Rent a car in 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 →