Backpack Europe and Budget Travel: Travelling in Albania

Travelling in Albania Travel: Travel facts for Albania My travel experiences in Albania Accommodation: Hotels in Albania Transportation: Train / Eurail Passes Cheap flights to Albania

News from Albania

Travelling in Albania

Albania is a mountainous country, right on the Adriatic coast wedged between Yugoslavia, Macedonia, and Greece. Albania has had a tough transition since communism fell in the early 1990's, and many travellers have avoided it because of many dangers. Most of the country, however, is safe today for travellers however you'll still need to use a great deal of caution.

Backpacking Albania - Quick Facts

Local Language: Albanian - Italian is a good language to know when getting around, and English is of course also very helpful.

Visa Requirements: Canadians are allowed in Albania for 90 days without a visa.

Health Risks: Hepatitis B - Get a vaccination.

Costs: Albania is very cheap, and you can get buy on relatively low cash. Make sure to carry some US cash or Euro's to exchange.

Travels in Albania

Travelling through Albania is a real trip. Many people are extremely poor, and many parts of the country are somewhat lawless. Many times the police can't be trusted. That being said, the country is beautiful, and a great stop if you're on your way to Turkey. The capital city, Tirana is about halfway between Rome and Istanbul.

Albania is also an Islamic country, so you'll want to respect local customs and traditions. Albanians themselves are many times extremely helpful and kind to foreigners, but again, be wary. There's always a small minority that'll want to take advantage of a traveller in need.

I'd warn against travelling to the north of the country though, as there have been numerous stories and reports of open violence and armed robbery. Stick to the capital and a few other cities in the area, and then hop on a bus to your next destination.

For Albanian and European travel guidebooks, check here:
Albanian and European Guidebooks

Hotels and Hostels in Albania

Albania still hasn't quite warmed up to tourism yet, but as a result you're bound to find some great deals in Tirana and other Albanian cities. Some hotels though are pretty sketchy - Broken windows, no heat in the winter, etc. Make sure you find out before hand!

For hotels in Albania, check out the link below:
Cheap Hotels and Hostels in Albania

Trains to Albania, Tirana

Trains aren't really an option. Your best bet is taking the bus, as with many Eastern Mediteranean countries. The bus ride will be a long, windy one, however very cheap. You can catch buses to Yugoslavia, Greece, and Macedonia without difficulty.

Eurail passes DON'T cover Albania, but if you'r travelling back to Western Europe are defintely worth purchasing as the train is the best way to get around the country as with most of Europe.
Cheap Train and Eurail Passes

Flights to Albania

Albania is well connected to many of the neighbouring countries. You can get frequent flights from Italy and Hungary, among others, and therefore if you're flying in from Canada you'll most likely have to switch and take a Malev Hungarian or an Alitalia flight on to Tirana.
Cheap flights to Tirana, Albania

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