The short version: Plan your cash needs before you repeatedly withdraw small amounts.

Who it suits: Budget-conscious travellers relying on cards and small withdrawals.

The catch: My ATM fees were often around 700 lek before card-provider charges; fees varied and can change.

Top Tip: “ABI” bank ATMs had the lowest fees that I could find (500 lek withdrawals, using a “Wise” international card)

Visit: September 2026 · Across Albania · Albania

Cheap does not mean friction-free

Albania was cheaper than much of Europe, but not as cheap as its reputation had led me to expect. Cash, ATM fees and practical infrastructure created some of the friction.

Accommodation was often paid in cash. If you are used to putting almost everything on a card, that changes the way you need to plan.

Small withdrawals became an expensive habit

The ATM fees I remembered ranged from about 500 to 900 lek, typically around 700, before any card-provider charges. Those are observations from my visit, not a fixed national fee.

Rather than repeatedly withdrawing tiny amounts, estimate what you will need for accommodation, transport and meals over the next stretch. I found Albania to be very safe overall and, in hindsight, I definitely could have comfortably carried more cash on me to prevent the constant withdrawals.

Keep an eye out for ABI ATMs around Albania – these helped me reduce the pain with 500 lek withdrawals (before card issuer fees). Bear in mind the fees might vary based on your card issuer, but with Wise, these were my tiny savings oasis.

Keep the small notes for daily life

Big withdrawals and small spending money are different problems. Bus drivers and smaller businesses may struggle to change a large note for a small purchase.

Try to break your big notes (2000 lek and above) at larger stores/chains or on more expensive purchases (e.g. a restaurant dinner).

Ask about payment methods in advance (especially with accommodation!), keep manageable denominations, and read the ATM fee screen before accepting. The boring practical stuff earns its place in a good trip.