If you find yourself in Albania’s “Ancient City”, congrats – you’ve made it to one of my favorite places in the whole country. If you are looking for a car rental in Shkoder or are still in the planning stages of your trip to Albania, no worries, this article has advice for both.
Traveling by car is the optimal way to visit untouched parts of northern Albania, giving an unmatched level of freedom to your adventures. Make sure to check out this epic road trip from Shkoder – one of the best in Albania.
As someone who lives in Shkoder, I want to offer you some insight to the best way to rent a car in Shkoder because there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Things can get tricky with finding a car rental in Shkoder that offers legitimate insurance. I used Go Rent because they offer insurance (covers everything except the bottom of the car) and were upfront about everything.
Chances are, they will be sold out in the summer because their cars are limited. The next best option is to do a car rental in Tirana before coming because they are bigger companies with actual insurance.
Shkoder Overview
If you’re unfamiliar with Shkoder, it is the largest city in northern Albania and often called the “capital of the north”. Besides just a city, Shkoder is also the name of the county.
Shkoder has been known for being a center for culture and religious tolerance. Art and music have been an integral part of the city over the centuries.
You can check out more about why Shkoder is worth visiting here. Also, if you’re concerned about safety, check out my guide about safety in Shkoder.
Renting A Car In Shkoder – What To Know
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As a foreigner who lives here year-round, I see the changes that Shkoder goes through. The city doesn’t run solely off of tourism, but it does get much quieter in the winter.
Usually, it rains quite a bit – we don’t get extreme cold temperatures like the mountains but there is a lot of flooding to contend with.
In the summer, the city is bursting with tourists and Albanians returning from abroad for vacations. Through all of this, I have a perspective on both sides. Here is a very important thing to note.
1. The Biggest Issue – Car Rental Insurance
It’s a bit hard to describe but locals do not view insurance the same way as foreigners. Things have been a certain way in Albania for so long – very much that you have to deal with a problem as it arises.
Generally, things are “off the books” here, situations are dealt with through financial or social capital. Need something? Call someone you know or pay extra to make it go away.
From a foreign perspective, usually, people want protection and are used to paying for it. We have many forms of “insurance” or guarantees that companies will charge us consumers for – to the point where that is the norm and expected for us.
Especially, in the context of renting a car, where you are used to rental car companies trying to get extra money for a small scratch here or there or a technicality.
PSsst do you need travel insurance for Albania? Is it even necessary?
2. Checking Local Places To Rent A Car In Shkoder
Now I’m speaking from my own personal experience, I went around to many places to rent a car in Shkoder. From what I encountered, many of them are the same.
Usually, small offices that do lots of different services. If you go check them out you will see they are like travel agents that do long-distance bus tickets (like to Germany or Italy) to booking flights, and more local things like day trips and daily bicycle rental.
You’ll recognize these offices because they will have signs that say makina me qera which means car for rent. What most quote you will be 25 euro per day for manual and 35 euro per day for automatic (it will be much higher in July, August, and maybe Sept).
This is without insurance though. When you ask about insurance, prices that they tell you (or make up on the spot) will vary.
One place that seemed more honest told me that none of these small places can offer you insurance, they just say there is insurance but there really isn’t any. Check out the prices in Tirana to compare.
3. My Advice For Renting A Car In Shkoder
Even though I live here and I’m used to how things are done, if I am putting a liability on myself like a rental car, I would still prefer to reduce the risk with insurance. I think a lot of you reading this will agree.
From my time of scouring the Shkoder car rental options, I did find some success! I ended up going with GoRent Albania – Shkoder location. Since they are a branch of a larger company, it seems like they offer legitimate insurance.
The only thing not covered is the bottom of the car, which they tell you upfront about. You can also use a credit card to make the deposit (or 300 euro in cash) and you can pay by card as well.
Unfortunately, since it is a small branch, they might not have any cars available in the height of summer. You can contact them in advance though to reserve.
Since they are the only company in Shkoder I feel comfortable recommending, if they don’t have cars, I’d say to just rent from Tirana.
There are bigger companies that will have plenty of availability and legitimate insurance coverage. Plus, if you are flying in, it’s best and most convenient to pick up your rental car at Tirana Airport.
4. Driving Conditions In Shkoder Albania
Like a lot of Albania, road conditions can be hit or miss. Popular tourist paths, like the road going to Theth, is well done and maintained. The less known or touristy a route is, the road conditions will go down.
If you’re serious about getting into the wilderness, make sure to get the appropriate vehicle. Rental cars oftentimes have low bottoms and can easily get ruined if you take them on less-than-ideal roads.
That is also in perfect conditions, if you plan to come in winter or the shoulder season (anything besides summer), this is more important as you’re more likely to encounter various weather scenarios.
5. Driving Etiquette In Shkoder
It all depends on where you were raised and the driving culture – but most consider Albania’s driving to be pretty crazy and even downright reckless. To rent a car in Shkoder, you should be a confident driver.
As long as you are vigilant and practice defensive driving, you should be fine. My biggest recommendation is that if you aren’t used to driving manual, this is not the place to practice. Get a car rental that you know you’ll be comfortable and confident with.
6. Parking In Shkoder
Parking in Shkoder can be a mess, because there are no rules or guidelines I know of. I’ve never seen any parking signs to indicate the laws. The police do patrol and give out tickets though.
It is based mostly on luck if you can avoid this. I suggest getting accommodation that includes parking, or parking on back streets that aren’t that busy. Usually, tickets are given on roads with more traffic.
7. Gas / Petrol Stations In Shkoder
Contrary to what I’ve seen in some gas stations in the south, card payments are not accepted at fuel stations in and around Shkoder.
Sometimes they will have the card symbols but it still might not be the case in reality. Now, I haven’t been with people who ask to use card so maybe it is possible – but from the vibes it seems unlikely. Take cash with you always to fill up.
Car Rental In Shkoder – Final Thoughts
Renting a car in Shkoder, Albania, offers the freedom to explore northern Albania’s untouched landscapes. However, finding a rental company with legitimate insurance can be tricky.
Shkoder, the cultural capital of northern Albania, experiences significant seasonal changes, impacting tourism and driving conditions.
Local rental offices often lack proper insurance, making it essential to choose reputable providers. For the best experience, ensure your rental vehicle suits the local driving conditions.
Always carry cash for fuel as card payments are unreliable at gas stations. Defensive driving is crucial due to Albania’s challenging driving etiquette.
I recommend GoRent, which offers comprehensive insurance except for the car’s underside. As summer demand is high, consider renting in Tirana where larger companies provide reliable insurance.
My Trip Recommendations
- Rent a car in Tirana – It’s the best way to see Albania, especially if you’re short on time
- Compare hotels and apartment prices all in one place on Trivago – the most convenient way to get a good deal
- Prefer hostels? Find the best ones on Hostelworld – especially with the new Linkups
- Find discounted flight deals with Skyscanner if you’re flying to Albania
- Get a quote for affordable & flexible insurance travel insurance coverage
- Budget option – free accommodation through volunteering with Worldpackers – get $10 off