adventuresomegreg

Hello All,
I'm new to Fodors.com but I can surely say that it is a great site!

Having made a plan to use globalfreeloader/couchsurfing to manage my stay in Albania, I now need to decide upon a time of the year to do it all. I am working with a small budget and so I thought that it was a smart choice both because I like meeting new people (and what better way), and the financial price is right!

All that aside does anyone know the cheapest time to 'get' to Albania. I am not particular as to which city I fly into to or how I get there, I just want to get there.

A little background about me - 28/m born in the States (US passport), speak intermediate french, expert English, beginner Hungarian, and a little of a lot of other languages. I studied international business in college with a minor in linguistics. Recently receiving my TEFL degree and spending last year in Budapest, Hungary, I am also thinking of trying to possibly teach English in Albania to sustain my stay. What does every one think?

I'm ambitious, have nothing to lose, and motivated, now I'm in need of a life line of encouragement!

Thanks in advance,
Adventuresome Greg

ekscrunchy

Great idea!!! I've heard that there is a good market in Albania for luxury cars--perhaps you can buy one in Germany and drive it to the car markets in Durres and sell for a huge profit!!

nukesafe

Why Albania? Curious minds want to know.

unejam1

Greg,

I am an American working for a non-profit in Albania. There are definitely many foreigners here teaching English. The dollar has gotten stronger and is finally worth more than the local currency (leke). Food is definitely cheaper than in the States, but don't expect everything to be cheap. My friends and I load up in the States since everything from shampoo to deodorant because it is pricier here.

I would say the Spring is a great time to visit. The winter's are cold and the summers are hot and humid. Of course, I'm from Cali so I'm not used to extreme temps. There is one airport here which is in Tirana. The airport code is TIA. There are many airlines that fly here now (Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian, Malev, and others). If you want to take a boat here, you can get here from Italy and other places. The main port is Durres so look for that. You can also take a bus here from bordering countries.

Anyway, hope that helps. Feel free to email me if you have more questions: rogerinalbania (at) gmail.com

adventuresomegreg

Thanks for the reply's guys.

The reason that I'm choosing to do Albania is because it's an emerging market and that country facinates me. Other then that, why not?
Last year I did the same thing with Hungary and not that I'm an expert but I can certainly get around with my Hungarian language skills plus I know the city of Budapest and bits of the country moreso than when I wasn't there (obviously.)
The long and short of it is that I'm somewhat of a polyglot who seeks to improve upon my ever increasing languages skills. After all, you learn the language then you learn the ways of the people. I know this isn't always true but it's my believe until someone proves me otherwise. And even still, I've still got some stubborn Irish blood somewhere in me.

nukesafe

Unijam1, thanks for your reply to ad---greg, as I have always been interested in the country. Sailing from Dubrovnik to Corfu, many years ago during the Communist era, the Albanians sent motor torpedo boats out after us when we got within their three mile limit. We did a smart right turn out to sea, and they turned back. We had heard frightful tales of yachts being seized and held for long periods.

Anyway, I have always wanted to go to places to which I had been forbidden entry. Can you tell us a bit more from your perspective? Things like cost of lodging for a tourist, cost of a restaurant meal, availability of public transport, etc. All grist for the mill in trip planning.

adventuresomegreg

Yes thank you for the followup nukesafe. Thats a crazy story about the torpedo boats. I guess that even being the last country to drop their worldfacing communistic ways (even after Russia), one still needs to be cautious of extremists. But having said I'm not worried because A. Thats just how I roll, and B. I have got to believe that this country wants to emerge and play nicely with the world market. Creating more havoc would not be in their best interest. But then again, what do I know... I'm American

unejam1

NS,

Things are a lot different here these days especially in Tirana, the capital city. It's a growing city with a million people and there are apartment building popping up everywhere. I have seen articles in UK newspapers and other countries in Europe saying that Albania is the final frontier if you want to invest and make a good return in the future in regards to property. Anyway, I know of one backpacker's hostel but the rest are hotels ranging from 50 to 400 euro a night. The "best" hotel here is the Sheraton. At a middle of the line restaurant, you can find food for $4-6 a plate but if you are on a really tight budget you can go to the university dorm area (Student City) and find traditional grub for a buck or two. Of course, it caters to students so don't expect hot or clean there. Buses run all around the city for about 15 cents but they are very tight and there are no signs to explain where they are going. If you are femail, I would avoid the buses as foreigners get groped. You can take a cab for $4 (5 if they know you're a foreigner) anywhere within the city proper.

