Can I rent a car in Tirana and return it in Croatia?

Yes, on eligible bookings. A one-way rental between selected locations in Albania and Croatia has to be arranged in advance, and one-way and cross-border fees apply depending on the route and car.

Which countries do I drive through from Tirana to Dubrovnik?

Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. The usual route goes north via Shkodër into Montenegro, along the coast past Budva and the Bay of Kotor, and into Croatia towards Dubrovnik.

Do I need a Green Card to drive from Albania to Croatia?

Yes. Albania and Montenegro are outside the EU, so the car needs a Green Card. With M.A.C.K. it comes with the cross-border fee, and one Green Card covers the whole trip.

Can I do the trip in reverse, from Croatia to Albania?

Yes. You can pick up the car in Dubrovnik, Split or Zagreb and drive south through Montenegro to Albania, returning it at an agreed location there.

Which airlines fly to Tirana?

Tirana International Airport has a growing number of European connections, including low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Tirana to Croatia Road Trip: One-Way Car Rental

Tirana is fast becoming a popular starting point for travellers exploring the Balkans. With more and more flights, visitors are discovering Albania and then looking beyond its borders for their next stop.

That is where a Balkan road trip comes in. Imagine landing in Tirana, collecting your rental car and driving north through Montenegro to Croatia. From the old streets of Dubrovnik to the Dalmatian coast around Split and all the way up to Zagreb, there is plenty to see along the way.

The best part? You do not have to come back to where you started. With M.A.C.K. Rent a Car you can arrange a one-way rental between selected locations in Albania and Croatia, so the trip fits your plans.

Why Start Your Balkan Road Trip in Tirana?

Tirana International Airport keeps adding connections to European cities, which makes the Albanian capital an increasingly convenient place to land. Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air have grown their networks there, giving travellers more ways to start a holiday in Albania.

But the trip does not have to end there. With Montenegro and Croatia to the north, Tirana can be the start of a journey through three countries, combining historic towns, the coast, national parks and local life.

A Ryanair plane parked on the apron with passengers boarding from the tarmac

Tirana's apartment blocks and busy streets glowing in the evening light

Tirana to Dubrovnik: Three Countries in One Journey

Leaving Tirana, head north towards Shkodër before crossing into Montenegro. Along the way, stop in Budva, explore Kotor’s Old Town or take in the scenery around the Bay of Kotor.

Then carry on into Croatia, where Dubrovnik is waiting with its famous walls, old streets and views over the Adriatic. It is the ideal route if you want to see several places without returning to your starting point. For the drive in detail, see our Tirana to Dubrovnik guide.

The old stone walls and bastion of Kotor rising from the water below the mountains

A convertible parked on a coastal road above Dubrovnik at sunset

Continue to Split: More of the Dalmatian Coast

Why stop in Dubrovnik? Keep going north to Split and take your time along the Croatian coast. The Pelješac peninsula, the Makarska Riviera and the smaller coastal towns all make easy extra stops.

Once in Split, explore Diocletian’s Palace, enjoy the waterfront or plan a trip out to the islands. If you want to see Albania, Montenegro and Croatia in one holiday, this is a great way to experience different sides of the Adriatic.

Tirana to Zagreb: From the Coast to Croatia’s Capital

If you have more time, take the road trip beyond the coast. Zagreb shows a completely different side of Croatia, with its cafés, museums, historic streets and lively centre. Head north through Croatia and add Zadar or the Plitvice Lakes National Park on the way. It is a great choice if you want more than a beach holiday.

The yellow Art Pavilion in Zagreb behind a park with tulips in bloom

And Yes, You Can Travel in Reverse

Your trip can start in Croatia too. Fly into Dubrovnik, Split or Zagreb, collect your car and head south through Montenegro to Albania, with its beaches waiting at the end of the road.

A one-way rental lets you arrive in one city and leave from another, instead of planning the whole holiday around returning the car. That is especially handy when flights, accommodation or plans simply work better in one direction.

Straw parasols and sunloungers on an Albanian beach with clear blue sea

Rows of straw parasols on a pebble beach in front of the town of Sarandë

Cross-Border Car Rental: What Should You Know?

Driving between Albania, Montenegro and Croatia means crossing two international borders, so a little preparation goes a long way.

Make sure everyone in the car has the right travel documents for each country.
Your rental agreement must include permission to enter every country on the route. With M.A.C.K. this is arranged in advance, on eligible bookings.
Albania and Montenegro are outside the EU, so the car needs a Green Card. It comes with the cross-border fee, and one Green Card covers the whole trip.
Cross-border and one-way fees depend on your route, car and rental conditions, and they are shown on your quote.

Our team will help you understand the requirements before you set off. You can also read our cross-border page and Green Card guide.

One-Way Rentals with M.A.C.K. Rent a Car

A Balkan road trip is much easier when the car fits your plans rather than the other way round. Whether you are driving from Tirana to Dubrovnik, carrying on to Split or planning the longer trip to Zagreb, M.A.C.K. offers flexible rentals built around your route. And if you are starting in Croatia and heading for Albania, the same works in reverse.

Choose your starting point. Plan your route. Return the car at an agreed destination.

From Tirana to Croatia: A Balkan Coast Road Trip Through Three Countries (and in Reverse)