Where to pick up
Tirana Airport (TIA) is the easiest. Sarandë for Riviera-only trips, Shkodër for the Alps. Book a few days ahead in July–August.
Which car
Economy hatchback for cities and the coast. SUV for the Alps and the rougher mountain roads. Cabrios are fun on the Riviera in summer; useless in rain.
Insurance & deposit
Take the company's full insurance even if your card includes CDW — claims are easier locally. Deposit is usually €150–400 held on a credit card.
Pitfalls to avoid
Faceless international brands sometimes upsell at pickup or invent damage at drop-off. The local independents we list have been chosen for transparent pricing and clean returns.
From the road
Practical tips
- → Always photograph the car at pickup and drop-off.
- → Minimum driver age is usually 21 (sometimes 23 or 25 for SUVs/luxury).
- → Cross-border to Kosovo or Montenegro is sometimes allowed — ask before booking.
