Travel

Travel Note

About Albania 🇦🇱

Albania is a stunning country of turquoise beaches, rugged mountains, delicious Mediterranean food, and warm hospitality. It’s still a bit of a hidden gem in Europe, which makes it extra special - and we’re so excited to share it with you. Albania is not in the EU or Schengen zone. If you’re flying through Europe, please be aware that you’ll cross an additional international border when entering Albania.

Flight

Air Travel

We suggest using Skyscanner to find flights. Often, the cheapest way is to break the trip into two parts: 1. Fly from a major North American city to a large European hub. If you can be flexible with your destination, you can have MUCH cheaper options! On Skyscanner, click "everywhere" as your destination to toggle around and explore different hub cities in Europe. (Icelandair is often a GREAT option for inexpensive flights to Europe!) 2. Then book a short, inexpensive flight from that hub to Tirana (TIA). Examples we found for flights departing May 26: * Vancouver → Rome: $307, then Rome → Tirana: $30 * Vancouver → Paris: $288, then Paris → Tirana: $55 * Vancouver → Copenhagen: $288, then Copenhagen → Tirana: $150 * Vancouver → Lisbon: $298, then Lisbon → Tirana: $89 * Chicago → Edinburgh: $375, then Edinburgh → Tirana: $90 * Chicago → Barcelona: $395, then Barcelona → Tirana: $55 * Chicago → London: $322, then London → Tirana: $69 * Chicago → Madrid: $372, then Madrid → Tirana: $73 * Seattle → Edinburgh: $252, then Edinburgh → Tirana: $90 * Seattle → Amsterdam: $370, then Amsterdam → Tirana: $110 From almost any major European city, you can find a flight to Tirana for $50 - $150. Alternative route: If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Greece, ferries run from Corfu Island to Sarande, Albania in as little as 30 minutes. From Sarande, you can: * Take a taxi to Dhermi (approx. 3 hours, ~$100–$150 per car). * Arrange a private transfer (recommended companies below). * Rent a car (driving in Albania is an adventure, but coastal roads are scenic).

Shuttle

Airport Shuttles

May 28, 2026 12:00 pm

We’ll be arranging shuttles from Tirana Airport to Dhermi on May 27, 28, and/or 29, and back on June 1 or 2, aiming to match the most common arrival/departure times. * Please indicate in your RSVP if you’d like to join the shuttle, and let us know which days you are planning to fly in and out of Tirana. * Once you’ve booked flights, send us your arrival/departure times and airline so we can coordinate. Other ways to get from Tirana to Dhermi: * Taxi: ~4 hours, $100–$150 per car. * Private transfer: Can be arranged ahead of time, prices vary but often similar to taxi. * Car rental: About $25–$40/day, driving time ~4 hours. Once in Dhermi, all wedding events will be within walking distance of our recommended hotels. If you’re staying in Old Town Dhermi (up the hill) or further away, taxis are easy to get. Recommended Self-Transfer Options: *Private Car Transfers – The easiest option. Comfortable, air-conditioned cars that you can pre-book on Daytrip.com or Viator.com. *Taxis – Reliable local companies like Speed Taxi and Green Taxi (both have apps). Prices are usually agreed on in advance. *Patoko App – Works like Uber in Albania. Simple, cash or card, usually a bit cheaper than traditional taxis. *Albanian Bus – There are several buses from the Tirana Airport to Dhermi each day, at about $30 per person: https://albanianbus.com/ For reference: * Tirana → Dhermi: ~4 hours, $100–$150 per car. * Sarande → Dhermi: ~3 hours, $100–$150 per car.

Hotel

La Brisa Boutique Hotel

This is where we'll be staying! It's within easy walking distance of everything, has beach access with daybeds, and a rooftop pool! We've arranged a group discount with the hotel, contact us for details if you're interested in staying here! There are also many other good options nearby, so feel free to stay wherever works best for you! We recommend staying within the Dhermi Beach area, though, where everything will be within easy walking distance. *this option is a 10 minute walk from the wedding venue*

Hotel

EBBI Hotel

Located VERY close to La Brisa (where we'll be staying!) - includes beach access, a garden area, and a buffet breakfast (about $100/night) *this hotel is a 10 minute walk from the wedding venue*

Hotel

Palladium Hotel Dhërmi

Another option with beachfront access - and has rooms with either sea or mountain views! (about $100/night, depending on the room) *this option is a 1-2 minute walk from the wedding venue*

Hotel

Hotel Nino - Drymades

A great budget-friendly option! We’ve stayed here twice and loved it—simple and no-frills, but clean, comfortable, and has everything you need for an easy stay in Dhërmi. (about $50 per night, depending on the room)

Hotel

Sea View Hotel Dhermi

Another budget option on the beach - about $40/night depending on the room.

Hotel

Lodges Shën Nikolla

Beachfront bungalows for around $100/night - a great option for a small group or family. *this option is a 20 minute walk from the wedding venue*

Travel Note

Weather

Late May / early June in Dhermi means warm, sunny beach weather. Expect daytime highs of 75–85°F (24–29°C) with cooler evenings around 65°F (18°C). The sun is strong, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A light jacket or shawl is useful at night when the sea breeze picks up.

Travel Note

Language

English is widely spoken in Tirana and Dhermi (pronounced "Thur-mee"), especially among younger people and in tourist areas. But Albanians love when visitors try their language! A few useful phrases: Hello – Përshëndetje (per-shen-DET-yeh) Thank you – Faleminderit (fa-le-min-DARE-it) Cheers – Gëzuar! (geh-ZOO-ar) I love the beach! – Unë dua plazhin! (OON DOO-ah PLAH-zheen) Cold beer, please! – Një birrë të ftohtë, ju lutem! (Nyeh BEER-rah tuh f-TOHT, yoo LOO-tem) Let’s dance! – Hajde kërcim! (HAI-deh kur-TSEEM) Beautiful bride! – Nusja e bukur! (NOO-sya eh BOO-kur)

Travel Note

Money

The currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). Euros are usually accepted, but not everywhere. * Cash is king—many restaurants, shops, and taxis don’t take cards. * ATMs are easy to find (look for Raiffeisen, BKT, or Credins Bank). * Be sure to alert your bank before traveling.

Travel Note

Staying Connected

We recommend using Airalo, which is an app that lets you buy a digital SIM card (called an eSIM) for your phone. This way, you can use data in Albania without needing to buy a physical SIM card at the airport. Here’s how it works: 1. Download the Airalo app (available in the App Store and Google Play). 2. Search for Albania eSIM (or “Regional Europe” if you plan to travel around). 3. Purchase a data package (for example, $5–10 for a week of data). 4. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the app to install it on your phone. * Most modern phones support eSIM (iPhone XS or newer, most Androids). 5. Once installed, turn on your new eSIM when you land in Albania, and you’ll instantly have internet! Tip: Keep your regular SIM active for iMessage/WhatsApp/Texts, and use Airalo for data. You can toggle between them in your phone’s settings. If you’d prefer a physical SIM, they are inexpensive and available at the Tirana Airport, but Airalo saves you time and hassle.

Travel Note

Drinking Water

Tap water in Albania is technically safe, but it can upset your stomach if you’re not used to it. We recommend sticking with bottled water.

Travel Note

Safety & Emergencies

Albania is very safe—much safer than most American cities. Albanians are kind, welcoming, and eager to help. * Emergency number: 112 (police, ambulance, fire). * Nearest hospital to Dhermi: Spitali Rajonal Vlorë (Vlore Regional Hospital).