Blog ·
Is there Uber in Albania? What to use instead
No. Uber and Bolt don't work in Albania. Install a local taxi app such as VrapOn, Patoko or Clust instead, or take a metered street taxi. Do it before you land, so you're not stuck at the curb with an app that won't load a car.
Uber and Bolt: delete them from your plan
Neither app works anywhere in Albania. Albania isn't on Uber's list of cities or Bolt's list of cities as of October 2026.
- Coming from Greece? Both apps work there, but they stop at the border.
- Coming from Croatia? Bolt works there, but not here.
- You may have read in 2024 that Bolt was coming to Tirana. It hasn't launched.
Install a local taxi app
Albania has its own taxi apps, and most of them work in more than one city. Pick one or two from this table:
| App | Where it works | How you pay |
|---|---|---|
| VrapOn | Tirana, Tirana Airport, Kamëz, Durrës, Vlorë, Sarandë, Shkodër, Berat, Gjirokastër, Korçë, Elbasan, Fier | Card in the app, or cash |
| Patoko | Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Shkodër, Vlorë | Card in the app, or cash |
| Clust | Tirana, Tirana Airport, Durrës, Vlorë, Dhërmi, Sarandë, Ksamil, Shkodër, Berat, Gjirokastër | Apple Pay, card, or cash |
| Speed Taxi | Tirana, Rinas, Durrës, Shkodër, Lezhë, Vlorë, Elbasan, Sarandë, Përmet, Gjirokastër, Berat, Korçë | Cash |
| MerrTaxi | "Tirana and beyond" | Not stated |
This is what each company says about itself. It isn't a ranking, and coverage changes, so open the app and check your city before you rely on it.
Tips:
- Install two. If one app has no car near you, try the other.
- Want to pay by card? VrapOn, Patoko and Clust take cards. In VrapOn, you choose card or cash before you confirm the ride. Check the payment screen in any app before you confirm.
- Carrying luggage or travelling as a group? Clust offers XL and Van cars as well as Normal and Lux.
- Heading to Kruja or Ksamil? VrapOn's App Store page lists both.
- Using Speed Taxi? Bring cash. Its App Store page says in-app payment is coming soon.
- Need more than a ride? Patoko also does deliveries and car rental.
Street taxis: check the meter
You don't need an app. You can also take a licensed taxi off the street. Here's how to spot one and what to expect.
- Spot a real taxi. Licensed taxis have special plates and a sealed meter in a place you can see. If you can't see a meter, find another car.
- Make sure the meter runs. Check it when you set off.
- Know the Tirana rate. The city sets meter rates. A regular four-seat taxi starts at 300 lek for the first 1.5 km. After that, the rate per kilometre goes down in steps as the trip gets longer.
- Outside Tirana, each town sets its own rates.
Rather call than tap?
Some taxi companies take orders by phone or WhatsApp.
- MerrTaxi has a free national number, 0800 5555, and also takes orders by WhatsApp or app.
- Staying at a hotel or with a host? Ask them for the number of a local taxi company they trust.
Before you land: a short checklist
- Install two local taxi apps and check that they cover your city.
- Add a card in the app if you don't want to pay cash.
- Carry some cash in lek anyway, for street taxis and cash-only apps.
- Save a taxi phone number in case your data doesn't work.
Want a ride on two wheels?
Quick Ride connects you with independent motorcycle drivers in Albania. Open the app, pick a nearby driver, and pay them in cash at the end. Rides depend on which drivers are around at the time.