Renting a Car vs Using Public Transport in Albania

Rental cars vs. public transport ? On your next trip, you may need detailed comparative information between a renting a car vs. public transport, and this guide will give you an idea based on information to make a smart choice according to your needs, taking everything into account.

1)- Flexibility:

Car rental in Albania: Services grant you the ability to travel on your own terms, offering unmatched flexibility. Having a rental car gives you the opportunity to program your travel days. This way you don’t have to worry about the fixed schedules of buses or vans. If you want to see a sunrise on the coast at 5:00 in the morning or if you want to return from a romantic dinner in the middle of the night, then this is all the flexibility that a rental car gives you to choose what you want to do at the time you want to do it.

Public Transport in Albania: Unlike a rental car, public transport operates with fixed schedules. Which means that you cannot change your travel plans even if you have a health emergency or a last-minute changing plan. Before making your plans, you should see travel schedules with public transport and program the day in advance based on those schedules.

2)- Convenience:

Car rental in Albania: A big advantage of rental cars in Albania is that as soon as you come from a long plane trip, your car will be waiting for you directly at the exit door of the airport. The locations of rental cars in Albania are everywhere in the city centres at airports in important centres of cities, and you can find them anywhere very easily, even with dedicated home delivery. That’s why it’s so simple and convenient.

Public Transport in Albania: You can find buses only at dedicated points in the city; you usually have to wait 5–20 minutes for their arrival at the designated terminal; and an urban line has a fixed itinerary that does not always match your itinerary. Consider also coming from a long journey and looking for public transport; it is tiring, especially with luggage and children.

3)- Freedom to Explore:

Car rental in Albania: Rental cars are dedicated to one of the main things you want to do when you travel: to explore. Renting a car gives you the opportunity to explore places that buses can’t transport you to, for example, in mountainous countries like Thethi, distant places like the Blue eye, etc.

Public Transport in Albania: If we compare rental cars vs. public transport, public transport does not allow you to explore hidden places. They have fixed itineraries only for cities and some populated villages. If you decide to travel by public transport, keep in mind that taxis do not accept to go through rural roads. Even if they did, they would ask for large sums of money. The buses have a fixed line, and you will have to describe the rest of the road by foot. Prepare not to take heavy bags with you that will clutter and complicate the journey on foot.

4)- Comfort:

Car rental in Albania: Travelling with a car rental is very comfortable and safe for your trips. Rented cars, unlike public transport, offer the safety of travelling far from people you don’t know in your own private space, the convenience of stopping whenever you need to offers you more peace and pleasure. You can turn on the air conditioner as much as you need,or turn up the music as much as you want according to your needs, stretch the seat for a short nap, and adjust the car to a comfortable place for long journeys.

Public Transport in Albania: From the word public transport it is understood that you will not have personal space; the buses are full of passengers and personal space is slightly prevented. Public transport becomes a bit annoying on rainy days or in the summer when the temperatures are very high. You may not communicate freely or feel so much comfort. If you are going to choose public transport, try to choose vans, which are faster than buses and have air conditioning. This will make your journey easier. And always, before choosing your van or bus, first ask if it has air conditioning and other basic conditions.

5)- Cost-Effective for Groups:

Booking a rental car in Albania would be perfect if you are travelling in groups with friends or as a family. This way you can share the cost of the rental car and the fuel as well. With a simple account, if you decide to travel from Tirana to Vlora, you have to pay 12 euros for the ticket for each family member only for one way; without return for 5 people, it would cost 60 euros, but if you rent a car in Albania on average, it would cost 30 euros a day plus 20 euros fuel, in total of 60 euros. So it is the same cost, but with a car rental, you have comfort, security, privacy, and a fast journey without time and itinerary limitations.

Public Transport in Albania: If we compare rental cars vs. public transport, public transport is perfect option for intercity trips with an unrealised cost of 0.4 euros. You can finish your little works within the city simply and without spending, but it is not recommended for long trips, and the costs for groups can be more expensive than renting a car.

