What currency do you use in Albania? How much do goods cost in a typical supermarket and in a restaurant?

The Albanian lek

The currency used in Albania is the Albanian lek (ALL). Euros may be accepted in some places, but do not rely on them for the whole trip.

How much money you’ll need depends mainly on the location and the time of year: a week by the sea in peak season will cost differently from a trip inland.

View cheap hotels in Albania

In a nutshell:

• Currency: Albanian lek (ALL).
• Euros: these are mainly used when paying for certain hotels and pre-arranged transport. Check the exchange rate in advance.
• Cards: these are accepted in larger shops and some hotels. Make sure you have cash to hand for buses, smaller businesses and markets.
• Budget: when travelling as a couple, allow from 3 000 all per person per day. Expect to spend more in seaside resorts during the summer.

You’ll come across coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 lekë, and banknotes in denominations of 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 lekë.

One lek is divided into 100 qindarkë, although these are not used at all in everyday transactions.

• International currency code: ALL (numeric code 008)
• Currency symbol: L

Beware of ‘old lek’: Some locals still quote prices in the old lek, meaning the figure is ten times higher.

If someone says ‘1,000 old leks’ out loud, they may actually mean ‘ 100 all ’. In any unclear situation, ask for the price to be written down or check it against the menu.

Can you pay in euros in Albania?

Yes, sometimes. Hotels may quote prices in euros, and some taxi drivers or tour operators also accept euros.

However, in shops, local restaurants and on buses, you should expect to be charged in local currency.

Don’t just go by the currency on the price tag. At hotels, compare the amount charged in EUR and ALL using the current exchange rate.

If you have a booking in euros, check in advance whether you can also pay in euros and whether the hotel accepts cards. When taking a taxi, agree on the final fare and currency before setting off.

Are you arriving in Tirana without any cash? First, find out about transport options from Tirana Airport.

Currency exchange and card payments 

Ideally, you can exchange euros upon arrival at the airport or later at any bank or currency exchange bureau. Generally speaking, there are a great many currency exchange bureaux in Albania, even well outside the tourist centres.

Card withdrawals from cash machines can be made in all major towns and in tourist areas.

There are always plenty of cash machines in the larger towns, so you won’t have any trouble withdrawing money. Some banks charge a fee for withdrawals, and these can be quite substantial: 600 all to 800 all.

Card payments are accepted to a limited extent; they are usually possible at petrol stations, in better accommodation establishments and in larger shops. Card acceptance is by no means universal in hotels; even some nice, modern, smaller hotels often do not accept cards.

Should I buy Albanian lek before I travel?

It isn’t necessary. Albanian lek are harder to come by outside Albania. Upon arrival, you can withdraw ALL from a cash machine or exchange your euros for cash.

If you don’t have any euros with you, there’s no need to buy them just to exchange them for lek: compare the cost of a double exchange with that of a card withdrawal.

If you’re heading straight to the mountains or smaller villages after arrival, make sure you get some cash whilst you’re still in the city. When travelling to the Albanian Alps, don’t count on finding an ATM in every village or being able to pay by card.

Which ATMs in Albania are fee-free?

Don’t rely on any one particular bank. Fees for withdrawals made with a foreign card vary and may differ depending on the card you use. Before confirming the transaction, check the screen for the ATM operator’s fee. This is separate from the fees charged by your bank or card provider.

‘Free withdrawals’ on your card do not therefore automatically mean free withdrawals in Albania. If an ATM charges a high fee, cancel the transaction and look for another one. When making a withdrawal, select billing in ALL, without the ATM converting the amount to the local currency.

Do Revolut and mobile payments work in Albania?

Yes, Revolut supports payments and withdrawals in ALL. Where a merchant accepts contactless cards, you can also pay by phone using Apple Pay or Google Pay. However, in a small guesthouse or on a bus, your mobile won’t be of any help if the merchant doesn’t have a terminal.

When withdrawing from an ATM, you may still be charged a fee by the Albanian operator, even if withdrawals are free under your Revolut plan. Make sure to take your physical card with you on your trip: not every ATM allows withdrawals using a mobile phone.

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How much does it cost – prices in Albania

Generally speaking, prices in Albania are lower than in Western or Central Europe, including alcohol.

Book your hotel in Albania in advance

Price examples

How much do basic groceries, tourist attractions and transport cost in Albania? Take a look at this indicative price guide.

Accommodation in a double room (prices per night)

• Budget hotel with shared bathroom – from 25 eur
• 3* hotel inland – from 33 eur
• 3* hotel by the beach – from 53 eur (off-season from 33 eur )
• Beachfront hotel with half-board – from 103 eur
• Accommodation offers in Albania

The biggest difference to your budget will be the choice of location. If you’re arriving in the evening or travelling around the country by bus, have a look at where to stay in Tirana.

Eating out

• A hot main course at a beachside restaurant – 1 000 all
• A hot main course at a restaurant inland – 650 all
• A three-course meal for two at a good restaurant in the town centre – 3 000 all
• A meal at a fast-food outlet – 800 all
• Espresso or cappuccino – 160 all
• 0.33 l water – 70 all
• Draught beer – 250 all

One of the easiest ways to save money on food is to avoid restaurants right on the beach. Before you travel, you can also take a look at our guide to Albanian dishes and specialities.

Groceries at the supermarket

• Water 1.5 l – 62 all
• Coca-Cola (and other soft drinks) 2l – 115 all
• Milk 1 litre – 180 all
• A scoop of ice cream – 80 all
• Tinned fish – 100 all
• Apples – 135 all per kg
• Bananas – 225 all per kg
• Oranges – 165 all per kg
• 6 eggs – 160 all
• Chicken, 500 g – 650 all

Delivery

• Petrol prices – prices vary significantly over time, but are more expensive than in neighbouring countries, with the exception of Greece. They typically range between 1,60 eur and 1,80 eur
• Long-distance coach ticket – usually between 500 all and 1 000 all
• Commuter bus – approx. 60 all / 1-hour journey
• Public transport, single journey – 40 all
• Taxi – 300 all starting fare + 300 all per kilometre
• Car hire – from 880 all per day in the off-season
• Compare car hire prices at Tirana Airport

You can find specific routes, prices and departure points in the section on transport in Albania. If you want to combine the coast, cities and mountains in a single trip, be sure to read our tips on car hire in Albania before booking.

Cigarettes and alcohol

• A packet of cigarettes – 350 all
• 0.5 l beer – 150 all
• A bottle of good wine – 100 all
• A cocktail at a beach bar – 350 all

Tipping and haggling 

Tipping is not required, except in upmarket restaurants where it may be added to the bill, but it is always warmly welcomed.

Bargaining is not common in Albania, except when travelling by taxi outside the major cities, where you can actually knock the price down by as much as half by haggling.

Daily budget

The prices listed below are based on two people travelling together and have been calculated per person.

A budget traveller stays in cheap hostels, eats at fast-food outlets and gets around on foot or by local transport. In this case, it is possible to get by on as little as 3 000 all per person per day, including transport.

The cheapest hotels in Albania

The happy medium involves a double room in a three-star hotel, lunch and dinner in traditional restaurants, and travel by hire car. In this case, you’ll pay around 6 000 all per person per day. 

The luxury option includes a double room in a five-star hotel, lunch and dinner in upmarket restaurants and bars, and hire of a more expensive car. The daily budget for this comes to at least 18 000 all per person per day.

The examples given are for guidance only, and whenever you’re planning your budget, make sure you have at least 20 per cent of the total amount set aside for unforeseen circumstances.