Travel guide
Algeria
Know before you go: timing, entry, health, and logistics for Algeria.
- When to go
- The best time to visit is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when temperatures are mild in both the north and the Sahara. Winter is excellent for the desert, though nights can be freezing, while summer is best avoided due to extreme heat.
- Visa and entry
- Most travelers, including US and EU citizens, require a visa to enter Algeria, which must be obtained in advance from an embassy or consulate. Requirements include a passport valid for six months, a completed application, and an official Letter of Invitation. However, a 'Visa on Arrival' is now available for tourists visiting the southern Sahara (Djanet or Tamanrasset) if the trip is booked through an approved Algerian travel agency.
- Health
- Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Travelers should also be up-to-date on routine vaccines such as MMR and Tdap. A Polio booster may be required for stays longer than four weeks. A Yellow Fever certificate is only required if arriving from an endemic country.
- Currency
- Algerian Dinar (DZD)
- Language
- Arabic and Berber; French widely used
- Getting around
- Internal travel is arranged for you: private guided road transfers and light-aircraft hops between parks and regions, with airport meet-and-greet throughout.
