Albania Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Albania but it’s common to round up the bill in a restaurant and a tip of 5-10% for good service will always be appreciated.

Albania’s cities and tourist centres have plenty of Wi-Fi hotspots and internet access is available in pretty much all hotels. Outside of the major towns, access is less reliable but most towns will have an internet café.

Mobile phone coverage may be limited outside of major centres. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone.

Albania’s toilets are usually of the flushing kind, but don’t be surprised if you come across the occasional squat toilet. Expect to pay a small fee when visiting public toilets.

Cup of coffee in a cafe = 100 ALL

Beer in a bar or restaurant = 200 ALL

Simple lunch = 300 ALL

Dinner in an inexpensive restaurant = 750 ALL

Tap water may not be safe to drink in Albania. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, bring water purification tablets or ask your leader where filtered water can be found.

Only the major hotels in Tirana accept credit cards and outside the capital they’re unlikely to be accepted. Be sure to carry multiple methods of payment.

ATMs are becoming more and more common throughout Albania. In most towns you should have access to a machine. Always be prepared by having enough cash just in case.

• 1 Jan New Year's Day
• 2 Jan New Year Holiday
• 3 Jan New Year Holiday
• 14 Mar Summer Day
• 22 Mar Nevruz Day
• *Catholic Easter
• *Orthodox Easter
• *Catholic Easter Monday
• *Orthodox Easter Monday
• 1 May International Worker's Day
• *Lesser Bajram /End of Ramadan
• *Lesser Bajram /End of Ramadan Holiday
• 1 Sep Greater Bajram /Feast of Sacrifice
• 19 Oct Mother Teresa Beatification Day
• 28 Nov Flag and Independence Day
• 29 Nov Liberation Day
• 8 Dec National Youth Day
• 25 Dec Christmas Day

*Please note these dates may vary. See the current list of public holidays in Albania.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

From Canada?

Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/

From the UK?

Go to: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

From the US?

Go to: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.