Guide
How Much Does Albania Really Cost?
The Short Answer
Albania is still one of the cheapest countries in Europe, but it is no longer as cheap as it was five years ago. Prices on the Riviera in August have risen sharply, while inland cities like Berat and Gjirokastër are still excellent value.
| Travel Style | Daily Cost (per person) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €35–60 | Hostel or shared guesthouse, byrek and street food, public buses, free beaches |
| Mid-range | €70–130 | Private hotel room, restaurant meals, shuttle or rental car, beach clubs |
| Comfort | €150–250+ | Boutique hotel or villa, fine dining, private transfers, guided excursions |
The two things that change your budget most are when you go and where on the coast you stay. A room in Ksamil in August can cost three times as much as a similar room in Himara in June.
💡 Pro Tip
Currency basics: Albania uses the lek (ALL), and €1 ≈ 100 lek. To convert, drop the last two zeros: 1,500 lek is about €15. Many beach businesses accept euros, but usually at a poor rate, so pay in lek wherever you can.
Accommodation
Accommodation is your biggest cost and the one that changes most with the season.
| Type | Off-peak (May, Jun, Sep) | Peak (Jul–Aug) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | €12–18 | €15–25 |
| Budget guesthouse (Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër) | €25–40 | €30–50 |
| Private room on the Riviera | €35–60 | €40–80 |
| Mid-range hotel, Sarandë | €45–70 | €50–90 |
| Mid-range hotel, Ksamil | €60–100 | €80–150 |
| Mid-range hotel, Dhërmi | €70–110 | €85–140 |
| Boutique / resort | €100–180 | €120–250+ |
Where the value is: Himara and Qeparo on the coast, and Berat and Gjirokastër inland. Guesthouses in the old Ottoman houses of the UNESCO towns often include a big home-cooked breakfast.
Where it isn't: Ksamil in August. There are far more visitors than rooms, and prices reflect it.
ℹ️ Good to Know
Booking tip: Riviera accommodation books out fast for July and August. Reserve at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead for peak season. For June or September, 2 to 3 weeks is usually enough.
Food and Drink
Food is where Albania still feels very cheap.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Byrek (cheese or spinach pastry) | €0.50–1.00 |
| Espresso | €0.50–0.80 |
| Qofte or souvlaki wrap | €2–4 |
| Local restaurant meal | €4–8 |
| Mid-range restaurant dinner | €10–20 |
| Fresh seafood dinner on the coast | €15–30 |
| Pint of local beer (bar) | €1.50–2.50 |
| Cocktail at a beach bar | €3–8 |
| 1.5L bottled water (supermarket) | €0.40–0.70 |
Tap water isn't safe to drink, so budget a little for bottled water, or bring a filter bottle and save money and plastic.
The best eating tip in Albania: look for places where the menu is only in Albanian and locals are eating. You'll typically get a big plate of tavë kosi or grilled meat, a salad, bread and a drink for under €8.
Transport
| Route / Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tirana → Berat bus | ~€7 | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Tirana → Himara bus | €8–12 | 4–5 hrs |
| Tirana → Saranda bus | €10–15 | 5–7 hrs |
| Tirana → Saranda shuttle (RivieraBus) | €50 | Wi-Fi, max 7 passengers |
| Tirana → Saranda private transfer | €100–140 | Door to door |
| Corfu → Saranda ferry | €10–15 | 30–40 min |
| Rental car (compact) | €20–45/day | Cheapest outside Jul–Aug |
| Petrol | €1.50–1.70/litre | Pricier than most of the Balkans |
| Llogara Tunnel toll | 250 lek (~€2.50) | Optional, saves ~20 min |
| Furgon (local minibus) | €1–5 | Leaves when full |
Car or bus? Buses are much cheaper if you're travelling alone. For two or more people, a rental car often costs about the same as everyone's bus tickets, and it reaches beaches and villages buses don't. Our Tirana to the Albanian Riviera guide covers every option in detail, and if you're flying in, see our Tirana Airport Transfer guide.
