Border Formalities:          

Passport/Visa

Passports: A valid passport is required to enter Albania. Identity cards are not accepted.

Visas: By a Decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic, the citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Albania:

E.C. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

EFTA Countries: Norway and Switzerland

Other: U.S.A, Canada, Turkey, Israel, Japan, South Korea, San Marino, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

The citizens of other countries may obtain visa at any entry point by payment: Saudi Arabia, FYR Macedonia, Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Malta, Kuwait, Egypt and United Arab Emirates.

The citizens of other countries are required to obtain visas in the embassies of the Republic of Albania or Albanian Consulates in their respective or neighbouring countries.

During the summer tourist season, between 1 of June until 30 of September, the Albanian Government provides the following incentives.

All foreign citizens of Albanian nationally can enter Albania without visa. In such a case identity cards are accepted as valid. Do not need visa for this period of time the citizens from Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary and Poland.

Getting to Albania:

By Air:

Through “Mother Theresa” International Airport, 25 km northwest of Tirana. Linkage with the city is provided through taxi service, taxi fares mounting to approximately 20 USD.

“Mother Theresa: Airport – Tel + 355 4 371 201, 362 137.

The main airlines operating in Albania are:

ALBANIAN AIRLINES – National Airline of Albania provides connections to Rome, Milan, Bologna, Istanbul, Frankfurt and Pristina.

ADA AIR

MALEV

ALITALIA

ADRIA AIRWAYS

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES

OLYMPIC

TURKISH AIRLINES

HEMUS AIR

  JAT AIRWAYS

By Sea:

Albania can be accessed by sea through its main ports:

Durres, provides linkage with the Italian ports of Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Trieste.

Vlora, provides linkage with the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi.

Shen Gjin is linked with Bari in Italy.

Saranda provides daily connections with the Greek Island of Corfuz.

By Road:

From Montenegro through Hani i Hotit and Murriqan-Sukobina. The first road leads to the Northern City of Shkodra and Shkodra Lake, while the second links Shkodra with Ulcinj.

From FYR Macedonia through Qafe Thane pass leading to Pogradec, Librazhd and Elbasan.

From Tushemisht at the South-Eastern extreme of Lake Ohrid leading to Pogradec.

From Bllata, leading to Peshkopi or Bulqiza and Burrel.

From Gorica the road leads to the northern shores of Lake Prespa.

From Kosovo, through Morina pass, which links Kukes (Albania) with Prizren (Kosovo).

From Greece through Kapshtica. The road leads to Korca, while through Kakavija the road leads to Gjirokastra.

Qafe Boti connecting Konispol with Filat and Tre Urat connecting Permet with Konica.

There is a regular bus services which travels the following lines:

Tirana – Tetova (Macedonia) through Qafe Thane,

Tirana – Prishtina and other towns in Kosovo through Morina,

Korca – Thessaloniki through Kapshtica,

Tirana – Athens through Kakavija,

Tirana – Sofia and Istanbul from Qafe Thana.

   Customs

All personal items, new or old may be taken in Albania without incurring duties. A reasonable amount of tobacco, beverages and perfumes for personal use is allowed.

Prohibited items: Firearms, ammunition, narcotics, drugs and goods jeopardizing the observance of public order and social security. Special export permits are required for precious metals, ancient coins and scroll, antiques, books and works of art, which are considered to be part of national culture and heritage.

Currency Exchange

Currency Lek (LK). The banknotes are of 5000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100.

Coins are in denominations of lek 100,50,20,10 and 5.

Credit Cards: American Express, Diners and Visa, are accepted by banks and several hotels. Travelers Checks are accepted by banks and some large hotels. However, most bills are paid in cash.

   Transport within Albania

Urban Transport: A cheap flat fare urban bus service operated within the main cities. This service operates in Tirana, Shkodra, Durres, Vlora and Berat.

   Local Time

GMT 1 (GMT + 2 between the end of April and the end of October)

Electricity – 220 volt, 50 Hz

   Social Profile

Gastronomy: Besides the restaurant in hotels, private restaurants offer rich menus of high quality food and services. In general food has Turkish, French, Italian and other influences. There are also some delicious Albanian specialties. Almost each region has its characteristic specialties.

Drinks: In all bars, cafes and restaurant one can find drinks produced in Albania such as Raki (traditional alcoholic beverage made of grape), red and white wine, local and imported beer, liquors and other drinks. Albanian cognac is also distinguished for its characteristic aroma.

Shopping: You can buy carpets, filigree, silver and copper articles, woodcarvings, ceramics and different assortments of needlework. Some of the big tourist hotels have their own shops.

Nightlife: The people in the vitas go on an evening stroll in the main boulevards and squares. The performances given by Drama and Opera cast, different concerts and movie shows, enliven the culture life. Discos, pubs and bars with gambling machines have been opened everywhere. The main hotels have taverns where one can enjoy local music and dancing.