So that you can exchange some euros for LEK for your travels. It is a good idea to exchange some of your foreign currency for Albanian LEK on the first day of your holiday. Some of the local shops, do not use a till. At the little shops along the road, you can only pay in cash. You will probably laugh, when they give you a handwritten receipt with your purchases. For some touristic expenses, you will need cash LEK. Many castles and national parks in Albania charge their entry fee in cash LEK.
Moreover, if you drive a car, you will need to settle some car parks in cash LEK as well. Be sure to carry some cash LEK, so that you can try the local foods, like Byrek pastry on your trip. In Albania, it is cheaper for foreigners to exchange cash money, than to withdrawing money from a cash machine. Therefore, you will save money, by bringing some cash foreign currency on your trip. Let me explain in more detail, in the paragraph below. You can use a credit card in Albania at ATM machines, in hotels, luxury restaurants and at international shops.
However, paying by card in Albania can be quite expensive for foreigners. Therefore, you will save money if you bring foreign currency in cash. Let me explain why paying by card is expensive in Albania.
Within the European Union, banks must clearly communicate their fees. Because the EU has a regulation that forces banks to inform the customer about their exchange rates and withdrawal fees. However, since Albania is not a part of the European Union, these transparency rules do not exist in Albania. Therefore, many Albanian banks have their own exchange rates and withdrawal fees.
The same applies when you pay by card somewhere. Moreover, not all the ATM machines will inform you clearly about their withdrawal fee. Some ATM machines will show their fees and ask you if you would like to continue with your transaction. However, some ATM machines do not inform you about their fees. So, you will only see these hidden fees, when you check your bank statement afterwards. Not all the Albanian banks have high fees. The Albanian currency is only available within Albania.
Therefore, it is smart to brings some cash euros, which you can exchange. Moreover, Euros are accepted in most hotels, airport taxis and travel agencies.
Moreover, many local places only accept Albanian LEK, for instance: local bakeries, beach shops, souvenir shops, parking places, castles and museums. The Albanian currency are all very large amounts. Therefore, you will immediately feel very rich in Albania. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Major credit and debit cards are accepted in most banks, large supermarkets and international hotels. Smaller businesses and taxis often only accept cash.
Although street money-changers operate openly, they do so illegally. Only use banks or established bureaux de change. There have been some cases of credit card fraud. Beginning in both Italian currency and the Greek drachma were used in parts of the country. From to Albanian gold currency also circulated, worth 5 leke the gold currency was called franga. In Italy, under the reign of Mussolini, invaded Albania and issued its own lek with Italian imagery.
After the Second World War new socialist notes and coins were introduced. Notes and coins emblazoned with socialist imagery were issued by the communist government until the revolution. Following the revolution, the currency crashed due to a series of poor investments into pyramid schemes by the post-Communist government. Thankfully, these days the Albanian Lek is a stable currency. It is used for almost all purchases in Albania. Dollars and Euros are only accepted in certain circumstances in day-to-day life so you should always have Lek on hand when traveling through Albania.
As always in Eastern Europe, cash is king! A bus or metro ticket costs around the same depending on what city you are visiting. Although foreign notes will be accepted in some places like the gas stations on main highways previously mentioned, keep in mind that the exchange rate will be very poor, so it is best to stick to using Albanian money.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shopping malls, supermarkets, and food venues in the centers of the big cities.
However, the small towns and shops out of the city centers tend to operate only with cash, so make sure you have enough with you. He can usually be found striking a manly pose in front of tanks or hunting Soviet relics in the former Eastern Bloc. Interval: -. Display mode: Table Graphic. Follow us Follow us.
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