Car Hire in Albania – All You Need To Know
The capital – Tirana – is also the heart of the city. The city is not only considered a fast-moving metropolis, the neighbouring villages also offer space for nature and greenery for the inhabitants of Tirana. Therefore, the most beautiful cities and the beautiful landscapes are best reached with a rental car. Rental stations are present at the airport of Tirana or in the city of Tirana to start an adventurous journey. In the following, we tell you what you should consider when renting a car in Tirana.
Car Hire Albania – In A Nutshell
Inhalt / Contents
A rental car is the best option for travelling around Albania in a flexible and time-saving way.
- Cost: During low season, you can find offers from 25 euros per day. During high season (July and August), you can expect to pay twice as much.
- Insurance cover: I recommend to always get fully comprehensive insurance and theft cover and to make sure that you don’t have to pay an excess. If you have an excess, you will have to pay a deductible in the event of an accident. This may cost you a bit more but will save you a lot of hassle in case of something unexpected happening. Also, your protection should be high enough (at least 1 million €) and the rental car insurance should also protect you against glass and tyre damage.
- Kilometres: The best arrangement for you is of course if all kilometres are included. However, there are also arrangements where only a certain number of kilometres are free, and a fee is charged for each additional kilometre.
- Refuelling policy: Make sure that you can return the rental car with the same fuel level as upon collection.
- Deposit: In our experience, you always have to pay a deposit to hire a car. You often need a credit card for this. Find out in advance and check the rental terms and conditions, where this is typically stated. If you are already on site and don’t have a credit card, you may not get the hire car.
- Additional driver: If more than one person is driving, there may be an additional charge per day.
- Documentation: Record the condition of the car in detail on handover, take some photos, or even better, record a video to document damages and condition of the car.
Tip: As Albania is very mountainous, I recommend you to hire a car with sufficient horsepower. To navigate the sometimes quite narrow alleyways in smaller places, a small a car is easier to handle than a bigger one.
Why Hire A Car In Albania?
In my experience, hiring a car for your Albania holiday is the best choice in terms of flexibility. The car gives you freedom and allows you to visit places away from the city centre, natural highlights and small villages. This way, you can also stop whenever you like. At the end of the day, you will also save a good amount of time if you are travelling by car.
What should I look out for while driving
The streets of Tirana can get crowded at peak times – so it’s best to be prepared and patient while driving. Of course, you should also know the most important traffic rules when driving a rental car in Albania. The traffic rules in Albania are similar to European ones.
What car rental companies are available at Tirana Airport?
There are numerous international and national car rental companies with rental stations at Tirana Airport, including:
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Avis
- Sixt
- Enterprise
Tip: Renting a car from a local provider in Tirana, however, is often cheaper than going with the big companies.
Is Car Hire In Albania Expensive?
Of course, this depends entirely on the time you are travelling and your needs. In my experience, a hire car with enough horsepower is sufficient in Albania. If you are travelling in low season. You can most likely find a car in reasonable rental condition for as little as €25 per day if you rent for at least one week. During high season, you should expect to pay more.
Are one-way rentals possible in Albania?
One-way rentals, i.e. dropping off your rental car at a location other than the pick-up station, are of course possible in Albania by prior arrangement. You have to consider thought that these will cost extra.
What are the refuelling policies of car rental companies in Albania?
Most car hire companies in Albania or Tirana offer a full/full policy, where you pick up your rental car with a full tank and return it with a full tank. This is the best way to drive.
With a full-empty arrangement, on the other hand, where you pick up the rental car with a full tank and return it with an empty tank, you are more likely to make a loss. This is because an expensive service charge is often added to the rental price for the first tank of petrol, and the petrol that is still in the tank when you return the car is given to the car rental company as a gift.
What insurance options are available for rental cars in Albania?
The basic insurance is included in your booking. In addition, rental companies offer various service packages that provide you with tailor-made insurance cover. The basic package includes comprehensive insurance with excess.
A service package with „comprehensive insurance and reimbursement of excess“ is recommended. You can extend this if necessary, for example to include glass and tyres or an additional driver. This way you are optimally covered and can consider in good conscience beforehand whether you want to buy further additional insurance on the spot.
Is there a minimum age for rental cars in Albania?
Driving a car in Albania is allowed from the age of 18, which is why this is also the minimum age when booking a rental car. However, some car rental companies set the minimum age for drivers of a rental car even higher. Depending on the type of vehicle, such as an SUV or a high-priced model, a minimum age of 21 or even 25 may also be required. In addition, some require you to be in possession of your licence for at least 1-2 years.
Do I need a credit card to book a rental car in Tirana or other places in Albania?
Often, yes, you must always present a valid credit card at the time of pick-up. Make sure that your card is indeed a credit card. Some debit cards look very similar to credit cards but are not accepted by car rental companies. If in doubt, contact your bank and ask. There are also rental car companies that offer cash payment and cash deposits.
How much is the deposit for a rental car, e.g. from Tirana?
The amount of the deposit depends on the type of car you want to rent and the car rental company. It is best to check with the car rental company about the amount involved before booking.
What do I have to consider when returning my rental car?
Depending on the fuel arrangements you have made, you should return the car with a full tank or with as empty a tank as possible. It is best to get written confirmation that the car is in perfect condition and that the tank is full when you return it. This way, you are on the safe side and can end your holiday completely relaxed. Some companies also require you to return the car cleaned or clean (as delivered).
Is driving in Albania safe?
The answer to the question „Is driving in Albania safe?“ is yes for drivers who have had more than one year of experience driving in other countries, and no for novice drivers, as there are still potholes and unmarked road repairs. Nevertheless, the Albanian government has made road repair one of its top priorities in order to reduce the number of accidents and encourage more tourists to drive whenever and wherever they want.
Speed limits in Albania
The speed limits in Albania are indicated on the roadside in kilometres. The speed limit is 40 km/h inside built-up areas, 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 90 km/h on motorways and 110 km/h on motorways.
