Travel Options, Travel

ARRIVING IN ALGERIA

The most popular and common way of arriving in Algeria is by airplane. Algeria’s national airline is Air Algerie, although a variety of airlines offer flights to Algeria. A flight from London to Algiers takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Your plane is most likely to land at Algiers Airport, which is situated just 20km out of Algiers. In the airport you can take advantage of the following facilities: tourist office, bank, shops, restaurants and car hire. Buses and trains as well as taxis will run you from the airport to the city in just 30 minutes. You can also arrive in Algeria by means of the Algerie Ferries, which collect passengers in Marseille and Alicante. Algeria’s ports are located at Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Bejaia and Skikda. A railway line will carry you into Algeria from Tunisia. It runs through Constantine and Annaba before arriving in Algiers. A daily train also runs from Marrakech to Algiers. Reservations must be made in advance to make use of these trains. The main roadway entry points into Algeria are at Maghnia, Souk-Ahras, El-Kala, In Guezzam, Fort Thiriet and Bordj Mokhtar. The roads are in generally good condition and are paved. Routes through the desert will require the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle. You will also require an international driving permit to travel these roads. Coach services also make use of these routes from Morocco and Tunisia.

TRAVEL OPTIONS IN ALGERIA

Domestic flights are available between Algeria’s airports in Algiers, Annaba, Oran and Constantine. Less frequent flights are offered to Ghardaia, Ouargla, In Amenas and Hassi Messaoud. Sandstorms during the summer months may cause certain delays in air travel; however is is generally a reliable form of transportation. Public ferries run between Algeria’s main coastal ports of Algiers, Arzew, Ghazaouet, Oran, Annaba, Bejaia, Mostaganem, Skikda and Djidjelli. Besides a convenient means of transport, the ferries are a great way to see Algeria from a different perspective. The Societe Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires control the railways in Algeria. Daily trips run in the northern regions of the country, though this is a very slow way of getting around. Certain routes to the southern areas of Algeria run only once a day. Algeria’s roads are in generally good condition. Those traveling to more isolated areas must make use of four-wheel drive vehicles in good repair and carry extra fuel. Avoid traveling at night in Algeria. Car hire is possible from the airport and in the cities. It is necessary to have an international driving permit to make use of this service. Coaches are available between the larger towns but these should be avoided for long journeys. In Algiers you can get around by means of the municipal buses and trams. If you would like to use a taxi ensure it is one that is recommended by the hotel in which you are staying. Taxis are metered and may charge an additional fee when traveling at night.

For further information on travel options in Algeria visit our “Car Hire and Rental” and “Flights” pages. Always keep your valuables in a safe place when using public transportation and avoid any vehicles that appear unsafe. Enjoy your journey through Algeria!

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