Getting around Algeria: train, coach, shared taxi or car?

You land in Algiers or Oran, but the family lives in Constantine, Béjaïa, Sétif or Tlemcen? Once in the country, there is often a long journey still ahead. Train, coach, shared taxi, hire car or the family car: each option has its strengths and limits. Here is how to travel between Algerian cities, what to know before you set off and where to stay along the way.

The train: main lines

Algeria's railway network is run by SNTF, the national railway company. In Algiers, main-line trains leave from Alger-Agha station, right in the centre. The Algiers–Oran route has the best service, with fast trains. Other main lines link Algiers with Constantine, Annaba and Béjaïa, and regional trains serve medium-sized towns. Timetables and running days change: check the search engine on SNTF's official website, or ask at the station, before you travel.

Buying a ticket. Since October 2025, SNTF has sold tickets for its long-distance trains online, starting with Algiers–Oran and then the other long-distance routes, subject to seat availability. Check on the website which payment cards are accepted; otherwise, buying at the station ticket office in dinars is the simplest option. Keep your ID with you and hold on to your ticket until the end of the journey.

Allow some margin. Delays and disruptions happen: if you have a flight or an appointment to catch, do not plan your journey to the minute.

From Algiers airport to the centre by train. Since 2019, a rail line has linked Houari Boumediene airport with Alger-Agha station. Suburban trains also serve the east of the region, towards Thénia, and the west, towards El Affroun.

Coaches: leaving from bus stations

Coaches link the main cities of the north and many smaller towns. In Algiers, a large share of departures to other provinces leave from the Caroubier bus station, in the east of the city; elsewhere, from each city's main bus station. During holidays, and especially around Eid, departures multiply and bus stations get very busy: arrive early and, if possible, buy your ticket in advance.

Shared taxis and ordinary taxis

Shared taxis, also called "inter-wilaya taxis", link cities too. Ask locally where they leave from, how departures work and what the fare is. In town, an ordinary taxi can be hailed in the street or taken from a rank, and ride-hailing apps operate in several large cities. If the meter is not used, agree on the fare before you get in.

Tram and metro in town

Algiers, Oran and Constantine have a tram, as do other cities in the country, and Algiers also has a metro. For a city-centre stay, they often avoid traffic jams: in Oran, for example, the tram runs through the centre. A hotel near a stop lets you do without a car for a few visits.

The car: hire car or family car

A car remains the most flexible way to visit family in several cities or reach a village. Car hire agencies operate at airports and in town. Bring your ID and driving licence, read the contract before signing, especially the insurance, and walk round the vehicle with the agent. On the road:

• avoid driving at night after a long flight: a night in a hotel near the airport is often wiser, see our tips for Algiers and Oran;
• in winter, check road conditions: snow can slow down or close some mountain roads, for example around Tikjda and the Djurdjura;
• choose a hotel with parking if you arrive by car: the information is on each hotel's page.

Flying to the far south

To the far south, distances are such that flying is often the simplest choice: Ghardaïa, Djanet and Tamanrasset have airports linked to the north by domestic flights. To plan a desert trip, read the Algerian Sahara in winter: which oasis to choose.

Where to stay along the way

• In Algiers, near Agha station: the Suisse Hotel and the City Hotel Alger, a few minutes' walk from the station.
• Near the Caroubier bus station: Hostel Dayz, in Hussein Dey, on the avenue followed by the tram.
• In Oran: the Chanez Dream, right by the railway station, where trains leave for Algiers and the west of the country.
• In Chlef, on the road between Algiers and Oran: the Mirador Palace, within walking distance of the station and the centre.
• In Sétif: the Plus Hotel Sétif (formerly Best Western Plus), in the station district.

All cities and hotels are on our hotels in Algeria page. To plan a tour, take ideas from our 7 to 10-day Algeria itinerary.

Booking from abroad

Hotels can be booked online on Nreservi, and our team confirms every booking with the hotel. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment. A relative in Algeria can also pay for you in dinars: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our agency in Telemly, Algiers. More details in booking a hotel in Algeria from France.