Tirana Car Hire

Essential Tips for Car Hire in Tirana

Explore Tirana’s historical landmarks and natural sights at your own pace with Enjoy Travel. Before you book, check out these essential tips for hiring a car in Tirana:

• Collect your vehicle from the airport: Secure excellent deals when picking up your vehicle from Tirana Airport. There is a wider selection of car hire agencies and vehicle types, meaning you can find the perfect vehicle to suit your preferences.
• Time your visit right: If you are not restricted by school holidays or annual leave requirements, opt for the off-peak season to save cash. Winter and autumn are Tirana’s off-peak seasons, but we recommend visiting in October if you still want long days and warm sunshine.

Budget-Friendly Car Hire in Tirana

Find budget-friendly car hire in Tirana with Enjoy Travel. We source the best deals out there, saving you time, money, and effort on your car hire search.

Securing the Best Deals

As public transport is limited in Tirana and Albania, hiring a car is a popular transport option. Be sure to book in advance to ensure your preferred vehicle type is available, as well as secure the best prices.

Additionally, consider the time of year. July and August are the most expensive months to hire a car in Tirana, with daily prices starting from £30 and £39 respectively. This drops to £10 per day in October.

Understanding Tirana’s Driving Regulations

Driving in cities is not always straightforward. Here are Tirana’s driving regulations and things to look out for.

• There are no toll roads in Albania.
• Some Albanian drivers can drive erratically. Remain vigilant and alert.
• Local drivers might exceed the speed limit and overtake you. We recommend sticking to Albanian speed limit laws.
• Many Albanian roads are in poor condition. In some villages, the roads are unpaved.

Rules of the Road for Renters in Tirana

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• The emergency number is 129. If you get into an accident, you must wait until the police arrive before leaving.
• Always carry cash for petrol stations. Most petrol stations will accept cards, but smaller stations might not. They are also typically only open between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
• You must be at least 21 years old to hire a car in Tirana.
• You must carry your driving licence and any relevant paperwork at all times.
• Speeds are displayed in kilometres.
  • Within city limits: 50 kph (31 mph)
  • Outside city limits: 90 kph (56 mph)
  • Motorways: 110 kph (68 mph)

Parking in Tirana: A Guide

• Blue markings: Paid on-street parking zone. These might also be marked with a ‘P’ sign with information on rates, paid hours, and payment methods. You can usually pay for parking via SMS with a local SIM card, but be sure to carry cash anyway.
• White markings: Parking is free. This is hard to come by, particularly in central Tirana.
• Yellow markings: Parking is prohibited.

Finding Convenient Parking Spots in Tirana

While finding parking in central Tirana is tricky, it is possible. The underground car park at Skanderbeg Square is an affordable space in the heart of the city. Apps and sites like Via Michelin and Google Maps can help you find convenient parking spots, too.

Top Attractions in Tirana

Discovering the City’s Highlights

• Skanderbeg Square: This square is the beating heart of the city, where the Skanderbeg Statue, the history museum, the mosque, and the clock tower are located. The square also has fountains, gardens, and cafes for relaxing.
• Bunk’Art 1 or 2: Comprised of two museums inside former bunkers, Bunk’Art show the history and art of Albania under communism. The museums reveal how the dictatorship, the resistance, and the secret police operated.
• National Gallery of Arts: This gallery is a beautiful space that showcases Albanian paintings from the 19th century to the present day. The gallery displays different styles and themes of art, such as realism, impressionism, socialism, and modernism. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists.

Transport Options in Tirana

Buses: An Extensive Network Across the City

Travelling around Tirana by bus is an affordable transport option. However, this does come with the disadvantage of inner city bus lines being slow. You can usually buy tickets before you get on the bus from the driver, or while on the bus. There isn’t a set timetable, but buses are regular. Bear in mind that the main bus station is outside of the city centre, so you might have to get a taxi there. Alternatively, there are lots of bus stops around the main square.

