Albanian Vocabulary About Transportation
Albanian vocabulary about transportation is a very important thing to know if you want to travel in/through Albania.
Transportation In Albania
The Republic of Albania is a Balkan and Mediterranean country by its position. However, due to numerous natural obstacles (dense swamps on the coast, high mountain ranges in the hinterland), and long isolationism in international relations, the country has long been separated from neighboring countries by traffic. The capital of Tirana is the central traffic hub in the country.
Autobusi (Bus)
Autobusi (bus) and furgon (shared minibus) are the main forms of transporti publik (public transport) in Albania. Fares are low, and you either pay the conductor on board or when you hop off, which can be anywhere along the route.
Municipal buses operate in Tirana, Durrës, Shkodra, Berat, Korça, and Vlora, and trips usually cost 40 lekë.
Makinë Dhe Motor (Car & Motorcycle)
Despite severe neglect under the communists, nowadays the road infrastructure is improving; there’s an excellent highway from Tirana to Kosovo, and the coastal route from the Montenegro border to Butrint, near Saranda, is in good condition.
Tourists are driving makina (cars), motorë (motorbikes), and shtëpi të lëvizshme (mobile homes) into the country in greater numbers, and, apart from heavy traffic and bad drivers, it’s generally hassling free. One issue is the huge number of traffic cops running speed traps. If they stop you from speeding, you’ll have to pay a ‘fine’ in cash (around €20).
Off the main routes, a 4WD isn’t a bad idea. Driving at night is particularly hazardous; following another car on the road is a good idea as there are rarely any road markings or street lighting. A valid foreign driving license is all that’s required to drive a car in Albania.
Tren (Train)
Albanians prefer bus and furgon travel, and when you see the speed and the state of the (barely) existing trenat (trains), you’ll know why. However, the trains are dirt cheap, and traveling on them is an adventure. Daily passenger trains leave suburban Tirana (the main train station in the city has been demolished and a new one was under construction in Laprakë in the northwest of the city, at the time of writing) for Durrës. Check timetables at the station in person, and buy your ticket 10 minutes before departure.
Aeroplan Dhe varkë (Airplane And Boat)
There are no internal flights and no shërbime varkash (boat services) within Albania.
Biçikleta (Bicycle)
Cycling in Albania is tough but certainly feasible. Expect lousy road conditions including open drains, some abysmal driving from fellow road users, and roads that barely qualify for the title. Organized groups head north for mountain biking, and cyclists are even spotted cycling the long and tough Korça–Gjirokastra road. Shkodra, Durrës, and Tirana are towns where you’ll see locals embracing the bike, and Tirana even has bike lanes and a bike-sharing scheme!
Makina Me Qira (Car Hire)
There are lots of car hire companies operating out of Tirana and Saranda, including all the major international agencies in the capital. Rates are low and quality generally good: hiring a small car costs as little as €20 per day. Rates include third-party insurance, with extra charges for full coverage.
Karburant Dhe Pjesë Kembimi (Fuel & Spare Parts)
There are pikë furnizimi me karburant (gas stations) on almost every road in Albania, but fill up before driving into the mountainous regions. As the range of cars being driven around Albania increases, so does the availability of spare parts, but it almost goes without saying that if you’re driving an old Mercedes-Benz there will be parts galore.
Rregullat E Rrugës (Road Rules)
Drinking and driving are forbidden, and there is zero-tolerance for blood-alcohol readings. Both motorcyclists and passengers must wear helmets. Speed limits are as low as 30km/h in built-up areas and 35km/h on the edges and there are plenty of traffic police monitoring the roads. Keep your car’s papers with you, as police are active checkers.
Ndal Një Makinë Të Rastit (Hitching)
Hitchhiking is quite a common way for travelers to get around — though it’s rare to see locals doing it. Hitching is never entirely safe, and we don’t recommend it. Travelers who hitch should understand that they are taking a small but potentially serious risk.
Albanian Vocabulary About Transportation
Let’s talk about Albanian vocabulary about means of transport.
Road Vehicles
Vehicles In Water Transportation
Vehicles In Air And Railway Transportation
Other Vehicles
Other Transport And Travel Words
Examples
A keni biçikletë? (Do you have a bicycle?)
Ai bleu një traktor të ri. (He bought a new tractor.)
Erdha me autobus. (I came by bus.)
Unë do të shkoj me makinë. (I will go by car.)
Nuk e di sa është kjo motor. (I don’t know how much this motorcycle is.)
Dua të blej një skuter. (I want to buy a scooter.)
Unë jam në një nxitim, unë do të marrë një taksi. (I am in a hurry, I will take a cab.)
Më pëlqen të udhëtoj me tren. (I like to travel by train.)
Çfarë ka në kamion? (What is in the truck?)
Ky jaht është shumë i shtrenjtë. (This yacht is very expensive.)
Unë kurrë nuk kam fluturuar me aeroplan. (I’ve never flown by airplane.)
Helikopteri po fluturon shumë ulët. (The helicopter is flying very low.)
Ambulanca arriti brenda disa minutave nga thirrja që u bë. (The ambulance arrived within minutes of the call being made.)
Ata kishin nevojë për një buldozer për të zhvendosur shkëmbin. (They needed a bulldozer to dislodge the rock.)
If you want to learn more words and phrases, you should consider using Ling App. This app can help you learn basic words and phrases or greetings In Albanian in an easy and fun way.
Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/tips/albanian-vocabulary-about-transportation/
