Taking a Taxi in Tirana
To ensure you can see all that Albania’s capital city has to offer, the best way to get around Tirana and the surrounding area is to take a quick and convenient Tirana taxi. Regular taxis seat four passengers and can easily be hailed from the street or picked up from most street corners. Otherwise, you can phone or book one through an app, or you can arrange a private transfer with a company like Welcome Pickups.
Several taxi companies operate throughout the city, each sporting their own vehicle colors with a “TAXI” sign on the roof. Rides within the city and to and from the airport are typically metered although drivers will accept a fixed fare if you’re willing to negotiate. With more than 2,000 taxis circulating at any one time, you should have no problem hopping from site to site with a Tirana taxi.
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What's the cost of a taxi?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIRANA AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER | 25 € | 25 € | 20 MIN |
| TIRANA AIRPORT TO DURRES | 28 € | 28 € | 27 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO SHËNGJIN | 80 € | 80 € | 1 H 10 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO DAJTI EXPRESS | 10.5 € | 10.5 € | 20 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO KRUJE | 73 € | 73 € | 55 MIN |
Tirana Taxi Prices
When you take a taxi in Tirana, rates are calculated using a taximeter, based on the time and distance traveled to your exact location. There are no price differences for trips taken during the day, at night, or on weekends and holidays.
It’s important to note that rates are charged in three distance brackets: from 1.5 km to 6.5 km, from 6.5 km to 16.5 km, and for any distance over 16.5 km.
Base fare (incl. First 1.5 km): €3 (LEK 300)
First bracket up to 6.5 km: €1.21 (LEK 120) per km & €0.25 (LEK 25) per minute
Second bracket up to 16.5 km: €0.96 (LEK 95) per km & €0.21 (LEK 21.25) per minute
Third bracket over 16.5 km: €0.81 (LEK 80) per km & €0.20 (LEK 20) per minute
Extra charges will apply for rides arranged over the phone (€2/LEK 200) and for any road tolls that you pass (except for fixed prices). Finally, most companies offer fixed prices to destinations in nearby towns which are generally cheaper than using the meter, and from Tirana Airport, a fixed price of €25 (LEK 2,500) is standard.
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How to get a taxi in Tirana
Hailing a taxi from the street in Tirana is the easiest way to nab a taxi since you can simply wave your arm and have them pull over. If you’re not having much luck with one driving by, another convenient way of finding a taxi in Tirana is from a rank. These are usually marked by a blue and white “TAXI” sign or with paint on the road and can be found near popular tourist locations like Skanderbeg Square, larger hotels, shopping centers, and bus terminals.
Always check when taking a taxi from the street that they have yellow license plates with red writing, the taxi ID number written on the outside of the vehicle, the prices displayed, and a working taximeter. In line with the city’s sustainable focus, most vehicles are also electric.
How to get a taxi from Tirana Airport
Official Tirana Airport taxis depart from directly outside the Arrivals Hall on the Ground Level, where you’ll find a long line of yellow taxis queued up. The airport has partnered with Auto Holiday Albania/TIA Taxi for taxi services to Tirana, which offer both fixed and metered prices for the 20-minute drive from Tirana Airport into the city.
How to get a taxi from Sheshi Skënderbej (Skanderbeg Square)
As the main square in Tirana, this is a popular spot for tourists to visit, plus it’s within close proximity to several other attractions. To catch a taxi from Skanderbeg Square, make your way to the National History Museum where you’ll find a dedicated stand with ‘TAXI’ marked on the road, in front of Tirana International Hotel.
How to get a taxi from Tirana East Gate (TEG)
During the mall’s opening hours between 10:00 and 21:00, you can find taxis at the rank outside the Orange entrance. The mall is quite large so if you are having trouble locating the correct exit/entrance, you can ask for help at one of the Information points.
How to get a taxi from Tirana Regional Bus Terminal
Buses arrive at all hours of the day at the new Regional Bus Terminal so there should always be at least one or two taxis waiting around for taxis. Official taxis are allowed to wait outside the exit so if you don’t spot one immediately, you may need to phone one or book through an app.
Most popular taxi apps in Tirana
If you’re out in the city late or night, traveling with kids, or if the weather turns bad, using a Tirana taxi app may be a better option than taking one from the street. There are several to choose from, with many taxi companies, like Speed Taxi, offering their own version. Alternatively, you can use Taxi.al to connect with any regular taxi driver. Other apps, such as Ups Taxi App, Patoko, and VrapOn, work more like Uber. If you prefer not to download an app, you can also message taxi companies via WhatsApp or Viber.
Welcome Pickups also offers in-city rides and is perfect for your Tirana Airport transfer since they offer guaranteed on-time pickups for a competitive price, with an English-speaking driver.
Useful taxi numbers in Tirana
Another common way to arrange a cab is to use a Tirana taxi number to contact a company directly. Having a few contacts on hand is especially convenient if you’re headed out of the city or staying outside the city center where there aren’t as many street taxis. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel to phone one on your behalf. There are several trustworthy taxi companies in Tirana:
Lux Taxi Tirana: +355 (48) 333 333
Blue Taxi Tirana: +355 (674) 444 444
Green Taxi Tirana: +355 (69) 800 2000
Smart Taxi: +355 (69) 702 0003
Merr Taxi: +355 (800) 5555
Grand Taxi: +355 (69) 502 2222
Benefits of Booking a Taxi in Advance With Welcome
Exploring a new city can be daunting, especially at night or when traveling with children. The last thing you want is to worry about navigating Tirana’s public transport or scurrying around in search of a taxi.
At Welcome Pickups, we provide seamless, stress-free transfers with friendly, English-speaking drivers who are local to the area and handpicked by us. Our personalized services and guaranteed on-time pickups make organizing your holiday a breeze when you pre-book your Tirana taxi or Tirana Airport taxi with Welcome Pickups.
Tirana Taxi Tips
- Most taxis in Tirana accept bank card payments, however, there are a few that still don’t so be sure to check with your driver to be sure.
- Tipping your Tirana taxi driver is not customary, although it is always appreciated. Rounding the fare up to the nearest significant Lek is perfectly acceptable.
- Make sure that the taximeter has been turned on and reset before starting your journey.
- Have any taxi apps downloaded before traveling so they are ready to use when needed.
- If you require a baby seat, it’s best to arrange your taxi through a company like Welcome since taxis aren’t required to carry one.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Tirana
Unfortunately, most Tirana taxi companies don’t have wheelchair-adapted taxis in their fleet of vehicles. However, if you have a foldable wheelchair, it is still possible to store it in the trunk.
Otherwise, you will need to contact a private taxi company, such as Wheelchair Accessible Holiday Taxis who can arrange one on your behalf. It’s best to book this 48 hours in advance to ensure vehicle and driver availability.
Taxi Safety and Complaints in Tirana
You’re in safe hands when you take a taxi in Tirana. All drivers and companies are regulated and are required to hold certain driver qualifications. There is the occasional bad egg – so to speak – who may try to overcharge you, though the risk of this happening can be minimized by insisting the meter is always turned on and reset.
In any case, if you do encounter a bad taxi experience, you can report your Tirana taxi driver by filing an official complaint directly with the taxi company you traveled with. It’s essential to keep your receipt, as it holds valuable information that the company will ask for (travel time, registration, the amount paid, etc.). You should also note down the license plate number.