Editing Transport in Albania

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[[File:Transport_in_Albania.png|250px|right|thumb|Highway network in Albania]]
  
'''Transport in Albania''' consists of [[transport]] by [[Land transport|land]], [[Water transportation|water]] and [[Air transport|air]], which are predominantly under the supervision of the [[Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (Albania)|Ministry of Infrastructure]] of [[Albania]]. The development and improvement of the transport in the country remains among the most important priorities of the [[Government of Albania]].<ref name="STRATEGY OF TRANSPORT">{{cite web |author1=Ministria e Infrastrukturës dhe Energjisë |author-link=Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (Albania) |title=SECTORIAL STRATEGY OF TRANSPORT & ACTION PLAN 2016 – 2020 |url=http://infrastruktura.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Monitoring-Report-of-Transport-strategy-and-Action-Plan-2016-2020.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://infrastruktura.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Monitoring-Report-of-Transport-strategy-and-Action-Plan-2016-2020.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=infrastruktura.gov.al |location=Tirana |language=en }}</ref>

It has experienced significant changes and major growth and expansion in recent years, especially after the [[Fall of communism in Albania|fall of communism]] in the country. Improvements to the road infrastructure,  urban transport, and air travel have all led to a vast improvement in transportation. These upgrades have played a key role in supporting Albania's economy, which in the past decade has come to rely heavily on the construction industry.

==History==

[[File:Via_Egnatia-en.jpg|thumb|250px|Via Egnatia connecting [[Dyrrachium]] with Byzantium]]

Since antiquity, the area of modern Albania served as a crossroad of important caravan routes such as the Roman [[Via Egnatia]] linking the Adriatic with [[Byzantium]] (later Constantinople). The Italian fascist regime of Mussolini carried out a project of road constructions in Albania in the 1930s, yet auto-mobility was limited at the time.<ref>Dalakoglou, D, 2017 The Road: An Ethnography of (im)mobility, Spaces and Cross-Border Infrastructures in the Balkans. Manchester University Press</ref>  The total length of Albania's roads more than doubled in the first three decades after [[World War II]], and by the 1980s almost all of the country's remote mountain areas were connected, either by dirt or paved roads, with the capital city of [[Tirana]], and ports on the [[Adriatic]] and [[Ionian Sea]].

After 1947, a significant infrastructure undertaking was the construction of the country's rail network as Albania was considered the only country in Europe not to have standard rail service.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080518061031/http://www.hsh.com.al/ Hekurudha Shqiptare]</ref> By 1987, 677&nbsp;km of railway were constructed in total linking the main urban and industrial centers for the first time since the end of [[World War II]]. Train transport was the main public transportation method until 1990. After the collapse of Communism, the network fell into disregard, operating with second-hand carriages in a constant precarious state.

[[File:Tirana,_Albania_(15694970004).jpg|thumb|[[Mercedes-Benz]] vehicles on the main boulevard in Tirana, Albania]]

Central government funding of local road maintenance effectively ended in 1991, and the breakdown of repair vehicles because of a lack of spare parts threatened to close access to some remote areas. A group of [[Greece|Greek]] construction companies signed a protocol with the Albanian government in July 1990 to build a 200 kilometer road across the southern part of the country, extending from the Albanian-Greek [[Border crossings of Albania|border]] to [[Durrës]]. The project was scheduled to last four years and cost US$500 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albania - Road Transportation |url=http://countrystudies.us/albania/104.htm |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=countrystudies.us}}</ref> Despite the poor quality of Albania's roads, most of the country's freight was conveyed over them in a fleet of about 15,000 trucks. According to official figures, in 1987 Albania's roadways carried about 66 percent of the country's total freight tonnage.

Up until 1991, the total number of cars in Albania was between 5000 and 7000. In 1991, the Albanian government lifted the decades-old ban on private-vehicle ownership. As a result, car imports numbered about 1,500 per month. Traffic in the capital remained light, but traffic lights and other control devices were urgently needed to deal with the multiplying number of privately owned cars. Albanian entrepreneurs also imported used Greek buses and started carrying passengers on intercity routes that did not exist or had been poorly serviced during the communist era.

