Europe

Money, cards and tipping in Albania

Capital: TiranaAlbanian, GreekUpdated October 2026

ALLLek

Money in Albania

Mostly cash Albanian lek (ALL). Euros are widely taken on the coast at poor rates. Cards work in hotels, supermarkets and many Tirana restaurants; elsewhere carry cash. US$1 ≈ L81.33 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Not obligatory; round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants, and tip guides and drivers on tours.
ATMs: Most ATMs charge foreign cards a fee; use bank ATMs in towns and decline currency conversion.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work where contactless is accepted, mainly in Tirana and resort hotels.
Price level: about 43% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Tirana	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, supermarkets and many Tirana restaurants; keep cash for buses, taxis, markets and small cafés.
Saranda	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels and some restaurants; cash is expected for buses, beach bars, markets and small guesthouses. Euros are often accepted at a poor rate.
Ksamil	Mostly cash	Cards at some restaurants and hotels; beach bars, parking, buses and small guesthouses want cash. Euros are accepted at a weak rate.
Berat	Mostly cash	Cards at a few hotels and restaurants; cash for guesthouses, buses, cafés and markets.
Gjirokastër	Mostly cash	Cards at a few hotels and restaurants; cash for guesthouses, buses, cafés and markets.
Shkodër	Mostly cash	Cards at some hotels and restaurants; cash for buses, furgons, mountain guesthouses and small cafés. Mountain areas are cash only.
Himara	Mostly cash	Cards at some hotels and restaurants; cash for beach bars, buses, groceries and village guesthouses. Euros are often accepted at a weak rate.
Durrës	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants; cash for buses, beach bars, markets and taxis.
Vlorë	Mostly cash	Cards work in hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants. Carry lek for taxis, furgons, markets and small cafés; euros are often taken at poor rates.
Theth	Cash only	No reliable ATM in Theth. Bring enough lek from Shkodër; guesthouses and shops mostly take cash only.
Dhërmi	Mostly cash	Beach bars and hotels increasingly accept cards, but cash is common for furgons, small shops and cheaper places. Carry lek; euros are accepted at poor rates.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Albania?

Not obligatory; round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants, and tip guides and drivers on tours.

Is Albania cashless?

Mostly cash. Albanian lek (ALL). Euros are widely taken on the coast at poor rates. Cards work in hotels, supermarkets and many Tirana restaurants; elsewhere carry cash.

What currency does Albania use?

The Lek (ALL). US$1 ≈ L81.33 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.