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Country Guide > Europe > Albania | |
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Travel - International Note Travel to the northeastern border areas between Albania and Kosovo is currently advised against due to the poor condition of roads and the risk of unexploded ordnance. Although public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas, and gun ownership is widespread. For further advice, contact your local government travel advice department. Air The national carrier is Albanian Airlines (LV) (website: www.flyalbanian.com). Established in cooperation with Tyrolean Airways, the airline operates services to major European cities. Other airlines offering services to Tirana include Ada Air, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Olympic Airways and Turkish Airlines. Approximate flight times From Tirana to London is four to five hours (including stopover times, the shortest being via Zurich, 45 minutes, and via Rome, one to two hours). Other connections are slow. Passengers may travel via a number of cities including Athens, Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna and Zurich. International airports Mother Tereza (TIA) is 26km (16 miles) from the capital. An Albtourist shuttle runs to the city centre every three hours (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available to and from the airport. There is a small duty free shop, car hire, bank and light refreshments are available Departure tax US$10 is levied on all foreign nationals. Nationals of Albania pay Lk1000. Sea The main ports are Durres, Vlora, Saranda and Shen Gjini. Durres has ferry connections to Italy (to Bari is about nine hours, to Brindisi and to Trieste is 23 hours, to Ancona is 16 hours); Vlora has ferry connections to Bari (travel time – nine hours) and Brindisi (travel time - 18 hours); Saranda has a connection with Corfu; and Shen Gjini has ferry connections to Bari. Ferry services are run by Adriatica Line (website: www.adriatica.it) and Agoudimos Lines (website: www.agoudimos-lines.com), amongst others. Rail There are no international passenger services at present. Road Road links to the Kosovo region are either closed or too dangerous to use, owing to political tensions in the region. There are possible crossings at Hani i Hotit (Podgorica in Montenegro), Bllata (Diber in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Qafa e Thaës (Struga and Ohrid in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Tushemisht (Ohrid in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Gorica (Resnja in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Kapshtica (Florina in Greece) and Kakavija (Ioanina in Greece). Bus: There are services to Istanbul, Sofia and Athens. Documentation: It is now permitted to travel in a private car. Parking places are generally available near hotels or at other designated areas. A fully comprehensive insurance policy is absolutely essential. |