to visit.
Especially if you’re planning to explore beyond the main cities or go hiking up north in places like Theth or Valbona, having a car just makes everything a lot easier.
What You Need to Know Before Renting
If you’ve rented a car in other countries before, you’ll find Albania pretty straightforward.
We didn’t need an international driver’s license since we’re from the EU, but if you’re coming from outside Europe, it’s definitely a good idea to bring one – some rental companies will ask for it, even if others don’t.
Most companies require drivers to be at least 21, and you’ll likely need a credit card for the deposit. Some agencies accept debit cards, but it’s a bit hit or miss, so double-check the conditions in advance.
That’s one of the reasons I love using DiscoverCars: it compares tons of providers, and the filters make it super easy to find offers that match exactly what you need – like full insurance, low deposit, or automatic transmission.
We also decided to add full coverage insurance for peace of mind – and we’re glad we did. Not because anything happened, but just knowing we were covered made the trip more relaxed.
Once your car is booked, just make sure to bring your passport and your booking confirmation when you pick it up!
Choosing The Right Car
If you’re planning to stick to cities and main roads, a small car is totally fine, especially if you’re just two people with a couple of small suitcases.
But if you’re planning to drive through mountain areas or explore off-the-beaten-path spots like Theth or inland villages, I’d definitely recommend an SUV or a car with higher clearance.
We mainly stuck to the main roads during our trip (the only time we drove on some gravel was when we headed to that beach near Himara).
So we chose to rent a compact car – and ended up with a brand new black Skoda Octavia, which was really cool and super smooth to drive.
What Renting a Car in Albania Costs
Costs for renting a car in Albania can vary quite a bit depending on the time of year, the type of car you choose, and how long you rent it for.
In general, smaller cars are cheaper, while SUVs or newer models tend to cost more.
Other factors that can affect the final price include:
- Transmission: Automatic cars tend to be pricier than manual ones. Book early if you want automatic, especially in high season.
- Deposit: Most rental companies require a deposit, usually held on a credit card. Keep in mind that if you opt for a lower deposit, the total rental price is often higher to compensate.
- Insurance: Basic insurance is typically included, but adding full coverage or extra protection increases the cost. I highly recommend opting for full coverage – I never rent a car without it, as it takes away so much stress on the road.
- Extras: GPS, additional drivers, baby seats, or other add-ons usually come with extra fees.
- Booking Time: Prices can be higher during peak seasons, so booking early usually helps secure a better deal.
For our 10-day trip, we paid around €550 in total via DiscoverCars – a really good deal considering it included full insurance, an additional driver, and automatic transmission.
Tips For Picking Up & Returning The Car
Before you drive off, take a few minutes to carefully check the car for any existing damage – scratches, dents, windshield chips, anything at all.
Make sure everything is noted in the rental report, and don’t hesitate to take your own photos or videos, especially if you’re picking the car up in poor lighting or at night. It only takes a minute and can save you a lot of hassle later!
When returning the car, give yourself a bit of buffer time in case there’s a queue or a quick inspection.
Make sure to return the car with the agreed fuel level (usually full to full), and keep the return receipt or email confirmation just in case.
Sometimes there’s no receipt, especially with smaller local companies, so it’s a good idea to take photos or a quick video of the car when you drop it off.
This way, you have proof of the car’s condition and fuel level, just in case any questions come up later.
Parking & Fuel Stops
Parking in Albania was surprisingly easy. In smaller towns and villages, we usually found a spot right away, and the prices were affordable too!
In cities, we usually went for public parking lots or hotel parking, like in Tirana, where we stayed at the Xheko Imperial Hotel.
Gas stations are everywhere, and the staff usually fill up for you. Just make sure you know whether your car takes diesel or petrol – ours was diesel, and we triple-checked before the first fill-up.
Most stations accept credit cards, but in remote areas, it’s good to have some cash on hand just in case.
Can You Cross Borders With Your Rental Car?
We stayed entirely within Albania, but if you’re planning to drive into Montenegro, Greece, or North Macedonia, make sure your rental company allows it.
Some do, but you usually have to let them know in advance and pay a small cross-border fee.
Also, check whether your insurance covers international travel, especially if you’re heading into the mountains or more rural areas.
Final Words
Renting a car in Albania gave us so much freedom, and honestly, I can’t imagine having done this trip any other way.
The roads might be a bit unpredictable at times (especially the steep, narrow ones in Gjirokaster), and local drivers definitely have their own style – but if you stay alert, go with the flow, and keep your plans flexible, you’ll be just fine.
If you’re planning your Albanian road trip and have questions, feel free to drop me an email – I’m always happy to help.
And if you’re still wondering whether renting a car in Albania is worth it… I’ll just say this: for us, it made the trip.
Search and book your rental car in just a few clicks:
Check out:
Top 10 Best Things to do in Tirana For First-Timers
Visiting Kruja as a Day Trip From Tirana
Explore Gjirokaster – Things to See & Do in One Day
Butrint National Park – Complete Guide For Visitors
Xheko Imperial – A Royal Stay in Tirana (Review)
An Unforgettable Stay at Rea Boutique Hotel (Review)
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Do you want to travel like me?
Here are some of my favorite travel tips and resources:
Flights: I prefer using CheapOair to book flights. I often search for “Anywhere” to uncover the best flight deals!
Accommodation: Booking.com is my favorite site to find some great hotel deals.
Travel Insurance: There are many reasons why travel insurance is important and I never travel without one. I use the simple and flexible one from SafetyWing that protects me against unforeseen events.
Tours: I love taking tours to explore destinations like a local. My favorite website to book them in advance is GetYourGuide.
Camera Gear: I use a Nikon D5300 camera with an 18-105 mm and a 10-20 mm wide-angle lens to take my photos.
