Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree2Likes
  • 2 Post By PanEuropean

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Jun 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 119
Money in Albania

Hi,

As part of a longer trip I will be going through Albania; I have heard that ATMs are few and far between and cash is the best option.
As that information is a little old now, is that still the case? Also, are Euros accepted or Lek only?

While I'm here, how about petrol? Is it generally available in bigger towns only? I prefer to explore the rural areas so need to plan visits into town if I need fuel!

Thank you!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Jun 2018
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
Hi Mermaid:

I spent a week in Albania last year, and also toured Albania on my moto in 2015 and 2010. I ride a Honda ST 1100 (bit of a gas guzzler).

The country improves (modernizes) immensely every year - it's not the 3rd world rathole it was 20 years ago. It is a delightful place to tour around in, and the citizens are very hospitable and welcoming.

You won't have any problem finding ATMs in larger cities, and you can buy fuel everywhere. Just keep in mind that once you get out in to the backwoods (meaning, substantial distances away from the sea, or substantial distances away from medium to large cities), it's still a rural, agrarian country.

Plan to buy your fuel in medium to large cities, and find ATMs you need for withdrawals in medium to large cities, and you will have no problems at all. As long as your moto has over 150 km (about 90 miles) of range with a full tank of fuel, you will not have any worries. Might be a good idea to not pass up a gas station if you see one when you have less than half a tank of fuel remaining, though.

Bonus: You get tremendous value for the money you spend on food & hotels in Albania, so, you won't need to visit the ATMs very often. Euros will be accepted by most businesses "if necessary", so I suppose you could keep a small stash of them (ideally 10 and 20 note denominations) in case of emergency. But, your best bet (and best value) is just to pay with Leks or with your MasterCard or Visa.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Jun 2018
g6snl's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Home in Essex GB
Posts: 564
During my last visit to Albania I found petrol when I needed it and ATM when needed. Try not to leave with any local currency, I came away with circa £25 worth and took 3 years to find a money changer who would take them!
__________________
Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Jul 2018
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
Tim makes a very good point: The currency used in almost all the former Yugoslavian countries is very difficult to exchange or otherwise get rid of once you are out of the country.

I plan my ATM withdrawals so that I never have an excess of local currency at the end of my visit, and I use up the last bits of local money to fill up my fuel tank when I reach the border.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Jul 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 119
That's great - thank you very much.
A little bit of planning saves a lot of headaches!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Jul 2018
sparco's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 80
bring euros od usd and not worry, accepted everywhere, but most of the times you get change in lek , use it for fuel, and fuel is easy to find in every corner of the country even in rural areas all the houses will sort you out, very friendly and awesome country, spending there more than home, and i live on border in montenegro
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Jul 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 119
Thanks Sparco - we're heading into Montenegro afterwards so maybe see you on the road somewhere .....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 27 Jul 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Brittany, Franch Atlantic Coast
Posts: 7
I pass in Albania in june (2018) the euro is accept but it's nice to ask before to buy something.

An advice make a reserve of 1 and 2 euro coins as well as 5 and 10 euro banknotes. If you pay in euros you will probably have the money back in lek.

Ciao,
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Aug 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 119
Great - thank you. A good suggestion to make sure we have some small denominations handy.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Aug 2018
sparco's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 80
you just might , im on a black goregous aprilia caponord 1000, fully equipped , feel free to stop me, or ask any help or advice viber whatsapp 38267744302
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
albania, atm, currency


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Money - how can you possibly afford an international overland motorcycle adventure? SMBoilerworks TRAVEL Hints and Tips 35 15 Aug 2018 20:58
Border crossings and bribes West Africa Oneroadoneworld.com Trip Paperwork 0 17 Nov 2017 19:08
Motorcycle Wanderings - My RTW Adventure Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 44 23 Feb 2017 16:36
Greece into Albania borneoman Europe 9 19 Aug 2014 21:26
About travel money.!! darksyk1 Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 12 Mar 2013 17:19

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:50.