Albania

Albania is cheap, friendly and still a bit wild, and that is exactly why people love it. Keep in mind that it works differently from the rest of Europe: there is no Uber and no Bolt, buses don't always have a fixed timetable, and cash is still the normal way to pay.

Currency

Albanian lek (ALL). 1 EUR ≈ 92 ALL (Bank of Albania, Oct 2026). Some tourist places quote euros, but you get a better deal paying in lek

Visa

90 days visa-free for EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia passports. Albania is not in Schengen, so days here don't count toward your 90 Schengen days

Intercity buses

Coaches and furgons (minibuses). Pay cash to the driver or at the terminal. Search routes and book many of them on Gjirafa Travel

Rides in town

Patoko app in Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë and Shkodër (cash or card). Elsewhere, taxis from the rank: agree the price before you get in

City buses

Flag them at the stop and pay cash on board (40 lek in Tirana)

Plugs

Type C / F, 230V

Emergency

Police 129, ambulance 127

Language

Albanian. Younger people speak English; Italian is also widely understood