Ulcinj to Shkodër by Car: Documents, Border Crossing, and a One-Day Itinerary

Shkodër sits just 40 km from Ulcinj – the nearest major Albanian city, reachable in about an hour including the border crossing. Even as a day trip, it delivers: Rozafa Castle, Lake Shkodër from the Albanian side, and a walkable pedestrian center make for a full experience. The real question isn't what to see – it's what paperwork you need for the rental car and whether border guards will let you through.

Key facts:

• Distance – approximately 40 km from central Ulcinj to central Shkodër, driving time 40–60 minutes without border queues
• Border crossing – Sukobin (Montenegro) / Muriqan (Albania), open 24/7, the only checkpoint on the coastal route
• Mandatory car documents – written cross-border authorization from your rental company and a Green Card (international third-party liability insurance)
• Crossing costs – cross-border fee €45–69 (one-time for entire rental period) + Green Card €15–50 depending on provider
• Currency in Albania – Albanian lek (ALL), though euros are widely accepted in tourist areas of Shkodër
• Fuel in Albania – approximately €1.80 per liter, about 20% more expensive than Montenegro (≈ €1.49); fill up before the border
• Border queues – 5–15 minutes on weekdays, up to 30–45 minutes on summer weekends

The most important step is sorting paperwork before your trip – ideally when booking the car. The border crossing itself is straightforward, but without proper documents you'll either be turned back or (worse) let through with invalid insurance coverage.

Complete document checklist:

Critical: Notify your rental company about cross-border plans when booking. Requesting authorization at the pickup counter often results in a refusal or inflated fees.

The budget for crossing depends on whether you're renting in Montenegro or Albania. Most travelers heading to Shkodër will be coming from Montenegro.

Renting in Montenegro, driving to Albania:

• Cross-border fee – €45–69 (one-time payment for the entire rental period, not daily)
• Green Card – often included in the fee; if not, €15–30 extra
• Total – approximately €60–100 on top of rental costs

When booking through Localrent, cross-border arrangements tend to be simpler: local partner companies are accustomed to Balkan routes by default, deposits average €300 (compared to €800–1,500 at international chains), and some cars require zero deposit. (Updated: February 2026)

Renting in Albania, driving to Montenegro:

• Cross-border fee – €40–60 (one-time)
• Green Card – €15–50, mandatory for entering Montenegro on Albanian plates
• Total – €55–110

You can purchase a Green Card at the border booth (open 24/7), but getting it from your rental company is less stressful and roughly the same price.

The checkpoint sits 15 km south of Shkodër and roughly 20 km from central Ulcinj. It's a joint facility – both countries' border officers operate under one roof, which speeds things up.

Step-by-step (Montenegro → Albania):

1. Approach the barrier – Montenegrin border police check passports (occasionally vehicle documents)
2. Proceed to the Albanian post – passport control, sometimes a question about your visit purpose
3. If you don't have a Green Card – purchase one at the booth on the left (green-and-white "Border Insurance Green Card" sign)
4. Customs – usually a formality for passenger vehicles

Tip: Carry cash in euros. Cards are not accepted at the border. Green Card and any minor fees are cash-only.

Alternative crossing – Hani i Hotit / Božaj, on the route toward Podgorica. It's larger and busier, but more practical if you're heading deeper into Albania rather than Shkodër.

Shkodër is Albania's fifth-largest city, but in terms of character, it punches well above its weight. The city sits at the confluence of the Drin and Buna rivers, on the shore of Lake Shkodër – the largest lake in the Balkans, shared between Montenegro and Albania.

A 4–6 hour itinerary:

Rozafa Castle – the city's main attraction. The fortress crowns a hill with panoramic views over the lake, rivers, and mountains. Admission is 400 lek (≈ €4), the museum inside costs an additional 200 lek. Free parking near the upper entrance. The climb is steep, but driving up is straightforward.

Kole Idromeno pedestrian zone – the heart of the city. Cafés, restaurants, street art. Albanian coffee culture is a genre of its own: a macchiato costs 100–150 lek (€1–1.50), and locals can nurse a single cup for hours. Lunch at a restaurant runs 800–1,500 lek (€8–15) per person – noticeably cheaper than tourist-oriented Ulcinj.

Lake Shkodër from the Albanian side – if you've already seen the lake from Montenegro (for example, from Virpazar), the Albanian shore offers a different perspective. Drive to the village of Shiroka (8 km from the center) for boat rentals. In summer, the shoreline turns into a local beach.

Lead Mosque – an 18th-century Ottoman mosque at the foot of Rozafa hill. It was the first mosque to reopen in Albania after the fall of communism.

Mes Bridge – an Ottoman stone bridge 8 km from the city. Worth a detour if time allows.

One compelling reason to visit Shkodër is the noticeable price difference. Albania is broadly cheaper than Montenegro, and this is evident even in tourist areas.

(Updated: February 2026)

The paradox: while food and services are cheaper in Albania, fuel is more expensive. Fill up in Montenegro before the border – the difference is 20–25% per liter.

The road from the border to Shkodër is a decent 15 km stretch of paved road with no surprises. But driving habits differ from Montenegro.

Key points:

• Speed limits: 40 km/h in town, 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 110 km/h on motorways
• Police with speed cameras are common on the approach to Shkodër – don't speed up after the border
• Pedestrians frequently walk on the roadway, particularly on the city outskirts
• Parking in central Shkodër is free or nominal; finding a spot is generally easy
• Daytime running lights are mandatory

Yes, if:

• You already have a rental car with cross-border authorization – the trip costs only fuel
• You want to experience a country that feels fundamentally different from Montenegro in a single day
• You appreciate food culture – Shkodër offers excellent Albanian cuisine at prices you won't find in Montenegro anymore

No, if:

• You don't have cross-border authorization and would need to arrange it solely for a one-day trip – the €60–100 surcharge may not justify a brief excursion
• You dislike border procedures and queues (up to 45 minutes on summer weekends)
• You're traveling without a car – buses from Ulcinj to Shkodër exist but schedules are unreliable, and a taxi costs €20–30

1. Do I need a visa to visit Albania from Montenegro?

No. Citizens of most countries can stay in Albania for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Check visa requirements for your nationality before traveling, but most European, North American, and many Asian passport holders enter visa-free. A valid passport is sufficient at the border.

2. Can I cross the border in a rental car without a Green Card?

Technically, some travelers report being waved through, but this is a significant risk. Without a Green Card, you bear full financial liability in case of an accident, and your rental agreement is considered void the moment you cross. The Green Card costs €15–50 – negligible compared to potential losses.

3. How much time should I plan for a round trip from Ulcinj to Shkodër?

Allow at least 5–6 hours for a comfortable visit. One hour each way (including the border), 3–4 hours exploring Shkodër. Depart in the morning – you'll be in Albania by midday and back by evening.

4. Are euros accepted in Shkodër?

Yes, restaurants and shops in the tourist center accept euros, but at unfavorable exchange rates. It's better to withdraw lek from an ATM (available on the main pedestrian street). Around €20–30 worth of lek will cover lunch, coffee, and the castle entrance fee.

5. Does my Montenegrin mobile plan work in Albania?

No – you'll be in roaming. For internet access, the easiest option is to activate an eSIM with Balkan coverage before your trip. For connectivity options in both countries, see Best eSIMs for Montenegro and Albania.

Read also:

• Border Routes: Where to Go from Montenegro for a One-Day Trip
• Car Rental in Montenegro: Everything Tourists Need to Know
• Parking in Montenegro: Where You Can Leave Your Car and How Much It Costs
• Travel Insurance in Montenegro: Do You Need It and How to Choose