Taxis: Convenient for Direct Routes

Public transport in Tirana can be unreliable. If you are short on time or don’t fancy navigating the bus network, you can hop in a taxi. There are plenty of taxis around – you can usually flag one down quickly, or locate a taxi rank. Taxis in Tirana are pretty cheap, too.

Best Day Trips from Tirana

• Berat: One of the most stunning and well-kept Ottoman cities in the Balkans, Berat is only around 100 km south of Tirana. Explore the castle, the old town, the museums, and the mosques in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s about 120 km (75 miles) from Tirana and you can drive there in about two hours.
• Dajti Mountain: If you love nature and adventure, Dajti Mountain is just 25 km (15.5 miles) east of Tirana. This scenic mountain offers a cable car ride, hiking, or skiing. The top also has views of Tirana and the Adriatic Sea.
• Shkoder: A historical and cultural city in northern Albania, Shkoder is around 95 km north of Tirana. The Rozafa Castle, the Marubi National Museum of Photography, and the Lead Mosque are some of the attractions in this city. The city also has the beautiful Lake Shkoder, which borders Montenegro. It’s about 95 km (59 miles) from Tirana and you can drive there in about an hour and a half.
• Kruja: A historical and spiritual city in central Albania, Kruja is just 35 km (22 miles) from Tirana – you can drive there in about 40 minutes. The Skanderbeg Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Old Bazaar are some of the attractions in this city. The Kruja Castle also offers stunning views of the mountains and the sea.

Planning Your Adventure

Be prepared for your trip by downloading the necessary navigation tools. If you don’t purchase a local SIM, or the SIM has limited data, then maps.me is an excellent, free, map navigation app.

In terms of practicalities when planning your trip, ensure that your passport and driving licence are at least 6 months from the expiration date. Brush up on local driving laws, too.

Optimal Driving Times in Tirana

Like most cities, Tirana’s rush hours are the periods before and after usual working hours. The roads will be calmer and quieter between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and again from 7:00 PM onwards.

Weighing the Benefits of Car Hire in Tirana

Pros: Advantages of Personal Mobility

• Explore at your own pace.
• Discover hidden gems, such as hilltop towns, castles, and rugged nature.
• Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, making it easier for UK drivers.
• Public transport can be predictable and buses don’t always reach the off-the-beaten-path destinations.
• The scenery is gorgeous.

Cons: Potential Drawbacks of Hiring a Car

• You are responsible for keeping the vehicle safe.
• Drivers can be erratic in Tirana and other Albanian cities.
• There are many protected areas in Albania that don’t have decent roads. Additionally, insurance isn’t valid in these protected areas.
• Traffic in Tirana can be intense.

Variety of Rental Vehicles in Tirana

From economy cars to luxury cars, there is a wide variety of car types to hire in Tirana.

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Needs

Whatever the journey ahead of you, we have the car to suit your needs. Use the filters on Enjoy Travel to cater your search towards your requirements, such as the number of passengers, the transmission (automatic or manual), and the fuel type.

For those seeking an economy car for zipping around the cities and towns, we recommend the Peugeot 108. However, if you plan to drive through the mountainous regions, the Dacia Stepway or Kia Stonic would be a better fit. Additionally, we recommend hiring an automatic car for the mountainous regions, to avoid gear-changing on hilly roads.

Partnering with Tirana’s Premier Car Hire Providers

We work with the best car hire providers in Tirana. There is a good selection of international suppliers available at Tirana Airport, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, National, Green Motion, SurPrice, and more. There is also a wide range of smaller car hire suppliers that are just as reputable and offer great rates, such as Auto Union, Autovia, Zezog, WheeGo, and more.

Selecting a Reputable Company

We know it’s important to choose a reputable, reliable company. At Enjoy Travel, we only work with car hire suppliers that we trust to deliver a first-class service. But to help select the right company for you, check out the views and ratings on our site.