Travel in Algeria: the complete practical guide

In short: Algeria means Algiers and its UNESCO-listed Casbah, Oran and its bay, Constantine and its suspension bridges, and further south, the vast Sahara. French citizens apply for a visa at the consulate before departure. On the spot, bring cash: the dinar can only be exchanged in Algeria.

Partner links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to go to Algeria

• Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November): the best time for the northern cities, Algiers, Oran and Constantine.
• Summer: beach season on the Mediterranean coast; very hot inland.
• October to April: Sahara season (Tassili n’Ajjer, the Hoggar, the M’Zab Valley).

Entry requirements

• French citizens: a visa is required, even for a short tourist stay. Apply before departure at the Algerian consulate for your place of residence. There is no e-visa and no visa on arrival for a standard stay.
• Dual French-Algerian nationals: specific rules apply; check with the consulate before you go.
• Passport: check the validity and number of blank pages required by the consulate.

Rules depend on your nationality: check them with the Algerian consulate and your government’s travel advice.

Coming from Morocco?

• Moroccans: Algeria reintroduced visas for Moroccan passport holders on 26 September 2024. The land border between the two countries has been closed since 1994: you travel by air, often with a connection.

Travelling from Algeria?

PicksAndTrips also helps you plan trips from Algeria, anywhere in the world:

• Foreign-currency budget: in July 2026 the Bank of Algeria set the tourist allowance at €750 per year for travellers aged 19 and over, for a stay abroad of at least seven days. Check the details with your bank before you leave.
• Hotels: on Booking.com, many properties offer pay at the property or free cancellation: filter the results to book without paying in advance.
• Nearby destinations: Tunisia is the easiest neighbouring destination, and Mauritania does not require a visa for Algerian nationals. See our guides Travel in Tunisia and Travel in Mauritania.
• Türkiye: since a decree of 19 June 2026, Algerians under 15 and over 50 are visa-exempt (tourism or transit, 90 days in 180); others still need a visa. See our Istanbul page.
• Internet: install a travel eSIM before you leave to be online on arrival.

Arriving in Algeria

• Algiers: a train links Houari Boumediene Airport to Agha station, in the centre, in about 20 to 25 minutes (check timetables with SNTF). Taxis and pre-booked transfers are also available.
• Oran (Ahmed Ben Bella Airport) and Constantine (Mohamed Boudiaf Airport) also have international airports.

Getting around Algeria

• Trains (SNTF) link Algiers with Oran and Constantine.
• Flying is essential for the Sahara (Djanet, Tamanrasset, Ghardaïa).
• In town: the metro and tram in Algiers, the tram in Oran and Constantine, and the cable car in Constantine.
• A car gives freedom along the coast and in the north.

Money, internet and practicalities

• Currency: the Algerian dinar (DZD), not convertible: it can only be exchanged in Algeria. Change money at a bank or an authorised exchange office; street exchange is illegal.
• Cards: accepted unevenly (large hotels, car rental agencies, some shops). Bring cash.
• Languages: Arabic and Tamazight are official; French is widely spoken.
• Electricity: type C and F sockets, 230 V. Time: UTC+1, no daylight saving.
• Internet: a local SIM card or a travel eSIM.

What to see in Algeria

• Algiers: the Casbah (UNESCO), Notre-Dame d’Afrique, the Martyrs’ Memorial, the Jardin d’Essai and, on a day trip, the Roman ruins of Tipasa (UNESCO).
• Oran: the Santa Cruz fort and chapel, the seafront, the old Sidi El Houari quarter and the corniche beaches.
• Constantine: the Sidi M’Cid bridge, the Rhummel gorges, the Emir Abdelkader Mosque and, on a day trip, Djémila (UNESCO).
• The Sahara: the Tassili n’Ajjer and the M’Zab Valley in Ghardaïa, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the Hoggar mountains.

Suggested itineraries

5 days: Algiers (3 days, with a day trip to Tipasa), then Constantine (2 days) by train or plane.

10 days: Algiers, Oran and Constantine, linked by train, with day trips to Tipasa and Djémila.

2 weeks: the three big northern cities, then a few days in the Sahara (Djanet and the Tassili, or Ghardaïa), by plane.

What to eat in Algeria

• Couscous, the national dish, and chorba, a soup served especially during Ramadan.
• Rechta in Algiers and chakhchoukha in Constantine.
• Bourek, grills and fish on the coast.
• Pastries: date-filled makrout, baklawa, kalb el louz.
• Mint tea and coffee, everywhere.

Culture and etiquette

• Hospitality is a strong value: you will often be offered tea or coffee.
• Dress: modest, especially in traditional districts and places of worship.
• During Ramadan, avoid eating and drinking in public during the day.
• Photos: ask before photographing someone.

Health and safety

• Water: prefer bottled water.
• Sun: protect yourself, especially in the south.
• Documents: keep your passport with you.
• Before you go, check your government’s official travel advice.

Budget: tips to spend less

1. Take the train between Algiers, Oran and Constantine.
2. Eat local: small restaurants, grills and pastries are very affordable.
3. Change money at a bank or authorised office, at the official rate.
4. Book hotels with pay at the property when offered.

Where to stay in Algeria

Our Algiers, Oran and Constantine pages present the best areas for your trip.