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Algeria

Getting Started & Practical Information

When to Visit

Summers in Algeria are hot and long, even the coasts struggle to escape this heat as Algiers regularly reaches 90°F (30°C), although the Mediterranean does cool the coasts a little. In the nearby mountains temperatures are cooler, but still hot and once you reach the desert these temperatures again soar. The winters bring the mountain temperatures down significantly, often reaching the freezing mark at night, but it also provides relief in the desert (although nights are cold) and along the coast as the temperature in Algiers can get as low as 45°F (7°C) at night. The winters also bring rain, especially along the coast. The spring and fall (autumn) are the ideal times to visit as the mountains are not too hot or cold (but get a significant amount of rain), the coasts are typically dry, but not yet hot, and the deserts are hot, but still cool at night.

A final point to consider before planning your travel is local holidays. Holidays can make travel either more attractive, such as for large festivals, or less attractive due to tourist site closings and more expensive transportation options, so make sure you look into this before booking your trip. One holiday to be aware of is Ramadan (ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which rotates every year compared to the Gregorian calendar) as this month tends to close shops, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Weather

Although weather can be generalized based upon years past, for more up to date weather patterns and predicted future weather patterns, visit weather websites like weather.com; many local news sources also have information for international weather forecasts.

Tours & Cruises

If you're looking for a pre-arranged trip, that involves little effort on your part, then you should consider going on an organized tour or cruise. Organized tours and cruises vary from all expenses included to only daily tours and perhaps hotels included in the price, but all the options below will help you arrange all the details so you don't have to worry about finding the best deal or right hotel.

Intrepid Travel: Boasts more "off the beaten track" destinations; do your research though since some tours are very adventurous and involves camping and local hotels.

Expert Algeria: An Algerian-based company with British leadership, this company caters to all individuals.

Guidebooks

If you are just traveling on business and have little free time or are already familiar with Algeria, you may not need anything more than SafariTheGlobe.com's Mini Guide to Algeria! However, if you need more detailed and up to date information, there is one guidebook that contains a chapter on Algeria.

Lonely Planet: Great maps and updated often with comprehensive housing information, restaurants, & transportation options. Backpackers and adventurers love these guidebooks. (Africa guide with a chapter about Algeria)

Visas

Many foreign nationals need a visa to enter Algeria, however the requirements for citizens of different nationalities varies. To learn more about who need visas, what type of visa is needed, what requirements are needed to obtain a visa, and visa costs, please visit the Official Website of Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Arabic and French only) or contact your nearest Algerian Embassy.

Health & Insurance

Every part of the world has different health concerns and diseases, including Algeria. Before traveling, consult with a physician to learn more about your destination and what steps you can take to prevent illness. At the time of writing, Algeria didn't have any health immunizations that are required prior to arrival, although a number of immunizations are strongly recommended.

Many health insurance providers don't cover health care that is provided outside your home country. Before going abroad check with your health insurance to see if they cover international care. If not, consider purchasing an international medical insurance option, preferably from a company that specializes in international medical insurance.

Transportation

Unless you're on an organized tour or working with a travel agent, you will have to arrange some transportation. The below links can greatly help you start your planning, first by finding a flight to Algeria, then with domestic airlines and car rental agencies. If you don't know where to begin, try the "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" to learn competitor's prices during your trip.

Largest International Airlines: Air France, American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific; China Southern Airlines; Delta; Emirates; KLM; LAN; Lufthansa; Qantas; Singapore Airlines; United Airlines.

Largest Algerian Airline: Air Algerie

Largest Rental Car Agency in Algeria: Hertz

Flight & Rental Car Search Sites: Expedia.com; Farecast.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Housing

Housing options are numerous in most tourist destinations, but every individual seeks out something different when it comes to housing. The below links should help you get started, with low- to high-end hotels, hostels, and camping options.

Popular International Hotel Conglomerates: Accor Group (various price ranges); Choice Hotels (low- to mid-price range); Hilton (various price ranges); Hyatt (high-end to resorts); InterContinental Group (mid- to high-price range); Marriott Family (various price ranges); Starwood Hotels (high-end); Wyndham Hotels (low- to mid-price range).

Hotel Search Sites: Expedia.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Hostels: Although there are many hostel websites, some of the most popular and reputable include hostels.com, hostelworld.com, & hostelbookers.com.

Camping: Camping is still a foreign concept in Algeria, plus camping is not safe in most locations. The desert is unforgiving and there are some extremists outside the major cities so setting up a tent is not a good idea.

Opening Hours, Expenses, & Tipping

Opening hours in Algeria at local shops, restaurants, and stores vary, but are generally close to the same hours in much of southern Europe. Most do tend to take a long lunch break, closing shops down at about noon and opening back up at about 2:00 pm; dinner begins after work. Restaurants don't begin to fill up in the evening until about 8:00 pm or later, although in tourist locations, restaurants and shops tend to be open all day to cater to the foreigners. Algeria typically follows a Friday-Saturday weekend.

The one time of the year that shops and restaurants are closed more often than not is during Ramadan (ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which rotates every year compared to the Gregorian calendar), when fasting is required from sunrise to sunset. Due to this Islamic requirement, most shops close down and it can be difficult to find an open restaurant anywhere outside major hotels catering to tourists.

Most of Algeria's tourist attractions aren't overly expensive and most of the sites are a good value for the cost. Hotels prices can range from 1,000 dinar ($15) for a private room or hostel bed to well over 15,000 dinar ($200) in business hotels in Algiers. Food prices also vary greatly; street food can cost as little as 150-250 dinar ($2-3), but eating in a nice hotel restaurant can cost up to 3,500 dinar ($50). Transportation in Algeria is also fairly reasonable, particularly if you travel by bus; most flights are roughly equivalent to costs associated with a flight in Europe or North America at a similar distance.

Tipping is only practiced for certain services and areas in Algeria. Taxis don't expect tips, but rounding up is polite, while restaurants in large cities and along the coasts expect a tip of about 10-15%, while in smaller towns tipping is rare. Hotel porters should get about 50-100 dinar ($1) per bag. If you hire a tour guide, tips are also expected, however the amount is at your discretion.

Crime & Safety

Algeria is a relatively safe country along its coasts and in its major cities, but as you get further and further into the desert it becomes almost lawless. There are numerous religious and political extremists who seek the desert as a safe haven. While foreigners are rarely to never the target of these groups, venturing off into the desert without knowing the current state of affairs and without a local guide is not advisable. Always check with your country's foreign (State) department for any travel warnings to Algeria.

Additionally, Algeria has all the most common dangers, particularly in regards to road hazards and dangers. Again, this rings especially true in the desert where, in many places, roads don't exist or are rarely maintained.

This page was last updated: November, 2011