Car Rental In Albania

Car Rental In Albania is a cheap, pleasant, and safe process. Since public transportation in Albania is poorly developed, having a car is essential for traveling around the country. But, like in any foreign country, I’m sure you have plenty of questions and concerns. In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the nuances of renting a car in Albania. I’ll share tips, recommendations, and important insights. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the answers you need.

Where to Rent a Car in Albania?

First, let me answer the most important question — and then, for those interested, we’ll dive into the details about driving rules, police, deposits, and more.

• LocalRent is hands down the most reliable car rental platform in Albania. They offer very flexible terms. You can pay the remaining balance and deposit in cash when picking up the car. In fact, it’s one of the few services where you can even find cars with zero deposit.
• DiscoverCars is another great option — a well-known international aggregator. Definitely worth checking for more choices.

Car Rental in Albania: Convenience or Necessity?

If you’ve read other articles in this guide, you probably already know. But for everyone else, here’s a detailed explanation.

Often, when traveling, a car is more of a convenience than a necessity. And many tourists are hesitant about renting a car — afraid of scams, huge deposits, bad service, and worst of all, accidents.

But here’s something important:

If you’ve never rented a car abroad, Albania is a perfect place to start. This is your chance to experience the process and realize it’s not as scary or complicated as it seems.

Why Renting a Car in Albania Is a Good Idea

• The country is absolutely safe. No rental scams, staged accidents, thefts, or shady schemes.
• Low traffic and well-maintained roads. Tirana is the only city with occasional traffic jams — and frankly, it’s the only place where a car might not be essential.
• Surprisingly good driving culture. Yes, really! I often see reviews online complaining that Albanians are terrible drivers. But compared to what we’re used to at home? Honestly, Albanian drivers are much more polite and predictable.

There are some quirks, though:

• Locals might stop right in the middle of the road, put on hazard lights, and head off for a coffee.
• Or turn around on a pedestrian crossing — even when pedestrians have the green light.

But despite this, no one will honk at you, cut you off, or “teach you a lesson” on the road.

Another bonus — all rental companies in Albania follow similar straightforward rules, making the process transparent and easy. Also, deposits are much lower compared to the rest of Europe.

Most importantly — Albanian rental companies are very friendly toward tourists. They don’t see you as a walking wallet. This attitude applies not only to car rentals but to other services too.

🚗 No one here is trying to charge you for every tiny scratch — but I’ll explain more about insurance later.

Renting a Car in Albania: More a Necessity Than a Luxury.

Public transportation in Albania is underdeveloped — a solid “D-” grade.

Many of the country’s most beautiful places are far from cities and only reachable by car:

• Stunning canyons
• Breathtaking waterfalls
• Mountains and hiking trails
• Wild, secluded beaches
• Natural hot springs

Without a car, you’ll miss out on at least 70% of what Albania has to offer.

In this guide, you’ll also find ready-made self-drive itineraries for exploring Albania on your own.

Traffic Rules, Roads, Parking, Police, Gas Stations, and More

Here’s a brief overview — though there’s a dedicated in-depth article on driving and parking in Albania if you want all the details. But in short:

• Traffic rules are almost identical to what we’re used to. You’ll barely notice any difference. Just hop in and drive — everything feels familiar.
• Right-hand traffic and left-hand drive cars — just like at home.
• There’s a noticeable police presence, but they don’t stop cars without reason and don’t hassle tourists.
• Parking is free and casual almost everywhere, except in Tirana.

Good to know:

Yet another reason to rent a car in Albania — great roads and familiar traffic rules make driving easy and enjoyable.

Car Rental in Albania: Company Policies and Rules

When it comes to renting a car, Albania makes the process easy and straightforward, which is a huge advantage for travelers. All rental companies in Albania operate under uniform and transparent standards, making it simple even for first-timers.

Main Car Rental Rules in Albania

✅ Unlimited mileage.
Since Albania is a relatively small country, there are no mileage limits — no daily caps, no hidden restrictions. You can easily drive hundreds of kilometers per day if you wish.

✅ Cars are provided with a full tank of fuel — and you are expected to return them with a full tank as well.

