Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Albania, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The most dangerous aspect of living and working in Albania is the unsafe driving that is regularly encountered on roads nationwide, and the generally poor condition of the roads. Road conditions are especially poor in rural areas in winter months and during inclement weather. Sporadic electricity shortages sometimes result in blackouts affecting road lighting and traffic signals. Travel at night and outside the main urban areas is particularly dangerous as road hazards are unpredictable and can be more difficult to see. Disregard for traffic laws is widespread. Traffic accidents are frequent occurrences and often result in serious injury or death. If you choose to drive in Albania, please exercise strong caution and drive as defensively as possible.

Buses travel between most major cities almost exclusively during the day and do not always run according to the schedule. No public bus routes exist between cities; travelers seeking intra-city transit may use privately owned vans, which function as unofficial system of bus routes and operate almost entirely without schedules or set fares. These private operators may not have permission to operate as a bus service and may not adhere to accepted safety and maintenance standards or driver training. You should consider the condition of the van before you choose to travel in one. In January 2013, vans carrying passengers were robbed at gunpoint near the city of Tepelene on the route from Saranda to Tirana. In the same city in January 2014 a passenger was killed when armed gunmen robbed a bus traveling from Athens to Tirana. Personal vehicles have been robbed in the same fashion. There are no commercial domestic flights and the rail conditions are poor, connections limited, and service unreliable.

You can only use an international driver’s license for one year in Albania. If you wish to drive in Albania for a period of time in excess of one year, you must apply for an Albanian driver’s license.

It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and, if caught, the police may seize your driver’s license and vehicle, and impose additional penalties such as a fine or up to six months in prison.

Using a cell phone while driving is only permitted when the driver utilizes a Bluetooth or other hands-free device. Failure to use such a device can result in a fine.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Albania’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Albania, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Albania’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.