6)- Time Efficiency:

Car rental in Albania: Time is the most precious thing you can have, especially for tourists who only have time for a 5-day vacation and want to visit every tourist attraction and some restaurants they want to try with any rate and endless places marked on the map, and this is the reason why a rental car remains a much better option than public transport, bacause you can visit more places in less time.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport often involves multiple stops, delays, and potential transfers, making travel slower and less direct than driving a rental car. If we compare rental cars vs. public transport, public transport is boring for long trips, but if you have to travel within the city, it is a quick and very economical solution.

7)- Luggage Space:

Car rental in Albania: You can choose a rental car in Albania with plenty of luggage for your needs, and you won’t have to think about the space you’ll need or the safety of your bags during the journey.

Public Transport Car rental in Albania: Public transport has limited luggage capacity. The vans can allow you to take 2 small suitcases or 2 large travel backpacks.

8)-Privacy:

Car rental in Albania: Privacy is a notable advantage of renting a car. Rental cars offer you safety during your journey without worrying about foreign people you don’t know and don’t want to have contact with.

Public Transport in Albania: Travelling on public transport means sharing space with others, which can be less private and sometimes uncomfortable, particularly during long journeys, but if you are a social person and want an economical vacation, you can also consider public transport.

9)- Variety of Vehicle Options:

Car rental in Albania: Car rental companies in Albania offer a variety of models and brands of cars that you have the opportunity to try and enjoy your journeys with them. So you will have the opportunity to experience the feeling of a car that you have always dreamed of. You can also choose the car that will be ideal for your trip, for example, if you have a special party and you need a good car, or if you’re planning a road trip through Albania’s mountainous regions, an SUV may be the ideal choice.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport options are limited to the available buses and trains, which lack the customisation and variety offered by rental vehicles.

10)- Flexibility in Trip Planning:

Car rental in Albania: Renting a car allows for spontaneous decisions. If you hear about a charming village you want to explore or a world-famous singer will be holding a concert in a city and you suddenly want to go, a rental car makes this possible. You can easily adjust your itinerary without the constraints of public transport schedules. So when comparing rental cars vs. public transport, the rental car option is way better.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport requires adherence to fixed schedules, limiting your ability to make last-minute changes or detours during your trip. Bus schedules are generally from 6 in the morning to 6 in the evening for buses that move from one city to another, while for those within the city, they are from 6 in the morning to 10 in the evening.

If you are looking for a rental car in Albania, we invite you to take a look at our fleet.

11)- Comfort for Families:

Car rental in Albania: This is essential, especially for families travelling with at least one child. With a rental car, you have the opportunity to get a safe car seat for your child, create a small personal space, and allow your child to sleep and get comfortable whenever he wants.

Public Transport Albania: Public transport can be challenging for families, particularly with young children. Limited space and the need to adhere to schedules can make the journey less comfortable.

12)- Convenient for Business Travel:

Car rental in Albania: A rental car in Albania is perfect to finish any work for a few business days. Let’s assume that you are an investor in a foreign country or that you just have a meeting for a few days for business or matters related to your work. A rental car would be perfect. You don’t have to buy an expensive and beautiful car; it’s enough to rent one for a short time and represent yourself in a business meeting decently, so if we compare rental cars vs. public transport, rental cars win again some extra points.

Public Transport Albania: You can definitely use public transport, but if you are a lady wearing heels for a serious business meeting, then public transport is not the ideal place for this type of clothing. We would recommend you to choose a taxi at least.

13)- Adventure Ready:

Car rental in Albania: It doesn’t matter if you want to take a walk on the beach, climb a mountain area, or simply if friends you just met on a trip have invited you to a new adventure; the rental car is there, ready to go at any moment, even for the plans that change suddenly.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport does not support last-minute ideas, spontaneous things, or trips outside the scheduled itenary of urban vehicles. Before choosing public transport, it is good to have a clear plan for your journey.

