Difference between revisions of "Tirana"

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(East towards North Macedonia)
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'''{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}''' is the capital of [[Albania]].  
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'''{{Tirana}}''' is the capital of [[Albania]].  
  
 
== Hitchhiking out ==
 
== Hitchhiking out ==
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=== North towards [[Shkodër]] and [[Montenegro]] and [[Kosovo]] ===
 
=== North towards [[Shkodër]] and [[Montenegro]] and [[Kosovo]] ===
  
Get to the square 'Zogu i Zi' and then follow the street 'Rruga Dritan Hoxha' for 100 metres. There will be a bus line emerging on the right where a bus to Kamez runs. It does not have a number (as none of the buses in Tirana has), it just written Kamez on top of it. It costs, as all buses in Tirana, 30 Lek and it takes roughly 20-25 minutes. Get off at the last stop, from where you can walk 20 metres forward to a roundabout. You can hitchhike directly after it. Be prepared to defend from all the buses wishing to take you and from all the people advising you to take one of them.  
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Get to the square 'Zogu i Zi' and then follow the street 'Rruga Dritan Hoxha' for 100 metres. There will be a bus line emerging on the right where a bus to Kamez runs. It will have Kamez written on it, and probably a number it takes roughly 20-25 minutes. You pay for the ticket in the bus, but not to the driver - there will be a ticket vendor walking around the bus who can sell you one. Get off at the last stop, from where you can walk 20 metres forward to a roundabout. You can hitchhike directly after it.
  
Since there is a brand new highway to Prizren beginning 40km after Tirana, the best way to hitchhike to Skopje (Macedonia) is to go through Kosovo and not through Struga. Watch out, this highway is not mentioned on most of the maps and on google maps only part of it is marked.
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=== West towards [[Durrës]] (over Vorë) ===
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Walk along the "Durrës road" (Rruga Durrësit) until you find a suitable spot. A good spot is past a roundabout (about 15 minutes' walk) where you can board minibuses to [[Durrës]]. There is an extra line for buses. Keep in mind that the further you walk, the faster will the cars drive.
  
Alternatively, there is a cheap train running from Tirana to Shkodër, which can be an interesting experience.
 
  
This section was written in November 2011.
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There is a bus going to Cityy Park shopping center but it also stops to Megatec mall which is where you must drop off. if you forget and drop off at city park walk back to the underpass to go to the right direction toward Durres. In Albania cars stop to the highway, but better if you find a suitable spot because it is too dangerous and only minivans and taxis, which ask for money, will stop. If you get off on the Megatec mall, you can walk back to the highway where there's a Gulf gas station nearby
  
=== West towards [[Durrës]] (over Vorë) ===
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=== South towards [[Vlorë]] ===
  
Walk along the "Durrës road" (Rruga Durrësit) until you find a suitable spot. A good spot is past a roundabout (about 15 minutes' walk) where you can board minibuses to [[Durrës]]. There is an extra line for buses. Keep in mind that the further you walk, the faster will the cars drive.
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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. There is a bridge in the southern part of the city with a roundabout, at "Plepat". Get out there.
  
There is a free bus going to CITY PARK shopping center but it also stops to MEGATEK which is where you must drop off. if you forget and drop off at city park walk back to the underpass to go to the right direction toward Durres. In Albania cars stop to the highway, but better if you find a suitable spot because it is too dangerous and only minivans and taxis, which ask for money, will stop.
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If you want to go to Vlore without taking again public transport from Durres than is better if you go through the old road and not through the highway going to Durres: From the city center take a bus going to Sharrë which will bring you to the end of the city. The last stop is already a good spot for hitchhiking, but you can even walk further if you want, cars can stop everywhere. From there can find cars going to Durres which will drop you to a roundabout where all cars going further south will pass.
  
=== South towards [[Vlorë]] ===
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=== East towards [[North Macedonia]] ===
  
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.
+
Get to East Gate Tirana (TEG) enormous shopping mall (the biggest in Albania). There was a new very big roundabout next to it. It seemed like a very good spot to start hitchhiking as it is at the outskirts of the city. One could try asking people in Tirana or at the tourist information for a bus to this mall.  
  