The population is known for owning a large fleet of German cars. In particular, [[Mercedes-Benz]] vehicles are widely preferred not only for their status symbol, but also for their durability on rural roads where half of the population resides, and the cheap price for buying used ones. Mercedes-Benz cars were owned by Enver Hoxha and reportedly favored by his officials, giving the brand a foothold even before private ownership of cars was legalized. By 2004 the number of cars in the capital Tirana had increased to over 300,000 and air pollution became a pressing concern.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.corp.at/archive/CORP2010_14.pdf | title=Albania in Transition: International Assistance for Roads but not Public Transport | first=Dorina | last=Pojani | date=May 2010 | access-date=2024-07-29 | website=www.corp.at}}</ref> These are mostly 1990s and early 2000s [[Diesel engine|diesel]] cars,<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/sK6ZChjF-L8 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140619182115/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK6ZChjF-L8 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK6ZChjF-L8| title = Stoku i makinave të përdorura - News, Lajme - Vizion Plus | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> while it is widely believed that the [[fuel]] used in Albania contains larger amounts of [[sulfur]] and [[lead]] than in the [[European Union]]. Albania is probably one of the few countries in [[Europe]] where vehicles imported from the [[United States]], and from [[Right- and left-hand traffic|left hand traffic]] jurisdictions (for example the [[United Kingdom]]) can be found on the streets without any modifications brought from expats living abroad.

== Transportation ==

=== Air ===
{{Main|List of airports in Albania|List of airlines of Albania|l1=List of airports|l2=airlines of Albania}}

[[File:Terminal_jashte.jpg|thumb|right|210px|[[Tirana International Airport]]]]
[[File:Air Albania - A319.jpg|thumb|210px|[[Air Albania]] national flag carrier in Tirana]]

The most important and biggest international [[airport]] of the country is the [[Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza]] (TIA), in [[Tirana]], the country's capital. The total number of passengers for the country was 1,997,044 in 2015 and 2,200,449 in 2016. From January to October 2017, the airport served 2,224,833 passengers and handled 1,857 tons of goods.<ref>{{cite web |author1=INSTAT |title=Statistikat e transportit |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/3622/statistikat-e-transptetor-finale-2017____.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/3622/statistikat-e-transptetor-finale-2017____.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=instat.gov.al|location=Tirana|pages=1–6 |language=sq }}</ref>

In 2005, an American-German consortium was granted a 20-year concession over TIA and Albanian airspace. Despite the considerable modernization of the airport, prices are among the highest in Europe because of the monopoly over Albanian airspace, and limited carrier choices. As a result, low-cost carriers are discouraged from entering the Albanian market, while neighboring countries offer much lower prices from their primary and secondary airports.<ref>{{cite news |title=Albania among the countries with the cheapest transport. Maybe because it doesn't exist? |first=Edison |last=Kurani |url=http://www.balkaneu.com/albania-countries-cheapest-transport-doesnt-exist-2/ |newspaper=BalkanEU.com |date=8 September 2014 }}</ref>

Following a period of intensive negotiations, the Albanian government managed to reduce the concession period by 5 years until 2020, thus opening up the possibility for low-cost airlines to enter the Albanian market such as the starting of flights between Tirana and Budapest by Wizz Air in 2017. After reaching an agreement with the Albanian Government to end its monopoly on international flights from Albania, [[Hochtief AirPort]] sold the operation of TIA to [[China Everbright Limited]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shqiptarja.com/Ekonomi/2733/--8203-aeroporti-i-rinasit-kalon-100-tek-kompania-kineze-378503.html|title=Shqiptarja.com - Aeroporti i Rinasit kalon 100% tek kompania kineze|access-date=21 February 2017|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009214945/http://shqiptarja.com/Ekonomi/2733/--8203-aeroporti-i-rinasit-kalon-100-tek-kompania-kineze-378503.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Kukës Airport]] was opened in 2008, making this the second civilian airport in Albania but has  since not been operational. The airport was bought by an Albanian company and is planned to become operational by 2021 offering low cost flights catered to the Kukes diaspora in the UK and serve as a gateway to the Albanian Alps. <ref>{{Citation |date=2015-02-17 |title=Të dhëna dhe Metodologjia Analitike për Planifikimin e Agregateve: Në mbështetje të praktikave më të mira për Planifikimin e Qëndrueshëm të Agregateve |doi=10.5474/snapsee-wp4-sq|doi-access=free }}</ref>

In 2018, [[Air Albania]], the country's current flag carrier was formed by a consortium made up of Turkish Airlines, Albanian Civil Aviation Authority, and several Albanian companies with a test flight to Istanbul. As of 2019, the  airline offers service to destinations in Italy and Turkey.

