How to find the cheapest car rentals in Albania 2024

Opting for car rental on holiday gives you the freedom to move around on your own terms. Whether you want to visit a remote beach, go on a museum tour, or enjoy hiking in a national park, a rented car will make your trips so much easier. Forget about dealing with complicated public transport timetables or overly expensive taxi rides. Having your own car at your disposal is definitely the most comfortable way to explore a new place.

However, with so many options available, finding the right car rental company and getting a good deal may seem a bit daunting. No need to worry, as this blog post is designed to provide you with all the tips and tricks in the book when it comes to finding the cheapest car rental in Albania.

What factors influence the price of your rental?

The price of your rental can vary depending on several parameters. You should consider all of them in order to adjust your requirements so that you can get the best possible deal. Here are some things you should consider:

• The pick-up and drop-off locations: If you are picking your car from one location, you should try to drop it off at the same location later on. If you fail to do so, some companies will charge you an additional fee. 
• Airport locations: If you pick up your car from a company located at the airport, you will probably pay more than you need to. Airport locations come with additional taxes, which results in higher rental prices. Therefore, we recommend that you find a car rental company online rather than at the airport.
• The type and size of the car: Different vehicle models come with different rental prices. You can choose anything between a luxury car or a family-friendly economical car. Make sure to choose a vehicle that aligns with your budget.
• Manual vs. automatic: Generally, automatic vehicles will be a bit more expensive. However, considering the comfort they provide, those few extra dollars may be ultimately worth it. If you’re really looking to save as much as possible, definitely opt for a manual rental.

Why you should book your car using a car rental website

Car rental websites offer a variety of benefits. First of all, they allow you to easily compare car rental prices for different models. A well-built, user-friendly website provides all the information you need when choosing a rental. 

For example, our website allows users to get an immediate estimate of their car rental cost by simply inputting information on the pick-up and drop-off locations as well as the pick-up and drop-off dates. You can also easily filter the search results by the type of the car. You can choose an economic, family car, suv, sedan, minivan and more.

You can also filter options based on automatic or manual transmissions. After adjusting all these parameters, you can easily scan the options available to find the cheapest vehicle that aligns with both your budget and needs. Moreover, car rental websites offer a direct link to the company. You can contact our staff at any time and we’ll provide immediate assistance.

What kind of insurance do you need for a rental?

When renting a car, your agent will surely offer you car insurance as well. Being properly insured is mandatory! Should any incidents happen, your car insurance will save you a lot of money. A single scratch can cost up to $100 dollars. Therefore, you should make sure to get adequate information on the type of insurance needed before booking your rental. Keep in mind that if you get your insurance online you may spend less. 

Be mindful of extra features and devices

Some car rental companies offer additional features for their vehicles. They may ask whether you need adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, memory seats, heated windscreen, smartphone integration, baby car seats, etc. Some of these additions may cost you more money, so make sure to ask about additional fees before proceeding with your booking. 

Avoid the “no full tank” fee

Most car rental agencies share the same policy about gas. You pick up the vehicle with a full tank, therefore you have to drop-it off with a full tank as well. If you forget to refill your rental before dropping it off, you will probably have to pay an additional fee. 

Make sure to check your airline program

In some cases, frequent flier programs offer considerable discounts. Some car rental agencies have partnered with airline companies, and they offer special prices or additional points for clients who choose them. Make sure to check whether your airline company has any car rental partners before making a final decision.

Don’t forget to compare prices with the direct booking rate

When you search for a rental online you may come across third-party websites that showcase vehicles from different car rental agencies. However, it’s always better to check the agency’s own website. More often than not you will see that booking directly through the car rental company’s website is cheaper. Moreover, you can earn points with the company’s membership program.

Check whether there are any available coupons

Some companies issue coupons which can be used to get discount prices on various vehicles. Summer is usually very busy, as plenty of tourists from all over the globe visit Albania for their holiday. Therefore, car rental agencies often provide coupons, discounts, and special deals which you can take advantage of.

Opt for a vehicle with a manual transmission

Manual cars use less fuel, therefore they’re quite popular in many European countries. Even though automatic cars are better in terms of comfort, manual cars will definitely save you money. Not only will you be able to save money on fuel, but you will also have to pay less for the car rental itself. Vehicles with a manual transmission usually come at cheaper prices, therefore they make an ideal option for those who are looking for the most cost-effective deal.

Don’t make the mistake of renting at the airport

Car rental agencies have to pay taxes in order to use their airport locations. Therefore, if you rent your car at the airport you will end up paying more than you really need to. The extra cost is attributed to the additional airport taxes and fees. To avoid these unnecessary expenses, you can rent a car through the agency’s website and pick it up at their office locations in the capital city.

Check how prices fluctuate throughout the week

In some cases, car rental prices vary throughout the week. If you have planned a longer vacation, check whether renting your car for a whole week is cheaper than for just a few days. Many car rental companies offer lower prices per day when the client rents the vehicle for multiple days in a row.

The idea is to make the renting process as accommodating and budget-friendly as possible (while securing longer relations with the client). Let’s suppose it’s cheaper to rent a car for more days than you actually need it. You can still rent it and return it when you need to leave. However, make sure you check with the agency whether doing so will impose any early return fees!

Choose a cost-effective vehicle

Picking that luxurious G-class may seem tempting, however, picking a more economical car when you’re trying to save some money is a wiser choice. Car rental agencies offer a variety of cars. Opt for an economic car (or a budget-friendly family car) if you’re trying to spend less. Moreover, we recommend you pick a vehicle that works on gas, as gas prices are cheaper. 

Choose a designated driver beforehand

Some car rental agencies apply an additional fee if you’re going to switch drivers. If you don’t put the other driver on the booking, you may end up facing very expensive consequences. In some cases, rental companies offer deals of coupons that waive fees for extra drivers. However, if you don’t wish to pay more, simply stick to one designated driver throughout your whole trip.

Be wary of insurance plotholes

Being properly insured during your trip is crucial. However, in some cases, you may not actually need a new insurance plan. Your personal car insurance, travel insurance or credit card may cover your rented vehicle.

However, make sure to check with the agency as they will be able to provide you with relevant and up-to-date information on insurance requirements. If you are already insured, don’t forget to bring proof of your coverage when making your reservation. 

Consider car sharing 

Some tourists opt for car sharing as a way to save more money. If you are traveling alone or you have extra room in your vehicle, you can check whether there are any other travelers who would like to share the car (and hence the costs) with you. Check online forums, Facebook groups or specific peer-to-peer car sharing websites to find interested people.