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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.
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.
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.
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.
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 →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.