Travel alerts & warnings
Albania driving guide.
Driving in Albania gives you access to mountain villages, Ottoman-era towns and the Ionian coast, but road quality varies sharply beyond the main highways. Expect narrow mountain bends, unpredictable overtaking and occasional livestock; plan rural journeys for daylight.
- Advisory
- Increased caution
- Drives on
- Right
- Best season
- May to June…
- Permit honored
- Yes
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Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased cautionin Albania due to crime.
- Law enforcement’s ability to protect or help you is limited in some areas, especially in remote regions. There has been violent crime related to illicit drug networks and organized crime countrywide. Remain aware of your surroundings and identify available police and emergency services in the area.
- Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services.
Driving there
Your permit in Albania
- Albania honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Albania
Road rules
Wear seat belts in every seat, avoid handheld phone use and do not drink before driving. Use dipped headlights during the day, and slow down for pedestrians, livestock and poorly marked junctions.
Tolls
Expect tolls on the A1 at Kalimash, on the route toward Kosovo, and on the Thumanë–Kashar motorway north of Tirana. Carry Albanian lek for payment rather than relying solely on a foreign bank card.
Fuel
Petrol is labeled 'benzinë' and diesel 'naftë'; confirm the fuel type before an attendant fills your tank. Stations are plentiful on main routes but sparse in mountain areas, so fill up before remote drives and carry lek in case cards are not accepted.
Speed limits
Typical limits are 40 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on ordinary roads outside towns, 90 km/h on main interurban roads and 110 km/h on motorways. Posted signs take precedence; police use roadside speed checks.
Rentals and police checks
Carry your original driver's license alongside your International Driving Permit, passport, rental agreement and vehicle insurance documents. Police checkpoints are common. Check rental restrictions on unpaved roads, and obtain written permission and appropriate insurance before crossing into neighboring countries.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Albania
Berat
Berat County · About 2–2.5 hours from Tirana.
Explore UNESCO-listed Ottoman neighborhoods and the inhabited hilltop castle; park below the steep old-town lanes.
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër County · About 1–1.5 hours from Sarandë.
A UNESCO-listed stone city with a commanding fortress, traditional tower houses and a cobbled bazaar; explore the old center on foot.
Butrint National Park
Southern coast, Vlorë County · About 40–50 minutes from Sarandë, longer in summer traffic.
Walk through Greek, Roman and Byzantine ruins in a wooded lakeside setting; approach via Ksamil to avoid the small vehicle ferry.
Theth
Albanian Alps, Shkodër County · About 2–3 hours from Shkodër in good conditions; check snow and weather before departure.
A mountain village surrounded by dramatic peaks, with access to waterfall walks; the approach via the Qafa e Thorës pass is paved but narrow and winding.
Krujë
Durrës County · About 45–75 minutes from Tirana.
Visit Skanderbeg's castle and the traditional bazaar above the coastal plain; use designated parking near the historic center.
Llogara Pass
Vlorë County · About 1–1.5 hours from Vlorë to the pass.
Follow the scenic SH8 over the pass for pine forests and sweeping Ionian views rather than taking the bypass tunnel.
Heading to Albania?
Apply online in about ten minutes. We print and mail your permit, and you can track it the whole way.