Mobile Networks and Internet in Albania

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything about internet in Albania as a traveler. I’ll tell you which mobile network is the best, what data packages are available for tourists, and share more insider tips than any other travel article on this topic.

Mobile Networks and Internet in Albania

In today’s digital age, traditional phone calls and SMS messages have taken a backseat, and Albania is no exception. Many of my friends assumed that mobile internet in Albania was of poor quality and still in its infancy. But that’s far from the truth, as you’ll soon find out.

Good to Know:

Just five years ago, most tourists traveled across Albania without a local SIM card, and that was perfectly normal. But today, almost every visitor purchases a local SIM upon arrival. Calls are rarely needed—having good internet access allows you to solve any problem on the go.

• Looking for your accommodation? Your host is always online, so you can just send a message. Also, keep in mind that there are no house numbers in Albania—only street names. You can read more about this and other country facts here.
• Need to check the opening hours of a landmark? Internet access is essential.
• Ordering a taxi is much easier via WhatsApp—you’ll be understood immediately. Trying to hail a cab in Albanian over the phone? That’s a challenge you probably don’t want to take on.Here’s a useful article about the Albanian language for tourists.

Important:

Having reliable mobile internet is a must when traveling around Albania, and it won’t significantly impact your budget.

Free and Semi-Free Internet in Albania

This section is for those who don’t need internet on the go and are fine with checking their email once a day. Below, I’ve listed places where you can find Wi-Fi in Albania.

• Almost all accommodations, whether hotels or apartments—even in the mountains—offer free Wi-Fi.
• However, some apartments don’t have Wi-Fi, so if it’s essential for you, always confirm in advance.

Good to Know:

• Many cafés and restaurants do not offer Wi-Fi. I’d estimate that around 80% of them lack internet access.
• Unlike in many European countries, regional buses in Albania also don’t have Wi-Fi.
• In central Tirana, on the main square and a few surrounding streets, you’ll find a free Wi-Fi network called Tirana Free Wi-Fi. No phone number registration is required, and the speed is decent.
• Outside of Tirana, such public Wi-Fi networks do not exist.
• Tirana International Airport also offers free Wi-Fi.

Conclusion:

In reality, the only place where you can guarantee access to free internet while traveling in Albania is your accommodation. Elsewhere, it’s hit or miss, so don’t rely on always being connected.

Roaming and International SIM Cards for Tourists

Roaming is the easiest but most expensive way to stay connected. Every extra online action will cost you, making it impractical for anything beyond essential use. However, if you need to be online 24/7 for work, it’s an option.

Roaming Costs in Albania:

Check with your provider—roaming prices are usually quite high. For a day or two, it might be manageable, but for two weeks, it can get expensive.

Personal Opinion: In my view, roaming should be your last resort. There are much cheaper and more convenient options available.

International SIM Cards for Tourists

There are several options for international SIM cards:

Option 1: DrimSim. Click the link to check out their plans and conditions. Here are the key features:

Pros:
✅ A universal SIM card that works in 190 countries, so you don’t need a new one for every destination. Perfect if you’re road-tripping through multiple European countries or frequently travel for short business trips.
✅ Available as a physical SIM card (shipped by mail) or eSIM.
✅ €10 initial cost, plus pay-as-you-go data. Rates vary by country but are much cheaper than roaming.
✅ No prepayment required—you only pay for the data you use.
✅ Albanian rates: €0.01/MB (€1 for 100MB, €10.24 for 1GB).
✅ No expiration date—your balance never expires, and you can use it in any country.

Cons:
❌ In Albania, parking in central Tirana can only be paid via SMS from a local number, so this SIM won’t work for that. By the way, you can read all about parking, traffic rules, and roads in Albania here.

Personal Opinion:
DrimSim is great for frequent short trips across multiple countries where you don’t plan to use much internet.

Option 2: Airalo – Local eSIM for Albania

• Only available as an eSIM (no physical version).
• Cheaper than DrimSim if you need a lot of data in Albania.
• Might not always be cheaper than buying a SIM at a local store, but it’s more convenient—you can purchase it from home and have it activated upon arrival.
• The cheapest plan starts at just €4.5!

