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Why rent a car in Albania
Albania is one of those places that rewards the curious driver. Mountains cover more than 70% of the country, the coastline rivals Greece at a fraction of the cost, and the distances are short enough that you can swim at Ksamil in the morning and walk the Ottoman streets of Gjirokastër by afternoon — but only if you have your own wheels. Public transport connects the main cities, but it barely touches the coast south of Vlorë, skips the mountain passes entirely, and runs on a schedule that is, at best, a suggestion.
Renters on TakeCars have driven more than 600 trips across Albania. Some booked a compact to hop between beach towns; others picked up an SUV and crossed into Kosovo or Montenegro. Here is what a few of them said:
“Without a car you cannot see the whole country. The guys were always in touch, the car was convenient, roomy and comfortable.” — Svitlana 🇺🇦
“We covered 1,000+ km in Albania and Montenegro. Good communication, perfect service, a great car. Recommend fully!” — Dmitri 🇪🇪
“Excellent experience — no formalities, no hidden overpayments. We received the car literally in three minutes. VW Polo 1.4 petrol, automatic, 20€ per day.” — Oleksandr 🇺🇦
“Renting was honestly such an easy and smooth experience. Elsida was in touch from the start, Ledio was already waiting when we landed.” — Shawn 🇬🇧
“Thanks to this amazing team, we saw all of Albania — the service felt truly customer-first, not money-driven, which is rare in the car rental industry.” — Nataliia 🇵🇱
“The car quickly became part of our group. Really great for driving, very comfortable.” — Michal 🇸🇰
Read more in our full article: What renters say about renting a car in Albania →
Where to rent a car in Albania
Most renters pick up at Tirana International Airport (TIA) — the country's only commercial airport. Owners deliver to the terminal or meet you at their office a short walk away. Several suppliers also offer pickup in Durrës, Vlorë, and Sarandë, and a few will drop a car at your hotel anywhere in the country for a small fee. One-way rentals between cities are possible with most owners — just confirm in the WhatsApp chat before you book.
Pick up at the airport, in the city, or at your hotel
Customer reviews
What renters say about TakeCars in Albania
Over 640 verified reviews from renters in 40+ countries. The average rating is 4.5 out of 5, and three out of four trips end with a five-star review. Here are a few highlights:
Nadeem 🇬🇧 — “It was actually really perfect. Amarildo was a top guy. The car was lovely, clean and exactly as described. He was really professional, helpful and kind hearted.”
Justinas 🇱🇹 — “Renting the Škoda Fabia was a smooth and effortless experience. Clean, comfortable and easy to drive, perfect for both city and longer trips.”
Kenan 🇧🇪 — “The fact that we could pay cash was what made us choose this kind of company. Keep up this amazing service!”
Oleksii 🇱🇻 — “The managers responded instantly, even late at night. Picking up and returning the car anywhere in the city was very convenient.”
Read all reviews: Renter experiences in Albania →
Audi A5 Cabrio in Albania
It went well.
Ford Focus SW in Albania
I can not say it was good.becouse last minute, in airport they changed the car and gave hatchback instead of sw. They said sw car is not working. And as you know hatchback cars are not comfortable for 5 person and the luggage.and also we pay 50euro for nightime delivery. This wasnt in the account
Volkswagen Golf 5 in Albania
The rental went really good, everybody was helpful and nice, I don’t have any complaints
Mercedes-Benz A-Class in Albania
Other than the doors not closing, everything else was good..... the car is very old, but it was comfortable to get around in!
Volkswagen Golf 5 in Albania
just to let you know we are very desapointed with the car. First of all we asked for a golf 5 and we had a Touran which is more bigger and not modern. We did not have diesel inside when we get it and had to fill full,this is not really helpfull. Climatisation do not work well and we cannot charge our phone and no GPS inside. You must precise it before we book car. Moreover, we have a lot of signal light as oil to contrôle, airbag failure..we are not safe at all with this car. We also left with half a tank of gas, even though we had started with a car that barely had any gas!
Fiat Panda 4x4 in Albania
The car was delivered dirty and in very poor condition.
Chevrolet Epica in Albania
Unfortunately, the chosen car was not available, but I was provided with a car of the same brand, a different model and an older year of manufacture. Overall everything was ok. My low beam bulb burned out, I replaced both bulbs at my own expense. Unfortunately, there was a convenient mount for a phone in the cabin, so I bought it and left it there. In terms of comfort and handling, the car was of good quality, albeit with a broken suspension, but... I drove on smooth roads, I didn’t feel it. The car was received and returned at the airport, everything was clear, as agreed. I hope that at least once your customers will receive exactly the car they chose on the website. When registering, I recommend that you send your clients by email, along with the voucher, some description of the traffic situation and discipline in the place where the car will be used, recommended car service, gas stations, car washes. This will make the tenant feel a little more confident. Thank you!!!!
