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Car rental in Durrës is one of the easiest ways to combine beach time with day trips across Albania. Tirana is around 40 minutes away via the toll-free AK1 motorway, TIA airport roughly half an hour, Krujë about an hour, and UNESCO-listed Berat around 90 minutes. Durrës is Albania’s second-largest city and the country’s main ferry port, with year-round connections to Bari and Ancona.
In the TakeCars Durrës catalogue you’ll find dozens of local rental partners, many offering delivery directly to the ferry terminal, hotel or apartment. Prices are usually on par with Tirana and noticeably lower than on the Riviera, while during summer the selection of automatic cars is almost as strong as in the capital.
If you’re flying into TIA, Durrës is actually closer than central Tirana itself. Half an hour on the AK1 and you’re already by the sea.
Some travellers arrive from Italy by ferry and collect the car straight at the port. The same setup works perfectly in reverse.
Autoverhuur beoordelingen in Durrës
How to reach Durrës and where to collect the car
Durrës does not have its own airport. Albania’s main air hub is Tirana International Airport (TIA), located around 30–40 minutes away via SH60 and AK1. It’s the most convenient airport-to-seaside connection in the country, which is exactly why many travellers choose Durrës as their first base before continuing south.
Arriving at TIA and heading straight to the coast
This is the classic summer route. Collect the car at the airport and you can be at the beach within half an hour. The AK1 motorway is completely toll-free and Albania has no vignette system.
Ferry from Italy
Durrës is Albania’s main ferry gateway. Services from Bari and Ancona operate throughout the year. Some travellers arrive with their own car from Italy, while others collect a rental directly at the port after arrival.
One-way routes
A common itinerary is to collect the car at TIA, spend a night in Tirana and continue to Durrës afterwards. One-way fees with local partners are usually between €0–20.
The AK1 is Albania’s busiest motorway, especially on Sunday evenings when Tirana residents head back from the coast. During summer it’s wise to allow extra travel time.
If you’re arriving by ferry from Bari or Ancona, simply send the ferry details on WhatsApp in advance — the paperwork can usually be completed at the pier within 10–15 minutes.
Where to drive from Durrës: easy day trips
Durrës sits almost in the middle of the country, making it an excellent base for exploring Albania.
Tirana — with Skanderbeg Square, Blloku and Mount Dajti — is roughly 40 minutes away via AK1. Krujë, famous for its fortress and old bazaar, is about an hour away on SH27. Berat, known as the city of a thousand windows, takes around 90 minutes via SH4.
South of Durrës you’ll find the ancient ruins of Apollonia and quieter seaside spots such as Golem and Spille. If your plans include the Albanian Riviera and the Llogara Tunnel, expect a drive of around 2.5–3 hours each way.
Most day trips from Durrës are perfectly manageable with a standard economy car such as a Skoda Fabia, VW Polo or Hyundai i20. Four-wheel drive is unnecessary for typical routes.
The easiest way to visit Tirana is to leave early in the morning, spend the day there and return to the coast around sunset. Sunday evening traffic on the AK1 can be particularly heavy.
Durrës beaches and what to know about parking
The city’s main beach, Plazhi i Madh — the Big Beach — stretches for around ten kilometres south towards Golem. The sand is soft, the sea entry shallow and the infrastructure extensive, with beach bars, cafés and restaurants throughout.
It’s widely considered Albania’s most family-friendly beach area. During July and August it becomes especially popular with visitors from Italy, Poland and Tirana.
Parking in summer can be challenging. Free municipal spaces are limited and usually full by mid-morning. Most hotels and beach cafés operate private car parks, typically charging €1–3 per day in cash.
At night, parking is generally free almost everywhere except a few central tourist streets.
There’s also a useful free municipal car park near the amphitheatre in the historic centre, ideal if you’re visiting the Roman amphitheatre or Byzantine walls.
Avoid parking directly on the sand at Plazhi i Madh. After rain, cars regularly get stuck and towing can be expensive. Stick to proper surfaced parking areas.
On Sunday evenings, traffic back towards Tirana can become slow. Leaving before 17:00 or after 21:00 usually makes the drive easier.
De prijs van autoverhuur in Durrës hangt af van het seizoen en de lengte van de huurperiode.
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1. Vergelijk auto's in Durrës
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Parking in central Durrës
Central Durrës combines free streets with paid blue parking zones. Paid areas operate on weekdays from 08:00 to 20:00 and can be paid via the TPay app or parking meters. SMS payment works only with Albanian SIM cards.
Free municipal parking
Near the amphitheatre there’s a free public car park popular with day visitors. From there it’s only a short walk to both the old town and the promenade.
Beach parking in summer
In July and August, many beachside hotels and cafés organise informal parking areas charging €1–3 per day. Spaces tend to disappear early in the morning during peak season.
Blue parking zones become free overnight, on Sundays and on public holidays — useful if your hotel doesn’t have private parking.
Parking near the ferry port is limited. After arriving from Bari or Ancona, it’s usually easier to drive to the hotel first and return to the harbour on foot if needed.