14)- Customizable Trip Length:

Car rental in Albania: Rental cars offer you flexibility in your choices; if you want a rental car for 1 month or a rental car for 1 week, this is often possible with the best offers and suitable for your travel plan. Rental cars are optimal for your short business trips or long family vacations.

Public Transport Albania: Public transport is available on a per-journey basis but is also perfect for customised trip length, as you can only pay for the service you will receive now, and if you decide to extend your journey or go back were you can pay for the ticket again with no problem.

15)- Avoid Public Transport Hassles:

Car rental in Albania: A rental car avoids some of the most common problems of public transport, such as delays and departure times. By choosing a rental car in Albania, you are in control of your time and avoid some unexpected surprises that may be unpleasant.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport often delays departures or stops more often than necessary to drop off or pick up other passengers, and it can often be much more crowded and you will have to wait for the next bus or van to find an empty seat, so when comparing rental cars vs. public transport rental cars wins another point.

16)- Local Experience:

Car rental in Albania: Do you know that driving a car in a foreign country often feels like a new and special experience? With a rental car, you will immediately feel welcome and as if you have been living in this country for a long time.

Public Transport in Albania: You can choose your own transport form or you can choose a tourist guide in advance. A tourist guide, by bus or van, is done together with other tourists, and you will have a specific itinerary that you will have to follow.

17)- Easy Airport Transfers:

Car rental in Albania: The best solution when you return from a long and tiring trip and have a lot of luggage and tired family members who want a little comfort is a rental car. This really makes your trip much easier.

Public Transport in Albania: You can’t find buses at the airport; to find one, you have to first take a taxi to go to the city centre, and public transport is really tiring if you come from long journeys, so comparing rental cars vs. public transport rental car is a better option.

18)- No Depreciation Worries:

Car rental in Albania: Renting a car in Albania means not having to worry about the maintenance of the car all year or the payment of taxes, insurances, or other additional costs that come with owning a vehicle. A rental car solves all these problems simply.

Public Transport in Albania: Although it is said that when you get on a public vehicle, you have no control over what happens to the vehicle or how it is maintained, I believe that in comparison to rental cars vs. public transport, public transportation is perfect when it comes to costs. It is super economical and without any additional costs, especially maintenance.

19)- Special Occasion Vehicles:

Car rental in Albania: If you have a small car that you use every day, but you want to go to the mountains for a few days for vacasions and you need a suv car, a rental car is the ideal choice. Even if you have a special family occasion such as a wedding or engagement, it still remains the best option.

Public Transport in Albania: If we compare rental cars vs. public transport, public transport is the last option you can think of for your special cases.

20)- One-Way Rentals:

Car rental in Albania: perfect for a one-way road. Many companies day by day are starting to offer one-way rental cars and this is something very good and positive for all those who have such a travel plan; however, this can be accompanied by an extra cost, so you should ask and prepare for this.

Public transport in Albania: perfect for a one-way road. You can pay only one way if you want to escape to a city and stay there without ever looking back.

21)- Fuel Efficiency:

Car rental in Albania: Booking a rental car in Albania allows you to choose a car that consumes little fuel and this is a very good solution for your trip in terms of savings

Public Transport in Albania: It is perfect in terms of saving as you don’t have to think about anything other than the travel fee.

22)- No Maintenance Costs:

Car rental in Albania: With a rental car, you don’t have to worry about maintenance or repair expenses. Rental companies ensure their vehicles are well-maintained and ready for the road, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip.

Public Transport in Albania: No maintenance costs for you, but you also have no control over the vehicle’s condition, which can sometimes lead to delays or discomfort.

23)- Test Drive New Models:

Car rental in Albania: you can choose from a wide catalog of cars and rent a model that you have always wanted to buy but never have had the opportunity, or a new model that you have been enthusiastic to try. It’s an excellent chance to experience new features of a vehicle.

Public Transport in Albania: no opportunity for test driving; you’re limited to the standard public transport vehicles available.

