Which car should you rent in Albania?
Five quick questions about your group, luggage, route, gearbox and budget, and we show you the cars that fit, with today's prices.
Rental car types at a glance
Who each type suits, and the models you will typically find on Cria.
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Small or compact car
1 to 4 people travelling light
Typical models: Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i10, VW Polo, VW Golf
See these cars : Small or compact car -
Compact or mid-size car
Up to 4 people with one or two large suitcases
Typical models: VW Golf, VW Jetta, Audi A3, VW Passat
See these cars : Compact or mid-size car -
Large car, estate or SUV
Up to 5 people, or 3 or 4 with a lot of luggage
Typical models: VW Passat, Audi A6, VW Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson
See these cars : Large car, estate or SUV -
SUV
Up to 5 people, on any route
Typical models: VW Tiguan, Audi Q5, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe
See these cars : SUV -
Premium or large car
Up to 4 people with one or two large suitcases
Typical models: Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A5
See these cars : Premium or large car -
7-seater
6 or 7 people with soft bags
Typical models: VW Touran, Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q7
See these cars : 7-seater -
8- or 9-seat van
8 or 9 people with suitcases
Typical models: Mercedes-Benz Vito, Mercedes-Benz Viano, Hyundai H-1
See these cars : 8- or 9-seat van
Do you need a 4x4 in Albania?
For the trips most visitors make, no. The main roads into the mountains are paved, and an ordinary car gets you there if you take the bends slowly.
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Theth
PavedThe SH21 from Koplik, north of Shkodër, is paved all the way to Theth. It is narrow in places, crosses a high mountain pass and can be closed by snow in winter.
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Valbona
PavedThe road up the valley from Bajram Curri is paved.
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Llogara Pass
PavedThe SH8 between Vlorë and the Riviera is paved. A toll tunnel bypasses the pass; the old road over it has tight hairpin bends.
- A 4x4 only matters on unpaved side tracks. Many rental terms do not allow driving off paved roads at all, so check the rental company's terms before you leave the asphalt.
- Cars listed as SUV/4x4 are described that way by the rental company. If you need all-wheel drive, check the car's details and confirm it with the rental company.
Choosing a rental car for Albania: questions travellers ask
No. The roads to Theth (SH21) and Valbona are paved, so an ordinary car gets you there. An SUV adds ground clearance and boot space. A 4x4 only helps on unpaved side tracks, which many rental terms exclude, so check the rental company's terms first.
Rent the gearbox you drive at home. Tirana's traffic and the mountain hairpins are easier without a clutch, and Cria lists both automatic and manual cars. When you filter for automatic, cars with an automated-manual gearbox are included, as neither has a clutch pedal.
A 7-seater such as a VW Touran or Hyundai Santa Fe. With all seven seats in use the boot only takes soft bags, so for seven people with suitcases, or for eight or nine people, rent a van such as a Mercedes-Benz Vito.
As a rule of thumb, a small car takes two cabin bags, a compact car two large suitcases, and a large car, estate or SUV three or four. Boots vary between models, so allow some space if you are close to the limit.
For two people travelling light, yes: the coast road and the routes to Theth and Valbona are paved. Choose a bigger car for four or more adults, for large suitcases or for long days on the motorway.
