Difference between revisions of "Albania"

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|pop = 3,170,048
 
|pop = 3,170,048
 
|currency = Lek (ALL)
 
|currency = Lek (ALL)
|hitch = from {{good}} to {{very good}}
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|hitch = <rating country='al' />
 
}}
 
}}
'''Albania''' is a country in the [[Balkans]] in [[Southern Europe]]. The capital is [[Tirana]]. It has borders to [[Montenegro]], [[Kosovo]], [[Macedonia]] and [[Greece]].
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'''Albania''' is a country in the [[Balkans]] in [[Southern Europe]]. The capital is [[Tirana]]. It has borders to [[Montenegro]], [[Kosovo]], [[North Macedonia]] and [[Greece]].
  
The road network is not very complicated, and getting out from and past towns is usually just a matter of walking in the right direction. Roads do tend to go through the towns, but keep an eye out for signs for shortcuts to avoid tedious walking when transiting.
+
The road network is not very complicated, and getting out from and past towns is usually just a matter of walking in the right direction. Roads do tend to go through the towns, but keep an eye out for signs for shortcuts to avoid tedious walking when transiting. In Albania there are lots of round-abouts, even on some motorways, these are perfect places to hitch!
  
 
== Hitchhiking culture ==
 
== Hitchhiking culture ==
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[[Hitchhiking]] in Albania can go surprisingly well. Even though Albania is still one of the poorest countries in [[Europe]], the country's living conditions have improved greatly in the past years.  
 
[[Hitchhiking]] in Albania can go surprisingly well. Even though Albania is still one of the poorest countries in [[Europe]], the country's living conditions have improved greatly in the past years.  
  
People are usually friendly and ready to help. Be aware some drivers expect money, since private taxi is a major form of public transport. Make sure that before you board a vehicle the driver is not an informal cab-driver. A simple 'no taxi' phrase should be enough to avoid misunderstandings. Some found it useful to learn "por.... jo para.... jo problem?" (but.... no money... no problem?) and ask it as they stop (yes/no = po/jo, and mirë (pronounced mir) = fine/good). Some drivers will refuse to take you for free, but still every other driver should pick you up. Hitchhiking with a sign can be useful to differentiate yourself from the other people using public transportation. However, putting "no taxi" on your sign makes you just another roadside attraction, and is probably best avoided.
+
People are usually friendly and ready to help. Be aware some drivers expect money, since private taxi is a major form of public transport. A very easy way to avoid misunderstandings (if you are strict about hitchhiking) is to say "autostop, jo lek" - "hitchhiking, no money" while showing the thumb up sign ("jo" is pronounced "yo"). This is very clear to drivers and they will either drive away or pick you up anyway.  
  
Many private minibuses join the main cities via the main roads. There are no bus stops, so they may stop when they see you hitchhiking. They are quite cheap, for example a ride from [[Tirana]] - [[Shkodër]] (120 km) costs 400 Lek (about EUR 3). Thus, it may happen that they pick you for free if you say that you don't have money.  
+
Hitchhiking with a sign can be useful to differentiate yourself from the other people using public transportation, but on smaller roads a thumb is enough (and might actually make things easier since people might not be going far and it's hard to know what to put on your sign). The only place a sign is really useful is to get out of [[Tirana]]
 +
 +
[[Image:Albania hh truck.jpg|right|thumb|Hitching down from [[Theth]] at the back of a truck.]]Many private minibuses join the main cities via the main roads. There are no bus stops, so they may stop when they see you hitchhiking. They are quite cheap, for example a ride from [[Tirana]] - [[Shkodër]] (120 km) costs 500 Lek (about EUR 3.5). Thus, it may happen that they pick you for free if you say that you don't have money.  
  
 
Also, make sure to keep an eye on the road -- if the driver makes sudden turns and other similar actions while driving it is likely that he is either a taxi driver or that he thinks he is doing good by bringing you to the local bus station, and would expect some money from you. You therefore will have to be reiterative on stating that you travel by '''autostop'''. This kind of driver behaviour usually is not valid for the company car or truck drivers': they are already salaried and won't be offering a taxi service to you.
 
Also, make sure to keep an eye on the road -- if the driver makes sudden turns and other similar actions while driving it is likely that he is either a taxi driver or that he thinks he is doing good by bringing you to the local bus station, and would expect some money from you. You therefore will have to be reiterative on stating that you travel by '''autostop'''. This kind of driver behaviour usually is not valid for the company car or truck drivers': they are already salaried and won't be offering a taxi service to you.
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Women hitchhiking alone do not encounter more issues than the average European country.
 
Women hitchhiking alone do not encounter more issues than the average European country.
  
 +
[[File:100_1393.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Border Crossing from North Macedonia at Ohrid Lake]]
 
[[File:tirana.jpg|right|thumb|typical road scene in Tirana]]
 
[[File:tirana.jpg|right|thumb|typical road scene in Tirana]]
[[File:Skadar-mosque.jpg|right|thumb|Mosque in [[Shkodër]]]]
 
  
=== Safety ===
+
== Safety ==
  
 
Albania has a good hitchhiking reputation. The government financial trust in [[police]] force has lifted up the safety level in most areas of the country; however, it is paramount to remain cautious, and hitching by night as well as in some areas might not be too wise. Beware of the poorest area and hitching next to slums since you will be quickly dragging the attention of dozens of children lurking at your bags, and would make almost impossible for you to get out of there, so if you find yourself around such place just walk away and ignore the people until you are in a better area.
 
