Car rental in Tirana: Your Complete Guide

Tirana, the capital of Albania, is an emerging travel destination, which combines rich history with modern character. It is a vivid city with many districts full of cafes, restaurants and bars, where the multicultural energy blends with the friendly locals and beautiful nature.

With car hire in Tirana, you can explore this unique destination, discover off-the-beaten-path spots and make short trips to the surrounding area. Our Tirana rental guide will help you!

The most popular car rental locations in Tirana are at Tirana airport and city center. However, undoubtedly the most convenient spot, where you can find Abbycar’s station, is at the airport, as most visitors arrive in Tirana by airplane. From there, you can discover the city as well as nearby attractions.

The best tips for choosing the right rental agency in Tirana are:

• Price comparisons and deals: Check the offers and discounts for the car category you want.
• Hidden fees: Read thoroughly the rental agreement to avoid hidden charges.
• Car fleet: Choose a rental company with new and safe vehicles and great variety to find the perfect car for you.
• Customer service and reliability: A worldwide reliable company with local partners is your safe option.
• Online booking: The easy and straightforward process of booking online in a user-friendly platform is the best choice to perfectly organize your trip and find the best deals. Booking a rental car in Tirana online is the most convenient and affordable way to organize your journey.
• Insurance options: A trusted rental company will offer you various packages and wide coverage, which is necessary in Albania.

Abbycar is one of the best car rental companies in Albania as it combines worldwide reputation with super deals all-year-long. Plus, it has great variety in new and modern vehicles, 24/7 road assistance and excellent customer service.

For renting a car at Tirana airport, all you need is to find Abbycar’s station and choose the car type that meets your needs, travel plan and budget. You can book the car online or on-site.

The required documents are International Driving License, passport or ID and a credit card under your name, where the deposit amount will be blocked (but not charged except only in case of damage according to the terms of your insurance).

The tips for a smooth rental process at the airport you should remember are:

• Have an International Driving License, as Albania is non-EU country.
• Ask before your arrival about the option to rent a car in Tirana without credit card. You can pay with debit card or cash, but you should inform the station and check any prerequisites, such as the insurance package.
• Read the rental agreement to have a full overview of the fees.
• Inform the station before your arrival about your age. The minimum age for young driver car rental in Tirana is 23 years, but you can be as young as 21 years old if you pay an additional young driver fee. The maximum age is 70 years.

Renting a car in Tirana offers significant advantages, such as:

• It provides the freedom to explore the city and its surrounding areas at your own pace, making it easy to visit attractions like Dajti National Park and coastal towns like Durres.
• A car enables access to remote and scenic spots that are less reachable by public transport.
• It gives you comfort and convenience, especially for families or groups.
• It allows for spontaneous travel plans and flexibility.

However, keep in mind that there are some cons of car rental in Tirana:

• Traffic in the rush hours is heavy.
• The driving behavior is aggressive and chaotic if you are not familiar with.
• Parking can be difficult to find and may require additional fees.
• Navigation might be confusing due to limited signage.
• The travel cost, including rental price, insurance and fuel, is higher than with public transportation. 

But remember that Abbycar is one of the most affordable car rentals in Tirana and offers many deals and discounts to find the best car according to your budget.

Other transportation options you have:

• Public transportation: The public transportation is cost-effective and covers the main touristic areas, but it has no flexibility regarding routes and schedules, is crowded and not convenient for remote and less known districts.
• Taxis and rideshare services: Taxis and rideshares services are easily available and convenient, but they are not the most cost-effective mode of transport, especially if you do many routes and long distances per day. They are a god solution for 1-2 short routes. Plus, it is difficult to find a taxi in rush hours.
• Biking: In Tirana, you can rent a bike at low price. However, you should be very careful, as the traffic is heavy and Albanian driving style is stressful.

For personal experiences and testimonials, read more here.

Navigating Tirana roads can be challenging due to heavy traffic, aggressive driving style and limited signage. It is very helpful to follow these driving tips in Tirana:

• Use navigation app. If the cost to use your mobile phone for internet data may be high, you can ask for GPS from Abbycar
• Be cautious of pedestrians and cyclists, as they frequently share the road.
• Avoid driving during the night.
• Carry your driving license, as there are frequent police checkpoints.
• Be prepared for and don’t interact with aggressive drivers.
• Carry your driving license, as there are frequent police checkpoints.

The most important parking tips in Tirana are:

• Look for designated parking areas and garages, especially in busy districts, like Blloku and Skanderbeg Square, to avoid fines.
• Use parking apps for easy payment and to find available spots.
• Park in well-lit areas and don’t leave valuables in your car.
• In busy areas, avoid searching for parking nearby, as it is wiser to walk a bit and avoid overcrowded places.

There are many nearby attractions to explore with your car around Tirana. The most popular are:

• Dajti National Park: It offers breathtaking view of Tirana (30 minutes’ drive).
• Durres: It is a major coastal city on the Adriatic coast, famous for its long beaches and historical sites (50 minutes’ drive).
• Kruja: It is a historical town featuring the Skanderbeg Museum and a traditional bazaar (1 hour drive).
• Berat: The UNESCO World Heritage site impresses with its unique Ottoman-era architecture (2 hours’ drive).
• Mount Dajti: It is ideal for nature lovers, providing trekking, picnicking and paragliding (30 minutes’ drive).
• Apollonia: It is an ancient archaeological site with ruins dating back to Greek and Roman times (2 hours’ drive).

It is highly recommended to choose a reliable rental company, such as Abbycar, that has excellent customer service and can help you with any issue or safety matter.

A wide-coverage insurance is the best way to travel stress-free, eliminate the deposit amount in your credit card and feel confident in case of emergency.

Our tip is to check thoroughly the car before pick-up and take photos to prove its pre-existing condition. We are here to help you deal with any car rental issue.

Explore Tirana with Abbycar easily, safely and on a budget!