✅ Manual transmission dominates the market.
Albania is a mountainous country, and manual cars are much more common and affordable.

• Automatic cars are usually higher-class and more expensive.
• About 80% of economy cars are manual.

✅ No need to wash or vacuum the car before returning it.
Unlike in some other destinations, you are not required to clean the car before drop-off. You’ll get a clean car, and you’re not expected to pay for it to be spotless when you return it — unless you damage the interior or spill something that requires professional cleaning.

✅ No restrictions on where you can drive.
You are free to drive on any type of road, paved or unpaved.
If the car can go, you can go.
Just remember: the rougher the road, the closer you may end up to needing a tractor to pull you out!

✅ Standard set of documents required:
To rent a car, you’ll need three essential documents:

1. Passport
2. Driver’s license (Important: Your license must have been issued at least 1 year before the rental start date. Some premium cars require 2 or even 3 years of driving experience.)
3. Credit card (Must have your full name embossed — matching the name on your passport and license.)

Important to know:

Plastic driver’s licenses that feature English translations are valid in Albania — no need for an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Age Requirements: What You Should Know

Here’s one point that varies by company — and younger drivers (under 27) should pay attention to this.

🛑 The official minimum rental age in Albania is 18.
However:

• Some rental companies only rent to drivers 21 and older.
• A few companies set the minimum age at 23.
• Many companies allow rentals from 18, but charge a “young driver fee” — typically €3–5 per day if you’re under 27.

👉 Every company has its own age policy, so double-check the terms before booking if you’re under 27.

Car Rental Options for Tourists in Albania

For travelers, there are three main ways to rent a car in Albania — each with its pros and cons. Let me break them down for you so you can decide which works best.

1. Walk-in Rental from Big International Companies

This is when you arrive in Albania and decide to rent a car directly at a rental office — either in Tirana Airport or in major cities.

At Tirana Airport, for instance, there are about seven rental company offices, although they are not located in the main terminal building — check my linked article for detailed directions.

✅ Pros of Renting on the Spot:

• Convenient for tourists without a fixed itinerary — if you’re unsure of your travel dates and route.
• Well-located offices — always present at the airport, in the center of Tirana, and in major cities.
• You can physically inspect the car before renting — know exactly which gearbox, engine, interior, color, and even floor mats you’re getting.
• Great option for those seeking premium-class vehicles — you can choose by seeing the actual car.
• 24/7 roadside assistance included.

❌ Cons of This Option:

• One of the most expensive ways to rent a car — walk-in prices are usually higher.
• Pricing can be unclear — they’ll quote you a price, but you won’t have a transparent comparison of other options.
• Economy class cars are often unavailable during high season — leaving you with no choice but to rent a more expensive model.
• No guarantee that cars will be available — sometimes, there may be no cars at all, or only cars costing €500+ per week.

Tip:

If you choose this method, stick to major international rental chains like:
Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt. These companies tend to offer better support, insurance options, and reliable vehicles.

Car Rental from Local Companies in Albania

This is the most unpredictable way to rent a car 🙂.
In small local companies, the entire fleet might consist of just 5 cars. Usually, these are family-owned businesses, so you’ll likely be dealing directly with the owner or his relatives — son, brother, cousin.

✅ Main advantages (though only a couple of real ones):

• Cash deposit — You can leave a cash deposit, and they’ll return it to you in cash. Convenient if you don’t have €400–600 available on a card, which is the standard deposit amount in Albania.
• You book a specific car, not just a “class” or category.

❌ Disadvantages — and there are quite a few:

• Condition of cars is often below average.
  Small owners try to get as much use as possible from each car, so don’t expect a shiny new vehicle.
• Low customer loyalty — In small companies, the goal is often to make as much as possible from each rental.
  There’s a real risk that they might keep €50–100 from your deposit for a scratch or chip you didn’t even notice when picking up the car.
• No 24/7 roadside assistance.
  If something happens to the car 300 km from Tirana, don’t expect help until the next morning. You’re pretty much on your own.

Tip:

I don’t recommend any specific local companies — there are tons of them all over Albania. Honestly, this option is only worth considering if you don’t have a credit card. For everyone else, the first (walk-in rental) or the third option (online booking) is a much better and safer choice.

