Driving In Albania: Everything You NEED To Know 2026
Thinking about driving in Albania? Read on to find out everything you need to know before visiting from our first-hand experience road-tripping across Albania!
After spending a month road-tripping across Albania, we can say for certain, this is the best way to experience the country! That being said, driving in Albania is not always the easiest.
Other drivers can be erratic and occasionally aggressive, roads can be narrow and winding, and you’ll frequently come across livestock in the roads. But, driving in Albania of course has its merits, offering you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
We’re here to share with you our first-hand experience of driving in Albania, including everything you need to know, from how to rent a car, to the rules of the road, and useful things to know before you set off.
Renting A Car In Albania
Renting a car in Albania is super easy. There are several well-known companies operating in Albania, including Europcar and Enterprise.
We opted for a small car which made navigating the narrow winding roads super easy, though we did have to be careful on a couple of unpaved roads heading down to the beach (more on that later!).
For most people, a 4×4 is not necessary. The roads are generally in good condition, so a 4×4 is only necessary if you’re specifically planning on heading off-road.
Car Hire Requirements In Albania
The legal driving age in Albania is 18, though most rental companies require you to be over 21 years of age, and you may incur an additional fee for being under 25. Always make sure to read the fine print so you know where you stand!
You can drive in Albania with a valid UK or US photocard licence. An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn’t universally required, but some rental companies will ask for it and you’ll need one if your licence isn’t in Latin characters. Confirm with your rental company before you fly.
If you forget your IDP and your rental company requires one, you may not be allowed to rent the car.
Where To Rent A Car From
There are several rental locations in Albania, though we recommend picking your car up from Tirana Airport when you land, purely because it’s easiest and you can get straight on with your road trip!
Other locations include Tirana city centre and the port at Sarandë.
We would highly recommend booking as far in advance as possible to secure the best deals and the type of car you require. Prices increase the closer you are to your departure dates.
Is It Easy To Drive In Albania?
Despite what you may have been told, driving in Albania is a pleasure the vast majority of the time. The roads are in generally good condition, the scenery is stunning, and, outside of the major cities, there is very little traffic.
Albania’s cities can be a little more tricky, with a lot of traffic, impatient drivers, and you’ll often find 5 lanes worth of traffic squeezed into the space of three. The key to city driving is just to be confident and follow what the locals do.
Driving in Albania is certainly not without its risks and we would advise you only to drive if you’re a confident driver. There are many horror stories online, and even the UK Government advises caution.
However, if you follow the advice in this guide, and the RAC’s guide, driving in Albania can be a great way to get around.
Driving In Albania: Everything You Need To Know
If you’re still a little worried, (and honestly, I get it – I heard so many horror stories before leaving and was so nervous) we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of everything you need to know before jumping in your hire car for the first time.
They Drive On The Right-Hand Side
It may seem obvious if you live in most places in Europe, however, for those from the UK, it’s worth noting that they drive on the right-hand side of the road in Albania.
This takes quite a lot of concentration at first, but you’ll likely get used to it quickly. I found it far easier than I expected to, but it does take a lot of concentration at first.
Stick To The Speed Limits
The speed limits in Albania can seem a little crazy and they threw me at first, I’ll be honest. You’ll be cruising along a main road, then suddenly hit a 20kph sign, before speeding back up to 90kph a few metres later. I honestly questioned if they were real or not at first!
However, despite how crazy they may seem sometimes, and no matter how fast the locals drive, ALWAYS stick to the speed limit.
Speeding carries a very hefty on-the-spot fine in Albania, and it’s normally when the speed limit suddenly drops that you’ll find police waiting to pull you over. The police are really cracking down on speeding, and can be hidden around corners or behind trees.
Don’t risk it and always follow the speed limit. Locals will overtake you, but just leave them to it and don’t risk a fine.
General Speed Limits
40 km/h in towns
80-90 km/h on main roads
110 km/h on motorways
Always Carry Your Documents And A First Aid Kit
When you rent your car, you’ll be given a set of hire documents that you must keep with you at all times. This should include a copy of your car insurance (which is legally required in Albania), your rental agreement, and drivers license. It is no longer a requirement to carry a green card.
It is very unlikely you will be stopped, but if you are, it is a legal requirement to be carrying these documents. Keep your drivers license on you and the other documents in the car at all times and you’ll be fine.
It is also advised to always carry a first aid kit, a warning triangle, and a reflective vest in case of an accident or break down.
Drink Driving
We get that you want to enjoy your holiday, but Albania has a strict policy on drink driving. The legal blood alcohol limit is just 0.01% which is effectively zero. Penalties can escalate quickly and may result in suspension from driving.
If you know you’re going to be driving, don’t drink. Simple as that. Never drink and drive, even if it’s ‘just a half’.
