Albania Travel Budget: How Much It Really Costs

One of the big reasons travellers fall in love with Albania is the price. Even after the tourism boom of recent years, it has stayed one of Europe’s cheapest destinations — food, transport and lodging cost little compared with the west of the continent. The numbers below show what that looks like day to day.

Daily cost by style

• Shoestring (about €30–45 a day): hostels or cheap private rooms, furgons, street food and local restaurants. Suits independent travellers.
• Mid-range (€50–80 a day): a 3-star hotel or apartment, restaurant meals, a shared rental car, and entry to attractions. The most common level.
• Comfortable (€100+ a day): boutique or beach hotels, fish meals, a private car and guided tours.

Typical prices

A meal at a local restaurant runs 700–1,200 lek (about €7–12), a coffee 100–150 lek, and a slice of byrek 50–150 lek. An intercity furgon ride 300–800 lek. Car rental €25–40 a day, and good lodging is easily found under €50 a night outside peak summer. Site entries (Butrint, castles) are relatively cheap — a few hundred lek.

For detail by destination see the itineraries and the where-to-stay guide. For the full picture: the Albania guide and the practical info guide.