In 2018, the Albanian government announced the construction of [[Vlorë International Airport]], the third civilian airport in Albania near Akerni on the Vjose-Narte Protected Area. In 2019, a new project was unveiled including the construction of a marina and agritourism area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vlora airport, the Albanian government presents the new project |url=https://en.albanianews.it/news/albania/vlora-international-airport |website=albanianews.it |access-date=2019-12-20 |archive-date=2019-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220151258/https://en.albanianews.it/news/albania/vlora-international-airport |url-status=dead }}</ref> The construction works on the ground for the airport started in 2021, and are expected to finish by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sot.com.al/english/politike/nisin-punimet-per-aeroportin-e-vlores-balluku-zbulon-kur-do-jete-funksi-i477895|title=The works for Vlora Airport start, Balluku reveals when it will be functional: About 1000 jobs are created, we aim to reach}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Albania invites bids for Vlora airport construction project |url=https://seenews.com/news/albania-invites-bids-for-vlora-airport-construction-project-680928 |website=SEE News}}</ref>

=== Road ===

[[File:Speed-limits-ALB.svg|220px|thumb|right|The speed limit table of Albania.]][[File:Autostrada_Durr%C3%ABs-Morina-04.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Scene on [[A1 motorway (Albania)|A1 Motorway]] linking Albania with Kosovo, and the Adriatic Sea with the Albania Alps.]]

The overwhelming majority of roads in the country are owned and maintained by state and local governments. In recent years, a major road construction spree took place on the main state roads of Albania, involving the construction of new roadways, putting of contemporary signs, planting of trees, and related greening projects. Works on most highways are completed, though they remained unfinished between 2011 and 2013 as per lack of funds.

After the fall of communism in 1991, Albania began to revamp its primitive road infrastructure by building the first highway in Albania, SH2 connecting Tirane with Durrës. Since the 2000s, main roadways have drastically improved, though lacking standards in design and road safety.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsdc.gov.al/dsdc/pub/strategjia_sektoriale_e_transportit_165_1.pdf |title=Strategjia sektoriale e transportit | language=sq | trans-title=Sectoral transport strategy |access-date=2015-06-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520122845/http://www.dsdc.gov.al/dsdc/pub/strategjia_sektoriale_e_transportit_165_1.pdf |archive-date=2013-05-20 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTALBANIA/Resources/Albania_National_Transport_Plan.pdf | title=Albania – national transport plan - phase 2 study phase | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607015603/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTALBANIA/Resources/Albania_National_Transport_Plan.pdf | archive-date=2019-06-07}}</ref>

At present, major cities are linked with either new single/dual carriageways or well maintained roads. There is a dual carriageway connecting the port city of [[Durrës]] with [[Tirana]], [[Vlorë]], and partially [[Kukës]]. There are three official motorway segments in Albania: Thumanë-Milot-Rrëshen-Kalimash (A1), Levan-Vlorë (A2), and partly Tirane-Elbasan (A3). Most rural segments continue to remain in bad conditions as their reconstruction has only begun in the late 2000s by the Albanian Development Fund.<ref name=AboutADF>{{cite web|title=About ADF|url=http://www.albaniandf.org/english/rreth_nesh/Pages/default.html|website=albaniandf.org|publisher=Albanian Development Fund|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130045408/http://www.albaniandf.org/english/rreth_nesh/Pages/default.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Total: 18,000&nbsp;km
** Paved: 12,920&nbsp;km
** Unpaved: 5,080&nbsp;km (2002 est.)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pd.al/arritjet/investimet-publike/ |title=Investimet Publike « Partia Demokratike e Shqiperise |access-date=2009-06-19 |archive-date=2013-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509024417/http://pd.al/arritjet/investimet-publike/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
''country comparison to the world:'' 118

All roads are property of [http://www.arrsh.gov.al Albanian Road Authority] (''Autoriteti Rrugor Shqiptar'', former Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Rrugëve) and maintained by Ndërmarrja Shtetërore Rruga-Ura. The government plans to create some [[toll highway]]s in the near future. Albanian [[bitumen]] from Selenicë in Southern Albania is well known for its quality as it has been used on some European motorways.
  
