How to Get a SIM Card in Albania
Albania is one of Europe’s hottest travel destinations right now, thanks to the word being spread like wildfire on travel blogs and social media about its sensational beaches, stunning UNESCO world heritage sites, and fascinating cities spreading
Like with any new foreign destination you visit, if you plan on checking out what makes the country so appealing, you’ll no doubt want to have an internet connection while you are there.
Well, if you have clicked on this site after Googling ‘SIM card Albania’ you won’t be disappointed.
In this post, we’ll give you a comprehensive rundown of how you can go about procuring one for yourself in a country that is officially known by the wonderful name of Shqipëri.
Takeaway
In Albania, it is very easy to get a physical SIM card. You can do this either at Tirana Airport or throughout the major cities in the country, such as Durres, Elbasan, Vlore, Shkoder and, of course, Tirana.
The main providers of SIM cards in Albania are Vodafone and One Telecom, which both have outlets at the airport and throughout these major cities.
You can pick up a basic mobile phone package for about 500 Leke (4.10 euros). This will give you between 50 – 150 minutes of calls, 50 – 150 SMS and varying amounts of internet connectivity that range from 50 MB to unlimited.
However, you might prefer to be better prepared by procuring yourself an eSIM card in advance of your visit.
Who are the main providers of physical SIM cards in Albania?
While there are a few providers of physical SIM cards in Albania, the most established ones are Vodafone and One Telecom.
Throughout the country, they have a good network that will provide you with reliable internet coverage and the ability to call or message others.
They also offer a nice range of packages to suit various budgets and requirements and provide decent customer service.
Which of these networks are the most reliable?
All three of these networks have their pros and cons. But generally speaking, most travellers to Albania choose Vodafone because they perceive it to have a wider and more reliable infrastructure in place.
It probably helps that they have a more recognisable brand name as well.
How much does a physical SIM card cost in Albania?
As Albania is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination, it is possible that prices might shoot up in the near future. But at the time of writing, you can pick up a basic SIM card for just 500 Leke, which equates to about 4.10 euros.
Both Vodafone and One Telecom offer starter packs at this price point. With the former, you get 50 MB of 3G/4G Internet, along with 50 SMS and 50 call minutes (both national).
However, as the latter provides you with unlimited internet and both 150 national minutes and 150 SMS, this might be the most attractive option for those who predominantly want to browse the web.
At the other end of the scale, if you are looking for a SIM card Albania package that gives you the capability of calling or messaging overseas, you will need to pay between 1500 (12.35 euros) and 2000 Leke (16.50 euros).
For 1500 Leke, Vodafone’s Gigamax package will give you 500 national minutes and 10 minutes of international calls, 100 international or national SMS, 15 GB Internet and a 5 GB Video Pass.
The One Unlimited XL Package will set you back 2000 Leke. But you will get unlimited internet and national call minutes and 500 international and national SMS.
Where can I buy a SIM card in Albania?
Most people travelling to Albania will arrive at Tirana Airport. So, if you are looking to buy a SIM card for the country, this will represent your first opportunity.
Both Vodafone and ALB have prominent stores in the Arrivals section of the airport. So, you will easily be able to pick one up after going through passport control and collecting your luggage.
If you would rather get to your accommodation first before purchasing your SIM card, both of these companies have several locations throughout the country where you can pick one up.
You can check out the Vodafone store locator and the One Telecom store locator to find out which one is located closest to where you will be based.
If you happen to be in Tirana, One Telecom has a number of stores there you can visit.
Can I buy an eSim Card for Albania?
If you would rather not go through the rigmarole of procuring a physical SIM card in Albania, you always have the option of an eSim card.
As well as being a very safe and secure option, they can set you up with seamless access to the internet in just a few quick steps.
There are several eSim providers that offer a range of packages to suit your needs. Many of them can be set up before you even arrive in Albania. So, you will be able to access the internet straight away!
What is the Wi-Fi coverage like in Albania?
You are probably wondering what the Wi-Fi coverage is like in Albania.
Well, overall, the coverage in the capital city of Tirana is excellent, while it is also good in the bigger cities of Durres, Elbasan, Shkode, and Vlore. In all these places, you shouldn’t have any trouble using your mobile phone or accessing the internet.
Away from the cities, it can be a bit ropey, particularly in the more remote eastern parts of the country, the Albanian Alps and near the border with North Macedonia and Kosovo.
Does Albania have 5G?
No. At present Albania does have 5G, and moreover, it only has 4G in the main cities. Namely, Durres, Gjirokaster, Saranda, Shkoder, Tirana and Vlore.
If you are specifically looking for a physical SIM card Albania package that is set up for 4G, one of the cheapest and most reliable options right now is the Vodafone 4G Start Package.
This will set you back 1000 Leke (8.25 euros) and provide you with 200 MB of 3G/4G internet, along with 100 MB of internet for 4G. It also affords you 300 national SMS and 300 national call minutes.
Does Albania have internet-only packages?
For those who only want to be able to access the internet on their phone, One Telecom and Vodafone both offer daily and weekly packages.
Vodafone has a really good deal that costs only 60 Leke (0.50 euro), which gives you 100 MB of internet every day. For 200 Leke (1.65 euro), One Daily will give you 1 GB of data.
Both could be very useful if you only plan to be in the country for a couple of days and just want to be able to browse the internet on your phone.
If you intend to visit Albania for a week or two and only require internet access on your device, both One Telecom and Vodafone offer internet packages that last for 7 days. They cost 300 Leke (2.5 euros) and come with 1 GB of data.
Conclusion
While travelling to Albania might be a step into the unknown, it is not one you have to do without internet connectivity.
Although 5G has yet to be set up in the country, there remains a perfectly good network in place that will enable you to upload your favourite photos to Instagram, research the best restaurants to eat at and call your friends and family.
The likes of Vodafone and One Telecom can all help you do that. You just need to select the best SIM card Albania package they offer that best suits your needs.
FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions you might be interested in reading, having Googled ‘SIM Card Albania’.
Is it easy to get a SIM card in Albania?
Yes! Getting a SIM card is a very easy thing to do in Albania. You can buy them at Tirana International Airport and throughout most of the big cities in the country at the One Telecom or Vodafone Store.
How Much is a SIM card in Albania?
While prices are subject to change at any time, you can pick up a basic SIM Card Albania mobile phone package for as little as 500 Leke (approximately 4.10 euros).
One Telecom currently offers a Super Start Package that includes unlimited internet, 150 minutes of national calls and 150 SMS messages that can only be sent within Albania.
Is there Wi-Fi in Albania?
There is Wi-Fi in most of the bigger cities in Albania. As you would expect, it is particularly good in the capital city of Tirana. It is also pretty reliable in places like Berat, Durres, Elbasan, Gjirokaster, Saranda, Shkoder, and Vlore.
Outside of these areas, signal quality isn’t so good, and it can be virtually non-existent in remote areas such as the Albania Alps and near the border of Kosovo and North Macedonia.
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Check out the best SIM Card Albania blog post on the web today! Find out where you can buy one, the best networks to use & how much connectivity will cost you.
