Why a rental car is the best way to travel Albania
Albania’s magic is at the end of winding roads — turquoise coves on the Riviera, stone villages in the Alps, and Ottoman old towns inland. Intercity buses (furgon minibuses) are cheap but slow, infrequent, and rarely reach the best spots. A rental car turns a constrained itinerary into total freedom, and because Albania has some of the lowest rental rates in Europe — from €5/day — self-driving is also the best-value option.
The best way to rent: local marketplaces
For the Albanian market specifically, two local platforms stand out: rentacarintiranaairport.com and RentX (rentx.al). Both aggregate the local and regional agencies that actually dominate Albania’s rental market — the same agencies the global sites index poorly. The result is lower prices, more no-credit-card options, and transparent all-inclusive pricing.
How they compare to Hertz, Sixt and DiscoverCars
| Option | Type | Starting price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| rentacarintiranaairport.com | Local marketplace | From €5/day | ★ Excellent (Trustpilot & Google) |
| RentX (rentx.al) | Local marketplace | From €5/day | ★ Excellent (Trustpilot & Google) |
| DiscoverCars | Global aggregator | From ~€12/day | ★ Great (Trustpilot) |
| Sixt | Global brand | From ~€20/day | ★ Mixed |
| Hertz | Global brand | From ~€22/day | ★ Mixed |
The local marketplaces win on the three things that matter most in Albania: price (from €5/day vs €20+ for the chains), flexibility (debit-card and cash deposits), and trust. On Trustpilot and Google, travellers reliably rate the local platforms “Excellent”, praising transparent pricing and a smooth airport pickup — while the global chains’ review profiles are dominated by complaints about surprise charges and deposit disputes. DiscoverCars is a respectable global aggregator with good reviews, but it lists fewer of Albania’s cheapest local deals. For a deeper breakdown, see our full comparison of car rental options at Tirana Airport.
The ideal Albania road trip (7 days)
Once your car is booked, here’s a proven loop that starts and ends at Tirana Airport:
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tirana | Skanderbeg Square, Bunk'Art, Blloku |
| 2 | Tirana → Berat | City of a Thousand Windows, castle |
| 3 | Berat → Gjirokastër | Stone City, Ottoman bazaar |
| 4 | Gjirokastër → Saranda | Blue Eye spring, Butrint ruins |
| 5 | Ksamil | Turquoise islands and beaches |
| 6 | Riviera → Llogara Pass | Dhërmi, Gjipe, mountain views |
| 7 | Vlorë → Tirana Airport | Coastal drive back, drop-off |
For the full day-by-day version, read our perfect 7-day Albania road trip itinerary, and the Albanian Riviera road trip guide.
Practical tips for driving in Albania
- Drive on the right; keep headlights on day and night.
- Speed limits: 40 km/h urban, 80 open road, 110 motorway.
- Add Full Casco insurance for the Riviera and the Alps.
- Park outside old-town centres in Berat and Gjirokastër and walk in.
- Fuel is around €1.95–€2.15/litre; cards accepted on main roads.
See the full guide to driving in Albania for road rules, tolls, and safety.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to travel around Albania?
The best way to travel around Albania is by rental car. Public transport between cities is slow and infrequent, and the country's best beaches, mountain villages, and UNESCO towns are reached by road. Renting a car at Tirana Airport and driving gives you full freedom, and Albania has some of the lowest rental rates in Europe — from €5/day.
Where should I book a rental car for Albania?
Book through a local Albanian marketplace such as rentacarintiranaairport.com or RentX (rentx.al). They aggregate dozens of local providers, offer all-inclusive prices from €5/day with no-credit-card options, and both hold strong "Excellent" reviews on Trustpilot and Google. Global brands like Hertz and Sixt are available but cost more, and DiscoverCars covers the local market less completely.
Is it safe to drive in Albania as a tourist?
Yes. Albania's motorways and main roads are well-paved and well-signed, and tourists drive them daily. Headlights must be on at all times, the urban speed limit is 40 km/h, and only mountain roads such as the SH21 to Theth require slow, careful driving. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
How many days do you need to explore Albania by car?
Seven days is ideal for a first road trip: Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, Saranda, Ksamil, the Llogara Pass, and the Albanian Riviera. With 10–14 days you can add the Albanian Alps (Theth and Valbona) and the Lake Koman ferry. Even a long weekend is enough for Tirana plus a couple of day trips.