Transportation in Albania: Public Transit, Taxis, Car Rentals, and Travel Apps

Albania offers a range of transportation options for travelers. Public transport is primarily based on buses and minibuses, with no metro or tram systems. Private transport includes taxis, ride-hailing apps, and car rentals.

• Public Transport: City buses operate in major cities such as Tirana, Durrës, and Shkodër. There are no metro or tram systems. Intercity travel is mainly by bus or minibus (furgon), with frequent routes between Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër, and Vlorë.
• Key Apps: International ride-hailing apps like Uber and Grab are not available. Local apps such as Speed Taxi and UPs Taxi are used in Tirana for booking taxis.
• Internal Flights: Domestic flights are limited. Air Albania operates some internal routes, mainly between Tirana and Kukës.
• Trains: The national rail network is limited and slow, with infrequent service. Main routes include Tirana–Durrës and Durrës–Shkodër.
• Taxis: Widely available in cities. Fares are metered; cash payment is standard. Ride-hailing via local apps is possible in Tirana.
• Car Rental: Available at airports and major cities. An international driving permit is recommended for non-EU visitors.
• Airport Transfers: Tirana International Airport is connected to the city by shuttle bus (Rinas Express) and taxis.
• Accessibility: Public transport accessibility for travelers with disabilities is limited; taxis and private transfers are more suitable.
• Unique Transport: Cable car (Dajti Ekspres) operates in Tirana for access to Mount Dajti.
• Safety & Payment: Public transport is generally safe. Payment is usually in cash (Albanian lek). Card payments are rare on public transport.