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.
Algerie Ferries ship boarding in Algiers port. Courtesy of Andrew Gaskill.
Morocco - Algeria
The Morocco-Algeria border has been closed for some years and travel between these countries along the North African coast is not possible.
Tunisia - Algeria
The Tunisia-Algeria border is open, read the travel advice at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. The Algerian and Tunisian rail networks are connected and since August 2024 a train links Annaba with Tunis 3 times a week, restoring a link that last operated in 1995, give or take an abortive attempt in 2003:
Westbound, it leaves Tunis at 08:25 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Annaba at 18:25.
Eastbound, it leaves Annaba at 09:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, arriving Tunis 18:27.
The train has two 1st class cars and two 2nd class cars, a cafe car and baggage van may also be included.
Fares: 1st class 1,900 DZD (about €13), 2nd class 1,640 DZD (€11). Buy at the station.
Distance 357 km. If you travel this way, feedback & photos would be appreciated!
Traveller Alex Schindler reports (2024): "I bought a ticket one day before in the evening, price 2nd class 38 TZD. Designated seating is irrelevant, you sit where you like, padded soft seats are comfy, plug available at the seat. Departure was punctual 8:25, the train was relatively empty. Cleanliness and amenities very good by Tunisian standards, toilet was somehow working. Your passport must be registered at the cashier desk just before departure. Left Ghardimaou (Tunesia) border post with 1 hour delay (no problems with customs), very welcoming officers in Souk Ahras (Algeria) no problems at all. Train arrived in Annaba very slowly with several stops 3 hours delayed at 21:30.
Traveller reports (2025): "Very similar experience to Alex Schindler. We bought the tickets 2 days before, they said you can buy up to 6 days before. Not many people in the train. Tickets and passports checked before boarding. The train is old but it's renovated and quite comfortable inside. 1 class ticket 44 tnd. There was a restaurant with limited selection of drinks & snacks, you could also buy something at Tunisia Ghardimiau but better to have also some food with you. Customs on both sides were rather slow, might take a long time if the train was full. We arrived a little late 19.15, it's very slow but the landscape is nice especially the Algerian side."
The Tunis-Annaba train, near the border. Photo courtesy of Ramon Arland.
2nd & 1st class seats on the Tunis-Annaba train. Photos courtesy of Tuomo Janatuinen.
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 Algiers at 05:50, 08:00, 14:00 & 17:00, 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. It has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes, 2nd class seats & catering car. 1270 dinars for a 1st class couchette. You can book a 4-berth for sole occupancy if you buy 4 tickets.
