Frequently Asked Questions

Good news! Most guests won't need a visa:

• EU citizens: No visa required
• Tajikistan & Russian citizens: Visa required. More info here. E-visa official site here.

Important: Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date from Albania. Check your specific country's requirements before booking.

• ✅ Wedding dinner & drinks (Sept 12): On us! Fully hosted.
• ❌ Everything else: You cover your own costs (flights, accommodation, daily meals, activities, transportation)

Think of it as: we're hosting a wedding party, but the surrounding week is your Albanian holiday!

Please RSVP by December 31, 2025. We need time to make arrangements for group accommodation and finalize venue/catering.

September is one of the best times to visit Albania! Here's what to expect:

• Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F) during the day, 18-22°C (64-72°F) in the evening
• Sea temperature: Still warm at 23-25°C (73-77°F) - perfect for swimming!
• Sunshine: Approximately 13 hours of sunshine per day
• Rainfall: Minimal - September is quite dry with occasional light rain
• Overall: Warm, sunny days with pleasant evenings - ideal for beach activities and exploring

The summer crowds have thinned out, but the weather is still beautiful. Perfect timing for our celebration!

Absolutely! We want everyone to enjoy the celebration comfortably.

Important information:

• No fish will be served at the main wedding dinner
• We'll work with the restaurant to accommodate dietary requirements
• Please specify your needs in the RSVP form - the more detail, the better!
• Albanian cuisine is diverse and naturally accommodates many dietary preferences

Albanian cuisine is a delicious blend of Mediterranean and Balkan flavors:

• Fresh ingredients: Lots of vegetables, olive oil, herbs, and grilled meats
• Popular dishes: Byrek (savory pastry), Tavë Kosi (lamb with yogurt), fresh salads, grilled meats
• Vegetarian-friendly: Many traditional dishes are vegetable-based
• Affordable: Dining out is very budget-friendly!

Airport: Tirana International Airport (TIA) - also known as Mother Teresa Airport

Flight Tips

• We've done extensive research on flight routes and are happy to help you find the best options!
• Book early: Wizz Air offers excellent rates, especially when booking well in advance
• Direct flights available from Norway, Germany, and many European cities
• Guests from Tajikistan: Turkish Airlines offers good connections via Istanbul

Airport to Durrës

30-40 minute drive from Tirana Airport

• Taxi: €25-35
• Shared shuttle: €10-15 per person
• We'll coordinate group transportation for arriving guests - details shared after RSVP

We want to maximize our time together during the week! Here's our plan:

• We've researched various options in Durrës: hostels (€10/person/night), 4-person apartments (€30-35/night), hotel rooms (€60-70/night)
• In your RSVP, indicate if you want us to help arrange group accommodation
• Once we know numbers, we'll organize accommodations close together - ideally in the same apartment complex or nearby buildings
• This is optional - you're welcome to book your own place, but we strongly encourage joining the group to spend more time together!

• Taxis: Base fare €2.50, average ride €5-10 (very affordable!)
• City buses: €0.40 per ride
• Intercity buses: €5-15 depending on distance
• Car rental: €25-50/day

Taxis are common, reliable, and perfect for group travel. We'll organize shared transportation for group activities.

• Budget traveler: €30-50/day (accommodation, food, local transport)
• Mid-range traveler: €60-100/day (comfortable accommodation, dining, activities)
• Meals: €5-8 (local restaurants), €15-20 (mid-range with drinks)
• Beer: €2-3
• Coffee: €1-2

Albania remains one of Europe's most affordable destinations - you can have an amazing week without breaking the bank!

Yes! Albania is generally a safe destination for travelers:

• Low crime rates, especially in tourist areas
• Friendly and welcoming locals
• Standard travel precautions apply (watch belongings, avoid walking alone late at night)
• Tourist police are available in major cities

Albanian is the official language, but:

• Many people in tourist areas speak English
• Italian is also widely understood
• Restaurant menus often have English translations
• Translation apps work great for basic communication

Generally safe in major cities like Tirana and Durrës, but:

• Many locals and tourists prefer bottled water
• Bottled water is very cheap (€0.50-1.00)
• Hotels and restaurants serve safe water
• Bring a reusable bottle to refill

Yes! Albania has good internet connectivity:

• Free WiFi in most hotels, restaurants, and cafes
• Mobile data is affordable if you need a local SIM card
• Group accommodation will have WiFi

We love your little ones! The restaurant is kid-friendly with a play area and kids' chairs. A few things to consider:

• The wedding party will go late into the evening
• Albania is family-friendly with activities for all ages
• Please indicate children in your RSVP for meal planning

Yes! Everyone is welcome to bring a +1 and children are welcome too. Please include them in your RSVP so we can plan accordingly for catering and activities.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

• Guests can arrive starting at 4pm
• Ceremony begins around 5:00-5:30pm
• The party is open-ended - celebrate into the night!
• Transportation: Taxis are easy to arrange to/from the venue, even late at night. Driving your own rental car is also an option.
• Smoking area available outside

Don't worry - we have backup plans in case of rain!

Absolutely - attending just the wedding day is entirely fine! However, we really hope you'll want to (and be able to) join us for the entire week (September 6-13). The whole point is spending quality time together!

These are so far just an outline of what we're planning, and we'll get back with details at a later stage:

• Visits to cultural sites
• Group dinners with local cuisine
• Beach time on the Adriatic coast
• Hiking in the local mountains
• Morning yoga sessions with Sasan on Durrës beach

All activities are optional and at your own expense. Full schedule shared after RSVPs!

Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL)

• Euros widely accepted in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants
• Cash is important: Credit cards accepted in some places, but you'll definitely need cash for small purchases, taxis, and tips
• ATMs: Widely available in cities like Durrës. Withdrawal limits typically around €75-100 per transaction
• Card payments: When paying by card, always choose to pay in Albanian Lek (not Euros) for better exchange rates

Tipping Culture

• Not mandatory but appreciated: Round up or tip 5-10% for good service
• Restaurants: ~10% is standard; check if service charge already included
• Cafés & bars: Drop coins or round up (20-50 lek)
• Taxis: Not expected, but round up if they help with bags
• Hotels: Porters 100-200 lek per bag; housekeeping 100-200 lek per day
• Tours/guides: 5-10% of tour price

Pro tip: Keep small notes and coins in lek for tips. If someone hints for "a coffee," that's a casual way of asking for a small tip!

For September in Albania:

• Swimwear (sea is still warm!)
• Light summer clothes + one sweater for cooler evenings
• Light jacket for evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing
• Outfit for the wedding (whatever makes you feel great)
• Sunscreen & sunglasses
• European plug adapter (Type C/F)
• Any prescription medications

Optional: Hiking shoes if joining mountain activities, camera, reusable water bottle

• No vaccination requirements for Albania
• Pharmacies are widely available in cities and towns
• Note: Albania is outside the EU, so European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are not valid
• We recommend travel health insurance for medical coverage