Planning a visit - have questions please

[sam1000]

I've looked around and can't get very much information on visas. The issue is that I am planning a round the world trip and want to include a trip from Oran to Algiers to Constantine by train. I start my trip in April but will arrive in Algeria only 2-3 months later. My questions are:

Is traveling by train from Oran to Algiers, Algiers to Constantine safe for a foreigner? I only know 2 words in Arabic and my French is not that good

Is it possible to cross into Tunisia (and onto Tunis) by train? any safety issues again at the border crossing? Are there train connections?

Regarding visa application, they say I need a confirmed hotel reservation and a ticket. I will probably be buying my tickets a month before I leave for Algeria and I will be in Europe at the time but I have to apply for a visa from here in the USA. Any ideas if they require just an itinerary or do they need an actual ticket? For hotel reservations I don't know the exact date yet so what can I do about that? Is there another way?

Is it possible for me as an American citizen to apply for an Algerian visa from Spain or Morrocco?

Thanks much for any help!

[New_Friend]

Hello Sam1000,

The Algerian Embassy in D.C. should be able to answer all your questions. Here's their info page on obtaining visas:

Embassy of Algeria in the United-States of America - VISA TO ALGERIA

Happy travels!