Is Albania Expensive?

With all the buzz about Albania in the past couple of years, a lot of tourists are questioning the marketing hype surrounding this Balkan gem.

Touted as a budget destination that still offers top-notch attractions and stays, many tourists are asking: is Tirana cheap? Does the country as a whole live up to its reputation?

 

Is Albania Cheap?

So, if you’re wondering, how much does a trip to Albania cost, we’ve got you covered. 

Albania is certainly an affordable European destination and a low-cost country if you compare it to major European hotspots like Italy, Spain, France and Croatia.

There are some things in Albania that are fairly expensive, and others that are extremely cheap; doing a bit of planning ahead of time will help you save money as you prepare your trip to Albania and look for ways to enjoy the country to its fullest.

 

How to Get From Tirana Airport to Tirana, Cheap

For example, a lot people aren’t sure how to get from Tirana airport to Tirana, and when they land, simply hop into a taxi from the stand, which costs (as of June 2025) €20 each way.

If you order a cab ahead of time from an app like Patoko, however, the taxi can be much cheaper; Green Taxi can be texted in English on WhatsApp and charges 1,200 ALL from the airport to Tirana. 

Or, better yet, you can take Luna Travel directly from the airport to Skanderbeg Square for a bit more than 4 euros a person.

 

Is Tirana Cheap?

The number of apartment rentals in Tirana has risen dramatically the past couple of years as tourism has boomed. Prices vary: if you’re looking for budget-friendly stays, you can find large and affordable rentals a bit further out from the city center. Tirana is a small capital that’s pretty walkable, so getting an apartment a bit further out can help you save on expenses. 

Otherwise, an apartment or hotel room for two in the very center of Tirana can cost between €40 and €60 a night, which is pretty cheap compared to a centrally-located apartment rental in Rome, Berlin, Madrid or other major European capitals. 

Restaurants here are likewise pretty affordable – a good meal at a top-notch traditional Albanian restaurant can cost less than €10-15 a person, especially if you opt for local dishes in non-touristic venues (check out these blog posts for the best restaurants in Tirana, including affordable options).

Otherwise, if you opt for a pricier or more upscale dinner place, it can cost €20-25, similar to what you’d pay in other major European capitals at a regular restaurant. You’ll get higher quality food and better service, though.

If you’re cooking at your rental, we recommend looking for locally-produced groceries and goods; some are still expensive (eggs in Albania can cost the same as in the United States), but will be cheaper than imported products. Fresh dairy, fruits, vegetables and other meat are cheaper than in most Western European countries, and often fresher too. Open-air markets like Pazari i Ri in Tirana are great spots to find seasonal produce at affordable prices, while small neighborhood bakeries and butchers usually offer better deals than large supermarkets.

Attractions in Tirana are pretty cheap – entry to the country’s newest tourist attraction, Albanian Night, is just 38 euros a person for an immersive dance and music show that would cost double in Barcelona or 250 euros in Paris. Bunk’Art, the country’s premier museum about communism, is 5 euros to enter, and House of Leaves, its spy museum, costs 7 euros. 

Taking the bus within the city costs 40 ALL (40 cents), and buses to the famous southern beach towns like Himarë, Dhërmi and Saranda cost 1,200 ALL (€12) for the 3 hour ride. 

If you’re looking for an affordable way to enjoy a night out, order local rakia, the Albanian spirit – shots usually go for €2 at a bar, and beers can cost up to €2.50 or €3 a bottle. 

So, is Tirana worth visiting? 100%. Can it be done on a budget? Of course – just make sure to plan ahead and avoid these common mistakes people make when planning a trip to Albania.

 

What Not to Buy in Albania 

Some things in Albania are pretty expensive. Minimize your trip costs by taking the below into account:

1. Fuel prices in Albania are among the highest in Europe; if you’re planning a road trip, consider sharing the ride with others to split fuel costs, or opt for intercity buses, which are a more budget-friendly way to get around.
2. Clothing isn’t quite cheap here, unless you go for secondhand stores. Many such stores exist in Tirana, with chains like BerlinTexx offering more reasonable prices for clothes that look almost brand new. Otherwise, clothing here is sometimes more expensive than in major Western countries or neighboring Balkan states.
3. Electronics are expensive in Albania since the country has high import taxes. It’s best to buy your laptops, phones and cameras elsewhere. 

 

What’s Cheap in Albania?

Albania does offer some extremely cheap products and services, some of which we touched on above. For example:

1. Dentistry: if you’re looking to do a general cleaning or even a more invasive procedure like a root canal, Albanian dentists are known as top-notch and offer services at super cheap prices due to the high number of dental clinics in the city. Doing your cleaning here can cost just €25, no insurance needed.
2. Coffee: a Turkish coffee costs just 50 ALL, or half a euro, in most coffee shops outside of the major touristic areas. Albanians love their coffee (check out this blog post about the best cafes in Tirana), and the capital is full of cafes where you can drink a regular caffeinated drink or a premium one for way less than you’d pay at Starbucks or in a major European capital cafe. 
3. Haircuts: men’s haircuts in Albania are very cheap, with Albanians getting their hair done every two weeks. This means lots of barbershops where you can get a nice high-fade for up to 300 ALL if you go super local, 500 ALL at a more standard barbershop and 800 ALL for a more premium barber. 
4. Cigarettes: you didn’t hear it from us, but yes, cigarettes in Albania are extremely cheap, with certain brands costing less than €3 a pack.
5. Local Alcohol: as mentioned above, rakia is very affordable, with bottles selling for as little as 250 ALL. We also recommend trying out local Albanian wines; a bottle can cost less than €10.

So, in conclusion, how expensive is Albania? It all depends on your expectations – think of it as midway between staple European destinations like Italy, France and Spain, and famously cheap locales from Southeast Asia. Some things are very cheap, while others are expensive. Don’t expect to find India or Vietnam prices in Albanian markets, but do expect to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean coast without splurging like you would in Croatia or Italy.