Albania, one of Europe’s most underrated gems, offers rugged mountains, turquoise coastlines, and rich history-but handling currency in Albania requires some forethought. The Albanian Lek (ALL) is the official currency, and Euros are not widely accepted outside major tourist areas. While card usage is growing in cities like Tirana, cash remains king across most of the country-especially in villages, local buses, and mom-and-pop shops. ATMs are available but not all support international cards. This guide breaks down how to get, carry, and spend money in Albania safely and efficiently, so you can travel without hiccups.
How to pay in Albania – cash or card?
In Albania, cash is widely used, particularly outside of the capital, Tirana. Although Euros can be used in many tourist destinations, it is preferable to have Albanian Lek (ALL) for everyday transactions to avoid unfavourable exchange rates.
You can use cash for:
- Budget hotels
- Hostels
- Local tour operators (especially those offering day trips or informal services)
- Tips and gratuities (almost always in cash)
- Street food
- Small eateries / restaurants
- Sit-down restaurants (especially outside Tirana)
- Small purchases
- Local expenses at markets and small shops
- Local buses (minibuses, intercity furgons)
- Local taxis (cash preferred)
- Local tuk-tuks (unofficial tourist areas)
- Mobile SIM and phone top-up
- Laundry services
- Tailoring services
- Nightlife / bars (cash often required for cover and drinks)
You can use card for:
- 4 and 5 star hotels (in Tirana or beach resorts)
- Large tour operators (booking platforms or through agencies)
- Shopping at malls
- Entry fees to museums, castles, ruins
- Sit-down restaurants (in Tirana and tourist-focused areas)
- Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
- Vehicle renting
- Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies (major cities)
Albania is still a cash-heavy society. While cards are slowly gaining ground in urban and tourist areas, carry sufficient Lek (ALL) for most daily transactions.
What’s the best currency to take to Albania?
Albania’s primary currency is the Albanian Lek (ALL). Note denominations include 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 lekë. For local transactions, the Lek is preferred.
Euros are widely accepted in many places, particularly in tourist areas and for larger transactions like hotel stays. US Dollars and Pounds may be accepted in some hotels or tourist shops, but the Euro is preferred if not paying in Lek.
So, Albanian Lek is the best currency to take to Albania.
Where to get the local currency in Albania?
In Albania, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up
Note that Lek is a closed currency, which means it cannot be exchanged outside of Albania.
Types of cards to swipe in Albania
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Types of cards at ATMs in Albania
When withdrawing money in Albania, majority of the ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus cards. Others such as Maestro, Amex, Diners, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Rupay are not usually accepted by many ATMs.
Should I exchange money before travelling to Albania?
Bringing a small amount of Albanian Lek (ALL) for initial expenses like taxis, snacks, or tips can be helpful, especially since Lek is rarely available outside of Albania and cannot legally be imported or exported in large amounts. Most foreign banks do not stock ALL, and exchange rates abroad are typically poor.
A practical option is to withdraw Lek from ATMs once you arrive in Albania. ATMs are widely available in cities, airports, and towns. Most machines accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus cards. It’s best to check with your bank regarding international withdrawal fees and card compatibility.
Cash remains the dominant payment method, especially in rural areas, local shops, and markets. Credit and debit cards are accepted in upscale hotels, restaurants, and some shops in Tirana and tourist hubs.
If you carry EUR, USD, or GBP, you can exchange them easily at banks or licensed exchange bureaus in the city. Avoid exchanging at airports or hotels where rates are typically less favorable.
Where to withdraw money in Albania
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Albania are those owned by popular banks such as:
Banka Komba Tregtare (BKT),
Tirana Bank,
Credins Bank,
OTP Bank,
Fi Bank, and
Union Bank.
Other banks with ATMs accept international debit and credit cards.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in Albania.
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Where to exchange currency in Albania
In Albania, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, banks, airports, and hotels, the most popular being authorised currency exchanges.
Currency exchange in Albania is best done at licensed exchange offices, known as “Këmbimore”. These are widely available in major cities and tourist centers and offer better rates than banks or hotels.
Notable locations include:
Tirana: Skanderbeg Square, Rruga e Durrësit, Blloku area
Durrës and Saranda: near port areas and beachfront promenades
- Notable currency exchanges are:
Western Union branches (often double as exchange bureaus)
Unionnet – Western Union
Llogarit Currency Exchange
Crown Exchange Albania
Most offices operate from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with some open on weekends and late in tourist areas.
- Banks Offering Currency Exchange:
Credins Bank
BKT (Banka Kombëtare Tregtare)
Raiffeisen Bank Albania
Bank exchanges are reliable but may involve longer queues or less favorable rates than exchange offices.
💡 Tip: EUR and USD are the easiest currencies to exchange. Always check rates posted outside before entering, and avoid exchanging money with street vendors.
Pro-tips:
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.
Is carrying money in Albania safe?
In general, yes. it is safe to carry a reasonable amount of cash in Albania. And necessary. To safely carry cash while travelling in Albania, consider these tips:
Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in Albania are:
Carry only the cash you need.
Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
Do not flash your cash.
When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
Cross-wear your purses if possible.
Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattended while you go to the restroom.
If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Albania
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
