Data Roaming in Albania for Tourists 2024: Rates & How to Avoid it

Harper Thomas

|

Published: June 2024

Data roaming in Albania is a form of internet usage chosen by many tourists when they want to use a local SIM card. The article below will provide detailed information for tourists.

As you may know, data roaming in Albania is not for all travelers, it requires a local SIM card that has an agreement with the network operator in Albania. Therefore, this Gigago article will help visitors better understand data roaming information in this country. That’s so you know which internet connection method you will use when traveling.

I. Overview of Data Roaming in Albania for Tourists

Some general information about data roaming in Albania for tourists you need to know when coming to this country:

• Network coverage and availability: Albania has relatively good network coverage nationwide, especially in major cities and tourist destinations.
• Major mobile network operators in Albania: Vodafone Albania, One Mobile and ALBtelecom (now merged with Telekom Albania). These operators offer 3G and 4G/LTE services in most areas.
• Roaming services: Most international travelers can roam on Albanian networks using their home country’s SIM card, as long as their local mobile provider can agree to roam with the operators Albania
• Costs: Data roaming charges depend on your local SIM card provider and the specific roaming plan you have. Costs may include data usage charges, voice calls, and text messages
• Internet access: Travelers can access the Internet for a variety of purposes, including finding locations, communicating (text messages, voice calls), accessing online maps, and updating information about tourist attractions. attractions, restaurants and places to stay.

II. How Roaming in Albania Works

International data roaming allows you to use the internet based on your local SIM card when traveling to another country outside of your local operator’s coverage area. This helps you not need to buy a new SIM card but rather keep the SIM card fixed on the phone. 

For example, if you use a SIM card from any country and travel to Albania but want to keep the same SIM card, you need international data roaming to be able to connect to the internet.

Travelers can use international data roaming services in Albania from major carriers such as:

• Vodafone Albania: Entered the Albanian telecommunications market in August 2001
• Telekom Albania: The first company to obtain a license to provide 4G services in Albania
• ALBtelecom (Formerly Eagle Mobile): Formerly Eagle Mobile

III. Roaming Charges in Albania – Is It Expensive?

Yes, data roaming costs in Albania are said to be quite expensive. However, this fee depends on your home country and service provider in Albania. Data roaming fees in this country are currently falling sharply. As follows:

• Reduced from 60 Albanian lek ($0.64 USD)/MB to 2.4 Albanian lek ($0.03 USD)/MB for prepaid subscriptions
• From 50 Albanian lek ($0.53 USD)/MB to 2.4 Albanian lek ($0.03 USD)/MB for individual contract subscribers
• From 40 Albanian lek ($0.42 USD)/MB to 2.4 Albanian lek($0.03 USD)/MB for Business Contract subscribers

Data roaming fees in Albania according to network operators are as follows:

• Vodafone Albania: from 400 ALL ($4.23 USD) to 1300 ALL ($13.74 USD)
• Telekom Albania (One): from 250 ALL ($2.64 USD) to 1500 ALL ($15.85 USD)
• ALBtelecom: formerly known as Eagle Mobile has also merged into One from 2022

IV. How to Activate Roaming Service for Albania in Your Cell Phone?

To activate roaming service to Albania on your mobile phone, follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose your reputable and preferred supplier

You need to identify the service provider first after comparing costs. You can keep your mobile plan in your home country or use a mobile service provider in Albania.

If you want to keep your home mobile plan and your network operator is one of the following, here’s the information for you:

Step 2: Enable data roaming for your service provider

You should refer to the official website of your chosen operator for further details on how to activate various roaming services. Here is an example with the carrier Vodafone: download My Vodafone (Vodafone’s app) > Select “International Roaming” in the item options> select the country as Albania > Done, you have successfully roamed.

Additionally, some additional plans are available but are not worth the extra charge for EU/EEA, activate the data roaming plan by dialing: #123# > 5 > Roaming > 1 (select a roaming plan region).

Step 3: Buy a mobile plan with roaming feature in Albania

Is it important for a package to have a roaming feature?

Regular international data roaming rates are often expensive. Purchasing plans with roaming features will ensure that you won’t have to pay roaming fees when using the internet in Albania.

Step 4: Turn on data roaming on your phone to use

• On Android: Go to settings > Click “Data roaming” > Turn on “International roaming”
• On iOS (iPhone): Go to settings > Go to “mobile” > Click “Data roaming”

V. How to Avoid Roaming Charges When Traveling to Albania

To avoid data roaming fees when visiting Albania, visitors can refer to the following ways

• Turn off data roaming when not in use
• Use reputable public wifi whenever possible
• Turn off the automatic application update feature on your phone
• Consider choosing a local SIM/eSIM card instead for data roaming (Know if your phone is unlocked or not and check if your phone is eSIM compatible by checking the compatibility list eSIM across carriers)
• Monitor and control your data usage properly

VI. Albania eSIM – Alternative to Data Roaming in Albania to Get Internet

In addition to roaming, tourists can also stay in touch with friends and family, get the Internet in Albania by using travel eSIM Albania. One piece of advice for travelers is to choose prepaid and data-only if you want to save money. This Gigago can help you with multiple data packages from 7 days, 14 days and 30 days to easily choose according to your needs.

Albania eSIM can be an alternative to data roaming in Albania as eSIM prices often have more data plan options and are cheaper. Furthermore, eSIM can be purchased through online installation by scanning the QR code received via email without having to go through cumbersome steps of providing personal information.

VII. How to Turn Off Data Roaming When Traveling in Albania

The following steps help you turn off data roaming when you don’t need to use it on your phone:

1. Turn off international roaming on Android When Traveling in Albania

• Go to the “Settings” app on your Android device
• Select “Network & Internet” or “Connections” in the options
• Select “Mobile networks” or “Mobile networks”
• Find the “Data roaming” option and select it
• Toggle the circular switch next to “Data roaming” to turn off data roaming.

2. Turn off international roaming on iPhones

• On your iPhone, open the “Settings” app
• Scroll down to find “Cellular” or “Cellular data” (depending on iOS version)
• Select “Data roaming” on the options section
• Turn the circular toggle on the side of “Data roaming” to the off position
• Tap “Off” or “Off” to confirm turning off data roaming.

VIII. FAQs

IX. Conclusion

The above article shares information about data roaming in Albania. Hopefully Gigago has brought useful information for tourists on their upcoming trip to Albania.