Audi A3 in Albania
The experience was not good at all. They gave us an old car, without headlights and full of damage. We took photos of the car but it was difficult because the sun did not allow for clear photos. We do not complain so as not to waste time on our vacation. The worst thing was when we handed it over that they wanted to make us guilty of one of the attacks that we had not committed. Furthermore, a group of 4 boys and 1 girl wanted to force us to pay €350 and they would not return our suitcases (they were inside the car). Finally we were able to enlarge one of the videos we had recorded and we were able to verify that that blow was already there when they gave us the car. The situation was very unpleasant.
Volkswagen Golf 5 in Albania
Everything went well, thank you
Ford Fiesta in Albania
Everything went great! The car is new, it feels good on the serpentine, the green card was issued. The registration was quick, as well as the return
Opel Corsa in Albania
We rented an Opel Corsa. But they replaced the car with a 2013 VW Golf, arguing that the Opel was defective. We asked to be picked up at the airport with a sign, but it did not happen. We asked for help from the locals. People called the owner of the car, as we had no connection and no internet in Albania. On had to go outside the airport with suitcases and two children. When we arrived at the office, the manager insistently asked for additional insurance, arguing that in case of any scratch and breakage we would pay a fine. In the end we paid another 220 € for the insurance. In general, the Golf was not bad, but we expected a completely different car. The car was returned without any problems, the manager did an inspection and drove us to the airport.
Ford C-Max in Albania
I was completely satisfied with the car rental, despite the fact that the local guys spoke almost no English - they were very cordial and friendly, communication with them left only positive emotions and memories. All the conditions of the original agreement were fulfilled, no pitfalls were found, which I am very happy about.
Ford Fiesta in Albania
it was okay. But as we had a long drive a head, we should’ve rented a stronger car 1.4 was a bit harsh for a long drive We went up hills
Meet your car owners in Albania
Real people, not rental counters. Every car on TakeCars is owned and maintained by a verified local supplier.
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1. Compare cars in Albania
We make it easy to compare prices and rental terms in Albania so you can rent a car more easily
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2. Secure your online booking
Reserve your vehicle with a small deposit, and we guarantee it will be waiting for you upon arrival in Albania.
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3. Share your rental experience
Help others make the right choice when renting cars on TakeCars Albania.
What you should know before driving in Albania
Albania is not a difficult country to drive in, but it is a surprising one. The main highways — A1, A2, A3 — are modern and well-maintained, and the coast road from Vlorë to Sarandë is one of the most scenic drives in Europe. Away from those arteries, expect narrow mountain roads, unpredictable locals, and the occasional donkey blocking traffic. Here is what renters told us:
“The roads in the south are narrow and mountainous. We got a bigger car than we booked, and that actually became a problem.” — Aleksandra 🇵🇱
“We rented a Golf 5 with 160 hp, but got a Honda Jazz with 70–80 hp instead. The car struggled to climb mountain roads — several times we thought we would not make it.” — Yeray 🇪🇸
“Traveled from Tirana to Saranda and back, no complaints. Very economical, drives as it should, size is ideal for roads and parking.” — Olena 🇺🇦
If your route includes the Llogara Pass or anything south of Vlorë, you want at least a 1.4–1.6L engine. A compact car is fine for Tirana–Durrës–Berat, but underpowered cars struggle on the mountain switchbacks, and several renters have learned this the hard way.
What owners have done for renters
The people behind TakeCars listings in Albania are not faceless agencies. They are local owners who take service personally. A few stories from renters:
“The owner brought us another car from Tirana when the first one had issues. We were in Saranda, hours away.” — Elionora 🇪🇪
“On the last day, a message appeared in the car to add oil. Mr. Armand was under the car in 15 minutes and added oil and even coolant.” — Maurycy 🇵🇱
“Unfortunately the car broke down, but it was resolved very efficiently. They even took us to the airport.” — André 🇵🇹
“We chose this company based on reviews. Snizhana was in touch and incredibly supportive. A child seat was included, and we were picked up at the airport in the evening without any issues.” — Nataliia 🇵🇱
Driving basics
Side of the road: Right-hand traffic.
Speed limits: 40 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on intercity roads, 130 km/h on motorways (very few sections apply).
Blood alcohol limit: 0.01% — effectively zero tolerance.