==== Motorways ====
{{Main|Motorways in Albania}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
! width=80 | Motorway
! County
! Length
! Description
! Cities
|-
| align="center" | [[File:Autostrada_A1_Albania.svg|30px|alt=|link=A1 (Albania)]]  
| [[Durrës County|Durrës]], [[Tirana County|Tirana]], [[Lezhë County|Lezhë]], [[Kukës County|Kukës]]
| {{convert|114|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The A1 ({{langx|sq|Autostrada A1}}) is a four [[traffic lane]] motorway spanning {{convert|114|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="A1alb">{{cite web|title=MILOT – MORINE HIGHWAY PROJECT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION|url=http://businesshungary.gov.hu/download/4/b8/51000/RFQ_Milot-Morine%20Re-tender_V1_ENG.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://businesshungary.gov.hu/download/4/b8/51000/RFQ_Milot-Morine%20Re-tender_V1_ENG.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|website=businesshungary.gov.hu|page=8|language=en}}</ref> The motorway is the only toll motorway in Albania and connects the [[Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast]] at [[Durrës]] in the southwest with the [[Albanian Alps]] at [[Morinë]] in the northeast. It forms part of the [[European route E851]], planned [[Adriatic–Ionian motorway]], and [[Pan-European Corridor X]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=United Nations Economic Commission for Europe |author-link=United Nations Economic Commission for Europe |title=European Agreement on Main International Traffic Arteries |url=http://www.unece.org/trans/doc/2002/sc1agr/TRANS-SC1-AC5-2002-03e.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.unece.org/trans/doc/2002/sc1agr/TRANS-SC1-AC5-2002-03e.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=unece.org |access-date=26 April 2011 |language=en }}</ref>
| align="center" | [[Durrës]], [[Laç]], [[Lezhë]], [[Rrëshen]], [[Kukës]]
|-
| align="center" | [[File:Autostrada_A2_Albania.svg|30px|alt=|link=A2 (Albania)|A2]] 
| [[Fier County|Fier]], [[Vlorë County|Vlorë]]
| {{convert|46.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The A2 ({{langx|sq|Autostrada A2}}) is a four [[traffic lane]] motorway, spanning {{convert|46.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The motorway connects [[Fier]] in the north and [[Vlorë]] in the south. It will form part of the [[Adriatic–Ionian motorway]].
| align="center" | [[Fier]], [[Vlorë]] 
|-
| align="center" | [[File:Autostrada_A3_Albania.svg|30px|alt=|link=A3 (Albania)|A3]] 
| [[Tirana County|Tirana]], [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]] 
| {{convert|31.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The A3 ({{langx|sq|Autostrada A3}}) is a four [[traffic lane]] motorway, spanning {{convert|31|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The motorway connects [[Tirana]] in the northwest and [[Elbasan]] in the southeast. It will form part of the [[Pan-European Corridor VIII]].  
| align="center" | [[Tirana]], [[Elbasan]]
|}

