How to get to Albania

By | May 3, 2022

Overview

Albania is a country in Europe according to topb2bwebsites. Friendly and tolerant residents, fascinating historical sites and settlements from the Ottoman Empire, beautiful mountain landscapes and romantic villages – Albania has all this to offer. Hikers will love the Albanian Alps and the Tomorri Massif, cyclists will love the many historical routes that criss-cross the country. Archeology lovers can spend hours exploring the extensive archaeological sites of Butrint and Byllis. Those interested in history will want to visit historical castles, Ottoman fortresses and the museum towns of Berati and Gjirokastra.

Getting there

Arriving by plane

Non-stop flights to Tirana are operated from Frankfurt/M. offered by Lufthansa (LH), from Vienna by Austrian Airlines (OS) and from Geneva by Easyjet (U2). Austrian Airlines (OS) flies from Zurich with a stopover via Vienna. Wizz Air (W6) flies from Cologne/Bonn to Tirana. Helvetic Airways (2L) and Air Albania (ZB) fly from Zurich to Kukës. Air Albania (ZB) also connects Tirana with Dusseldorf. Edelweiss Air (WK) flies from Zurich to Tirana.

Flight times

Frankfurt – Tirana: 1 hour 55 minutes; Vienna – Tirana: 1 hour 35 minutes; Zurich – Tirana: 3 hours 30 minutes (with stopover).

Departure fee

€10 departure fee.

Arrival by car

Albania can be reached by land via North Macedonia (Ohrid, Quafe Thane, Pogradec) and Greece (Lake Prespa, Kapshticë, Korçë and Ioannina, Kakavijë, Gjirokastër). Due to the politically tense situation, the road connections between Albania and Kosovo should be avoided. Car: Entering the country with your own car is not necessarily recommended. Although there are guarded parking lots in Tirana, the risk of burglary or theft is high even during the day. If you arrive with your own car, comprehensive insurance is highly recommended. Gasoline quality can occasionally be problematic. Unleaded fuel is now also available in the interior of the country, but to be on the safe side, you should fill up in larger cities. Bus: Eurolines runs to Tirana from various German cities. Bus connections to Tirana exist from the capitals of all neighboring countries – Istanbul, Athens, Sofia (Bulgaria), Tetovo (Northern Macedonia) and Prishtina (Kosovo). Tolls: There are no toll roads in Albania. However, a toll is planned. Documents: The national driving license is sufficient.

Arrival by train

There are currently no international rail connections. Train tickets in Albania can only be purchased at train stations in the country or directly on the train. Albanian Railways HSH trains were purchased from other countries and are often in poor condition. Short-term train cancellations are always possible.

Arrival by ship

The main ports are Durrës, Saranda, Vlora and Shen Gjini.

Cruise ships

Cruise ships from the shipping companies MSC, Holland America Line and P&O Cruises call at the port of Saranda on their cruises departing from Italy and Malta.

Ferry provider

Adria Ferries connect Durres with Ancona and Bari with their car ferries all year round, three times a week. Ilion Lines operate four times a week between Durres and Bari and between Durazzo and Trieste. Ionian Seaways connects Saranda with Corfu daily (journey time: 30 minutes).

Transportation

Traveling by car/bus

The Albanian road network covers around 18,000 km. Of these, around 7,450 km are main traffic arteries. The motorway network in Albania is only about 230 km long and is being expanded. The north of Albania is crossed by the A1 motorway (Autostrada A1) from the east from the border with Kosovo via Kukës to Milot in the west of the country and from there it continues to Tirana. The A2 motorway (Autostrada A2) under construction is currently in operation on the section north of Fier and the port city of Vlora. The A3 motorway (Autostrada A3) connects Tirana and Elbasan. Toll: Only driving through the Kalimash tunnel on the A1 motorway is subject to a toll. There are no tolls on Albanian roads. Petrol stations are not to be found everywhere inland. The fuel quality is sometimes problematic; Admixtures of water and impurities are not uncommon.

Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic

Right

Condition of the roads

Most of the main roads are paved. Vehicles with all-wheel drive are recommended, especially for secondary roads. However, the transit routes from Durrës to Kosovo and from Montenegro to Greece are well developed. Pedestrians, animals, cyclists, ox carts, horse-drawn carriages and land vehicles use the roadway in equal measure. Visitors should therefore drive with extreme caution. Away from major roads, signs are rare; Here it is advisable to orientate yourself according to the cardinal point or to ask the locals for directions.

Road classification

Motorways in Albania are marked with a green sign with a white number, national roads with a white-bordered blue sign with a white number.

Car rental

Rental cars and representative vehicles are available from rental companies in Tirana; internationally well-known companies are also represented. A private chauffeur with a car is the most comfortable and reliable alternative, which can be booked with good tour operators before you travel to Albania.

Taxi

Taxis can be found in front of international hotels, at the airport or at Tirana’s central taxi rank on Sheshi (“Square”) Avni Rustemi.

Bicycle

Bicycles and scooters can be rented from various rental companies in Tirana. However, due to the poor road conditions and the unusual behavior of other road users, caution is advised in traffic.

Coach

Buses are an important means of transport in Albania. From Tirana, the main routes (Durrës, Shkodra, Gjirokastra, Saranda) are used daily or several times a day by private bus companies.

Regulations

Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.1 ‰. – Dipped headlights are also mandatory during the day. – Only use the hands-free system to make phone calls at the wheel. – Helmets are compulsory for cyclists. – Children up to the age of 12 may only be transported in restraint devices; up to the age of 3 only on the back seat. Note: Vehicles with foreign license plates are often stopped by the police. Driving at night and driving on routes with little traffic should be avoided. Speed ​​limits: – in built-up areas: 35/40 km/h; – on rural roads: 80 km/h; – on expressways: 90 km/h; – on motorways: 110 km/h.

Roadside Assistance

The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in case of vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (89) 22 22 22, in case of illness: +49 (89) 76 76 76. The partner club of the ADAC in Albania is the Automobile Club Albania (ACA), Tel. +355 (42) 38 70 11.

Documentation

The national driving license is sufficient; however, the international driver’s license is also recommended. The international insurance card for motor transport must always be carried with you. Note: Private cars with foreign license plates can be driven in Albania for up to 6 months. After that, high customs fees are due.

Traveling in the city

In the larger cities there are bus networks that are cheap but usually crowded.

Locally on the way by train

The largest cities (Shkodra, Vlora, Fier, Ballsh, Pogradeck) are connected by an outdated and very slow rail network. The railway is hardly used in Albania anymore.

How to get to Albania