24)- Accessibility Features:

Car rental in Albania: Renting a car can be accompanied by very small requests, such as some additional accessories such as a phone charger, and up to the largest request, such as a personalised car for people with limited abilities and unable to drive a normal car.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport offers equal rights for everyone and does not offer you the opportunity to ask for something extra that you may need, so it is not ideal for this case.

25)- Stress-Free Travel:

Car rental in Albania: When you pay for a rental car, you also pay for relaxation, peace, and many other things that are offered to you, such as your time-planning option or total control over your trip. When we are in control of what happens to us we are also in control of a large part of what we seek and want to receive in exchange. I think that not only does it not offer you a stressful trip, but on the contrary, a trip full of adventure, relaxing, comfortable, and filled with moments of happiness.

Public Transport in Albania: In cases where the public vehicle is full of people and time delays can often become stressful. But this does not always happen; there are also simple and quiet journeys that do not affect the quality of your journey.

26)- Safety:

Car rental in Albania: No doubt that rental cars are much safer in any aspect you think about. The car is always a safer place for your luggage or personal belongings compared to public transport; it is also a safer place for your children. Cars are equipped with airbags and safe seats for babies and children during your journey-owned vehicles.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport in general does not offer any great security as there are always foreign people around you, and the most frequent cases of jewellery or money theft happen precisely on buses.

27)- Backup Plan:

Car rental in Albania: In case of an accident, you can contact the rental car company to support you or bring you a replacement car, and to some extent this is a good choice in case of emergency.

Public Transport in Albania: no backup vehicle option. Delays are frequent when it comes to buses or vans, and in these cases the only alternative is to wait for the next bus to arrive, or so that your plans are not postponed or cancelled, call a taxi immediately as the fastest possible option.

28)- Environmental Choices:

Car rental in Albania: As far as environmental protection is concerned, I think that both public transport and rental cars in Albania play a negative role in this aspect; however, efforts are being made to improve this situation and introduce as many electric cars as possible into the market as the best solution.

Public Transport in Albania: Just like rental cars, public transport plays an important role in the pollution of air, but at least one bus carries 15 passengers, and if they each used their cars would cause much more pollution than 1 bus alone.

29)- Cultural Immersion:

Car rental in Albania: With a rental car, you can stop at any destination you have visited, and you are not limited by a strict tourist guide or by a specific itinerary, and this gives you the opportunity to explore more tourist areas, stop at traditional bars, small stores, or simply in a well-known local water source, and experience the trip like a local.

Public Transport in Albania: follows a fixed line and does not make stops along the way; this limits you somewhat because you do not have the opportunity to see everything you would like to see along the way.

30)- No Ownership Costs:

Car rental in Albania: A rental car is the best solution when you decide to travel to a foreign country, on a long vacation, or simply for use for a few months for business purposes. This way you avoid costs like maintenance, insurance, little accidents, damage, and taxes, which can accumulate over time.

Public transport is the same as car rental because you don’t have to worry about anything; just use it and go. Totally free of all costs.

31)- Road Trip Ready:

Car rental in Albania: When it comes to a means of transport that you need as soon as possible for a trip, then there is nothing better than a car that you book and get immediately mechanically checked and ready for every trip.

Public transport, though affordable, doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility. Public transport vehicles are not so trip-ready because they have fixed departure times, and often the time you want to leave cannot match the set departure time of a bus or van.

32)- Accessibility in Rural Areas:

Car rental in Albania: As I mentioned before, a rental car gives you the opportunity to travel wherever you want. This means that it is easily possible to visit a rural area if you have targeted it as a place you want to explore. Also, most of the rare beauty natural areas are located far from cities in rural mountainous areas or areas that are difficult to get to, and a rental car is ideal for this type of trip; simply choose a suitable off-road car or SUV before booking depending on the route you will take.