Mobile Phone Use
As in many countries, it is strictly prohibited to use your phone when driving in Albania. Penalties for using your phone whilst driving can be severe and this policy is policed extensively.
Watch Out For Traffic Police
As we mentioned earlier, traffic police are surprisingly present on the roads of Albania, particularly at busy junctions, or when the speed limit changes drastically. Watch for variable speed limits.
At least once every 20-30 minutes on your journey you’re bound to encounter traffic police, so make sure you’re careful and follow all the rules so they don’t pull you over.
The Albanian authorities are really trying to improve road safety, which does mean positioning traffic police at regular intervals. It is nothing to be concerned over. As long as you are driving safely and following the laws, they will not pull you over.
Road Quality Is Generally Good
When researching our trip, almost everyone said there are lots of unpaved roads, but we actually only encountered 1 in the entire month we were there, and that was going down to a little hidden beach.
The Albanian government is investing a lot of money into improving its infrastructure and this is reflected in the quality of its roads.
All the main towns and villages are connected with smooth, easy-to-drive-on tarmac surfaces, including the road to Theth that was previously only drivable by 4×4.
In 2025, construction of the Llogara Tunnel (SH8) was completed. This tunnel connects the towns of the Albanian Riviera, easing traffic on the steep and winding Llogara Pass and making travel much quicker and easier.
You can expect tolls to use the Llogara Tunnel, and on the A1 / Rruga e Kombit corridor (incl. Kalimash) towards Kosovo.
Tyre Shops Are On Every Corner
If, however, you do encounter an unpaved road and blow a tyre, there are tyre shops on every corner. Literally. You only have to drive for 10 minutes to find one.
When driving down to the beach near Ksamil, along a bumpy, rocky road, we got quite a large chip in our tyre and had to get it changed.
In Albania, you will generally be offered a second hand tyre, as new ones are incredibly expensive. We were offered a second hand tyre for 5000 leke, or a new tyre for 11,000 leke. Needless to say, we went with the former.
Plus, the people in Albania are super friendly. Any tyre shop will pump up your tyres for free if you ask them, and will help you as much as they can.
Be Confident And Ignore Other Drivers
This has to be our number one tip. Confidence is everything when driving in Albania!
Other drivers might beep at you, overtake you, drive way too close, but you really just have to ignore them and make sure you’re driving safely. That’s the most important thing.
Watch Out For Wildlife
This is another biggy. At some point, you are bound to encounter animals in the road.
Whether it’s a few donkeys, a shepherd and his heard of goats, or the odd cow lying by the edge, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll come across them.
Always watch for animals and be prepared to slow right down if you see them. Remember, animals can be unpredictable so don’t try to overtake at speed.
Plus, if you’re in the middle of the countryside, it’s unlikely that the animals will move for you, and any shepherds present are unlikely to clear the road either – it’s their road and you have to respect that!
Car Parking In Albania
This is one thing that surprised us. Albania really is not geared up for lots of cars in towns and cities.
Throughout the country, you’ll find very few car parks, even in the more popular tourist locations such as Sarandë and Himara. It can be difficult to find anywhere to park at times.
If you’re planning on going out for the day, arrive early to make sure you can get a parking spot, or consider walking if at all possible.
Views From The Side Of The Road
The Roads Are Incredibly Scenic
What really makes driving through Albania so enjoyable is how scenic the country is! Over 70% of the country is mountainous which means you’re constantly driving through beautiful scenery.
One of the major main roads in Albania follows the coastline, meaning you’ve got sea views on one side and mountain views on the other. You will never tire of it.
People Use Their Horn A Lot
Similar to many other places in Europe, you’ll find people use their horns a lot in Albania, especially in cities.
Honestly, just ignore it and continue to drive safely. There’s no malicious intent behind it, it’s more a way of life than anything else.
Road Rage Is Common
Road rage is relatively common in Albania, though to be honest we only really encountered it once when a car in front of us decided to have an argument with the driver of a van next to him.
These arguments can get pretty heated pretty quickly, so whatever you do, don’t get out of your car, don’t get involved, and do not provoke other drivers yourself.
The Sat-Nav Will Under Predict Your Journey Length
If Google Maps says it will take 2 hours, allow 2.5. Maps seem to struggle to accurately predict journey lengths in Albania, so allow yourself extra time.
Plus, the views are always so epic that you’ll want to stop a million times anyway.
We recommend downloading maps.me and the Albania map so that you never lose your way.
Wrap Up: Driving In Albania
Road-tripping through Albania is honestly a pleasure. The roads are beautifully smooth (for the most part), the scenery is stunning, and it’s easy to get from A to B.
Renting a car gives you so much more freedom and is one of the best ways to explore Albania. If you’re nervous, don’t be. As long as you’re confident and stick to the rules above you’ll have the best time.
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