Car hire in Albania
A hire car in Albania costs from €11 a day, and at Tirana’s Mother Teresa airport it is handed over by the terminal. Driving down from Montenegro? Shkodër is 30 km from the Hani i Hotit crossing, and Tirana is about two hours further on. Some cars need no deposit.
- a car per day; the winter average is around €18
from €11
a car per day; the winter average is around €18
- Tirana airport: the car is handed over by the terminal
TIA
Tirana airport: the car is handed over by the terminal
- from Montenegro: Hani i Hotit and Muriqan, both lead to Shkodër
2 crossings
from Montenegro: Hani i Hotit and Muriqan, both lead to Shkodër
- peak demand — book the car well ahead
July–September
peak demand — book the car well ahead
- traffic drives on the right; speed limit in towns is 40 km/h
Right-hand
traffic drives on the right; speed limit in towns is 40 km/h
Choose what you need
How it works
Roamo is an information guide. We gather “from” prices, rental terms and pick-up towns; the cars are provided by independent rental companies, and you book and pay them directly.
- 1
Pick a town and dates
Tirana airport, Shkodër by the Montenegrin border or the southern resorts — each town page has its prices and local quirks.
- 2
Compare the terms
Deposit, foreign travel, mileage limit and payment method vary from car to car, and you see them all before booking.
- 3
Book directly
You pay 15–20% when booking and the rest when you collect the car. The contract and payment are with the rental company.
Where to collect a car
Six towns: the capital with its airport, the gateway from Montenegro and the resorts of the Riviera. Each has its own roads, parking and day trips.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Albania on my UK, EU or US licence?
A UK or EU licence is fine as long as it is valid for the whole rental: what matters is that the details are in Latin script. US and Canadian licences are accepted only together with an International Driving Permit. Photocopies and digital licences are not accepted.
Can I hire a car without a deposit?
Yes, some cars come with no deposit — it is marked on the car’s listing. No deposit does not mean no excess, though: your share of any damage remains, so read the cover for that particular car.
Can I drive between Montenegro and Albania?
Yes, but only with the rental company’s permission. A Montenegrin hire car is allowed into Albania with written permission and a Green Card, usually €25–50 per rental. An Albanian hire car can usually go to Montenegro too, again only with the company’s permission and a Green Card at the border; terms and fees vary by company.
When is car hire cheapest?
In January and February: about €18 a day on average nationwide, against €41 in August. Demand is high from July to September, so book early for those months; May and October are noticeably cheaper than summer.
Will my phone work in Albania?
Albania is outside the EU’s roam-like-at-home rules, so a UK or EU SIM is charged at your network’s roaming rates — check your package or buy a local SIM. A local number is also the only way to pay for parking by text in Tirana.
Do I need cash?
Yes, in lek. Euros are taken in many places, but at a poor rate, and small petrol stations do not always accept cards. As a rough guide, 100 lek is about €1.