1. Take cash
While using a card is sometimes possible, it’s highly unreliable and definitely not something you can count on. We had to pay for petrol with cash more than once, and I wasn’t able to use my phone at all
2. Albanian Lek is a closed currency
You can’t get Albanian Lek outside of Albania, and once you leave the country, it’s difficult—if not impossible—to exchange it back to your home currency. Euros, however, are widely accepted, so I recommend bringing cash in euros and exchanging it at the airport upon arrival. At the time of writing, the exchange rate was around 1 euro to 100 Lek, and that rate stayed fairly consistent across the country.
3. Cashpoints are expensive
On top of that, withdrawing cash in Albania is more expensive than anywhere else we’ve travelled. If you do need to take out cash, never accept the bank’s offered exchange rate. You’ll usually be given the option—just press ‘No’ to decline their rate. This tip can save you money almost anywhere, but we found it especially important in Albania.
4. Driving is fine
You might hear that driving in Albania is risky, but that wasn’t our experience at all. While city traffic can be a bit hectic and requires your full attention, once you’re beyond the urban centres, the roads are generally calm and easy to navigate. Renting a car is straightforward, with plenty of options available right at the airport.
We paid around €410 for a two-week hire car, which included an additional €23.50 per day for comprehensive “no-questions-asked” insurance. We chose this extra coverage after hearing some warnings about driving conditions—but in the end, we never needed it. Still, the peace of mind it provided was well worth it.
5. If you are intending to travel across any borders you need to inform the hire car company
It’s straightforward to do, but at the border they will ask for your car paperwork and you will need permission. It was €50 (included in the price above). At the border with Montenegro you will also need a green card for your car (€15, slightly more in Lek). You can get it there and it’s very simple. Border crossings are not a hassle but they do take a bit of time so don’t worry if you’re in a
6. Get a sim card
We do this everywhere we go now. It is hassle free and makes so much difference to us on a practical level. As Albania is not in the EU, those coming from the UK (like us) generally will not have it included in their existing data package. We just get them at the airport and it was around €25 for 40gb.
7. There are police everywhere
We didn’t get stopped at all on the roads but they were definitely a presence. keep to the speed limits, carry all the documentation you need and you’ll be fine.
8. Petrol is quite expensive
Compared to other prices, petrol is expensive. Probably the same if not a little more than in the UK (where it is also considered expensive).
8. Don’t always believe Google maps
Google maps took us some very strange ways at times. We use the Maps app all the time and usually it is fine but if your instinct in telling you to not go up that very narrow cobbled road when you’re looking to go downhill and onto the main road, consider going with your gut.
9. The vegetarian scene is limited
We have vegetarians in our family and while we did eat, the options were limited. Let’s just say it is a good job we like margarita pizza, Greek salad and vegetarian suflaqe!
Kitchen Family Travels 