Beaches and Activities
Most of Albania's best experiences are free or nearly free.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Public beach access | Free |
| Two sunbeds + umbrella (Riviera, peak) | roughly €10–25, more in the front row |
| Blue Eye spring | 100 lek (~€1) |
| Butrint National Park | ~€10 |
| Berat and Gjirokastër castles | a few euros each |
| Bunk'Art, Tirana | ~€5–8 |
| Boat trip to Gjipe or the Ksamil islands | €10–25 |
| Theth–Valbona hike | Free (transport extra) |
| Lake Komani ferry | ~€10–15 |
ℹ️ Good to Know
About sunbeds: in peak season, many beaches in Ksamil and Dhërmi are almost entirely covered with rented loungers. You can still lay a towel on the public strip at the water's edge for free. If you'd rather not pay at all, quieter beaches like Borsh and Gjipe have plenty of space. See our Best Beaches on the Albanian Riviera for more.
Sample Budgets: One Week in Albania
Solo Backpacker: About €300
| Category | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Hostels | 7 nights × €18 | €126 |
| Food | 7 days × €15 | €105 |
| Buses and furgons | Tirana → Berat → coast → Saranda | €40 |
| Activities | Blue Eye, Butrint, castles | €25 |
| SIM / eSIM | 10GB | €6 |
| Total | ≈ €302 |
Mid-Range Couple: About €1,300 (€650 per person)
| Category | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Guesthouses and hotels | 7 nights × €70 | €490 |
| Food and drink | 2 people × 7 days × €30 | €420 |
| Rental car | 7 days × €35 | €245 |
| Fuel | Tirana → Riviera loop | €60 |
| Activities and sunbeds | €80 | |
| Total | ≈ €1,295 |
Want a coast-only breakdown? Our Albanian Riviera Budget guide goes town by town.
Albania vs Its Neighbours
| Country | Mid-range daily budget (per person) |
|---|---|
| North Macedonia | €55–90 |
| Albania | €70–130 |
| Croatia | €110–160 |
Albania gives you a similar Mediterranean beach holiday to Croatia or Greece for a much lower price. For a closer comparison on the Adriatic side, see Montenegro Travel Cost.
How to Spend Less
- Travel in June or September. Accommodation can be 30–50% cheaper than in July and August, and the sea is still warm.
- Stay in Himara or Qeparo instead of Ksamil. The water is just as clear and there are fewer crowds.
- Eat at local places. Byrek for breakfast and a taverna for dinner keeps food under €15 a day.
- Pay in lek. Withdraw from bank ATMs and avoid changing money at beach kiosks.
- Use a no-fee card. Wise or Revolut save you 2–3% on every withdrawal and payment.
- Fly into Corfu if it's cheaper, then take the 30-minute ferry to Saranda for €10–15.
- Bring water shoes and a filter bottle. You'll save on bottled water, and your feet will thank you on the pebble beaches.
💡 Pro Tip
Stay connected for less: an Albanian tourist SIM costs €5–8 for about 10GB. If you're also visiting other countries, a regional eSIM saves you from buying a new SIM at every border. See our Best eSIMs for Balkans Travel.
Hidden Costs to Know About
ATM fees: some Albanian bank ATMs charge a withdrawal fee on top of your own bank's fees, so take out larger amounts less often.
Card acceptance: cards work in Tirana and at larger coastal hotels. Small towns, furgons and family guesthouses mostly take cash only.
Peak-season minimum stays: some properties in Ksamil and Dhërmi require 2–3 night minimum stays in August.
Parking: paid beach parking is common on the Riviera in summer, typically a few euros a day.
Travel insurance: worth having for winding coastal roads, hikes and boat trips. See Best Travel Insurance for the Balkans.
Albania isn't as cheap as it was a decade ago, but it's still the best-value beach holiday in southern Europe. Clear water, good food, UNESCO towns and mountain hikes cost roughly half what the same trip would in Croatia or Greece. Go in shoulder season, pay in lek and eat where the locals eat.
Planning the full trip? Start with our Albania Travel Guide, read Albanian Riviera: The Complete 2026 Guide, and check Is Albania Safe? before you go.