Visiting Algeria...
A former French colony, Algeria has been badly affected by terrorism until recently and for much of the previous few decades it has been a no-go zone for tourists. However, the UK Foreign & Commonwealth travel advice has changed and no longer advises against all but essential travel to Algiers and most of Algeria, other than the border regions and south. If you plan to visit Algeria, you should read the travel advice for Algeria at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Getting to Algeria from Europe, Morocco or Tunisia
Useful country information
Getting to Algeria
London or Paris to Algiers
It's fairly easy to reach Algeria from London, Paris or anywhere in mainland Europe, taking a train to Marseille then a comfortable ferry to Algiers.
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Step 1, take Eurostar & TGV from London St Pancras to Marseille St Charles, either changing in Paris or changing in Lille, or at certain times of year by direct Eurostar, as explained on the UK to France page.
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Stay overnight in Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station: Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
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Step 2, sail across the Mediterranean from Marseille to Algiers on a comfortable and civilised cruise ferry operated by Corsica Linea ferries. Sailings operate at least weekly, more frequently in summer. Ships typically sail at 11:00, arriving at 09:00 the following day. A full range of en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, sun-decks is offered. Check sailing dates, times, prices & book online at www.corsicalinea.com or try Algerie Ferries at algerieferries.dz. If you have any feedback or photos, please let me know.
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Remember that you will need an Algerian visa, which requires visa support in the form of confirmed hotel bookings or a letter from a tour company. Read up on this first, information at www.lonelyplanet.com/algeria may help.
Morocco - Algeria
The Morocco-Algeria border has been closed for some years now and travel between these countries along the North African coast is not possible.
Tunisia - Algeria
The Tunisia-Algeria border is open, but read the travel advice at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice carefully. The Algerian and Tunisian rail networks are connected and it was planned for a direct train to link Annaba with Tunis three times a week, leaving Annaba at 08:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays eastbound and leaving Tunis at 08:25 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays westbound. Journey time just over 8 hours. However, it is believed that this train service did not in fact start running. If you travel this way, please get in touch.
Train travel in Algeria
A train network runs along the Mediterranean coast, linking Oran, Algiers, Constantine and Annaba amongst other towns. Trains are operated by SNTF, for times and fares see www.sntf.dz (which may or may not successfully produce train times!). The most important trains have 1st & 2nd class and air-conditioning. If you have any feedback or photos, please let me know.
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Algiers to Oran, 421 km, 4 trains every day typically leaving both Algiers & Oran at 06:25, 08:00, 12:30 & 15:00, journey time 4h to 5h. Trains westwards to Oran leave from Agha station, 15 minutes walk from the main Algiers station.
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Algiers to Constantine, 464 km, 2 daytime trains per day (direct at 07:25 and at 12:30 with a change at Setif), plus a sleeper train at 21:30.
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Algiers to Annaba, 631 km, one overnight train every day leaving Algiers at 21:30, with 6-berth couchettes & catering car.