=== East towards [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]] ===
 
  
* ''[[User:Rozwal|Rozwal]] while hitchhiking to Tirana from Skopje through Struga in November 2011 entered the city from the East next to a to-be-opened East Gate Tirana enormous shopping mall (the biggest in Albania). There was a new very big roundabout next to it. It seemed like a very good spot to start hitchhiking as it is at the outskirts of the city. One could try asking people in Tirana or at the tourist information for a bus to this mall. Before someone reported that it is good to take a bus to [[Elbasan]], from where you can start hitching. Personally, I believe there is no reason to go so far with a bus. Good luck!'' -YES, the roundabout is the best spot to start HH toward Elbasan and Macedonia.
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Opposite to the Clocktower (albanian: Kulla e Sahatit) there is a bus stop from where a bus to Tirana East Gate leaves every 20 minutes, from 9.00 to 21.00
*''[[User:tiani-tolkay|tiani-tolkay]] can confirm what Rozwal told. Opposite to the Clocktower (albanian: Kulla e Sahatit) there is a bus stop from where a free bus to Tirana East Gate leaves every 20 minutes, from 9.00 to 21.00. There is also a paid bus for 30 lek from the same place to TEG. At that roundabout, i got a ride to Elbasan very fast, waiting time was less than 5 minutes. (July 2013)''
 
  
 
== 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 (but is certainly possible, though a lot of taxis will stop for you), and you might be better off just walking or taking a very cheap city bus. But on the other hand, it's 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 (but is certainly possible, though a lot of taxis will stop for you), and you might be better off just walking or taking a very cheap city bus (40 lek - 30 cents). But on the other hand, it's not unlikely that your ride takes you straight to the center, or wherever you are going.
  
== Public Transport ==
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== Places to Visit ==
=== Overland Bus ===
 
From the central bus station you will find a bus to [[Tetovo]], [[Republic of Macedonia|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 ==
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Tirana has a lot to offer for a person that decides to stay. The Lake is probably the best place to pass the day and to sleep by night. It has big park where people go to walk and run and there isn't a lot of noise. Dajti mountain is an attraction. You could walk for a daily trip or take the Linza bus and then the cable-car (400lek each way) that brings you to the mountain. The Blloku area is a touristic trap with a lot of modern bars to go and reduce your travel budget. There is a bazaar with cheap clothes in Kombinati open daily till 4pm.
  
 
== Places to Avoid ==
 
== Places to Avoid ==
  
 
== Accommodation and Sleep ==
 
== Accommodation and Sleep ==
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[[File:tirana.jpg|right|thumb|typical road scene in Tirana]]
 
[[File:tirana.jpg|right|thumb|typical road scene in Tirana]]
 
=== Private sector ===
 
=== Private sector ===
Milingona Hostel in Tirana is the cheapest option in the city, you can as well use the garden to camp or have a spacious dorm for only 10 euros or less. Located very central only few minutes walk to the main attractions and city center. Lovely hostel run by three sisters that make your stay great. I would definitely recommended this place if you need to have information about the country and the city, the people working there have lots of information. Directions : Starting from the national museum or Tirana international hotel, you have to walk not more than 10 to 15 minutes straight up Rruga e Dibres, the road splits, stay to the right after you have past the Medrese school the first street to the right is Riza Cerova Street, on the corner you will see a traditional restaurant Frenki, 3 to 5 meters a small lane leading to the hostel.You can also jump in a taxi from Skanderbeg Square, where the national museum and Tirana international hotel are located and drive to our hostel. The ride should cost 300Lek.
 
Web: http://www.milingonahostel.com/ 
 
 
 
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 ===
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Tirana Backpacker Hostel on ''Rruga Myslim Shyrit'' (near the highway towards [[Elbasan]]), "Villa 7" in a back alley, behind the Alpet petrol station has free wifi and may allow you to pitch your tent in the garden for less than the normal price of a bed. Trip'n'Hostel is a very reccommended hostel with a hitchhiking spirit.
  
Milingona Hostel in Tirana is the cheapest option in the city, you can as well use the garden to camp or have a spacious dorm for only 10 euros or less. Located very central only few minutes walk to the main attractions and city center. Lovely hostel run by three sisters that make your stay great. I would definitely recommended this place if you need to have information about the country and the city, the people working there have lots of information. Directions : Starting from the national museum or Tirana international hotel, you have to walk not more than 10 to 15 minutes straight up Rruga e Dibres, the road splits, stay to the right after you have past the Medrese school the first street to the right is Riza Cerova Street, on the corner you will see a traditional restaurant Frenki, 3 to 5 meters a small lane leading to the hostel.You can also jump in a taxi from Skanderbeg Square, where the national museum and Tirana international hotel are located and drive to our hostel. The ride should cost 300Lek.
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== Crash out ==
Web: http://www.milingonahostel.com/ 
 
  
There is a nice and individual hostel (with free internet access): Tirana Backpacker Hostel, at Rruga Myslim Shyrit, in "Villa 7", but that's not really an address because every house just chooses its own address.  It's in a back alley, behind the "Alpet" petrol station, which is on the main street. (Hostel moved end of 2011).
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There's a lovely park area to the south of the city center, about 25 minutes' walk. It would certainly be possible to find a spot to sleep there. Also, in the suburbs of the city there are a lot of unfinished buildngs you can enter and sleep for the night.  
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.
 