Public Transport in Albania: Public transport has fixed urban and interurban lines. If you travel within the city, the bus leaves you at the bus station, and the rest of the journey you will have to walk or take a taxi. The same applies to the service between cities in Albania; bus and van lines only go to some big cities, and for certain villages, most of the buses do not have itineraries for the countryside, and this forces travellers to take the bus lines to the city and then for the rest of the road to use taxi services, which can often be expensive and not all taxi drivers accept to accompany you on terrains with difficult rural roads.

33)- Avoid Ride-Share Surge Pricing:

Car rental in Albania: During your journey you will have to travel at any time for any reason ,and when you have a rental car, you do this very simply and without thinking about additional costs because you pay in advance for the service and drive as often as you want at any time you want.

Public Transport in Albania: Public service has fixed hours. It is difficult to find a public transport method if you need it in the middle of the night, and even taxis charge higher prices at these times of the night.

34)- Suitable for Any Weather:

Car rental in Albania: On a sunny day or on a day with snow, a rental car remains a very good choice. Since you can choose a car according to your needs, additional accessories are even offered for specific requests that you may have according to the weather, for example, snow chains.

Public Transport in Albania: The public transport vehicles are generally designed for standard weather conditions, and on days whith heavy rain or hot August days in the scorching heat, they are not the best places to travel because most buses do not have a functional air conditioning system, and there are more delays than on usual days and people flock to the bus.

35)- Ideal for Moving Small Loads:

Car rental in Albania: It often happens that a rental car is reserved only as a means of transporting loads when moving from one house to another or even for personal equipment and items of larger sizes, and this happens because it results in a fast and efficient method.

Public Transport: Public Public transport is not designed for this. If you have a big suitcase and you get on the bus, this is not a problem, but if you have to transport something bigger, it is not the ideal and best way to do that.

Comparing the Total Cost per Day of Rental Cars vs. Public Transport.

Below we calculate the average cost of booking a rental cars vs. using public transport in order to know the real cost of transport in Albania and make smart choices based on concrete and accurate data.

1. Car Rental Costs

Renting a car involves several components that add up to the total daily cost. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1)-Rental Fee:

You should always keep in mind that there is never a fixed and exact cost, but costs that vary and are influenced by several factors, such as the duration of the car rental, the type of car you want to reserve, the season when you reserve a car, the car rental company, and many other factors that make these prices fluctuate. But in general, a normal rental car costs from 20€ to 50€ on average, while for slightly larger cars that can have 7 seats, the prices vary from 60€ to 90€/day.

2)-Insurance: 

Car insurance is a good way to protect yourself from accidents that may happen during your trip, and a basic insurance is included in the price, while a full insurance is paid extra, and the price depends on the type of car you want to reserve. The average daily price of purchasing a full insurance varies from 5€ to 20€/day.

3)-Fuel Costs: 

Fuel is an unavoidable cost when it comes to a car, whether it’s a rental or not. And we should also mention that fuel prices can be different for different countries and the travelled distance and this slightly affects the calculation of the daily fuel expenditure for your car. Assuming an average fuel consumption of 6-8 litres per 100 kilometres and a fuel price of around €1.50 per litre in Albania, driving 100 kilometres per day would cost approximately €9 to €12.

4)-Additional Fees: 

There may be additional fees for services like GPS rental, child seats, or adding extra drivers. These can add €5 to €15 per day to your rental cost. But thise costs are totally evitable.

5)-Parking Costs: 

Depending on where you travel, parking fees can also contribute to your daily expenses. Urban areas and tourist destinations often charge for parking, ranging from €1 to €3 per hour, which can add up to €5 to €10 per day, but you can also avoid this fee because, in 90% of cases, in the hotel you stay or restaurant you go they offer thair free parking spot, and in rural aeras, you can park for free in a lot of free spaces with no extra fees.