Headlights: Required in poor visibility and outside built-up areas.
Seat belts: Mandatory front and rear. Children under 3 must be in a child seat; children under 150 cm cannot sit in front.
License: Any foreign license is accepted as long as the name is in Latin script. No International Driving Permit required.
Tolls: Albanian roads are toll-free except the Durrës–Kosovo motorway.
Gravel and off-road: Insurance does not cover unpaved roads. Do not take a standard rental on mountain gravel tracks — the risks to both you and the car are real.
The driving style will keep you alert. Locals rarely use indicators, ignore lane markings where they exist, and may stop in the middle of the road to chat with a friend. Pedestrians cross wherever they like. Drive defensively, use your horn when rounding blind bends, and you will be fine.
Fuel and parking
Fuel prices: Roughly €1.70–€1.90 per liter for petrol, slightly less for diesel. A compact car averaging 5–6L per 100 km makes Albania very cheap to explore.
Fuel quality: Stick to large, branded stations. Fuel quality varies widely at smaller roadside pumps. Before heading into remote mountain areas, fill up in the nearest town — stations get sparse.
Payment at stations: Most stations accept only cash in Albanian lek. Card-accepting stations exist but are the exception, not the rule. Carry cash when driving outside Tirana.
Parking: Paid parking in Tirana and major tourist towns runs 100–200 lek (€1–2) per hour. Beach and attraction parking is similar but charged per day. Everywhere else, parking is free. Meters in some areas are unreliable — one renter reported stress at every stop because the machines would not work.
Insurance options on TakeCars
Every car listed on TakeCars comes with basic third-party liability insurance as required by Albanian law. Owners may also offer:
Collision Damage Waiver — Reduces your liability if the car is damaged. Check the excess amount — it varies by owner.
Theft Protection — Covers the car against theft. Often bundled with Collision Damage Waiver.
Full Insurance (Super Cover) — Reduces excess to zero or near-zero. Several renters have noted that what they thought was “full insurance” turned out not to be — always read the terms in your booking confirmation and clarify with the owner on WhatsApp before pickup.
If you plan to cross into Kosovo, Montenegro, or Greece, confirm with your owner that the insurance covers those countries. Cross-border coverage is not automatic and has caught renters off guard.
Read about common rental problems and how to avoid them: Problems to avoid when renting a car in Albania →
Albania car rental questions
Cash is accepted in Euro and Lekas in Albania. Some car hire companies also accept bank cards. If it is more convenient for you to pay by bank card, specify the payment method "by card" in the filters when searching for a car in Albania.
Yes, of course. You can book a car with any name, just enter it when booking.
If you pay a cash deposit, it will be returned at the end of the rental. Many companies prefer cash, but some ask for cards (credit or debit - it doesn't usually matter) to make a deposit.
For some people and rarely - yes, you need it to make a deposit. But generally it depends on the supplier and the model of the car. If you don't have a credit card, choose cash as your method of payment. You can also look for no deposit options - there are some in Albanya.
As stated in the rental conditions, it's enough to have a passport and driving licence.
To rent a car in Albania you only need a passport and a driving licence.
Usually customers get the cars they saw on photos when they booked. However, you should understand that the car is in the rental and many things can happen to it. Rarely you can have a change of car to the same or better type at the same rental conditions.
You can find out the exact size of the boot in litres by googling the car model data or by writing to our manager in the 'Questions' section.
The rental company provides all roadside assistance. You will always be helped with repairs on the road. In case of a major breakdown, the car will be replaced with another one of the same or higher class.
Car hire companies cannot charge more than the amount stated on the voucher. You can see for yourself by reading the reviews of our suppliers in Albania.
If you need to leave Albanya with the rental car, the supplier will give you car papers and a permit to go abroad. To travel abroad you will need a passport, visa and driving licence. To go to Montenegro, Greece and Northern Macedonia, you need to get an insurance (Green Card) for at least 10 days (it costs 15-40 Euros, the price depends on the destination and the agency's mark-up).
Most rental cars in Albania have unlimited mileage. However, some cars have limited mileage. You can find out whether the mileage is limited or not on the page of the car you are interested in. If the mileage is limited, the daily limit is added up for the whole rental period.
Yes, in Albania you can only pick up or return the car at night or in the early morning if you mention this at the time of booking. Usually you have to pay 20-30 Euro extra for this. Indicate the correct time when looking for the car and see if there is an extra charge for out of hours service.
Generally until 20:00. Information about opening hours can be found in the profile of each supplier in Albania. However, you can collect or return the car outside these hours for an additional fee of around 20 euros.