Albania has a good hitchhiking reputation. The government financial trust in [[police]] force has lifted up the safety level in most areas of the country; however, it is paramount to remain cautious, and hitching by night as well as in some areas might not be too wise. Beware of the poorest area and hitching next to slums since you will be quickly dragging the attention of dozens of children lurking at your bags, and would make almost impossible for you to get out of there, so if you find yourself around such place just walk away and ignore the people until you are in a better area.
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* [[Tirana]]
 
* [[Tirana]]
 
* [[Durrës]]
 
* [[Durrës]]
 +
* [[Shkodër]]
 +
* [[Berat]]
 +
* [[Lushnjë]]
 
* [[Elbasan]]  
 
* [[Elbasan]]  
 
* [[Vlorë]]  
 
* [[Vlorë]]  
* [[Shkodër]]
+
* [[Sarandë]]
 +
* [[Gjirokaster]]
 +
* [[Korça]]
 +
 
 +
=== Other places ===
 +
* [[Theth]] (village & national park)
 +
* [[Borsh]] (village with a wonderful beach)
 +
 
 +
== Eating & Drinking ==
 +
 
 +
In Tirana (and probably in other cities, too) you can find very cheap local food markets with really good and fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, etc. Local olive oil and freshly baked bread is something everyone has to taste!
 +
 
 +
== Accomodation & Sleeping ==
 +
 
 +
In Tirana one can easily get accommodated in so called private sector: these are people who have their apartments arranged to accepts occasional tourists. It is safe, quite cheap (you can talk about how much you can pay), you get friendly company (if needed) and tips how and where. To find these kind of places just ask some more tidily looking folks on the street, or in Internet cafes and other similar places.
 +
There is a nice and individual hostel in the center of Tirana. Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Rruga Elbasanit 85, Tirana.
 +
For free you can stay at Couchsurfer house. Albanians are very good hosts and they can help you by showing the city you will stay or giving directions.
 +
 
 +
[[User:MOAH|Mind of a Hitchhiker]] had an awesome time freecamping and squatting in Albania. There's lots of building going on in Albania, especially at the coast in [[Sarandë]] there's a whole rise of ugly concrete structures, presumably to launder money. There's not enough people who actually buy those apartments, so squatting is really doable for the night if you manage to sneak in unnoticed. There's empty buildings in the whole country. If you walk about 4km north of [[Dürres]] centre there's a few beaches and hills excellent for pitching a tent.
 +
 
 +
== Personal Experiences ==
  
== Border Crossing ==
+
Pls add info
  
Be careful at the borders, because officers can be corrupted and there are many problems with smuggling of cigarettes, drugs and guns. Border controls are more "exact" than in the rest of the [[Balkans]].
 
  
* [[Montenegro-Albanian border crossing]]
 
** ''[[User:Harveypekar|Harveypekar]] 2010. I tried at Podgorice, but ended up stuck for 2 hours. I made the sign for "a little bit" and made it to Tuzi, where it's better. Even though the touts will discourage you, and shout at cars that you won't pay, I got a ride after 30 mins in an Albanian car. Backsheesh for leaving Montenegro was 5 beers, and entering Albania 200 leks. My drivers paid that. Beware that the road to Skoder is really slow and could take well over an hour. I heard the crossing on the coast is barely visited, and only by tourists, with way less hassle by border guards.
 
* [[Qafë-Thanës-Struga border crossing]]
 
** ''[[User:Quarim|Quarim]] had problems at the border check to [[Macedonia]] (direction [[Struga]], [[Ohrid]]) in 2008, he gave a bribe that the officers let him pass.''
 
** ''[[User:Klaudyna|Klaudyna]] reports a very different experience: ''We crossed the Macedonian - Albanian border on foot and started hitchhiking straight after crossing, about 100 meters away from the officers. We thought it's was going to bring us in trouble and we were trying to be as discreet with it as possible. They noticed us of course, but their reaction was quite different from what we expected - they stopped a car for us and told the driver to bring us to Tirana coz there is not much traffic and otherwise we would have waited forever.''
 