==== Expressways ====
{{Main|Highways in Albania#Expressways|l1=Expressways in Albania}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
! width=80 | Expressway
! County
! Length
! Description
! Cities 
|-
| align="center" | [[File:SH1-AL.svg|30px|alt=|link=SH 1 (Albania)]]  
| [[Durrës County|Durrës]], [[Lezhë County|Lezhë]], [[Shkodër County|Shkodër]], [[Tirana County|Tirana]]
| {{convert|125|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The SH 1 ({{langx|sq|Rruga Shtetërore SH 1}}) is an expressway, spanning {{convert|125|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The expressway connects [[Montenegro]] across the [[Counties of Albania|counties]] of [[Shkodër County|Shkodër]], [[Lezhë County|Lezhë]], [[Durrës County|Durrës]] and [[Tirana County|Tirana]] to the capital of [[Tirana]]. It is currently part of the [[European routes]] [[European route E762|E762]] and [[European route E851|E851]] and will form part of the [[Adriatic–Ionian motorway]].
| align="center" | [[Fushë-Krujë]], [[Koplik]], [[Laç]], [[Lezhë]], [[Shkodër]], [[Tirana]] 
|-
|align="center"|[[File:SH2-AL.svg|30px|alt=|link=SH 2 (Albania)]]  
|[[Durrës County|Durrës]], [[Tirana County|Tirana]]
|{{convert|33|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|The SH 2 ({{langx|sq|Rruga Shtetërore SH 2}}) is an expressway, spanning {{convert|33|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The expressway connects the capital [[Tirana]] across the [[Counties of Albania|counties]] of [[Durrës County|Durrës]] and [[Tirana County|Tirana]] to the second largest city of [[Durrës]]. It is currently part of the [[European route E762]].
|align="center"|[[Durrës]], [[Tirana]] 
|-
|align="center"|[[File:SH3-AL.svg|30px|alt=|link=Highways in Albania]]  
|[[Elbasan County|Elbasan]], [[Korçë County|Korçë]], [[Tirana County|Tirana]]
|{{convert|151|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|The SH 3 ({{langx|sq|Rruga Shtetërore SH 3}}) is an expressway, spanning {{convert|151|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The expressway connects [[Greece]] across the [[Counties of Albania|counties]] of [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]], [[Korçë County|Korçë]], and [[Tirana County|Tirana]] to the capital [[Tirana]]. It is currently part of the [[European routes]] [[European route E86|E86]] and [[European route E852|E852]].
|align="center"|[[Elbasan]], [[Korçë]], [[Librazhd]], [[Pogradec]], [[Tirana]] 
|-
| align="center" | [[File:SH4-AL.svg|30px|alt=|link=]]  
| [[Durrës County|Durrës]], [[Fier County|Fier]], [[Gjirokastër County|Gjirokastër]], [[Tirana County|Tirana]]
| {{convert|215|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The SH 4 ({{langx|sq|Rruga Shtetërore SH 4}}) is an expressway, spanning {{convert|215|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The expressway connects [[Durrës]] across the [[Counties of Albania|counties]] of [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]], [[Korçë County|Korçë]], and [[Tirana County|Tirana]] to [[Greece]]. It is currently part of the [[European route E853]] and will form part of the [[Adriatic–Ionian motorway]].
| align="center" | [[Durrës]], [[Fier]], [[Gjirokastër]], [[Lushnjë]], [[Rogozhina]], [[Tepelenë]] 
|-
| align="center" | [[File:SH7-AL.svg|30px|alt=|link=Highways in Albania]]  
| [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]], [[Tirana County|Tirana]]
| {{convert|40.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The SH 7 ({{langx|sq|Rruga Shtetërore SH 7}}) is an expressway, spanning {{convert|40.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The expressway connects [[Rogozhina]] across the [[Counties of Albania|counties]] of [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]] and [[Tirana County|Tirana]] to [[Elbasan]]. It is currently part of the [[Pan-European Corridor VIII]].
| align="center" | [[Elbasan]], [[Peqin]], [[Rogozhina]]
|-
| align="center" | [[File:SH8-AL.svg|30px|alt=|link=SH 8 (Albania)]]  
| [[Fier County|Fier]], [[Vlorë County|Vlorë]] 
| {{convert|148|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The SH 8 ({{langx|sq|Rruga Shtetërore SH 8}}) is an expressway, spanning {{convert|148|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The expressway connects [[Fier]] across the [[Counties of Albania|counties]] of [[Fier County|Fier]], [[Vlorë County|Vlorë]] to [[Sarandë]].
| align="center" | [[Fier]], [[Himara]], [[Sarandë]], [[Vlorë]]
|-
| align="center" | [[File:SH9-AL.svg|30px|alt=|link=Highways in Albania]]  
| [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]] 
| {{convert|3.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| The SH 9 ({{langx|sq|Rruga Shtetërore SH 9}}) is an expressway, spanning {{convert|3.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The expressway connects [[Qafë Thanë]] across the [[Counties of Albania|county]] of [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]] to [[North Macedonia]]. It is currently part of the [[European route E852]].
| align="center" | –
|}

==== Corridors ====

The realisation of the [[Adriatic–Ionian motorway|Adriatic–Ionian Corridor]], that is expected to connect all the region from the northwest to the southwest of the [[Balkan Peninsula]], is considered one of the most important infrastructure projects of Albania.<ref name="STRATEGY OF TRANSPORT"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Albania, Montenegro Flag Up Adriatic Highway |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albania-keen-on-adriatic-ionian-highway-01-28-2016 |website=balkaninsight.com |language=en |date=28 January 2016 |quote=Albanian officials say the highway that will connect the Adriatic with the Ionian sea is one of the most important regional infrastructural projects that it is putting into effect.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Ministria për Europën dhe Punët e Jashtme |author-link=Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Albania) |title=THE FIRST INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETING ALBANIA-MONTENEGRO SHKODRA, 3 JULY 2018 |url=http://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/takimi-i-pare-nderqeveritar-shqiperi-mali-i-zi-shkoder-3-korrik-2018/ |website=punetejashtme.gov.al |language=en |quote=PM highlighted some of the most important issues and projects which affect not only bilaterally but also regionally: the Adriatic-Ionian Highway}}</ref> The corridor is planned to follow the routes of the [[SH 1 (Albania)|SH1]], [[SH 2 (Albania)|SH2]], SH4 expressways and the [[A1 (Albania)|A1]] motorway nonetheless the country has mostly completed its corridor section and significant constructions are still in progress such as the highway between Thumana and [[Kashar]] as well as the [[Bypass (road)|bypass]]es of [[Gjirokastër]], [[Lezhë]], [[Tepelenë]] and [[Tirana]].<ref name="STRATEGY OF TRANSPORT"/>
{{Clear}}

