Algeria is Africa's largest country, but getting into it isn't always straightforward. Most of its land borders are closed, which means flying is the default option for almost everyone. Here's what you actually need to know about getting in, whether you're flying or crossing overland.
Which Airport Should I Fly Into?
Almost everyone arrives through Algiers' Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG), Algeria's main international gateway. Air Algérie is the national carrier and has by far the most routes, with daily connections to Paris, Madrid, London and Frankfurt, among others. Air France, Vueling and Turkish Airlines all fly in too, and Vueling in particular is worth checking, since fares out of Spain are usually the cheapest way in.
Algeria's second international airport is Oran's Ahmed Ben Bella Airport (ORN), on the northwest coast. It has fewer connections than Algiers, but Turkish Airlines, Vueling and Air France all fly there too, and it's a useful alternative if your trip is focused on the west of the country.
If you're entering on the visa-on-arrival scheme through a southern desert tour operator, note that Algiers, Constantine and Oran all charge the same arrival fee. We've covered the details separately in Algeria Introduces Fee for Visa-on-Arrival .
Can I Cross Into Algeria by Land?
Algeria shares land borders with six countries, but in practice almost all of them are closed to tourists. Tunisia is the only crossing that's genuinely open and reliable, although still does take some planning. Everything else ranges from officially shut to only accessible with special permits and a police escort.
The Morocco border has been closed since 1994, following a diplomatic rupture that's never been resolved, and tensions over the Western Sahara dispute have kept it that way ever since. Don't plan on crossing here.
The Libya border, at Ghadames on the Algerian side and Debdeb on the Libyan side, is only sometimes accessible, and only with special permission arranged well in advance. It's not a crossing you can just turn up to. We've covered it in more detail from the Libyan side in our guide to Libya's land border crossings .
The Mali and Niger borders are both closed to foreign travellers. Mali's is considered one of the most dangerous borders in the region, and Niger's is limited to local Tuareg crossings only. The Mauritania border, in Algeria's remote southwest, is technically open to locals and to travellers with their own vehicle and a valid visa, but it's a genuine expedition rather than a practical entry point, and not one we'd recommend attempting without serious planning.
Which Crossing Do I Use From Tunisia?
There are two main road crossings. Oum Teboul, on the Algerian side, is the busiest and most straightforward. It sits on the coastal highway linking Annaba (Algeria) and Tunis, opposite the Tunisian town of Melloula. Further inland, Bouchebka connects the Algerian city of Tébessa with Kasserine in Tunisia, and is the crossing to use if your route runs through the interior rather than along the coast.
Whichever crossing you use, expect routine document checks, and be aware that once you're in the country you'll need a police escort for onward travel to certain destinations. This is standard practice for foreign travellers moving around Algeria by land, not a sign anything's wrong.
Is There a Boat Option?
If you're bringing your own vehicle, ferries run fairly regularly between Algiers and Valencia, Barcelona or Marseille, plus a shorter route between Oran and Almería. It's a solid option if you're overlanding with a car or motorbike and want to skip flying, though we haven't used this route ourselves, so get in touch if you're planning it and we'll try to point you in the right direction.
Do We Offer Algeria Tours?
Yes. Our Algeria Winter Tour runs each November, and if you want to pair Algeria with a neighbour, we also run the Algeria and Libya Winter Combo Tour and the Mauritania and Algeria Winter Combo Tour . You can see the full range on our Algeria tours page .
How Can I Book a Tour?
Get in touch at [email protected] and we'll help you find the right dates and start planning your trip.