Hope that helps.

adventuresomegreg

Uni,

Does your NPO need any assistance??

unejam1

My NPO is a religious organization, but I have friends involved with an English school here. Email me your CV/resume, and I'll see what I can do. No promises though.

adventuresomegreg

Thank you so very much. And I'm sorry to ekscrunchy again for the seemingly rude comments. I did not mean to be that way. Probably was having a bad day and just took it out in my typing to someone who was only trying to help. Just took it out of context. Please be forgiving because I really like fodors and don't want to get a bad rap already.


Unejam1, I have just sent you an email with my information and recent photo as I know companies like to see. Actually I sent 2; one is of me in Hungary, the other of me here in the states with my class of children.

Carolina

Regarding getting to Albania from the US. You may want to consider a flight to the UK, and a flight from there with a budget airline. Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Bari and Brindisi (Southern Italy). There are ferries from there to Albania. Another alternative is a flight from UK to the Greek island of Corfu (Thomsonfly, flythomascook and easyjet all go to Corfu)and a ferry from there to Albania - these are very frequent as Albania is very close to Corfu and a lot of Albanians live and work in Corfu. I am not sure how flight prices compare with flying directly to Albania but it may be worth considering as the flights to the UK are often cheaper than to other European countries. Also, look at flight pries to Italy with the idea of getting a ferry to Albania.
Good luck.

jonoh

Hey Greg, we recently found tickets from Poland to Chicago for nearly half of what we found from Albania. Trains and buses can get you to Albania. Also to Istanbul is another decent option, train/bus to Thessaloniki, then bus to Albania. Carolina has some great suggestions too.

wenday

Hi Everyone!! We are driving our motorcycle throughout Europe and heading from Croatia to Athens through maybe Albania. Is there a visa needed to get into the country? What about crossing the border into Albania?? Perhaps you have some suggestions on smaller hotels to stay while driving...just need a safe place to park at night. if anyone has driven in the country can you please share with me.
Thanks!! Wenday

Kimberly_Merzheku

Hello, my husband is from Albania and I visit there a couple times a year. My husband and I have traveled all over Albania which is rich in history and has so much to offer. We never stay in the "best" hotels such as the Sheraton, there are plenty of small hotels along the highway or just out side of the villages where you will spend on average $20 a couple times we did spend $30. We usually check out the room before agreeing to take it once or twice they weren't up to par that being said remember you are in a third world country. Also, if you happen to be traveling with an Albanian have them go in ahead to get pricing before they are aware there is an American present I don't know what it is but they seem to think all Americans are rich so they up the price. They usually have a fairly decent taverna attached to it where you can find meals for around $15 - $21 for two people including wine, usually the house or "open" (Hapur) wine is perfectly fine however you can find some nice botteled wine as well hence the slightly high cost to the meal. My point is the food and hotels are very inexpensive and lovely, the people love Americans and will be excited to have you there. And yes, spring is a very good time to visit Albania the pricing in Albania doesn't change so much it's the travel, you can call Iliria Travel at 1-800-253-9832, ask for the one who speaks English and they will get you the best prices the last time I went in the spring I left Seattle to DC then Vienna then Tirana it cost me $850.00 round trip not bad. You do not need a special visa to get into Albania just your American passport, however I do recommend you cross in a fairly well traveled rout when you cross the border. Just another side note things are a little rocky right now politically and they are cautioning Americans from traveling alone in the northern parts for now I would keep my travels from around Shkoder south there are some wonderful beaches in the sounth Vlor, Saranda to name a couple. Enjoy Albania it's an experience you will never forget.