=== Rail ===
{{Main|Rail transport in Albania|Hekurudha Shqiptare}}

[[File:Durres Railway.jpg|thumb|250px|HSH train along the Durrës-Tiranë line]]Total: 447&nbsp;km
<br />''country comparison to the world:'' 120

Standard gauge: 447&nbsp;km {{RailGauge|1435mm}} gauge (2006)

Railway links with neighbouring countries:

* {{flagicon|KOS}}[[Transport in Kosovo|Kosovo]] - no
* {{flagicon|GRE}}[[Transport in Greece|Greece]] - no
* {{flagicon|NMK}}[[Transport in North Macedonia|North Macedonia]] - no
* {{flagicon|MNE}}[[Transport in Montenegro|Montenegro]] - yes (freight service only)
{{Clear}}

=== Water ===

* Total: 43&nbsp;km plus Albanian sections of [[Lake Scutari]], [[Ohër Lake]], and [[Prespa Lake|Big Prespa Lake]] (1990)

Albania's main seaports are [[Durrës]], [[Vlorë]], [[Sarandë]], and [[Shëngjin]]. By 1983 there were regular ferry, freight, and passenger services from Durrës to [[Trieste]], [[Italy]].[[File:Panorama of Durres Port.jpg|thumb|310px|The advantageous location of [[Durrës]] makes it the biggest port in Albania and among the largest in the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] and [[Ionian Sea|Ionian]] seas.]] In 1988, a ferry service was established between Sarandë and the Greek island of [[Corfu]]. A regular lake ferry linked the [[North Macedonia|Macedonian]] town of [[Ohrid]] with [[Pogradec]]. The limited capacity of the wharves at Durrës caused severe bottlenecks in the distribution of foreign food aid in 1991. In 2011, the [[Port of Durrës]] underwent major renovations including the construction of a new passenger terminal. The port is expected to be relocated nearby, and a new luxury yachts marina constructed by Dubai based Emaar company called Durres Yachts and Marina. 

[[File:Windstar star breeze cruise ship in Saranda Albania 2016.jpg|thumb|The Star Breeze Cruise ship in the Port of Sarandë]]
[[File:Cruise ship Eurodam in Saranda.jpg|thumb|right|Holland America Eurodam ship in Saranda]]

The Merchant Marine include 24 vessels
''country comparison to the world:'' 91
Total includes 7 ships of 1,000 gross tonnage (GT) or over, totalling: 13,423 GT/20,837 tonnes deadweight (DWT)

Ferry services within Albania:
*[[Lake Komani Ferry]] operates between Koman and Fierza in Northern Albania
*Butrint Cable Ferry crosses the Vivari Channel at [[Butrint]] in Southern Albania
*Karaburun Ferry has operated since 2014 between the [[Karaburun Peninsula, Albania|Karaburun Peninsula]] and [[Sazan Island]] along the Albanian Riviera in southern Albania (seasonal)<ref name=HotelRegina>{{cite web|title=Our Services|url=http://hotelregina.al/services|website=hotelregina.al|publisher=Hotel Regina, Radhime, Vlore, Albania|access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ |Albanian ports and marinas
! |Port<br />
! |County
! |[[Geographic coordinate system|Coordinates]]<br />
! |External<br />[[Hyperlink|Link]]<br />
|-
| |[[Port of Durrës]] (planned to be relocated and a luxury marina built in its place)
| |[[Durrës County]]
| |{{coord|41|18|35|N|19|27|26|E|display=inline}}
| |{{URL|http://www.apdurres.com.al/}}
|-
| |[[Port of Sarandë]] 
| |[[Vlorë County]]
| |{{coord|39|52|15|N|20|0|11|E|display=inline}}
| |{{URL|http://www.portisarande.al}}
|-
| |[[Port of Shëngjin]]
| |[[Lezhë County]]
| |{{coord|41|48|20|N|19|35|35|E|display=inline}}
| |{{URL|http://portishengjin.al}}
|-
| |[[Port of Vlorë]]
| |[[Vlorë County]]
| |{{coord|40|27|1|N|19|29|0|E|display=inline}}
| |{{URL|http://www.portivlore.com/}}
|-
| |[[Orikum Marina]]
| |[[Vlorë County]]
| |{{coord|40|20|25|N|19|28|20|E|display=inline}}
| |{{URL|http://www.orikum.it}}
|-
| |Porto Albania (under construction)
| |[[Durrës County]]
| |{{coord|41|08|34|N|19|26|26|E|display=inline}} 
| |{{URL|http://www.portoalbania.com/}}
|-
|}

