Vehicles

1. makinë

   Car

   Usage

   The everyday word; it literally means "machine" and context makes it the car. The definite form is "makina"

2. autobus

   City bus

   Usage

   The city bus; the stop is a "stacion". In Tirana you pay a conductor in cash once you are on board

3. furgon

   Shared minibus

   Usage

   The van that really moves people between Albanian towns. There is no timetable: it leaves when it fills. The destination sits on a card in the windscreen, you can flag it down anywhere, and you usually pay the driver as you get off

4. autobus ndërqytetës

   Intercity coach

   Usage

   Bigger than a "furgon", with a timetable and a lower fare, on the main runs such as Tirana–Shkodër and Tirana–Sarandë

5. tren

   Train

   Usage

   The same word as in "A ka tren për Shkodër?" in the Transportation category. Albania's rail network has shrunk to a few lines around Durrës, so in practice you travel by bus or "furgon"

6. taksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Many have no meter, so agree the fare first: "Sa kushton deri në…?" — how much to…?

7. motoçikletë

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   The Ionian coast road is a favourite ride; helmets are compulsory

8. biçikletë

   Bicycle

   Usage

   Shkodër is flat and known as a cycling town, with plenty of rentals

9. trotinet

   Scooter (kick / electric)

   Usage

   The electric kind is "trotinet elektrik"; share schemes operate in Tirana

10. avion

    Airplane

    Usage

    There are no domestic flights, so the word comes up for international travel through Tirana's Mother Teresa airport. Also "aeroplan"

11. anije

    Ship

    Usage

    The word for a large vessel — the liners calling at Durrës and Sarandë

12. traget

    Ferry

    Usage

    For the Italian crossings from Durrës to Bari and Ancona, and Sarandë to Corfu. The Koman lake boat through the fjord-like gorge is also a "traget"

13. varkë

    Small boat

    Usage

    A rowing or small motor boat, for trips on Lake Ohrid and Lake Shkodra or a hop to a cove

14. gomone

    Inflatable boat

    Usage

    The fast little craft used for cave and hidden-beach tours around Ksamil and the Karaburun peninsula; trips are cancelled in rough weather

15. ambulancë

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Dial 127, or 112 for the common European number. Pair it with "Thirrni një ambulancë!" from the Health & Hospital category

16. makinë me qira

    Rental car

    Usage

    Built on the same "me qira" — for hire — as in the Skiing & Winter Sports category. Mountain roads are often unsurfaced, so read the insurance exclusions carefully

17. kamion

    Truck

    Usage

    The word you will hear when a border queue or a mountain road is jammed

18. traktor

    Tractor

    Usage

    They use the main roads in farming country, so watch for oncoming traffic when you overtake

19. karrocë

    Horse cart

    Usage

    A horse- or donkey-drawn cart, still in daily use in the countryside — and on main roads, so drive carefully

20. teleferik

    Cable car

    Usage

    The same word as in "Ku është teleferiku?" in the Skiing & Winter Sports category. The Dajti Ekspres out of Tirana is among the longest in the Balkans and gives the full view over the city

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