Planning an Albania Trip from Scratch

Focus your trip on a split between the Albanian Riviera and the historic inland towns like Gjirokastër and Berat. Rent a car to navigate between regions, as public bus schedules are irregular and unreliable for tight itineraries.

1. Fly into Tirana International Airport (TIA). Tirana is the only major international gateway. Once you land, pick up your rental car immediately at the airport terminal to avoid the chaos of Tirana's city center traffic.
2. Map your route by region. Don't try to see the whole country in less than 10 days. Stick to the north (Theth/Valbona) for mountains, or the south (Ksamil/Himare) for beaches. Connecting the two takes a full day of driving.
3. Withdraw cash (Lek) locally. Albania is a cash-based society. Even if a hotel accepts a card, a restaurant in a smaller village likely won't. Keep at least 5,000 Lek ($50 USD) on you at all times.
4. Download maps for offline use. Download Google Maps or Maps.me for the entire country before you leave your hotel Wi-Fi. Mountain signal is non-existent, and rural road signs can be confusing or missing.

Do I really need to rent a car?

Yes. While 'furgons' (minibuses) exist, they don't have fixed timetables or official stops, making them stressful for anyone on a schedule.

Is Albania safe for tourists?

Albania is very safe. The biggest risk is the aggressive driving culture on winding mountain roads. Drive defensively and never drive after dark.