=== Pipelines ===
:Crude oil {{convert|207|km|0|abbr=on}}; natural gas {{convert|229|km|0|abbr=on}} (2008)
The construction of 1.2 billion dollar [[AMBO pipeline]] was planned to begin in 2007. This would connect the port of Burgas in Bulgaria with the port of Vlora in Albania. It is expected to ship {{convert|750000|oilbbl}} to {{convert|1000000|oilbbl}} of crude oil each day. However, the [[Trans Adriatic Pipeline]] seems more likely to get started.

[[File:Trans Adriatic Pipeline.png|thumb|240px|right|The map of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline]]
The [[Trans Adriatic Pipeline]] is a pipeline project to transport natural gas from the Caspian Sea, starting from Greece via Albania and the Adriatic Sea to Italy and further to Western Europe.

TAP's route through Albania is approximately 215 kilometres onshore and 37&nbsp;km offshore in the Albanian section of the [[Adriatic Sea]]. It starts at Bilisht Qendër in the [[Korça]] region at the Albanian border with Greece, and arrives at the Adriatic coast 17&nbsp;km north-west of [[Fier]], 400 metres inland from the shoreline. 
A compressor station will be built near [[Fier]], and an additional compressor is planned near Bilisht should capacity be expanded to 20 billion cubic metres (bcm). Eight block valve stations and one landfall station will be built along its route.<ref name="tap-ag.com">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tap-ag.com/the-pipeline/building-the-pipeline/in-albania |title=Pipeline construction in Albania |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2016-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019011138/https://www.tap-ag.com/the-pipeline/building-the-pipeline/in-albania |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the mountainous areas, approximately 51&nbsp;km of new access roads will be constructed while 41&nbsp;km of existing roads will be upgraded, 42 bridges refurbished and three new bridges built. In the summer of 2015, TAP started the construction and rehabilitation of access roads and bridges along the pipeline's route in Albania. The work is expected to be completed during 2016.<ref name="tap-ag.com"/>

== Public transportation ==

[[File:Drač,_autobusové_nádraží.jpg|thumb|220px|Durrës Central Bus Station. Intercity buses in Tirana no longer park on street sides. New temporary bus terminals have been built at the Kamza Overpass, Student City, and near Zogu Zi Square in anticipation of the two new Tirana Multimodal Bus Terminals planned near Kamza Overpass and TEG Shopping Center]]
[[File:P%C3%ABrrenjas.jpg|thumb|220px|''Furgons'' or mini buses are common between cities though they have been mostly phased out in Albania]] 
Public transport in Albania is mainly characterized by the use of ''furgons'', the equivalent of [[minibuses]], vans or shuttles identifiable by yellow plates. They are convenient but do not follow fixed schedules, depart when are full, and are not usually equipped with A/C. Prices might be negotiated with the driver before departing. [[Bus]] transport is also available.

[[Tirana]], the capital city does not have yet a central [[bus station]]. Minibuses and buses drop off and pick up passengers from various fixed places around the city and en route.

