Hi everyone,

I’m planning to bike around the Mediterranean. I’m supposed to go through North Africa, but it seems a bit complicated. Visas and travel in Algeria and Egypt only work if you book a hotel (no nights spent outside?). Libya is generally very unclear, and it seems you can only travel there with a local guide (which doesn’t exist for bike trips). If necessary, I’d skip Libya, but neither a bus ride nor a boat detour seems possible to enter Egypt.

Does anyone have tips on how to get around these issues and secure a visa?

Thanks for any advice!

Where to go in 2025?

How about Algeria and a return to the Tassili n’Ajjer? This part of the Sahara is arguably one of the most beautiful deserts on the planet for its diversity and is accessible to everyone.

The vastness of the black rock forests and ochre dunes is complemented by the intimacy of the Djanet oasis, the heart of the Tuareg country, and the mineral memory of the Erg Admer, which bears traces of prehistoric human activity. Camping under the Milky Way, suspended in a sky of forgotten purity, adds another dimension to this rare journey.

Hi, I’m planning to visit El Menia, and I’d like some info on the interesting places to see in the area and the activities available. Also, why is it also called El Golea? Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m heading back to Algeria for the fourth time. I’d like to visit Ghardaia. I’ve booked my flight ticket from Oran to Ghardaia, but I read in the latest *Petit Futé* that you need to go through a local travel agency. For the south, I know it’s mandatory, but can anyone give me info about Ghardaia? I’m planning to hire a guide from the hotel where I have my reservation. Thanks!

Hi everyone, We’re French and we’d like to visit Algeria, especially Kabylie, for a stay of about ten days. We’ll be renting a car (which are the best car rental agencies?)

It seems that to get a tourist visa for less than 90 days, we need to show proof of accommodation + a flight confirmation from France to Algiers. (Which hotels in Algiers do you recommend? And which airlines?)

What should we do if the visa is ultimately refused? It’s not ideal if the response takes 2 months and we have to cancel the hotel and flight.

What do you suggest we do? What are the best practices?

Thanks in advance! Patrick from Nantes

I’m heading out solo on September 14, 2025, for a month-long road trip in Algeria. Taking the ferry from Almería to Ghazaouet on September 17. Planning to visit Tlemcen, Oran, Tipaza, Algiers, Ghardaïa, Constantine, M’Chouneche, Ouargla, and the Tadrart Desert toward Djanet.

How do I go about booking accommodations? What’s the best way to exchange currency under good conditions? What are the restrictions for traveling alone by car, and is it possible to drive solo all the way to Ghardaïa? I still have a spot available if anyone’s interested.

salam alykom my Algerian brothers I’d really like to get more explanations about my situation. I’m a student and my problem is military service—I didn’t register from the start and I didn’t do the medical visit, which means I’m not entitled to a deferment or anything. But I know I’m not being actively searched because I have a friend who confirmed it from the gendarmerie office. Plus, I only have a call-up order, alhamdulillah. I have the chance to travel to live in another country, and what I want to know is: when I arrive at the airport here in Algiers, will customs stop me and not let me through because of all this? barak allaho fikom

Hello, I’m looking for testimonials from Pieds-Noirs who have recently returned to Algeria.

There can’t be many left after 65 years of the country’s independence.

I’m planning to go back myself soon to reconnect with my roots... before I pass away...

I’ve started making a few pre-bookings for hotels and apartments to rent in Algiers. At first, I received friendly and welcoming responses. Then, when I mentioned I wanted to stay for two or three weeks—maybe even a month—explaining that my trip wouldn’t be strictly touristy but more of a pilgrimage to the places of my childhood, and that it would likely be a very emotional journey, I expected a positive and warm reaction to my approach. Instead, I suddenly stopped getting replies from the three or four people I’d contacted. So now I’m wondering about the reception former Pieds-Noirs can expect...

Anyone here who can share their experience of returning? I specified “recently” because it seems that right now, diplomatic relations between the two governments are extremely tense, not to say hostile... even if Macron claims otherwise...

Hello, I’m heading to Algeria from October 27 to November 16, 2026. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through the process about the accommodation attestation required for the visa application: - Does it need to cover the entire duration of the trip? - Is this document mandatory for a hotel owner to rent a room? - Is it checked during an inspection? - Is a hotel booking (via Booking.com or similar) sufficient to obtain the visa? - If so, does it need to be paid in advance?

I plan to visit several cities and do one or more treks with a guide or agency. I’d appreciate any contacts you could recommend.

Lastly, I’d love to share this trip with a companion (male or female) who’s already done some traveling. Of course, we’d organize the journey together.

Thanks for your feedback! Safe travels to all, Dom, Dijon, 64 years old

Hello, I’m traveling to Algeria from October 27 to November 16, 2026. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through the process about the accommodation attestation required for the visa application: - Does it need to cover the entire duration of the trip? - Is this document mandatory for a hotel to rent a room? - Is it checked during inspections? - Is a hotel booking (e.g., via Booking.com) sufficient for the visa? - If so, does it need to be paid in advance?

I plan to visit several cities and do one or more treks with a guide or agency. If you have any contacts you’d recommend, I’d be grateful!

