Local Services in Albania

Transportation

Because of the extended Communist regimen in Albania, the roads and freeway in Albania are in poor condition.

Only 9% of Albanians living in rural areas have cars. In the last few years, the government has invested heavily in national highways. Unfortunately it has not been enough and to travel on the roadways is slow and difficult.

Most Albanians living in rural areas have to walk to work as well as students to get to school.

Communications

There are 255,000 telefone lines in Albania and 1.1 million mobile telephones. The country has the lowest number of phone lines per inhabitant in Europe with only 8 lines per 100 residents.

Cell pone services have been available since 1996.

The international telephone code is 355

There are 30,000 Internet users

Credit cards

Banks accept all major credit cards. Many hotels also accept credit cards as well as traveler’s checks, however payments are made mostly in cash or traveler’s checks.

Banks are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.