Once on a par with neighbouring Morocco as a travel hot-spot, Algeria's decade long civil war scared off all but the most foolhardy of travellers. Now that the violence has subsided a trickle of visitors is returning to explore the one of Africa's most diverse and... Read the overview

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Getting there and away

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

Travel without a vehicle is almost nonexistent and, after 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 require a great deal of time and patience.