Which rental car for Albania? Choosing by road and trip

In a single day in Albania you can drive on a motorway, on the cobbled lanes of museum towns and up the bends of a mountain pass. So the question of which rental car to choose has no single answer: it depends on the road, the number of passengers and the season. Here is how to choose without paying more than you need.

In the cities: small is better

Tirana traffic is heavy at rush hour and parking in the centre is scarce. In Berat and Gjirokastër the old-town streets are narrow, cobbled and steep. An economy or compact car parks more easily, uses less fuel and costs less per day.

For the coast and Llogara

Road SH8 from Vlorë to the Riviera climbs to the Llogara Pass and winds down to Dhërmi and Himarë. A very weak engine struggles uphill with a full car and the air conditioning on. Choose a compact with a decent engine or a small SUV.

For the mountains: when an SUV or 4x4 is worth it

Many mountain roads have been paved in recent years, including the road from Shkodër to Theth. Still, the slopes are steep, there are stones on the road and snow in winter. For unpaved roads to villages and viewpoints, a 4x4 with good ground clearance is the safe choice.

Automatic or manual?

Most rental cars in Albania have a manual gearbox and usually cost a little less. If you are not comfortable with a manual, book an automatic early, especially in summer, because there are fewer of them. On steep mountain roads an automatic makes driving much calmer.

Diesel, petrol or electric?

• Diesel: low consumption, good for long distances and the mountains.
• Petrol: common on small city cars.
• Hybrid: very economical in town and in traffic.
• Electric: the charging network is growing, but outside the big cities it is still limited. Plan the route and the charging stops in advance.

Read also: how to rent a car without surprises and the traffic rules in Albania.