Self-drive car rental

Car Rentalin Albania

Rent a car through our partner, Rent a Car in Albania. Use code TIA15 for 15% off your first rental.

Opens rca.al in a new tab.

Not sure which car? See which suits your trip

The freedom to explore on your own terms: quiet coves, mountain villages and the Riviera at your own pace, in a car that suits the road.

Which car for my trip?

4.9 on Google (89 reviews)
Partner: Rent a Car in Albania
15% off with code TIA15
Pick-up at Tirana Airport and the ports

Self-drive

Albania on your own terms

Some of the best of Albania sits just off the main road: a cove below a village, a castle above a bend, a lunch that turns into an afternoon. With your own car you stop when something catches your eye, leave when you are ready, and reach the places buses never will.

The country is compact, and the main roads between Tirana, the coast and the old towns are good. Some routes are slow and steep, and one is off limits to rental cars altogether. Pick the right car for the trip you have in mind and the drive becomes part of the holiday.

Which car?

The right car for the road ahead

What each kind of car suits in Albania. Photos show example models; the rental company shows the exact cars when you book.

Towns & short hops

Small city car

Easy to park in Tirana and in the old towns, and the simplest choice in Ksamil or Sarandë in July and August, when spaces are scarce. Best for one or two people with light luggage and short drives.

The coast road

Compact or family car

Room for a family's luggage and comfortable on the long, winding drive along the Riviera between Vlorë and Sarandë. The all-round choice for most trips.

Mountain roads

Compact SUV

Higher seating and more ground clearance for the Llogara Pass, steep roads down to the beaches and village side roads, and the hill country around Berat and Gjirokastër.

Families & groups

People carrier

Seven to nine seats and space for luggage, for bigger families and groups travelling together. At its best on the main roads between Tirana, the coast and the old towns; slower on narrow village lanes.

Long-distance comfort

Premium car

Extra comfort and quiet for the longer drives, from Tirana down to the south or north to Lake Shkodër, and for a special trip.

The Albanian Alps. Drive as far as Shkodër, the gateway to the north. Rental cars are not allowed on the mountain road to Theth, so leave the car there and let a driver take you the rest of the way: see our private transfer to Theth.

Ready to choose your car?

We work with Rent a Car in Albania, with pick-up points at Tirana Airport, central Tirana, Durrës and Sarandë ports, Vlorë and Shkodër. Use the code TIA15 for 15% off your first rental.

Find a car on rca.al

Opens rca.al in a new tab.

Plan your drive

Route guides and driving tips

Read up before you set off. New guides appear here as they are published.

The Riviera and the south coast

Shkodër and the Albanian Alps

Frequently asked questions

Which car do I need for Albania?

For most trips a compact car is enough: the main roads are good. A compact SUV makes the steep and narrow roads easier, a people carrier suits families and groups of five or more, and a small car is the easiest to park in the towns and on the coast in summer.

Can I drive a rental car to Theth?

No. Rental cars are not allowed on the mountain road to Theth. Drive as far as Shkodër and travel on with a private transfer.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Albania?

A full, valid EU or UK licence is accepted. If your licence was issued outside Europe, carry an International Driving Permit with it, and check the requirements with your rental company before you travel.

Is it easy to drive in Albania?

The main highways are modern and well surfaced. Coastal and mountain roads, such as the Llogara Pass, are winding and narrow in places, so allow more time than the distance suggests and drive at a sensible pace.