Buying a SIM card in Albania
If you’re planning a trip to Albania and want to stay connected while exploring this beautiful Balkan gem, you’re in the right place.
We’re here to help you find the best SIM card for your trip to Albania.
In this guide, we will cover the main options available for tourists from local providers and from digital SIM cards – which you will see, can be incredibly handy!
Having a local SIM card for your trip to Albania can be a lifesaver, especially if you will be doing a road trip through the country.
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Need an eSIM?
If you’re short on time, check the options from our most recommended providers for mobile internet around the world: Airalo and Nomad.
Mobile operators in Albania
Albania currently has 2 active mobile providers, both offering prepaid SIM card options for tourists. They are:
- Vodafone Albania
- One Telecom Albania
Until 2023, there used to be a third mobile provider called ALB Telecom but they were bought and merged with One. Their plans have not been active since last year.
Prices of prepaid SIM cards in Albania
| Provider | Price (EUR) | Data coverage | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | From 2.87 | From 300 MB | From 3 days |
| One Telecom | From 22.02 | From 40 GB | From 15 days |
| Airalo (eSIM) | From 4.00 | From 1GB | From 7 days |
| Nomad (eSIM) | From 9.50 | From 1GB | From 7 days |
Vodafone prepaid SIM cards for tourists in Albania
Vodafone is the number one mobile provider when it comes to SIM cards for tourists in Albania. Before the trip, we had read many different blogs and forums online and this was by far the most recommended option.
It is very easy to understand why. Vodafone Albania has many different prepaid SIM card options with very attractive pricing for tourists. Here is a summary of the options currently available:
| Plan | Price (EUR) | Data coverage | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Day Package | 2.87 | 300 MB | 3 days |
| 10 Day Package | 6.70 | 1.5 GB | 10 days |
| Gigamax Package | 14.36 | 15 GB | 21 days |
| Tourist Pack | 22.02 | 40 GB | 15 days |
| Tourist Giga Pack | 27.77 | 100 GB | 21 days |
My favorite thing about the Vodafone tourist SIM cards in Albania is how easy it is to get them. Vodafone stores are available all over Tirana so you can drop by and buy your SIM card as soon as you arrive.
I think they are a great option for tourists staying a short time in the country. If you need more information, check their website.
One Telecom Albania prepaid SIM card options
One Telecom also offers good options of prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
As you can see below, they have the same prices as Vodafone but they offer fewer options – which means they are a good alternative if you will need a significant amount of data for your trip.
SIM card options offered by One Telecom Albania:
| Plan | Price (EUR) | Data coverage | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Tourist advance | 22.02 | 40 GB | 15 days |
| One Tourist Ultra | 27.77 | 100 GB | 21 days |
If you need more information, check out their website.
Where to buy a SIM card in Albania
You can buy a SIM card in Albania at the stores from mobile providers.
It is quite easy to find Vodafone and One Telecom stores in Tirana. You can use the Vodafone store locator to find the shop closest to you.
Can you buy a SIM card at Tirana International Airport?
You can buy a Vodafone SIM card at Tirana Airport. There is a small Vodafone shop located at the Arrivals Hall.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to buy One SIM card at Tirana International Airport at this moment. It is quite easy to find a store within the city center, but not at the airport. This is quite a pity in my opinion; I hope they change this soon!
Our recommended SIM card
Between the local options available, we recommend the prepaid SIM card offered by Vodafone.
Even though both mobile providers have the exact same price for offers of 40 GB or more, I like the fact that Vodafone offer also smaller packages which are more than sufficient for small trips to the country.
Another reason why I recommend Vodafone is that it is easier to buy their SIM cards. Most tourists arrive in Tirana and you can easily buy the Vodafone tourist SIM card directly at the airport.
However, if you will be traveling to multiple countries, I would consider buying an eSIM instead. Continue reading to understand why.
Buying a SIM card in Albania will work in the Balkans?
The countries of the Western Balkans have a no-roaming agreement which in theory should give us all access to zero-fee data roaming between them.
In practice, that is not the case for prepaid SIM cards.
Mobile providers have the right to define how their roaming policy works and none of the options available for prepaid SIM cards in Albania include free roaming.
So, for tourists and travelers like you and me, the best option for multi-country trips is to get an eSIM.
Don’t know what eSIMs are? Check our guide on eSIMs
Best eSIM for Albania
Over the years, we have tested many different brands for eSIMs. Some were great, some were terrible.
Right now, the only two companies we can truly recommend are Airalo and Nomad.
We have always had great experiences when using their mobile plans. They are super easy to get, you can install everything within minutes, and control your data through the app.
We always had good-quality connections when using either company and can truly recommend them.
Best SIM card for Albania and Montenegro
Many people visit Albania and Montenegro within the same trip, so what is the best SIM card option for both countries?
Unfortunately, none of the local providers in Albania or Montenegro offer free roaming with their prepaid SIM card plans.
So, unless you will be staying for a long time and are willing to sign up for a long-term plan, the best option is to buy an eSIM.
Read more:
FAQ – Best SIM card for traveling to Albania
Can you get 5G in Albania?
Both Vodafone and One Telecom state that they offer 4G and 4G+ connection, but not 5G.
Do EU SIM cards work in Albania?
No. Since Albania is not part of the EU, most EU SIM cards will charge quite expensive roaming fees to be connected in Albania.
Buying a local SIM card or an eSIM are better option. Check the prices with Airalo.
Are roaming fees in Albania expensive?
Unless you have a plan that has no roaming fees for using data in Albania – which is available only within certain countries – roaming fees will be quite expensive.
I have personally never seen a case in which paying for roaming fees would be worth it. In Albania, this is especially true since the local mobile providers offer such price-effective offers. For only 20 EUR, you can get 40 GB of data which is more than enough for a regular tourist.
What is the best SIM card in Albania for remote workers?
Since Albania is quite an affordable destination, it is becoming quite a popular place for remote workers.
This type of traveler typically needs higher data coverage to be able to work from anywhere. In this case, the 100 GB prepaid plan from Vodafone would be the best fit. If this amount of data isn’t enough, you can always buy additional data to top it up.
Other SIM card guides for the Balkans
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to the Balkans, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to the Balkan region on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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