[2021] Crossing Borders Montenegro – Albania: Bus Podgorica – Shkodër – Tirana

We left Montenegro for Albania yesterday by bus and want to give you a quick recap of this land border crossing. We bought our tickets on Getbybus, but the arrival times on that site are wrong (the departure time was correct, luckily). I recommend buying tickets on busticket4.me because the schedules are more accurate.

This site charges a small commission on ticket purchases. If you’re not too far from the bus terminal, buy your tickets directly there to save the commission.

To get from Delta City to Podgorica’s bus terminal, we simply took a taxi. 3.25€ on the meter. Super friendly driver. There was a bus driver strike yesterday, but he called his colleagues to make sure our bus was indeed leaving for Albania.

Montenegro – Albania by bus

Currently (March 2021):

• there’s only one minibus (12 seats) connecting Podgorica with Shkodër or Tirana
• You have to pay 2€ per person at the bus terminal in Podgorica for service fees (go to the station counter)
• No extra baggage fees
• the border is a double border. Only one police officer gets on the bus and asks a few questions (in English) in a very friendly manner.
• we didn’t get stamps in our passports for either leaving Montenegro or entering Albania. We worried it was an oversight, but apparently it’s normal 🙂
• the bus leaves at 4pm from Podgorica bus terminal (Google Maps link)
• note: if you’re getting off along the way (Shkodër), you need to remind the driver as you approach Shkodër because he completely forgot that two passengers were getting off there
• no breaks / pee stops along the way
• we arrived on time at 7:15pm at Tirana bus station (Google Maps link)

Covid restrictions in Albania (March 2021)

Currently, Albania:

• does not require a PCR test, antigen test, or quarantine
• there’s a curfew starting at 8pm, but home deliveries go until midnight: you can order food via the app Baboon
• restaurants are open until 7pm

Practical info

• we arrived a bit late to exchange money or withdraw cash, but our pizza delivery guy (called by our hotel) accepted our 10-euro bill. He didn’t hesitate at all to give us change in LEK, so it’s possible that euros are easily accepted.
• 1000 LEK = about 8€
• If you have an international card (Revolut, N26 or Boursorama Ultim), ATM withdrawals are free (at least for BKT bank ATMs, easily identified by their red color).
• Otherwise, exchange offices are plentiful. Many don’t charge commissions, but watch out for the exchange rate offered.
• In Tirana, the cheapest and most reliable taxis are the electric Smart Taxi: https://www.facebook.com/smarttaxial/ you can call them at 08007070. No need to negotiate the fare before departure; taxis must use the meter.
• For SIM cards, check out JB’s article here.
• It is recommended to drink tap water in Albania. If you’re staying in the same place for several days, a 10-liter bottle of water costs less than one euro.

Bonus

Planning a trip to Albania? Our partner Get Your Guide offers entry tickets and guided tours with French-speaking guides at very reasonable rates. Click here to see what they offer and book online.