Difference between revisions of "Tirana"
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'''{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}''' is the capital of [[Albania]]. | '''{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}''' is the capital of [[Albania]]. | ||
| − | == | + | == Hitchhiking out == |
| − | ===North towards [[Shkodër]] and [[Montenegro]]=== | + | === North towards [[Shkodër]] and [[Montenegro]] === |
There is a train running from Tirana to Shkodër (roughly 1,5 Euros), which can be an interesting experience. | There is a train running from Tirana to Shkodër (roughly 1,5 Euros), which can be an interesting experience. | ||
| − | ===West towards [[Durrës]] (over Vorë)=== | + | === West towards [[Durrës]] (over Vorë) === |
Walk along the "Durrës road" (Rruga Durrësit) until you find a suitable spot. We walked about 15 minutes, went past a roundabout where you can board minibuses to [[Durrës]] and hitched where there is an extra lane for buses. Keep in mind that the further you walk the faster will the cars drive. | Walk along the "Durrës road" (Rruga Durrësit) until you find a suitable spot. We walked about 15 minutes, went past a roundabout where you can board minibuses to [[Durrës]] and hitched where there is an extra lane for buses. Keep in mind that the further you walk the faster will the cars drive. | ||
| − | ===South towards [[Vlorë]]=== | + | === South towards [[Vlorë]] === |
The main road south goes from Durrës, so use the advice above. Have a look at the map so you know approximately where you want to get out. Let your driver know that you really don't want to go into the city, but would like to get dropped somewhere outside, on the road leading south. | The main road south goes from Durrës, so use the advice above. Have a look at the map so you know approximately where you want to get out. Let your driver know that you really don't want to go into the city, but would like to get dropped somewhere outside, on the road leading south. | ||
| − | ===East towards [[Macedonia]]=== | + | === East towards [[Macedonia]] === |
It is good to take a bus to [[Elbasan]], from where you can start hitching. | It is good to take a bus to [[Elbasan]], from where you can start hitching. | ||
| − | ==Hitching In== | + | == Hitching In == |
Entering the city from the west, on Rruga Durresit (coming from Durrës, or from the north) could be slightly tiresome if you get dropped early on. The road through the suburbs could become rather long, and it's dense with very busy traffic. Catching a ride to the center could be difficult, and you might be better off just walking or taking a city buss. But it's on the other hand certainly not unlikely that your ride takes you straight to the center, or wherever you are going. | Entering the city from the west, on Rruga Durresit (coming from Durrës, or from the north) could be slightly tiresome if you get dropped early on. The road through the suburbs could become rather long, and it's dense with very busy traffic. Catching a ride to the center could be difficult, and you might be better off just walking or taking a city buss. But it's on the other hand certainly not unlikely that your ride takes you straight to the center, or wherever you are going. | ||
| − | ==Public Transport== | + | == Public Transport == |
| − | ===Overland Bus=== | + | === Overland Bus === |
From the central bus station you will find a bus to [[Tetovo]], [[Macedonia]]. It will pass [[Durrës]], [[Elbasan]], [[Qafë-Thanës-Struga border crossing]], [[Struga]], Tetovo. You will have to pay €10 for a ticket to Struga. There is one departing early in the morning. | From the central bus station you will find a bus to [[Tetovo]], [[Macedonia]]. It will pass [[Durrës]], [[Elbasan]], [[Qafë-Thanës-Struga border crossing]], [[Struga]], Tetovo. You will have to pay €10 for a ticket to Struga. There is one departing early in the morning. | ||
| − | ==Places to Visit== | + | == Places to Visit == |
| − | ==Places to Avoid== | + | == Places to Avoid == |
| − | ==Accommodation and Sleep== | + | == Accommodation and Sleep == |
[[File:tirana.jpg|right|thumb|typical road scene in Tirana]] | [[File:tirana.jpg|right|thumb|typical road scene in Tirana]] | ||
| − | ===Private sector=== | + | === Private sector === |
In Tirana one can easily get accommodated in so called private sector: these are people who have their apartments arranged to accepts occasional tourists. It is safe, quite cheap (you can talk about how much you can pay), you get friendly company (if needed) and tips how and where. To find these kind of places just ask some more tidily looking folks on the street, or in Internet cafes and other similar places. | In Tirana one can easily get accommodated in so called private sector: these are people who have their apartments arranged to accepts occasional tourists. It is safe, quite cheap (you can talk about how much you can pay), you get friendly company (if needed) and tips how and where. To find these kind of places just ask some more tidily looking folks on the street, or in Internet cafes and other similar places. | ||
| − | ===Hostel=== | + | === Hostel === |