  
== Eating & Drinking ==
 
  
In Tirana (and probably in other cities, too) you can find very cheap local food markets with really good and fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, etc. Local olive oil and freshly baked bread is something everyone has to taste!
+
== Links ==
  
Do not drink tap water in Albania.
+
[http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Albanian_phrasebook Albanian Phrasebook] on Wikivoyage
  
== Accomodation & Sleeping ==
+
[http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Albania Albania] on Wikivoyage
  
In Tirana one can easily get accommodated in so called private sector: these are people who have their apartments arranged to accepts occasional tourists. It is safe, quite cheap (you can talk about how much you can pay), you get friendly company (if needed) and tips how and where. To find these kind of places just ask some more tidily looking folks on the street, or in Internet cafes and other similar places.
+
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
  
There is a nice and individual hostel in the center of Tirana. Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Rruga Elbasanit 85, Tirana.
+
{{nomadwiki}}
  
== Other Useful Info ==
 
  
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Albanian_phrasebook Albanian Phrasebook] on Wikitravel
 
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Albania Albania] on Wikitravel
 
 
{{Template:Europe/countries}}
 
 
{{IsIn|Balkans}}
 
{{IsIn|Balkans}}
 +
__NOTOC__
  
 
[[Category:Albania]]
 
[[Category:Albania]]
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[[de:Albanien]]
 
[[de:Albanien]]
[[fr:Albanie]]  
+
[[fr:Albanie]]
 
[[pl:Albania]]
 
[[pl:Albania]]
 
__NOTOC__
 
[[trash:Albania]]
 

Revision as of 16:04, 5 February 2021

Flag of Albania Albania
Information
Language: Albanian
Capital: Tirana
Population: 3,170,048
Currency: Lek (ALL)
Hitchability: <rating country='al' />
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots
<map lat='41.02623044860001' lng='19.3853759765625' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' />

Albania is a country in the Balkans in Southern Europe. The capital is Tirana. It has borders to Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece.

The road network is not very complicated, and getting out from and past towns is usually just a matter of walking in the right direction. Roads do tend to go through the towns, but keep an eye out for signs for shortcuts to avoid tedious walking when transiting. In Albania there are lots of round-abouts, even on some motorways, these are perfect places to hitch!

Hitchhiking culture

Hitchhiking in Albania can go surprisingly well. Even though Albania is still one of the poorest countries in Europe, the country's living conditions have improved greatly in the past years.

People are usually friendly and ready to help. Be aware some drivers expect money, since private taxi is a major form of public transport. A very easy way to avoid misunderstandings (if you are strict about hitchhiking) is to say "autostop, jo lek" - "hitchhiking, no money" while showing the thumb up sign ("jo" is pronounced "yo"). This is very clear to drivers and they will either drive away or pick you up anyway.

Hitchhiking with a sign can be useful to differentiate yourself from the other people using public transportation, but on smaller roads a thumb is enough (and might actually make things easier since people might not be going far and it's hard to know what to put on your sign). The only place a sign is really useful is to get out of Tirana

Hitching down from Theth at the back of a truck.

Many private minibuses join the main cities via the main roads. There are no bus stops, so they may stop when they see you hitchhiking. They are quite cheap, for example a ride from Tirana - Shkodër (120 km) costs 500 Lek (about EUR 3.5). Thus, it may happen that they pick you for free if you say that you don't have money.

Also, make sure to keep an eye on the road -- if the driver makes sudden turns and other similar actions while driving it is likely that he is either a taxi driver or that he thinks he is doing good by bringing you to the local bus station, and would expect some money from you. You therefore will have to be reiterative on stating that you travel by autostop. This kind of driver behaviour usually is not valid for the company car or truck drivers': they are already salaried and won't be offering a taxi service to you.

Women hitchhiking alone do not encounter more issues than the average European country.

File:100 1393.JPG
Border Crossing from North Macedonia at Ohrid Lake
typical road scene in Tirana

Safety

Albania has a good hitchhiking reputation. The government financial trust in police force has lifted up the safety level in most areas of the country; however, it is paramount to remain cautious, and hitching by night as well as in some areas might not be too wise. Beware of the poorest area and hitching next to slums since you will be quickly dragging the attention of dozens of children lurking at your bags, and would make almost impossible for you to get out of there, so if you find yourself around such place just walk away and ignore the people until you are in a better area.

Cities

Other places

  • Theth (village & national park)
  • Borsh (village with a wonderful beach)

Eating & Drinking

In Tirana (and probably in other cities, too) you can find very cheap local food markets with really good and fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, etc. Local olive oil and freshly baked bread is something everyone has to taste!

Accomodation & Sleeping

In Tirana one can easily get accommodated in so called private sector: these are people who have their apartments arranged to accepts occasional tourists. It is safe, quite cheap (you can talk about how much you can pay), you get friendly company (if needed) and tips how and where. To find these kind of places just ask some more tidily looking folks on the street, or in Internet cafes and other similar places. There is a nice and individual hostel in the center of Tirana. Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Rruga Elbasanit 85, Tirana. For free you can stay at Couchsurfer house. Albanians are very good hosts and they can help you by showing the city you will stay or giving directions.

Mind of a Hitchhiker had an awesome time freecamping and squatting in Albania. There's lots of building going on in Albania, especially at the coast in Sarandë there's a whole rise of ugly concrete structures, presumably to launder money. There's not enough people who actually buy those apartments, so squatting is really doable for the night if you manage to sneak in unnoticed. There's empty buildings in the whole country. If you walk about 4km north of Dürres centre there's a few beaches and hills excellent for pitching a tent.

Personal Experiences

Pls add info



Links

Albanian Phrasebook on Wikivoyage

Albania on Wikivoyage

Nomadwiki & Trashwiki

Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)