Luna Explores Europe
Three Things I Wish Someone Had Told me Before Going to Albania
I'm Luna, and a few years ago I began exploring Europe with my wonderful boyfriend. I’m eager to share my adventures, tips, and more with fellow travelers. So far, I've embarked on 8 trips and visited 12 countries.
Albania is an absolutely stunning country!
When we first arrived, I had my doubts - I knew I wasn't stepping into a world of luxury, and honestly, I didn't want to. But still, there were three things I really wish my friends and acquaintances who had been there before had warned me about.
It would have made that first day a whole lot smoother!
Exchange your euros for Albanian lek before you go
If you're traveling from the Netherlands, you can exchange your money at GWK, or alternatively at Tirana International Airport.
What didn't we do? Bring cash.
It wasn't until we were already in the car to the airport that I realized Albania doesn't use the euro-but the lek. Great preparation, right?
Once we arrived, we quickly discovered that card payments aren't accepted everywhere. So the first thing we had to do was withdraw cash from an ATM-which cost us an extra 20 euros in fees.
Lessen learned: bring lek with you, or exchange your euros before you go to save money (and stress)!
Don't use your phone right away - get a local Sim card
The reason we needed cash immediately? You can only but an Albanian SIM card at the airport with cash. For 2500 lek (around 25 euros), you get 40 GB of data plus call minutes, valid for 21 days.
Why bother with a local SIM? Well, I sent a few messages to let people know we landed safely and tried to open Google Maps. Moments later, my provider sent me a text:
"You've used 5 euros outside of your bundle."
Then another:
"You've now used 10 euros."
By the end of the day, I'd racked up nearly 30 euros in roaming charges. So, do yourself a favor-check if your mobile bundle covers Albania before you use your phone. If it doesn't, get a SIM card as soon as you land!
The traffic is insane (but kind of hilarious)
It's honestly the craziest-and simultaneously most entertaining-traffic I've ever seen.
Sure, there are traffic rules, but people rarely follow them.
Lanes seem to be more like vague suggestions, drivers are constantly trying to overtake one another, and you'll witness some of the wildest maneuvers imaginable. I've never heard so many car horns in a single day as I did in Tirana.
When we took the bus from the capital to the beach town of Durrës, I spent half the ride staring out the window in disbelief that we weren't sideswiping every car we passed. Everything just barely fit.
So unless you're super comfortable with agressieve, fast-paced driving-please think twice before renting a car.