  
== Crash out ==
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== Other Useful Info ==
 
 
There's a lovely park area to the south of the city center, about 25 minutes' walk. It would certainly be possible to find a spot to sleep there.
 
  
== Other Useful Info ==
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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! Ask for a "Gjelltore" and eat cheap and good. Dishes start from less than 1 euro each and it's the places students usually
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.
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== Trashwiki & Nomadwiki ==
{{IsIn|Albania}}
 
  
[[Category:Albania]]
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[[nomad:Tirana]] [[trash:Tirana]]
[[trash:Tirana]]
 

Latest revision as of 16:08, 15 September 2020

Tirana
<map lat='41.33' lng='19.8' zoom='12' view='3' float='right'/>
Information
Country:
Flag of Albania
Albania
Population: 616.500
Licence plate: TR
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots

Template:Tirana is the capital of Albania.

Hitchhiking out

North towards Shkodër and Montenegro and Kosovo

Get to the square 'Zogu i Zi' and then follow the street 'Rruga Dritan Hoxha' for 100 metres. There will be a bus line emerging on the right where a bus to Kamez runs. It will have Kamez written on it, and probably a number it takes roughly 20-25 minutes. You pay for the ticket in the bus, but not to the driver - there will be a ticket vendor walking around the bus who can sell you one. Get off at the last stop, from where you can walk 20 metres forward to a roundabout. You can hitchhike directly after it.

West towards Durrës (over Vorë)

Walk along the "Durrës road" (Rruga Durrësit) until you find a suitable spot. A good spot is past a roundabout (about 15 minutes' walk) where you can board minibuses to Durrës. There is an extra line for buses. Keep in mind that the further you walk, the faster will the cars drive.


There is a bus going to Cityy Park shopping center but it also stops to Megatec mall which is where you must drop off. if you forget and drop off at city park walk back to the underpass to go to the right direction toward Durres. In Albania cars stop to the highway, but better if you find a suitable spot because it is too dangerous and only minivans and taxis, which ask for money, will stop. If you get off on the Megatec mall, you can walk back to the highway where there's a Gulf gas station nearby

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. There is a bridge in the southern part of the city with a roundabout, at "Plepat". Get out there.

If you want to go to Vlore without taking again public transport from Durres than is better if you go through the old road and not through the highway going to Durres: From the city center take a bus going to Sharrë which will bring you to the end of the city. The last stop is already a good spot for hitchhiking, but you can even walk further if you want, cars can stop everywhere. From there can find cars going to Durres which will drop you to a roundabout where all cars going further south will pass.

East towards North Macedonia

Get to East Gate Tirana (TEG) enormous shopping mall (the biggest in Albania). There was a new very big roundabout next to it. It seemed like a very good spot to start hitchhiking as it is at the outskirts of the city. One could try asking people in Tirana or at the tourist information for a bus to this mall.


Opposite to the Clocktower (albanian: Kulla e Sahatit) there is a bus stop from where a bus to Tirana East Gate leaves every 20 minutes, from 9.00 to 21.00

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 (but is certainly possible, though a lot of taxis will stop for you), and you might be better off just walking or taking a very cheap city bus (40 lek - 30 cents). But on the other hand, it's not unlikely that your ride takes you straight to the center, or wherever you are going.

Places to Visit

Tirana has a lot to offer for a person that decides to stay. The Lake is probably the best place to pass the day and to sleep by night. It has big park where people go to walk and run and there isn't a lot of noise. Dajti mountain is an attraction. You could walk for a daily trip or take the Linza bus and then the cable-car (400lek each way) that brings you to the mountain. The Blloku area is a touristic trap with a lot of modern bars to go and reduce your travel budget. There is a bazaar with cheap clothes in Kombinati open daily till 4pm.

Places to Avoid

Accommodation and Sleep

typical road scene in Tirana

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

Tirana Backpacker Hostel on Rruga Myslim Shyrit (near the highway towards Elbasan), "Villa 7" in a back alley, behind the Alpet petrol station has free wifi and may allow you to pitch your tent in the garden for less than the normal price of a bed. Trip'n'Hostel is a very reccommended hostel with a hitchhiking spirit.

Crash out

There's a lovely park area to the south of the city center, about 25 minutes' walk. It would certainly be possible to find a spot to sleep there. Also, in the suburbs of the city there are a lot of unfinished buildngs you can enter and sleep for the night.


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! Ask for a "Gjelltore" and eat cheap and good. Dishes start from less than 1 euro each and it's the places students usually

Trashwiki & Nomadwiki

nomad:Tirana trash:Tirana