Also, I’d love to share this trip with a companion who’s already done some traveling. We’d organize the journey together, of course.

Thanks for your feedback! Safe travels to all, Dom, Dijon, 64 years old

Tuesday, November 18th, flight from Montpellier to Oran and 4 days at Ali’s place in a rented apartment for 8,000 dinars per day. Saturday the 22nd, direct flight from Oran to Ghardaïa for 33 euros, which I booked through Booking since you can’t book domestic Air Algérie flights from France unless you have an Algerian credit card. The only foreigner on board, they asked me three times if everything was okay, if I needed anything... Upon arrival, the police knew, asked where I was staying, I waited for the hostel taxi (Taskift for 8,000 dinars with half-board), they took a photo of his papers, and that was it. Tuesday the 25th, Ghardaïa to Ouargla by minibus for 400 dinars, then a big bus to Biskra for 750 dinars. Night at the brand-new Cristal Hotel for 4,500 dinars. And of course, on the way to the balconies of Ghoufi and the Aurès massif—breathtaking!!! Wednesday the 26th, left too late for Batna, no shared taxis after 3 PM, but my taxi to the bus station handed me off to a minibus driver and asked him to find me a taxi in Batna for Timgad. One call, and it was all set. 250 dinars to Batna and 1,200 dinars to Timgad. It was dark, 1°C, and raining—slippery. Phew, arrived at 6:45 PM. Lovely Trajan Hotel right on the Roman ruins site for 9,000 dinars. Thursday the 27th, Timgad at 9 AM, 5°C, and no more than 8°C expected all day. Gotta bundle up for the visit. Snow on the mountain and a freezing cold wind. That’s the logistics. The euro is at 180 dinars. Thanks to the Algerians for taking such good care of me like a queen—I can’t wait to come back. See you soon

Hello, I’m preparing for a Tunisia-Algeria road trip. I need to know if we can cross the Sahara to reach Djanet and Tamanrasset by road freely, After that, obviously off-road in the desert with a guide. What do the authorities say? My trip: northern and southern Tunisia, a stroll in the desert. Crossing the Tunisia-Algeria border via the Taleb Larbi customs. I’ve already done this route through an agency, but this time we want to do it on our own. Then heading down to Djanet for eight to fifteen days in the desert with Mouloud, a local guide. Direction Tamanrasset: road and tracks, the mountains of the Assekrem, the Hermitage of Père de Foucauld. Return via the Trans-Saharan Highway. Visit to northern Algeria, then back by boat from Oran to Spain. Dates: late December to mid-February. We’ve got plenty of time. If another crew is interested, we’re already two vehicles. Looking forward to your replies.

Hi everyone,

First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025. It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.

Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.

Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border. We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.

With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...

We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!

You’ve been warned.

Hi,

Has anyone had recent experience applying for a tourist visa to Algeria from Quebec, specifically at the consulate in Montreal?

How long does it take? The consulate’s website says 2 to 3 weeks. Is that accurate?

Is it possible to apply by mail? A travel agency told me it’s unrealistic.

What’s the maximum number of days you’ve been granted?

Thanks,

Pierre Racine

Hi,

I’m heading to the Algerian Sahara. I’m taking a flight from Paris to Djanet with a layover in Algiers.

Can anyone tell me how the entry visa process works?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Back from a 2-week trip to Algeria, I’m thrilled with this experience... which I’m sharing on my personal site (new address) http://lethieu39.jimdo.com/ and a bunch of photos on http://picasaweb.google.fr/lethieu39/

Hello, My husband and I (retired) are planning to spend a few days in Algeria around Christmas. I know a visa is required and that the application must be made in person (hotel reservation, travel insurance certificate, proof of sufficient funds), and the collection too. A few questions: -Is getting the visa easy or "problematic"? -Any hotel, guide, or points of interest recommendations for Algiers, Oran, Constantine? Thanks in advance for all your answers, and long live Voyage-Forum! Laurence

Hi everyone,

I’m starting to think about a trip that’s really close to my heart: Algeria by motorcycle, specifically the southern part of the country. It’d be for January 2025, and I’ve got two main questions:

Is it possible for an individual on a motorcycle to travel freely, outside of any organized tour, or does the regulation require some kind of supervision in the Algerian Sahara region?

Is the Hoggar massif accessible by road or by (rideable) tracks?

Beyond the official recommendations, I’m really looking for your firsthand experiences. Thanks so much for your answers, and sorry if my questions are a bit newbie!

Ride safe! ✌️ Didier

Hi, For next summer’s vacation, I’m thinking of returning to the Sahara after visiting Tamanrasset and the Hoggar, which was stunning—not to mention the Tuareg hospitality. I’d like to explore the sandy desert this time since the Hoggar was 80% rocky. So, I’m wondering which city I should prioritize if I want to go there in late July–early August for the landscapes, extreme heat, and guides offering 4x4 and camel treks. Also, if there are any recommended guides for those in the know and a decent hotel. I’m torn between Djanet, In Salah, Adrar, Ghardaïa, and Timimoun. I’m of Algerian origin, so no visa or other formalities to worry about. Thanks.