Travel info
SIM and Internet in Albania: Local Card, eSIM and Coverage
Staying connected in Albania is cheap and simple. The mobile networks have improved greatly in recent years, and the internet in the cities is fast and reliable. The only choice to make is between a physical local SIM and an eSIM.
Local SIM or eSIM
A local SIM card is the cheapest for a longer stay: the three main operators — Vodafone, One and ALBtelecom — offer tourist packages with generous data for a few hundred lek up to about 1,500 lek. You buy at a kiosk at the airport (TIA) or a shop in town, on presentation of a passport, and activation is immediate. Those who prefer not to swap a card can buy an eSIM in advance (such as Airalo) and activate it by scanning a code — convenient, though usually a little pricier per unit of data.
Coverage and WiFi
In cities and coastal areas coverage is excellent — fast 4G and sometimes 5G in Tirana. WiFi is common in almost every café, restaurant and hotel, usually free and of good quality. The only drawback is the mountains: in the Albanian Alps, parts of the hidden beaches of the Riviera and along the Koman Lake ferry, coverage is partial or absent.
See also the budget guide and the safety guide. For the full picture: the Albania guide and the practical info guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth buying a local SIM in Albania?
Yes, if you're planning more than a few days. A local SIM with a generous data package is cheap (usually a few hundred lek up to ~1,500 lek), and coverage in the cities is excellent. Alternatively an eSIM is convenient for those who don't want to swap a physical card.
Which mobile operator is best?
The three leaders are Vodafone, One (formerly Telekom) and ALBtelecom. Vodafone and One offer the widest coverage, including in mountain areas. You buy at a kiosk at the airport or a shop in town, on presentation of a passport.
Is there good coverage across all of Albania?
In cities and coastal areas coverage is fast (4G and sometimes 5G). In mountain areas — the Alps, parts of the hidden Riviera and the Koman ferry — coverage is partial or absent. Download offline maps before heading into the mountains.