Before you go · Tirana, Albania
Tirana essentials
The practical things worth knowing before you arrive, so you can spend your time enjoying the city and the country.
Updated October 2026
Money: the lek and euros
The currency is the lek (ALL). In 2026 the lek has been strong: around 93–95 lek to €1 in summer and autumn 2026, so check the current rate. Prices are sometimes quoted in “old lek”, ten times the real figure; if a price looks ten times too high, that is why.
Euros are often accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops in tourist areas, but at a rounded rate that usually favours the seller, with change given in lek. Paying in lek is cheaper. Cards are widely accepted in Tirana, less so in villages and the mountains; ATMs are everywhere in cities.
Borders and entry rules
Albania is not in the European Union or the Schengen area, so expect passport checks at its borders; time in Albania does not count towards your Schengen days. Citizens of the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180; US citizens can stay visa-free for up to a year. Rules change, so check the official sources for your nationality before you travel.
Arriving
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) is at Rinas, about 17 km north-west of the centre. The Rinas Express bus leaves every full hour, 24 hours a day, for the centre (behind the Opera, by Skanderbeg Square), takes about 30–40 minutes and costs 400 ALL. A taxi costs about 2,200 ALL and takes 20–25 minutes. A bus also runs from the airport to Durrës.
Getting around
The centre, Blloku, the New Bazaar and the Grand Park are easy to explore on foot. City buses are cheap; pay the conductor on board. Taxis are inexpensive; use licensed ones and check the meter or agree the price.
Around Albania, travel by bus and furgon (minibus) from the city’s bus terminals; ask your hotel which terminal your bus uses. There are no passenger trains from Tirana at present: the new Tirana–Durrës–airport railway is expected to open in late 2027. A hire car is the easiest way to reach the mountains and the coast.
Practical tips
Emergency numbers: police 129, ambulance 127, fire 128. Plugs are types C and F, at 230 V. The language is Albanian; English is widely spoken by younger people and in tourism, and Italian is widely understood.
A nod can mean no and a shake of the head yes, especially among older people: confirm with words. Tap water in Tirana is treated, but many people drink bottled water.
When to go
April to June and September to October are ideal for Tirana and the UNESCO towns. July and August are hot in the city and the best time for the mountains and the coast, which is very busy. Winters are mild and wet in Tirana, with snow in the mountains.
Questions and answers
How do I get from Tirana Airport to the city centre?
By the Rinas Express bus, every full hour around the clock (400 ALL, about 30–40 minutes), or by taxi (about 2,200 ALL, 20–25 minutes).
Can I pay in euros in Albania?
Often, in tourist areas, but at a rounded rate that favours the seller and with change in lek. Paying in lek is cheaper.
Is Albania in the EU or Schengen?
No. Expect passport checks at the border. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180; US citizens for up to a year.
Is there a train from Tirana to Durrës or the airport?
Not yet. The new railway linking Tirana, Durrës and the airport is under construction, with services expected in late 2027. Buses run in the meantime.
How do I get from Tirana to Berat, Shkodër or Sarandë?
By bus or furgon: about 2½ hours to Berat, two hours to Shkodër and several hours to Sarandë. Ask which terminal your bus leaves from.
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Rules, prices and timetables change. Check official sources before you travel.