Tirana International Airport — Nënë Tereza, universally known as Rinas — is Albania's only major international airport, and mercifully compact: one terminal, short walking distances, and on a normal day you can be kerbside 20–30 minutes after touchdown. Summer evenings are the exception, when several arrivals stack up and passport control queues grow; build in slack if someone is waiting for you.
Getting connected: SIM cards and eSIMs
The main Albanian operators have kiosks in or beside the arrivals area selling tourist packages — expect to pay around €10–15 for generous data that comfortably covers a holiday. Bring your passport for registration. If you'd rather land connected, buy a travel eSIM before flying; coverage on the main routes and the coast is good either way. One practical note: WhatsApp is the default way to reach every Albanian business, taxi and guesthouse — make sure it works before leaving the terminal.
Money: lek, euros and ATMs
Albania's currency is the lek (ALL). Tourist businesses widely quote and accept euros, but you'll get fairer prices paying lek for everyday things. There are ATMs in the arrivals area — check the fee screen, take a moderate amount, and skip the airport exchange counters, whose rates are the worst you'll see all trip. Cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants in cities; keep cash for taxis, furgons and villages.
Finding your driver
If you've pre-booked a transfer, your driver waits in the arrivals hall at the exit doors holding a name sign — with us, they've been tracking your flight since it left, so a delay changes nothing and your 60 minutes of free waiting starts when the wheels touch down. No booking? The taxi rank is straight outside (agree the fare first) and the city shuttle bus stop is a short walk along the terminal front.
Onward from the airport
- Tirana city centre: 25–40 minutes — bus, taxi or transfer.
- Durrës and the beaches: about 35 minutes by car.
- Shkodër and the north: about 1h 20m.
- Sarandë and the Riviera: 3h 45m+ — read our dedicated guide before choosing the bus.
- Prishtina, Ohrid, Budva: 2h 45m–3h 30m cross-border by private car, border fees included.
Skip the arrivals scramble entirely: book your pickup on WhatsApp and walk straight from the doors into a waiting car.