Albania is not an expensive country to visit — and for many travelers it’s one of the best-value destinations in Europe right now. Compared to countries like Italy, France, or Croatia, Albania usually offers noticeably lower accommodation and food prices, especially outside peak summer.
That said, your costs can still swing a lot depending on when you go (July–August vs shoulder season), where you stay (Tirana vs the coast), and whether you’re traveling like a backpacker or more mid-range.
In this guide, I’ll break down what Albania really costs in 2026 — daily budgets, accommodation, food, transportation, and the small “hidden costs” people forget. I’ll also show where Albania sits compared to the wider cost of traveling Europe.
Quick answer: is Albania expensive?
For most travelers, Albania feels budget-friendly to moderate — especially compared to Western Europe. These cost ranges are based on recent traveler experiences, local pricing in Albania, and typical expenses reported by budget and mid-range travelers.
| Item | Cost (LEK) | Cost (EUR) |
| Byrek (Street Food) | 50 – 100 ALL | €0.50 – €1.00 |
| Coffee (Espresso) | 100 – 200 ALL | €1.00 – €2.00 |
| Draft Beer (0.5L) | 250 – 400 ALL | €2.50 – €4.00 |
| Hostel Dorm Bed | 1,500 – 2,500 ALL | €15 – €25 |
| Tirana Airport Bus | 400 ALL | €4.00 |
Use these realistic daily budgets as a starting point (per person):
- Budget: €35–€50/day (guesthouses/hostels, local meals, buses)
- Mid-range: €80–€130/day (comfortable hotels, restaurants, taxis sometimes)
- Comfort: €130+/day (nicer hotels, car rental, tours, beach towns in peak season)
If you’re traveling as a couple and sharing accommodation, you can often land in the mid-range experience for less per person.
Average daily costs in Albania (by travel style)
Albania’s biggest cost drivers are accommodation and season. Food and local transport are generally affordable, but prices rise fast in popular coastal areas during July and August.
A helpful way to think about Albania:
- If you avoid peak beach season and stay in smaller towns, Albania can feel very cheap.
- If you go in peak summer and prioritize beachfront hotels, Albania can feel mid-range European.
Accommodation costs (Tirana vs the coast vs smaller towns)
Where you stay matters more in Albania than almost anything else.
- Tirana: often good value for city hotels and apartments
- Coastal hot spots: prices jump in summer, and availability gets tight. In 2026, the ‘Maldives of Europe’ tag has made Ksamil expensive. Expect to pay 1,500 to 3,500 ALL (€15–€35) just for two sunbeds and an umbrella. If you want the ‘Instagram’ front row, some clubs now charge up to €70.
The Fix: Go to Himarë or Dhërmi instead for a better balance of price and beauty. - Smaller towns: consistently cheaper and often more authentic
If your trip is mostly about the Riviera and seaside towns, plan your budget around peak-season accommodation — and use this guide to the best beaches in Albania to choose where staying on the coast is worth the extra cost.
Food and drink costs (realistic ranges)
Food is one of the easiest places to stay on budget in Albania.
Typical patterns:
- Local meals and bakeries keep daily food costs low
- Tourist areas charge more, especially beachfront restaurants
- Alcohol and imported items can push totals up quickly
If you want to stay in the budget range, aim for:
- one sit-down meal per day
- one quick local meal/snack
- groceries for breakfasts
Transportation: Buses, Furgons, and Car Rentals
Getting around Albania is an adventure in itself. There is no central national train network, so you’ll be relying on the road.
1. The “Furgon” (The Soul of Albania)
The Furgon is a privately owned white minibus that goes everywhere. They don’t have ‘official’ tickets or online bookings. You go to a town’s bus lot, find the van with your destination sign (e.g., Tirana – Sarandë) in the window, and hop in.
Pro Tip: Furgons usually leave ‘when full.’ If you’re the first person on, you might wait 20 minutes; if you’re the last, you leave immediately. Always pay the driver in cash (Lek) at the end of the trip.
2. Long-Distance Buses
For major routes like Tirana to Shkodër or Vlorë, there are larger, air-conditioned buses. These have more ‘fixed’ schedules, but ‘fixed’ is a loose term in Albania—expect a 15–30 minute delay.
- Tirana – Saranda: ~1,500 – 1,800 ALL (€15–€18)
- Tirana – Berat: ~500 ALL (€5)
- Saranda – Ksamil: ~100 ALL (€1) — Note: This bus is notoriously packed in summer!
3. Car Rentals (The 2026 Reality)
In 2026, car rental prices in Albania have increased noticeably, especially in summer. Renting a car is the only way to see ‘Hidden Albania’ (like the Theth mountains or secret coves). In 2026, expect to pay €35–€60/day for an economy car in summer. Local agencies often allow you to rent without a credit card deposit, which is a huge win for budget travelers. Just watch out for the ‘mountain tax’—driving in the Llogara Pass requires a car with decent brakes and a confident driver!
4. Taxis and Apps
Don’t just hail a taxi on the street in Tirana; you’ll likely overpay. Download Speed Taxi or Lux Taxi. These apps work like Uber (which isn’t in Albania yet) and give you a fixed, fair price before you get in.
Hidden costs that catch people off guard
Even in a low-cost country, small things add up. In Albania, common budget surprises include:
- peak-season price spikes on the coast
- last-minute accommodation (limited options in summer)
- beach umbrellas/sunbeds in some areas
- ATM Fees: Most Albanian ATMs (Tirana Bank, Credins) now charge a flat fee of €5 to €8 (500–800 ALL) per withdrawal. Look for Credins Bank (sometimes lower) or carry Euros to exchange at local ‘Exchange’ shops which often have better rates than ATMs.
- SIM Cards: Don’t rely on roaming. A Vodafone Tourist Pack at the airport now costs about €25–€29 for 100GB. It’s expensive, so buy it in the city center for closer to €15 if you can wait.
Plan for a small buffer so your trip doesn’t feel “more expensive than expected.”
Is Albania cheaper than the rest of Europe?
In most cases, yes — Albania is cheaper than popular Western European destinations, especially for accommodation and eating out.
But the key point is this: Europe isn’t “expensive everywhere.” Some parts of Europe are also budget-friendly, and price depends heavily on season and destination choice.
If you want the bigger picture (and why people get this wrong), read is Europe expensive to visit — it explains how costs vary across the continent and why travelers often overestimate what they’ll spend.
Who Albania is best for (and who might not love it)
Albania is a great fit if you want:
- strong value for money
- less touristy vibes than the big-name European hotspots
- a mix of coast + mountains + cities in one trip
You might find it less ideal if you prefer:
- ultra-polished tourism infrastructure everywhere
- fixed schedules and highly predictable transport
- luxury travel as your default
This isn’t a downside — it’s just the tradeoff that comes with a destination that’s still growing fast.
So, is Albania expensive to visit?
For most travelers, Albania is one of the better-value trips you can take in Europe.
If you keep an eye on accommodation (especially in peak summer) and use local food and transport, it’s realistic to travel Albania on a budget without feeling like you’re missing out.
