Road Safety
Driving can be very hazardous.  Roads are poor, especially (but not only) in rural areas.  In winter, mountain roads are snowy and icy.  During hot spells, the tarmac can melt and become slippery.  Flash flooding is possible throughout the year.  You should stay alert for large, unmarked potholes.  Street lighting in urban areas is subject to power cuts.  Elsewhere, except on the major inter-urban arterial routes, there is no street lighting, so night travel is best avoided.  We suggest using four-wheel drive vehicles in Albania.  There is no national recovery system, so cars should be self-sufficient, carrying minor repair equipment including jack, spare wheel, fan belts, wiper blades, local phrase book, first aid kit, water and overnight food when in remote areas.
Drivers with foreign plated vehicles draw particular scrutiny from the Road Traffic Police.  You should adhere to road traffic law at all times as committing even minor offences may result in you being fined.
Albanian driving can often be aggressive and erratic.  Minor traffic disputes can quickly escalate, especially as some motorists are likely to be armed.  If you intend to drive you are strongly advised to avoid reacting to provocative behaviour by other road users.  If you are involved in a traffic accident, even a minor one, you are required to wait until the police arrive.  This will usually happen quickly in built-up areas.

You should expect queues at all border crossings, especially at weekends and during the summer months.

Air Safety
Security arrangements at Tirana’s Mother Teresa airport meet the required UK standards.  Direct flights now operate between the UK and Albania.

Sea Safety
Albania does not have a blue flag operator, and there is no recognised similar system of assessment of beaches.  However, several beaches along the Albanian coast are reported by the Albanian press to be polluted as a result of inadequate sewage disposal and treatment.

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling to Albania, including evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see Travel Insurance. Medical facilities (including those for accident and emergency use) are very poor, particularly outside Tirana. We do not recommend using the dental facilities.

There are high levels of Hepatitis in Albania. Rabies is also a matter of concern as there are large numbers of stray dogs, although the last reported case of the disease in Tirana was in 1978.

Cases of tick borne encephalitis have been reported in the north of the country. Vaccination is available but we advise that you keep all areas of your body covered when close to shrubs or bushes, and to inspect yourself regularly for ticks.

Drink only bottled water and UHT milk.