Booking a Rental Car in Albania Online via Major Platforms

This option is perfect for travelers with a clear itinerary — if you know exactly how many days you’ll need a car and when you’re returning it.

✅ Advantages of Online Booking:

• By far the cheapest way to rent a car, especially if you book at least 2 weeks in advance (and not just 2 days before arrival).
• Transparent pricing — You can easily compare dozens of companies and hundreds of offers in one place.
• No queues if you’ve booked in advance — a huge plus, especially when renting at the airport.
  Imagine this: 2–3 planes land at the same time, everyone passes through passport control, and then 8+ people line up at the rental desk. That’s at least an hour’s wait if you don’t have a reservation.
• Your car will be ready and waiting for you at the appointed time.
• If your reserved class of car is unavailable, you’ll get a free upgrade to a higher-class vehicle — same price.
  This is a huge advantage during high season, when cars often run out.
• Wide rental network — You can pick up the car in one city and return it in another.
  Small local companies almost never offer this option.

❌ Disadvantages — though minor compared to the benefits:

• Deposit is usually blocked on your card — typically €400–600 for an economy class car.
  (Though, as mentioned earlier, there are a few companies offering no-deposit rentals — but they’re exceptions.)
• You book a car class, not a specific car.
  For example, even if you book a VW Polo hatchback, automatic, with air conditioning, you might be given any similar car — but it will always match the booked class (hatchback, automatic, A/C).

✅ Tip:

For this option, large aggregator websites are the best choice.
They gather offers from all major international rental companies operating in Albania.

Benefits of booking through aggregators:

• You see all prices and all companies in one place — easy to compare.
• Aggregator guarantees safety and reliability — no scams, no fake companies.

In the beginning of this article, I mentioned two major aggregators that operate in Albania — these are trusted platforms with great reputations.

Deposit, Insurance, and Accidents: All the Nuances and Hidden Pitfalls

This chapter is very important and useful.
At the very least, you’ll understand how everything works, and in case of an accident, this knowledge can save you a lot of money.
So let’s go through each point in detail.

Car Rental in Albania: All About the Deposit

No matter which of the three rental options in Albania you choose,
you’ll be asked to leave a deposit — also known as a security deposit.

The standard deposit for economy-class cars is €400–600, and it does not depend on the number of rental days.
Whether you rent a car for one day or two weeks, the deposit amount remains the same.

So, a deposit is required — if not always, then in most cases.

👉 International companies usually only accept deposits by card,
and the amount is blocked (not charged) on your account.
👉 Local companies sometimes accept cash deposits.

💡 The higher the class of the car, the higher the deposit.
By the way, in Italy, for example, deposits start at €1,000, so Albania is actually quite reasonable.

Insurance — Full Coverage, SuperCover, or Complete Protection

Insurance is one of the most confusing topics when it comes to renting a car.
Let me explain everything clearly.

There are only two types of insurance in Albania:

✅ Basic Insurance

• Always included in the rental price — you don’t pay extra for it.

It covers:

• Theft of the car.
• Natural disasters — fire, floods, earthquakes, etc.
• Accidents caused by another driver (if you are not at fault).

Useful to know:

If you only have basic insurance, your deposit will be fully refunded only if:
– One of the above incidents occurs.
– Or if you return the car in the same condition as when you picked it up.
If you want broader protection — see Full Insurance below.

✅ Full Insurance (SuperCover, Complete Protection, etc.)

All of these names refer to the same thing — a full coverage insurance policy.
Different companies or websites call it differently, but it means the same protection.

• Optional — you can choose to buy it or not.
• On average, costs €8–12 per day, depending on the car and company.

What does Full Insurance cover?

• Flat tires, or cracked windshields from flying rocks.
• Scratches in parking lots.
• Dirty interiors (spilled drinks, stains).
• Accidents where you are at fault.
• Lost keys.
• Broken mirrors.
• Scratches on paintwork from stones, curbs, etc.

Important to know:

If you buy full insurance, you will get your entire deposit back,
as long as you return the car on time and to the correct location (according to the rental contract).
Even if the car is damaged, you won’t pay anything extra.
⚠️ But remember:
If you abandon the car somewhere and fly home — your deposit will NOT be refunded, even with full insurance.

