Airports in Algeria: which one to fly into and where to stay on arrival

Flying home from France, Belgium, Canada or the UK, most people think of Algiers first. Yet Algeria has several international airports, and the one closest to your family is not always the capital's. Choosing the right airport can save you hours on the road after landing, with children and suitcases in tow. Here are the country's main airports, how to choose yours, and where to sleep on the first night if you land late.

The main international airports

• Algiers – Houari Boumediene (code ALG), in Dar El Beïda, east of the capital. It is the country's largest airport. International flights use a dedicated terminal opened in 2019, and a train links the airport with Alger-Agha station in the city centre. Our Algiers airport guide explains how to get in and out.
• Oran – Ahmed Ben Bella (ORN), which many people still call "Es Sénia airport" after the municipality it stands in, south of the city. On a ticket or in a taxi, both names mean the same airport.
• Constantine – Mohamed Boudiaf (CZL), in Aïn El Bey, south of the city.
• Annaba – Rabah Bitat (AAE), also known as "Les Salines".
• Béjaïa – Soummam–Abane Ramdane (BJA), south of the city.
• Sétif – 8 Mai 1945 (QSF), in Aïn Arnat.
• Tlemcen – Zenata–Messali El Hadj (TLM), in Zenata.

Other cities, such as Batna, Biskra, Chlef and Jijel, also have an airport. Direct links with other countries change from one season to the next, here as elsewhere: check the flights available on your dates before deciding.

How to choose your airport

1. Start from your family's address, not just the ticket price. A slightly cheaper ticket to Algiers can cost you hours of driving after landing. A few pointers:

• Algiers, Blida, Tipaza, Boumerdès, Greater Kabylie: Algiers.
• The Soummam valley and the Béjaïa coast: Béjaïa.
• Sétif and Bordj Bou Arréridj: Sétif.
• Constantine, Mila, Oum El Bouaghi: Constantine.
• Annaba, El Tarf, Guelma: Annaba.
• Oran, Mostaganem, Mascara, Sidi Bel Abbès: Oran.
• Tlemcen and Maghnia: Tlemcen, or Oran and then the road.

2. Compare direct flights and connections. A direct flight to a regional airport saves you a change of plane in Algiers. When there is none on your dates, a connection through Algiers, or a flight to the capital followed by the road, are still options: compare the total door-to-door journey time, not just the flight.

3. Look at the arrival time. Landing late in the evening and then driving two or three hours at night is anything but restful, especially on mountain roads in winter. One night in a hotel near the airport lets you set off the next day, in daylight.

4. For the far south, think domestic flights. Ghardaïa, Djanet and Tamanrasset have their own airports, linked to the north of the country by domestic flights. See our guide the Algerian Sahara in winter: which oasis to choose.

Where to stay on arrival, airport by airport

The hotels below can be booked on Nreservi. Distances are approximate and travel times depend on traffic.

• Algiers: in Bab Ezzouar, the Mercure Algiers Airport and the Atlantis Algiers Airport (formerly ibis); all the options are on our hotels near Algiers airport page, with tips in hotel near Algiers airport for a late arrival.
• Oran: the Eden Phoenix, at the airport roundabout, and the AZ Hotel Grand Oran, also in Es Sénia. See also hotel near Oran airport.
• Constantine: the Hotel Dali, in Zouaghi, a few kilometres from the airport, and the Hocine Hotel, in Ali Mendjeli, about ten kilometres away. For the old town and the bridges, see our hotels in Constantine.
• Béjaïa: the Atlantis Béjaïa Airport, on the N9, about 5 km from the airport; the Golden H, south of the city, a few minutes' drive away; the Kyrline, about 6 km away.
• Annaba: the Hotel Sidi Brahim, a few minutes' drive from the airport; the Hotel Rym El Djamil offers an airport shuttle, to be requested in advance.
• Sétif: the Bayazid Hotel, about a quarter of an hour's drive from Aïn Arnat airport, and the Hotel Ferdi, about ten kilometres away.
• Tlemcen: the Hotel Les Zianides, about half an hour's drive; the Stambouli Hotel can arrange an airport transfer at extra cost.
• Batna: the Hazem Hotel Timgad runs an airport shuttle, to be booked in advance.

Late arrival: five good habits

1. 24-hour reception. Check it on the hotel page and give your expected arrival time when you book.
2. The shuttle. When the hotel offers one, confirm it in advance with your flight number.
3. Cancellation. While your flight times may still change, choose a room that can be cancelled free of charge; the terms are shown on every offer.
4. A transfer. With children or a lot of luggage, a transfer booked in advance saves you from looking for a car outside the terminal.
5. Paperwork. For an Algerian couple, hotels usually ask for the family record book (livret de famille): read hotels in Algeria and the family record book.

Booking and paying from abroad

On Nreservi, you choose the city, the dates and the hotel, and our team confirms the booking with the hotel. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment. If a relative in Algeria prefers to pay for you, payment in dinars is still possible: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our agency in Telemly, Algiers.

Read on: booking a hotel in Algeria from France, from Canada, and our 7 to 10-day Algeria itinerary.