6)-Security Deposit: 

It’s important to note that most rental companies require a security deposit, which is typically held on your credit card, even though it’s not a daily cost. This amount, usually between €300 and €1,000, is refundable if the car is returned in good condition. In Rent Zone Albania, they only take 50€ deposit and give it to you at the end of the reservation. In this way, you have the opportunity to enjoy your vacations with all the money in your pocket and a available credit card ready for every procedure because they don’t take this amount from your credit card.

7)-Total Daily Cost of Car Rental: 

The total daily cost for renting a car in Albania could range from €40 to €100, depending on your choices and travel distance.

2. Public Transport Costs

Using public transport is generally perceived as more economical, but the total daily cost depends on the mode of transport, frequency of travel, and the regions you visit.So you should think it twice.

• Bus Tickets: 

Public buses are the most common and affordable means of transport in Albania. A single bus ticket within cities like Tirana costs around €0.40 to €0.50. Intercity buses, such as from Tirana to Vlora, typically cost between €8 and €25 one way.

• Frequency of Travel: 

If you plan to make multiple trips within a city or travel between cities, the cost can add up. For example, using the bus four times a day within a city would cost around €2, and if we consider going from Tirana to Vlora and from Vlora to Saranda city, this can cost up to 40€ in total, and if we decide to turn back to Tirana, this amount will dubble up to 80€ on average. So in conclusion, the bus is ideal to use inside the big cities, and it is very economical, but for long ways they are crowded with people, do not provide space to put a lot of luggage, and their itinerary is once every 3-4 hours, depending on the city you will choose to go to.

• Time Cost: 

While not a direct financial cost, the time spent waiting for buses, dealing with delays, and potentially having to navigate multiple transport modes can be significant. This time cost should be considered when evaluating the overall efficiency and value of public transport.

Taxis: 

Taxis can be a convenient supplement to public buses, especially for shorter trips or when public transport is unavailable. However, they are more expensive. In Tirana, taxi fares start at €2.50 to €3, with an additional €0.50 to €1 per kilometer. A typical 5-kilometre journey might cost €5 to €7. Using taxis multiple times a day could add €15 to €30 to your daily budget. Let’s suppose you want to take a taxi in Albania. You just landed in Tirana International Airport and go to Tirana (the capital city of Albania). This will cost, on average, 15€ one way. So if you are going to take short drives and need a fast solution, taxis are the best solution, but if you want to travel long distances, car rentals in Albania are much more affordable.

The total daily cost for public transport in Albania could range from €15 to €50. Depending on your choices and travel distance.

Train Travel: 

Train services is not active for the moment in Albania. The government heare is working to build one but for the moment Albania does not provide this king of service . However, trains are often less frequent and slower than buses, making them less practical for daily travel.

Conclusion: Which Option Is More Cost-Effective?

When comparing the total cost per day of rental car vs. public transport, it’s clear that public transport is generally cheaper, especially for solo travellers or those staying within a single city. However, the flexibility, convenience, and additional benefits of renting a car may justify the higher cost, particularly for groups, families, or travellers looking to explore multiple destinations at their own pace.

A car rental in Albania will be the perfect solution if you are a family of 4 and the ticket of the public transport will cost much more than a car rental service, or if you are travelling as a group of people and share the payments, the costs will be the same as for the public transport. The car rental service in Albania offers you the opportunity to travel secure undisturbed by other people and take with you a lot of luggage. This is an experience you can’t take from public transport.

For instance, if you’re planning to visit remote areas like Theth National Park or multiple cities along the Albanian coast, the convenience and time efficiency of having a rental car can outweigh the cost difference. On the other hand, if you’re staying in Tirana and making short, infrequent trips, public transport may be the more economical choice.

Conclusion:

The choice between a rental cars and public transport is a choice that totally affects the quality of your trip. While public transport is an economical choice, it remains tiring and not at all suitable for long family trips, limiting your plans. While car rentals allow you a comfortable trip with your friends or family, perfect for any travel plan, simply and safely. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific travel needs, budget, and the experiences you wish to prioritise during your trip.

If you are local and want to read this article in Albanian language: Click here!