Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Getting into Algeria is easy enough, with flights from Europe and within Africa flying directly to Algiers, Oran, Annaba and Constantine in the North and to Tamanrasset and Djanet in the south. Ferries link the northern cities of Algiers, Annaba, Bejaia, Oran and Skikda with Marseilles in France and Algiers and Oran with Alicante in Spain. Land crossings are altogether less reliable and riskier, with the Moroccan border closed, and the Mauritanian and southerly Libyan crossings unsafe. All self-drive tourists entering southern Algeria through Mali, Niger and Libya must arrange to be met at the border by an Algerian guide. Tour agencies in Tamanrasset, Djanet and Adrar can arrange this.

Getting around

Following the tourist abductions of 2003, self-drive travellers are required to be accompanied by an Algerian guide. Trains operate between the major cities in the north and there's a network of buses, minibuses and shared taxi services throughout the country. However, travelling long distances by public transport requires a great deal of time and patience.

Because of the huge distances involved, flying can be a good way to get around Algeria; there's an excellent network of regional airports. For the more popular and less frequent routes, such as Tamanrasset or Djanet to Algiers, it pays to book well in advance (if you can!). Before boarding an internal flight, you will notice the flights' baggage laid on the tarmac. You have to identify your bag to the ground staff before they put it on the plane. If you don't, it'll get left behind.

Visa information

Nationals of Israel are not allowed into the country. A visa is required for other visitors (excluding citizens of Libya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Western Sahara, the Seychelles, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen). For an application from your home country, you'll need to provide proof of employment, an 'invitation' to visit the country from an Algerian contact or tourist agency (available from several travel agencies in Tamanrasset, Djanet and Ghardaia) and two passport photographs. Getting a visa en route is usually possible in Niger, Chad and Mali. A 30-day visa costs around 35.00. Some embassies ask for photocopies of your passport.