FIRST TIME IN ALBANIA?
Albania, without the guesswork.
The practical things that are surprisingly hard to find in one place: whether you need cash, if euros work, how the buses actually work, what to do at Tirana Airport, whether to drink the tap water and how far English will get you.
Clear answers. Checked sources. No 4,000-word travel diary before the useful part.
START HERE
First time in Albania? Read these first.
Four questions that solve a lot of first-day confusion.
BEFORE YOU GO
Entry & documents
Two checks to make before you head to the airport: visa rules and which travel document you can use.
Do I need a visa for Albania?
EU tourists such as Polish and Italian citizens can visit visa-free for short stays. Other passports: check the official regime.
Read guide →EntryID card or passport?
For Polish and Italian travellers, an accepted national ID card can be enough — with an important 2026 change for Italian paper IDs.
Read guide →🇦🇱 ALBANIA ESSENTIALS
Money without surprises
Albania is getting more digital, but cash still matters. These are the pages to read before your first ATM, restaurant or bus.
Do you need cash in Albania?
Yes. Cards are growing, but small businesses and rural areas can still be cash-heavy.
Read guide → MoneyCan you pay by card?
Where cards normally work — and where having lek saves trouble.
Read guide → MoneyAlbanian lek explained
ALL, current banknotes, exchange rates and the “old lek” extra-zero trap.
Read guide → MoneyCan you use euros?
You may see euro in tourism, but lek is the official currency and the safer everyday default.
Read guide →GETTING AROUND
Transport that actually makes sense
Start with official live sources instead of trying to decode years-old forum posts.
Tirana Airport → city centre
Official bus frequency, journey time, current published fare and taxi alternative.
Read guide → IntercityHow do buses work in Albania?
The official eTransport platform now brings routes, stations and schedules together.
Read guide → SIMAlbania Tourist SIM & Mobile Data
Tourist SIM and mobile data in Albania: current Vodafone tourist offers, eSIM options, airport pickup, roaming and what to save offline before travelling.
Read guide →OfflineAlbania Offline Essentials
Save the Albania Offline Pack before you leave Wi‑Fi — buses, airport, cash, mobile data, emergency number and practical phrases.
Save Albania offline →EVERYDAY
Small questions, useful answers
The details you usually remember to Google only after you arrive.
LANGUAGE
Will English be enough?
Usually in the places most tourists use — but not with everyone, everywhere.