Final Verdict: For travel in a specific country, an Albanian eSIM is the best choice, especially if you plan to use the internet frequently.

For more details on virtual operator packages for Albania, check out the pricing below.

Mobile Operators in Albania

Now let’s move on to the main topic of this article. Below, I’ll tell you everything about mobile networks and internet in Albania from local operators.

There are two mobile operators currently operating in Albania:

• One (part of a German telecommunications group)
• Vodafone (the largest European operator, present in over 20 countries across Europe)

Good to Know:

Some outdated sources online still mention T-Mobile and Plus as Albanian operators, but these no longer exist. Today, there are only two local operators in Albania — Vodafone and One.

Both operators offer prepaid plans for tourists, and to buy a SIM card, you only need your passport.

Important:

It’s impossible to buy a SIM card without a passport in Albania, even for locals. You won’t find them at supermarket checkouts or newspaper stands — only in official mobile stores. Prepaid means you can’t go into debt — if you don’t need the SIM anymore, just throw it away before you leave, and you won’t owe anything.

In short: Vodafone is the most popular mobile operator in Albania. It has the best mobile internet quality, which is both my personal experience and confirmed by official statistics. Vodafone also has the largest customer base in the country, and prices are slightly higher than its competitors.

But for you, as a tourist, whether you spend €20 or €25 for great internet over two weeks — I think that makes little difference.

So next, I’ll focus on Vodafone’s offers, since it objectively has the best service.

Mobile Internet in Albania with Vodafone: Plans, Prices, and Conditions

Before I share the details of the plans, here are a few more important points:

• Albania has 4G coverage almost everywhere — available from both operators.
• But only Vodafone uses LTE-A-Pro technology, while others use LTE-A. I’m not sure what the difference is, but the word “Pro” sounds more convincing to me!
• You’ll find mobile stores from both operators in every major city, as well as at Tirana Airport.
• You can pay by card when buying a SIM card — and that’s a rare option in Albania!
• Vodafone has the largest network of stores nationwide.

Vodafone Tourist Plans:

Tourist Pack

• Validity: 21 days (after that, all minutes and data expire)
• Data: 40 GB on the 4G network
• Calls: 1,000 minutes to all Albanian numbers (mobile and landline) — probably not needed much, but useful for calling your host or rental company
• Price: 2,500 Lek (approx. €25)

Tourist Giga Pack

• Validity: 21 days
• Data: 100 GB on the 4G network
• Calls: Unlimited minutes to all Albanian numbers
• Price: 2,900 Lek (approx. €29)

Checking Balance and Data Usage:

Dial #123#, then:

• Press 7 to switch to English
• Press 1 (BUNDLES)
• Press 8 (BALANCE CHECK)

Network Coverage and Mobile Internet Quality in Albania

You might be surprised, but Albania is way ahead of many countries in this regard. Whether it’s thanks to Vodafone’s work or because other providers elsewhere lag behind — I don’t know.

But Albania has 4G coverage over 99.6% of its territory, despite being 71% mountainous.

You’ll find 4G almost everywhere:

• In the mountains
• On mountain passes
• In canyons and gorges

There are only a few spots without coverage, and honestly, you won’t even notice.

As for speed — it’s generally excellent, with average speeds over 20 Mbps almost everywhere.

Tips for Tourists on Mobile Internet in Albania

I strongly recommend having mobile internet when traveling around Albania. Trust me — it will make your trip easier and more enjoyable. And of course, it’s great for sharing real-time photos on Instagram or Facebook!

As for which option to choose — roaming, eSIM, or a physical SIM card from a local provider — that’s up to you. You can read more about the pros and cons of traveling in Albania in the linked article. But one thing’s for sure: Albania’s mobile internet quality gets a big thumbs-up!

Final Thought:

Mobile connectivity and internet access are essential for traveling in Albania today.
And honestly, the cost of a good data plan won’t even be noticeable in your overall travel budget.

So here’s wishing you fast and reliable internet, even in Albania’s most remote corners!

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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