Parking in central Tirana has become a significant monthly and yearly expense for many workers who commute by car. For those who park in public lots or on-street parking spaces near their workplaces, daily fees range from a minimum of 500 ALL to a maximum of 800 ALL. Over a typical working month of 22 days, this adds up to a monthly cost of 11,000 to 17,600 ALL. Over the course of a year, this translates into a hefty 132,000 to 210,000 ALL—approximately 1,350 to 2,160 euros—spent solely on securing a parking space.
Public Parking Options and Tariffs
The Municipality of Tirana has developed a series of underground public parking facilities over the last decade. The first such project, the underground parking at Skanderbeg Square, opened in 2017. Its tariff system is standardized:
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Up to 3 hours: 200 ALL
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3 to 8 hours: 500 ALL
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8 to 12 hours: 800 ALL
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12 to 24 hours: 500 ALL
These same rates are applied to other public parking areas built more recently, including:
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“7 Xhuxhat” (2019)
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“Italia” Square near Air Albania Stadium (2020)
Some underground parking facilities offer even more affordable rates. For example, the parking garages near the New Boulevard (2017) and the Tirana Zoo (2022) charge:
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Up to 3 hours: 100 ALL
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3 to 8 hours: 250 ALL
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8 to 24 hours: 300 ALL
Private Parking: A More Expensive Alternative
Private underground and surface parking lots charge significantly higher rates. At Toptani Shopping Center, the daily parking costs are:
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1 hour: 100 ALL
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1–3 hours: 200 ALL
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3–5 hours: 500 ALL
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5–8 hours: 600 ALL
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8–10 hours: 800 ALL
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10–16 hours: 1,200 ALL
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16–24 hours: 1,500 ALL
At The Plaza Hotel, the pricing structure is similarly high:
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1 hour: 200 ALL
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2 hours: 300 ALL
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3 hours: 400 ALL
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Increasing by 100 ALL per hour up to 7 hours
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Full-day parking: 1,500 ALL
Surface Parking: Public vs Private
In public open-air parking areas managed by the Municipality, the same rate system as underground parking applies:
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200 ALL for up to 3 hours
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500 ALL for 3 to 8 hours
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800 ALL for 8 to 12 hours
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500 ALL for 12 to 24 hours
Private surface parking is considerably more expensive, with hourly rates ranging from 100 to 300 ALL. For instance:
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Near the Parliament building: 150 ALL/hour, up to 1,200 ALL for 8 hours
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Near “Petro Nini Luarasi” High School: 300 ALL/hour
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In the Komuna e Parisit area: 200 ALL/hour
Conclusion
As Tirana continues to develop and urbanize, the cost of parking has become an increasingly heavy burden for employees who drive to work. With monthly parking expenses reaching up to 180 euros, many citizens are forced to reconsider their commuting habits. The significant disparity between public and private parking rates underscores the need for broader investment in affordable transportation alternatives and more efficient urban planning.