Renting a car in Albania is a great idea because this country is perfect for an epic road trip! Driving through nature, over mountain roads, and through vibrant cities and charming villages, you’ll discover just how diverse Albania is. Exploring Albania with a rental car gives you total freedom and takes you to the most beautiful places in the country. Start the engine, put on your favorite playlist, and hit the road! Of course, it’s nice to set off well-prepared. Below you’ll find everything about the roads, traffic rules, and tons of practical tips for renting and driving a car in Albania.
Is driving in Albania safe?
It’s definitely safe to explore Albania with a rental car. Of course, you’re always dependent on other road users, and the country is known for drivers who don’t always follow the rules. It’s also important to choose a car that suits the route you want to take. We share more tips about this later in the article. 
The traffic rules in Albania
Many of the traffic rules familiar in the Netherlands and Belgium also apply in Albania. People drive on the right, and traffic coming from the right has the right of way unless signage indicates otherwise. Speed limits are slightly different than in the Netherlands and Belgium; in built-up areas the limit is 40 km/h, outside built-up areas it’s 80 km/h, and on expressways and highways the maximum speeds are 90 and 110 km/h. And as in many mountainous countries: uphill traffic has priority over downhill traffic when passing on narrow roads.
Traffic signs in Albania: Albania also has a few traffic signs that need a bit of extra explanation because they’re uncommon in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Minimum speed – Round, blue sign with white numbers.
- Keep distance – Round, white sign with a red border, two cars, and a number between them.
- General danger – Triangular sign with a red border and a black exclamation mark.
With supplementary sign: a sunglasses pictogram, as advice to wear sunglasses.
What are the roads like in Albania?
Albania’s roads have improved significantly in recent years. The main roads—such as the A1 and the highways around Tirana and Durrës—are now good quality and pleasant to drive on. In many places, the pavement has been renewed and signage is clear. On regional and local roads, however, that’s not always the case yet. Roadworks still occur regularly and aren’t always well signposted. You may have to follow an unexpected detour or suddenly drive over an unpaved section.
Heading toward mountain areas or less-touristy regions, such as the north or east of the country? You’ll more often encounter narrow, poorly maintained roads with potholes, ruts, or fully unpaved stretches. The road network there is less developed, signage can be missing, and street lighting is rare—especially outside towns and villages. You may also encounter free-roaming livestock on the road in these regions. For these reasons, driving after dark is discouraged.
Do you need a 4×4 in Albania?
It’s important to choose a rental car that fits your route and plans. Want to visit remote mountain areas like Theth? Then it’s wise to rent a larger, sturdier car—preferably an SUV. In most cases, this doesn’t have to be a 4×4 if you don’t have specific off-road plans. An SUV handles unpaved roads, deep potholes, steep climbs, and changing weather well. Even outside the mountains, you can encounter unpaved roads—near small inland villages or remote beaches, for example. You can navigate these with any car, but an SUV makes it much more comfortable and reduces the risk of breakdowns or a flat tire.
Driving mainly on main roads and visiting cities like Tirana, Berat, or Sarandë? Then a regular passenger car is perfectly fine.
Toll roads in Albania
Although Albania is rapidly improving its infrastructure, there are only a limited number of toll roads in the country. Most roads are freely accessible, so you can use them without paying tolls. The most well-known toll road in Albania is the A1 between Milot and Morinë. Toll here costs around $6, and you can pay with cash or a credit card. Always keep some cash in the car in case your credit or debit card isn’t accepted at the toll booth.
Fueling up your rental car in Albania
There are plenty of gas stations in Albania—on some stretches, even every few kilometers. Naturally, you’ll find fewer in remote mountain areas. So make sure your tank is full before driving into the mountains. At stations, an attendant will pump the gas for you, so you can simply tell them the amount you want to spend from your car.
We recommend using Google Maps to navigate during your Albanian road trip. Be sure to download maps in advance so you can navigate offline. In mountainous areas or the countryside, mobile coverage can drop out, and it’s helpful if your navigation keeps working.
Don’t rely on Google Maps blindly, though, as it isn’t always up to date. We noticed this in places like Gjirokastër and Krujë, where roads were incorrectly marked or closed. Did your accommodation share a specific route? Always follow their directions, even if Google Maps suggests something else. Local knowledge is often more reliable than the map in Albania.
From what age can you rent a car in Albania?
At most rental companies, you can rent a car from age 21. You’ll also often need to have held a driver’s license for at least three years. Some rental companies allow you to lower the minimum age for a fee. You can find all these conditions during the booking process under “specific conditions.”
Also good to know: You do not need an international driver’s license in Albania.
You need a credit card to rent a car
When picking up the rental car, it’s important that you can present a credit card that is in the name of the main driver. You’ll use it to pay the security deposit. A credit card in a different name won’t be accepted, and you won’t get the car. The same applies if there’s insufficient credit on the card. Don’t have a credit card yet? Then we can recommend this credit card.
What does it cost to rent a car in Albania?
When renting a car in Albania, prices can vary depending on the season and how early you book. Booking a rental car through Rentalcars.com is highly recommended for Albania. With a rental car, you always have a chance of damage and problems along the way, which is why it’s smart to book with a reliable party. At Rentalcars, you can always take out a Full Protection Insurance, you can change your booking for free and all conditions are clearly indicated. So you don’t have to worry about snags and if something goes wrong on your trip, everything is always reimbursed and taken care of. This is totally worth it as far as we are concerned, especially on holiday.
Note: Sometimes the local rental company will try to sell you extra insurances. These are absolutely unnecessary as everything is covered with Rentalcars’ Full Protection Insurance. So don’t be fooled because you are 100% covered, even your excess will be refunded in case of damage.
Price hikes due to shortage of cars: There is currently a huge shortage of rental cars worldwide. To survive the corona crisis, car rental companies have had to sell a large portion of their cars. Since demand is rising fast, there are not enough chips for new cars and prices are skyrocketing due to the shortage. As a result, many rental cars are double the price or even fully booked. It’s best to book as early as possible to be sure of a rental car that is still somewhat affordable. At Rentalcars.com, you can currently cancel or change your booking free of charge up to 48 hours in advance, so you are not stuck with anything but still be sure of a rental car.
