Albania

Albania
Information
Language:	Albanian
Capital:	Tirana
Population:	3,600,523
Currency:	Lek (ALL)
Hitchability:	from (good) to (very good)
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Albania is a country in Europe. The capital is Tirana.

Hitch-hiking

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

People are usually friendly and ready to help, although most car drivers will not understand the concept of hitch-hiking, considering also that a private taxi is a major form of public transport. Therefore, make sure that before you board a vehicle the driver is not an informal cab-driver. 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 behavior 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.

typical road scene in Tirana

Eating and drinking in Albania

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!

Don't drink water from the tap in Albania.

Accomodation

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.

Border crossing

When entering Albania, you will have to pay a tourist tax (required to get the stamp in your passport, which you will need when leaving the country). It will be 10 Euro. Take care at the borders, officers can be corrupt and there are many problems with smuggling of cigaretts, drugs and guns. Border controls are more "exact" then in the rest of the balkans.

See also Montenegro-Albanian border crossing

Quarim had problems at the border check to Macedonia (direction Struga, Ohrid) in 2008, he gave a bribe that the officers let him pass.

Countries of Europe

Albania • Andorra • Austria • Belarus • Belgium • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Bulgaria • Croatia • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Kosovo • Latvia • Liechtenstein • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Macedonia • Malta • Moldova • Monaco • Montenegro • Netherlands • Norway • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • San Marino • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Turkey • United Kingdom • Ukraine • Vatican