In anticipation of the construction of the two new Multi-Modal Terminals of Tirana near the Kamza Overpass at the western entrance of Tirana, and at the southeastern entrance of the city near TEG Shopping Center, the Municipality of Tirana has opened three temporary bus terminals to regulate the chaos of public transport between towns in Tirana as follows: 
*'''Northern and Southern Albania Regional Bus Terminal (including Durres)''' at Kamza Overpass (Kthesa e Kamzes) on the site of the future Tirana Terminal
*'''Kosovo and International Lines Bus Terminal''' on Dritan Hoxha St behind Asllan Rusi Sports Palace
*'''Southeastern Albania Regional Bus Terminal''' at Student City (Qyteti Studenti) in southeastern Tirana

== Driving in Albania ==

Despite the perceived negative connotation to driving in Albania, most vehicles manage not to get into accidents by simply exercising common sense, and following their own way through the chaotic traffic. The law of the strongest fully applies on the Albanian roads. In cities, traffic is slow thus more secure than in rural areas. Expect reckless driving such as hair-raising overtaking even on turns, driving on the wrong side of the road, stopping on highways by the road side, uncontrolled crossing of cars, horse-drawn carts and pedestrians, and complete ignoring of stop signs and right of way at intersections. Albanian drivers are prone to using visual and acoustic aids regularly such as honking, [[headlight flashing]], or [[high beams]] at night. [[Daytime running lamps]] must be activated outside urban areas. 
It is strongly recommended to have an up-to-date GPS, as many new roads have been recently added to the Albanian road network. In case the GPS does not work, its good to have an alternative paper or internet-based map. Street names on the ground do not always coincide with maps, as the current address system has only recently been introduced. In the mountains, some roads can be narrow and windy with hairpins/serpentines and some missing guardrails. Drivers are encouraged to check engine liquid levels to avoid overheating in the summer months. Some roads still have few road signs or misleading ones. Its strongly advised to always keep a spare tire.

As vehicles more than doubled in recent years, traffic fatalities have increased especially in a country where private car ownership was banned until the early 1990s. Some experts also attribute the increase to the above road structural problems, lack of buckling up, the use of alcohol, excessive speed, and unaccustomed drivers such as expats returning home. In an effort to curb such a phenomenon, mobile police patrols have been deployed, road signage improved, and [[Radar gun|speed radars]] installed on major roadways and city intersections.

Registered road vehicles as of 2023:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dpshtrr.al/open-data-dpshtrr-english | title=Open Data DPSHTRR English &#124; DPSHTRR }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  Vehicle !! Number
|-
| Cars || 753,252 
|-
| Motorcycles || 54,968
|-
| Trucks || 21,520 
|-
| Buses || 8,603
|-
| Trailers || 10,455 
|-
| Agricultural machinery || 3204
|-
| Construction vehicles || 1,201
|-
| Motor-homes & Caravans || 367
|-
| Other || 14,195
|-
! Total !! 867,765
|-
|}

== Biking in Albania ==
Prior to the [[fall of communism in Albania]], most people didn't have private cars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tirana |first=Sean Williams in |date=2014-07-11 |title=Tirana fights to beat its addiction to cars and get its residents cycling |url=http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jul/11/tirana-addiction-cars-residents-cycling-albania-capital-bicycle-communist-image |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> The capital [[Tirana]] had dropped dramatically to a 3% bicycle modeshare as of 2014, but has a [[Ecovolis|bikeshare program]] working to revive bicycling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tirana |first=Sean Williams in |date=2014-07-11 |title=Tirana fights to beat its addiction to cars and get its residents cycling |url=http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jul/11/tirana-addiction-cars-residents-cycling-albania-capital-bicycle-communist-image |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Today, [[Shkodër]] is the bicycle capital of Albania,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shkodra travel |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/northern-albania/shkodra |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Lonely Planet |language=en}}</ref> with 30% of people biking as of 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shkodra |url=http://park4sump.eu/index.php/cities/shkodra |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Park4SUMP |language=en}}</ref>

== See also == 
{{Portal|Transport}}
* [[Economy of Albania]] 
* [[Driving licence in Albania]]
* [[Vehicle registration plates of Albania]]
* [[Road signs in Albania]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Transport in Albania}}
* [http://infrastruktura.gov.al/ Ministria e Infrastrukturës] Official Website {{Small|{{in lang|sq|en}}}}  
* [http://www.albaniandf.org FSHZH - Albanian Development Fund] Official Website {{Small|{{in lang|sq}}}} 
* [http://www.arrsh.gov.al/ Autoriteti Rrugor Shqiptar] Official Website {{Small|{{in lang|sq}}}} 
* [http://www.aac.gov.al/ Autoriteti Aviacionit Shqiptar] Official Website {{Small|{{in lang|sq|en}}}}

{{Transportation in Europe}}
{{Albania topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Albania}}
[[Category:Transport in Albania| ]]