Public phones

Some pay phones do work, but those at hotels and post offices often work better. Telephone cards are available at post offices. 50 unit cards cost 560 lek; 100 units 980 lek; 200 units 1800 lek. New cards should be wrapped in clear plastic. People on the street also sell cards; beware that you'll likely be paying more. Don't let them get away until you have verified the card at a public telephone. If you don't plan to talk away a whole card, you can rent one from the 'businessmen' lingering near the phone boxes. Prices will run about 15-20 lek per unit.