Difference between revisions of "Shkodër"
m |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | Shkodër is the major city of northern [[Albania]]. You will likely pass through the city when passing to or from [[Montenegro]]. Throughout Albania the people are amazingly friendly, but in Shkodër they sometimes seem more so and you may elicit all kinds of positive reactions when thumbing. | |
== Hitching out == | == Hitching out == | ||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
=== North towards [[Montenegro]] === | === North towards [[Montenegro]] === | ||
| − | There are two border crossings not far away from | + | There are two border crossings not far away from Shkodër. The first (Hani i Hotit) goes directly to [[Podgorica]] but sees little few traffic because the other road is in much better condition. To go towards [[Ulcinj]] and [[Bar]], just walk south along the main road SH1 until you reach an old wooden bridge. While it doesn’t look like it, this is indeed the road to Montenegro. After crossing the bridge, turn left and walk a short distance until you reach a petrol station. Start thumbing from here. |
If you decide to go to Podgorica, walk the SH1 in Northern direction and start thumbing as soon as you see a convenient spot where cars can stop. An alternative would be to take a minibus to the villages nearby in that direction like Shtoj or Boric. | If you decide to go to Podgorica, walk the SH1 in Northern direction and start thumbing as soon as you see a convenient spot where cars can stop. An alternative would be to take a minibus to the villages nearby in that direction like Shtoj or Boric. | ||
| − | + | This information dates 2011 and at that time it was recommended to go via the southern road. However, later internet sources say that the construction of the Hani i Hotit road is more or less finished and so traffic might be better there now. It is advisable to just ask local people about this issue. | |
=== South towards [[Tirana]] === | === South towards [[Tirana]] === | ||
| − | Follow the SH1 road | + | Follow the SH1 road south. As soon as you see the old wooden bridge (as described above) start hitching right after it. ''Do not'' cross it, as this would lead you to the road towards Montenegro. Keep in mind that there are a lot of minibuses and shared taxis going that way. This of course does not make normal drivers less helpful. |
== Accommodation and Sleep == | == Accommodation and Sleep == | ||
| − | Hospitality networks are not | + | Hospitality networks are not well represented in Albania. Still, you might have some luck with foreigners working in Shkoder for a period of time. |
The train station seems to be closed at night. | The train station seems to be closed at night. | ||
| − | If there is no other chance, the prices in | + | If there is no other chance, the prices in the Stalinist hotel bunker in the center seem to be quite fair. |
== Alternatives == | == Alternatives == | ||
| − | If you need a break from | + | If you need a break from hitching or would enjoy a nice ride in a half-destroyed old fashioned train with local people, there is a train once daily for around 1€ to Tirana. Smashed windows, old Italian or German wagons and a locomotive from Czecheslovakia make this an unusual and cheap ride in Europe. |
{{IsIn|Albania}} | {{IsIn|Albania}} | ||
Revision as of 10:28, 12 January 2013
Shkodër is the major city of northern Albania. You will likely pass through the city when passing to or from Montenegro. Throughout Albania the people are amazingly friendly, but in Shkodër they sometimes seem more so and you may elicit all kinds of positive reactions when thumbing.
Contents
Hitching out
North towards Montenegro
There are two border crossings not far away from Shkodër. The first (Hani i Hotit) goes directly to Podgorica but sees little few traffic because the other road is in much better condition. To go towards Ulcinj and Bar, just walk south along the main road SH1 until you reach an old wooden bridge. While it doesn’t look like it, this is indeed the road to Montenegro. After crossing the bridge, turn left and walk a short distance until you reach a petrol station. Start thumbing from here.
If you decide to go to Podgorica, walk the SH1 in Northern direction and start thumbing as soon as you see a convenient spot where cars can stop. An alternative would be to take a minibus to the villages nearby in that direction like Shtoj or Boric.
This information dates 2011 and at that time it was recommended to go via the southern road. However, later internet sources say that the construction of the Hani i Hotit road is more or less finished and so traffic might be better there now. It is advisable to just ask local people about this issue.
South towards Tirana
Follow the SH1 road south. As soon as you see the old wooden bridge (as described above) start hitching right after it. Do not cross it, as this would lead you to the road towards Montenegro. Keep in mind that there are a lot of minibuses and shared taxis going that way. This of course does not make normal drivers less helpful.
Accommodation and Sleep
Hospitality networks are not well represented in Albania. Still, you might have some luck with foreigners working in Shkoder for a period of time.
The train station seems to be closed at night.
If there is no other chance, the prices in the Stalinist hotel bunker in the center seem to be quite fair.
Alternatives
If you need a break from hitching or would enjoy a nice ride in a half-destroyed old fashioned train with local people, there is a train once daily for around 1€ to Tirana. Smashed windows, old Italian or German wagons and a locomotive from Czecheslovakia make this an unusual and cheap ride in Europe.