There is a nice and individual hostel (with free internet access): Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Rruga Elbasanit 85. | There is a nice and individual hostel (with free internet access): Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Rruga Elbasanit 85. | ||
You can't find hostels with a cooler staff, so your 12 Euro are invested in a good way. Everyone is helpful and there have been a lot of legendary evenings inside the kitchen of the hostel. Highly recommended! | You can't find hostels with a cooler staff, so your 12 Euro are invested in a good way. Everyone is helpful and there have been a lot of legendary evenings inside the kitchen of the hostel. Highly recommended! | ||
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When it's full, you can try and convince them to put your tent in the garden for a discount. Worked for me. The hostel is also on the way to Elbasan, Rruga Elbassanit. But I failed to hitch out of there after 3 hours. | When it's full, you can try and convince them to put your tent in the garden for a discount. Worked for me. The hostel is also on the way to Elbasan, Rruga Elbassanit. But I failed to hitch out of there after 3 hours. | ||
| − | ==Other Useful Info== | + | == Other Useful Info == |
In Tirana (and probably in other cities, too) you can find very cheap local food markets with really good and fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, etc. Local olive oil and freshly baked bread is something everyone has to taste! | In Tirana (and probably in other cities, too) you can find very cheap local food markets with really good and fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, etc. Local olive oil and freshly baked bread is something everyone has to taste! | ||
Do not drink tap water in Albania. | Do not drink tap water in Albania. | ||
| + | {{IsIn|Albania}} | ||
[[Category:Albania]] | [[Category:Albania]] | ||
| − | |||
Revision as of 14:56, 5 April 2011
Tirana
| |
|---|---|
| <map lat='41.33' lng='19.8' zoom='12' view='3' float='right'/> | |
| Information | |
Country:  |
Albania |
| Population: | 616.500 |
| Licence plate: | TR |
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
Tirana is the capital of Albania.
Hitchhiking out
North towards Shkodër and Montenegro
There is a train running from Tirana to Shkodër (roughly 1,5 Euros), which can be an interesting experience.
West towards Durrës (over Vorë)
Walk along the "Durrës road" (Rruga Durrësit) until you find a suitable spot. We walked about 15 minutes, went past a roundabout where you can board minibuses to Durrës and hitched where there is an extra lane for buses. Keep in mind that the further you walk the faster will the cars drive.
South towards Vlorë
The main road south goes from Durrës, so use the advice above. Have a look at the map so you know approximately where you want to get out. Let your driver know that you really don't want to go into the city, but would like to get dropped somewhere outside, on the road leading south.
East towards Macedonia
It is good to take a bus to Elbasan, from where you can start hitching.
Hitching In
Entering the city from the west, on Rruga Durresit (coming from Durrës, or from the north) could be slightly tiresome if you get dropped early on. The road through the suburbs could become rather long, and it's dense with very busy traffic. Catching a ride to the center could be difficult, and you might be better off just walking or taking a city buss. But it's on the other hand certainly not unlikely that your ride takes you straight to the center, or wherever you are going.
Public Transport
Overland Bus
From the central bus station you will find a bus to Tetovo, Macedonia. It will pass Durrës, Elbasan, Qafë-Thanës-Struga border crossing, Struga, Tetovo. You will have to pay €10 for a ticket to Struga. There is one departing early in the morning.
Places to Visit
Places to Avoid
Accommodation and Sleep
Private sector
In Tirana one can easily get accommodated in so called private sector: these are people who have their apartments arranged to accepts occasional tourists. It is safe, quite cheap (you can talk about how much you can pay), you get friendly company (if needed) and tips how and where. To find these kind of places just ask some more tidily looking folks on the street, or in Internet cafes and other similar places.
Hostel
There is a nice and individual hostel (with free internet access): Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Rruga Elbasanit 85. You can't find hostels with a cooler staff, so your 12 Euro are invested in a good way. Everyone is helpful and there have been a lot of legendary evenings inside the kitchen of the hostel. Highly recommended!
When it's full, you can try and convince them to put your tent in the garden for a discount. Worked for me. The hostel is also on the way to Elbasan, Rruga Elbassanit. But I failed to hitch out of there after 3 hours.
Other Useful Info
In Tirana (and probably in other cities, too) you can find very cheap local food markets with really good and fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, etc. Local olive oil and freshly baked bread is something everyone has to taste!
Do not drink tap water in Albania.
