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Getting To and Around in Algeria |
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Getting To Algeria
Getting Around
in Algeria
| Almost everyone who arrives in Algeria does so my air.
In
the US the best way to find inexpensive flights is by checking the Sunday
Travel Section of local newspapers. You should also contact your
travel agent with a "window" of times when you can fly so the
agent can begin searching for a good deal. Sometimes it is less expensive
to find a good flight out of the East Coast of the US to London,
and then fly from there. Of course, many people also opt to travel
to Algeria on tours. And for me anyway, this might be the best and safest
way to do so. However, flying is not the only way to arrive in Algeria. By Air By Rail By Sea On the Road |
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Air:
You can fly to and from Algeria to Europe, the Middle East, and West
Africa. There are no direct flights to the Americas, Asia, or
Oceania. Daily flights to Casablanca and Tunis.
Algeria's national airline is Air Algérie (AH). Other airlines serving Algeria are BA, Balkan, Egyptair, KLM, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia, Syrian Arab Airlines, and Tunis Air. International airports are Algiers (ALG) (Houari Boumediène) which is about 12 miles (20km) east of Algiers. Buses and trains will get you into the city in about 30 minutes and operate from 0600-1900. Taxis are also available. For additional information, or to purchase tickets, click on Getting Away Airfare Information and Ticketing. NOTE: If you are flying from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America; you may have to first search for a flight to a major city in Europe, and then look for a flight from that city to Algeria.
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For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.
Rail:
There is one daily train connecting Algiers with Tunis via Constantine
and Annaba. Be sure to make a reservation as it is required for this route.
First-class carriages are air-conditioned and the train has a buffet car and couchettes.
Another
daily train runs between Algiers and Marrakech with stops en route at Oran, Fès, Mèknes,
Rabat and Casablanca. Reservations are required and a supplement is charged.
Air-conditioned coaches and light refreshments/buffet car are available.
Sea:
The major shipping
line is Entreprise Nationale de Transport Maritime de Voyageurs-Algérie
Ferries. The main ports are Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Béjaia and Oran.
Regular
shipping lines serve Algiers from Mediterranean ports.
West Med Ferries
Road:
The main road entry points are Maghnia (Morocco), Souk-Ahras, Tebessa
and El Kala (Tunisia), Fort Thiriet (Libya), In Guezzam (Niger) and Bordj
Mokhtar (Mali). There is a pretty good network of paved roads in the coastal regions
and paved roads also connect the major towns in the northern Sahara. Further south,
the only really good roads are the stretches of paved roads on the two trans-Saharan
'highways', one of which runs to the west through Reggane and up through Morocco
to the coast, and the other through Tamanrasset and Djanet and on to
Ghardaia and Algiers. Please note that many desert 'roads' are not what
you might expect, but rather, up to 6 mile-wide (10km) areas of unimproved desert
that are suitable only for well-maintained
4-wheel-drive vehicles.
Coach services, run by National Travel and Transport
Company, offer international routes to Tunisia and Morocco.
By Air
On Land
By Rail
On the Sea
Air:
There is an extensive domestic air network and this may be the preferred method of travel.
Air Algérie operates frequent services from the Algiers domestic airport, which
is located adjacent to Algiers International, to the major business centers of
Annaba, Constantine and Oran. There is also less frequent services run
from Algiers, Oran, Constantine and Annaba to Ghardaia (six hours from Algiers),
Ouargla, In Amenas, and Hassi Messaoud. Air service is generally reliable, but
air travel to the far south may be subject to delay during the dry summer months
because of sand storms. Despite this, air is by far the most practical means of
getting to the far south for the visitor with limited resources of time.
Djanet and Tamanrasset are the oasis gateways to the Tassili N'Ajjer and the
Hoggar respectively.
All Internal flights have to be paid for in Foreign Currency and you may will
need to show your currency exchange form to purchase a ticket. In most cases you
need to book your seat well in advance of your intended flight.
Road:
You can travel by train
between Oran, Algiers, Constantine and Anaba. Trains also run south to Bécher
and from Constantine to Touggourt. Many of the roadways are unsafe and it is not recommended that you travel
by car unless you are very familiar with the areas, have a good guide, or
are using a service. Road surfaces are reasonably good on the paved
sections of roadways. All vehicles traveling in the desert should be in good
mechanical condition, as breakdown facilities are practically
non-existent. Car hire Can be arranged through the state-run travel
agency ONAT at the airport on arrival or in most towns. Many hotels can also
arrange car hire. Cars are allowed entry for three months without duty.
Insurance must be purchased at the border. Proof of ownership is essential.
Long-distance buses are run by the national bus company and are generally
comfortable, reliable and fast where the roads allow. Relatively
inexpensive coaches link major towns. Although services are regular, this
mode of travel is not recommended for long journeys, such as travel to the south
from the coastal strip. Services leave from the coach stations close to
the centers of Algiers and Oran. There are
long distance buses which on the whole are comfortable, fairly reliable and fast
but are fairly expensive. You may have to book a few days in advance if you want
to get to Tamanrasset.
Driving is on the right hand side. An
International Driving Licence is required and if you are travelling in your own
vehicle a carnet de passage is usually required. Most the roads are in
relatively good condition. If travelling through the Sahara, be sure to have
sufficient fuel and water to see you through. Many hotels can arrange car hire
as well as ONAT, a state run travel agency. Alghough you can drive yourself, it
is suggested that you hire a local driver or use one of the local rental or
lease companies with a driver.
In small towns and villages, where road transportation is
poor, it is possible to rent donkeys, camels and horses.
It is suggested that you not try to hitch a ride to
get around Algeria as it is not safe at the present time to hitch.
Rail:
There is train service in Algeria, but it is generally slow. However, it
can be safer traveling by train than driving. There are 4000km (2500
miles) of railway in Algeria. Daily (but fairly slow) services operate in
the northern part of the country between Algiers and Oran, Béjaia, Skikda,
Annaba and Constantine. Southern routes connect once a day from Annaba to
Tebessa via Souk Ahras, Constantine with Touggourt via Biskra (twice a day) and
Mohammadia with Bechar. Trains on the southern routes only carry
second-class coaches.
Sea:
Ferry service, run by the government, operate
from the main coastal ports: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Béjaia, Djidjelli,
Ghazaouet, Mostaganem, Oran and Skikda. There are also many riverboats and lake ferries in the area and
throughout Africa.
Perhaps the best way to get around in Algeria is on an
organized tour.
If you have anything you believe I should add to this page of Getting Away, please send me the information and I will check it out. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
