I’ll be honest — when I first started planning a trip to Albania, I wasn’t sure renting a car was necessary. Maybe I could get by with taxis and buses? It didn’t take long to realize that thinking was completely wrong.
Albania is a country that opens up dramatically the moment you have your own wheels. The south coast, the mountain villages, the Ottoman-era hilltowns, the border lakes — almost none of it is properly accessible without a car. And the good news? Renting one there is genuinely easy, surprisingly affordable, and a lot less complicated than in many other European destinations.
Here’s what you need to know before you go.
You Don’t Need a Credit Card
This was the detail that surprised me most. One of the biggest friction points with car rentals — especially for travelers who use debit cards or prepaid cards — is the credit card requirement for the deposit.
When I finally sorted my rental through Rent Point Albania, the whole process took about five minutes — no credit card required, full stop. Whether you’re paying with a Visa debit, a Revolut card, or cash, you’re good to go. For a lot of travelers, this alone makes Albania car rental refreshingly stress-free compared to what you’d face booking through the big international chains.
Pick Up Straight at the Airport
Tirana’s international airport — officially called “Nënë Tereza,” though everyone calls it Rinas — is about 17 kilometers from the city center. When you come out of arrivals, you’ll see a row of car rental companies right there on the pavement.
Rent Point Albania has a desk at the airport, and it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This matters more than it sounds. Plenty of budget flights into Tirana land after midnight, and there’s nothing worse than figuring out late-night transport with tired kids and heavy luggage. Being able to grab your car the moment you land — and drive straight to your accommodation — is worth a lot.
They also have a location in Tirana city center and at the port of Durrës, which is useful if you’re arriving by ferry from Italy.
The Prices Are Genuinely Affordable
Albania is not an expensive country, and car rental reflects that. You’re looking at around €23–25 per day for a small automatic like a Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto. Mid-size SUVs start around €27–36 per day. Even a 7-seater SUV or a 9-seat minivan sits well under €100 per day.
And here’s the part that should be in bigger letters: all vehicles include unlimited kilometers and VAT is already included in the price. No mileage caps to stress about, no bill shock when you return the car. What you see when you book is what you pay.
What Kind of Car Do You Actually Need?
This depends a lot on where you’re planning to go.
Stick with a compact or city car if you’re mostly staying in Tirana, visiting Durrës, and doing short day trips on main roads. Albania’s main highways and coastal routes are well-maintained and easy to drive.
Go for a mid-size SUV if you want flexibility. The Albanian Riviera road south of Vlorë has some dramatic cliff-edge stretches. Perfectly drivable in a regular car, but the extra clearance of an SUV makes it more relaxed.
You’ll want a proper high-clearance SUV if you’re heading into the mountains — particularly the Valbonë Valley or the road to Theth in the Albanian Alps. Some sections are unpaved and steep. Don’t attempt them in a Fiat Tipo.
A Few Practical Tips Before You Go
- Book online in advance, especially in summer. Automatics and 7-seaters sell out fast.
- Bring your driver’s license. EU licenses are valid in Albania; no international permit required.
- Take a short video of the car before you leave the lot. Reputable companies won’t cause problems, but having the footage is simple peace of mind.
- Fill up when you see a gas station outside major cities.
- Download offline maps before you go — Google Maps works great, but mountain signal can be patchy.
Where to Go Once You Have the Keys
Having a car transforms the trip. A few drives that are only properly possible with your own wheels:
The Albanian Riviera — The coastal road from Vlorë to Saranda is one of the most beautiful drives in the Balkans. Dhermi, Himara, and Ksamil are all best explored with the freedom to park and wander.
Berat and Gjirokastra — Both UNESCO World Heritage towns. A car means you can stop at roadside viewpoints, explore the countryside between them, and leave when you actually feel like it.
The Albanian Alps — Valbonë and Theth are transforming into legitimate hiking destinations. The road from Shkodra into the mountains is spectacular, and being able to drive in and out on your own schedule makes the logistics much easier.
Lake Ohrid — Right on the North Macedonian border, about three hours from Tirana. One of the oldest lakes in Europe, and significantly less visited than it deserves to be.
Albania keeps surprising people. It’s one of those destinations where a little preparation pays off dramatically — and renting a car is probably the single biggest upgrade you can make to how you experience the country. If you’re sorting yours out before you fly, rentpoint.al is worth bookmarking early.
Quick Reference
- Credit card needed: No
- Unlimited mileage: Yes, included on all vehicles
- Airport pickup: Yes, 24/7 at Tirana International Airport (Rinas)
- Other pickup points: Tirana city center, Durrës port
- License required: Standard national/EU license
Last Updated on June 1, 2026
