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Taxis, buses, ferries, car rentals, and e-SIMs — everything you need to move through Albania without friction. Vetted, priced, and explained.
In Tirana, the meter is fine. From the airport or for long distance, agree the fixed price first — and it should match what you see here.
All four partners accept cards. Independent drivers usually do not. Carry a few €20s in lekë; we would suggest withdrawing 5,000 ALL.
Round up to the nearest 100 lekë. Anything more is generous, not expected. The airport queue rate is regulated — do not overpay.
Nationwide airport transfers & private tours — premium vehicles, Scandinavian-quality service.
Sarandë & the south — 24/7 airport pickups and private transfers (Ksamil, Blue Eye, Butrint, Gjirokastër).
Buses and furgons (shared minibuses) are the backbone of Albanian public transport. They are cheap, frequent and connect every major town. Buses depart from central bus stations; furgons often leave from roadside gathering points.
Tickets are usually bought on board or from a small kiosk at the station. Cash only — bring small notes. Air conditioning is hit or miss. Travel time from Tirana to Sarandë is roughly 5–6 hours.
International coaches to/from Tirana (Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece and beyond).
Many domestic furgons and regional buses are still cash-on-board with no online booking — these links cover the routes that can be booked ahead. Confirm schedules before you travel.
Renting a car is the best way to explore Albania beyond the main towns. Roads are generally good along the coast and to major cities. Mountain roads can be narrow and winding — a compact SUV is ideal.
You will need a valid driving licence from your home country. An International Driving Permit is recommended but not always required. Minimum age is usually 21.
Local fleets start from about €17/day — typically half the international-chain rate, with airport pickup included and a local team you can actually reach. See the full comparison and request a car on our rent-a-car page.
Driving your own car down? Our roadside partner APR covers breakdowns 24/7 across Albania and the region — see the cover options.
Albania has excellent 4G coverage in towns and along the coast. The main operators are Vodafone, One and ALBtelecom. Prepaid SIM cards are cheap and easy to buy with a passport.
For convenience, order an e-SIM before you arrive. It activates on landing and gives you data from day one without visiting a shop. Most modern phones support e-SIM.
Plans starting at €5 for 10 GB. Activates the moment your plane lands at Tirana — no shop visit required. Works on every modern phone that supports eSIM, with QR-code delivery to your inbox.
See Smart E-sim packages →
Albania-specific eSIM packages with instant QR-code delivery. Set it up before you fly and land already connected — flexible data bundles for a short city break or a longer coastal trip, on any eSIM-ready phone.
See Fly Esim packages →Smart E-sim is the easiest of the lot — the QR installs in seconds and switches on by itself when you arrive.
| Option | Typical plan | Price | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart E-sim (eSIM) | 10 GB | from €5 | Scan QR before you fly — on by itself on landing |
| Fly Esim (eSIM) | Flexible bundles | from €6 | Scan QR before you fly |
| Vodafone AL (local SIM) | 20 GB | €10 | Buy in a shop with your passport |
| Roaming on your home plan | Pay-as-you-go | €5–15 / day* | Nothing to set up — but the priciest by far |
* Roaming costs vary by carrier and home country. Albania sits outside the EU “roam-like-home” zone, so most EU/UK plans charge a daily surcharge or a per-MB rate — check with your operator before you travel.
Call our team and we will help in English or Albanian — a car on the road, a booking gone sideways, or you just need a local who can sort it.
Albania uses 112 for any EU-style emergency. English is spoken at all major hospitals in Tirana, Sarandë and Durrës. Carry your travel insurance card.
Daily ferries connect Sarandë with Corfu, Greece — the crossing takes just 30–70 minutes depending on the service. This is a popular route for travellers combining Albania with the Greek islands.
In summer there are also local boat services between Ksamil islands and along the Riviera. Tickets can be bought at the port on the day of travel, but book Corfu ferries in advance during July and August.
30–70 min · multiple daily in summer. Book ahead in July–August.
Overnight car ferries to Italy — the main sea gateway to/from Western Europe.
Schedules and fares change seasonally — confirm times and book directly on the operator’s site. Local Ksamil and Riviera boat trips are bought at the port on the day.