❗ What Does Full Insurance NOT Cover?

There are two critical points that apply to any insurance type:

1. In case of any incident — even a minor accident — you MUST contact the rental company immediately.
   They will give you a contact number.
   You should also send photos of any damage via WhatsApp.
   If you do this, you won’t face any issues when returning the car.
2. Traffic fines (e.g., speeding or illegal parking) are always paid by the renter.
   If you don’t pay them yourself, they will be deducted from your deposit.

Car Rental in Albania: Budget for One Week

This will be a short block for general understanding.
Keep in mind that during peak season, prices can rise sharply.
Below is an approximate cost of renting a car in Albania for one week during high season (but not peak season).
These numbers are for planning your travel budget.

📌 You can find a detailed article about the overall travel budget for two people in Albania, including all expenses, via the link.

Estimated 7-Day Car Rental Budget

• Economy-class car — €15/day, or €105/week
• Full insurance — €8/day, or €56/week

✅ Roads are free throughout the country, and 99% of parking is free as well.

⛽ Gasoline is expensive, but Albania is a small country, and you won’t drive far.
On average, doing a small loop around Albania, you’ll cover about 500 km in a week, which equals around 35 liters of fuel or approximately €60.

Total car rental budget for 1 week:

€221 — for unlimited use of the car during your trip.
Not a huge sum, considering the freedom and mobility you get!
With a rental car, you’ll see three times more amazing places compared to traveling by bus.
For comparison, rental prices in other European countries are much higher.

If you book early, major rental companies often offer great deals and discounts!
Also, in autumn, winter, and spring, prices are even lower than those listed here.

Taking a Rental Car from Albania to Neighboring Countries: Montenegro, Greece, Serbia, Kosovo, and Others

If you want to drive a rental car beyond Albania’s borders and return later, you must inform the rental company in advance, when picking up the car.

The rental company will arrange special cross-border insurance and prepare the necessary documents.

Depending on the company and the country you plan to visit, you’ll need to pay an additional fee of €60–100.

⚠️ Important!

It’s crucial to:

1. Notify the rental company in advance.
2. Or choose a company that clearly allows cross-border trips.

✅ All international companies listed on the aggregators (linked above) definitely offer this option.
⚠️ Small local companies — not always, so be sure to double-check with them directly.

Special Note on Traveling to Kosovo:

There are specific issues when crossing from Albania to Kosovo, especially if you plan to travel on to Serbia and beyond (like Montenegro).
Here’s why:
Most countries recognize Kosovo as part of Serbia.
But Albania recognizes Kosovo as an independent state.
👉 If you enter Kosovo from Albania, and then attempt to enter Serbia,
Serbian authorities may treat it as an illegal border crossing — with all the consequences that entails.
Also, if you enter Kosovo and then head to Serbia (there’s no border between Kosovo and Serbia),
to return to Albania, you’ll have to go back via Kosovo — you can’t re-enter Serbia directly.

• You can also check my guide on how to cross the Albanian border by car

Final Thoughts

Renting a car in Albania is truly simple, affordable, and safe.

Albania is a perfect country for your first car rental experience.
And frankly, without a car, you won’t get the same unforgettable impressions of this beautiful country.

With a rental car, you’ll gain a level of freedom and mobility that no bus or group tour can offer.

✨ Explore Albania by car — it’s awesome!

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Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania

• Flights at the best prices with best discounts
• Car rental in Albania (cheaper – only by bus):
  • DiscoverCars – a major international resource
  • LocalRent – the leader in the Albanian car rental market. Very low deposits, even in cash.
• Hotels and apartments throughout the country:
  • TripAdvisor – compares prices among dozens of platforms and offer you the best one.
  • Trip.com – large online booking platform.
• Budget-friendly vacation packages: CheapOair.
• Tours, excursions and activities:
  • GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
  • Viator – 1050+ excursions and activities throughout the country
• Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
• Internet and Calls:
  • Airalo eSIM in Albania from $4.5
  • DRIMSIM – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.
• Taxi and airport transfer: Intui.Travel