These are my favourite travel resources I use in Albania and for travel around the world. These have made my life in Albania and travel in general so much easier!

General Travel Resources

• Booking.com: My favourite tool for booking hotels, especially when I’m on the go and need to use the app on my phone. The rates are often less than on hotel sites and frequent users get a 10% discount.

• Airbnb: For booking apartments and bedrooms in homes owned by individuals. I often use Airbnb for stays of longer than a few days. It’s a great way to have a more immersive experience and they are often cheaper than hotels. I just used Airbnb for my 9 months of travel through the Balkans and saved a ton of money.

• SafetyWing: Travel and nomad health insurance. This is the company I like and use.

• Kayak: A comprehensive and excellent site to search for flights, car rentals and hotels. I use this primarily to search for flight routing options and compare fares, and then see if can get the same deal through the airline.

• GetYourGuide: Great platform to book tours and experiences at your destination. I’ve used GetYourGuide a number of times while travelling and the tours are always terrific (as long as you choose one with a lot of positive reviews).

• GuruWalk: Online booking platform for free walking tours in over 800 cities around the world. There is no upfront fee. You tip the guide what you feel the tour was worth at the end. I use GuruWalk to book a free walking tour when I first arrive in a new destination.

• SeatMaps: Check your seat and type of aircraft on this website. I often check and compare airline configurations, seat pitch and depth when choosing flights and reserving seats (especially when travelling with my dog).

• Discover Cars: Car rental comparison platform for booking car rentals all over the world. I’ve used them several times for Albania rentals. It’s a really good way to look for the best deals.

• Welcome Pickups: Excellent airport transfer service in over 350 destinations world-wide. Dependable service with nice vehicles. Really good if you’re arriving late at night. Drivers speak English and monitor your flight.

• daytrip: Intercity transfer service including transfers between countries. One of the more expensive options, but they use nicer cars and have English speaking drivers. You can add sightseeing stops.

Albania Travel Resources

Transportation

• Taxi Landi: Private transfer service that offers transfers and day trips around Albania. Very reliable and clean cars.

• Taxi Lux: Tirana taxi service that uses electric cars.

• Saranda Eco Taxi: Saranda taxi service that uses electric cars.

• Gjirafa Travel: Online bus tickets & Albanian bus and furgon schedules. I recommend using for schedule timings, but buying your ticket at the bus station or from the driver.

• Direct Ferries: Online ferry tickets and schedules (Albania – Greece & Albania – Italy). Ferry tickets are sometimes cheaper when purchasing in person.

• Hermes Airport Shuttle: Shuttle bus service between Tirana Airport and Shkoder.

• Komani Lake Ferry Berisha: Bus service between Tirana, Shkoder and alpine towns Theth and Valbone. Also operates and sells ferry tickets for Lake Koman.

City Tour Guides

• Free Tour Berat: Specializing in group and private tours in and around Berat. The owner and guide Bruno Ndrio is fantastic.

•  Explore Korca Tour Guide: Day tours of Korce. Owner and guide is Mario Shushka, a lifetime resident of Korce.

• Lihnid Tours: Small group day tours of Pogradec and the southeastern Albania. Owner Eljo Miti is a highly regarded guide and lifelong resident of Pogradec. I did a tour with Eljo and was impressed with his knowledge.