When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Algiers?
The peak time for tourism in Algiers is during the European summer holiday (July and August) and again over Christmas and New Year’s. March to May sees Algiers in bloom; in addition to October and November, these months are good times thanks to moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Compare direct flights, return flights and last-minute flights with Netflights and benefit from our great deals from top airlines.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Algiers?
October coincides with the date harvest, which can be a great time to visit. The best time to find cheap flights to Algiers for a Saharan safari is in March and April or October and November. May can also be a good time to pick up budget return flights. Book your Algiers flights around eight weeks before travel to benefit from the biggest selection of rates, airlines and routes.
Flying to Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG)
Named after a former president of Algeria, Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG), also known as Algiers Airport and Algiers International Airport, is located 17 kilometres south-east of Algiers. There are direct flights to Algiers from London Gatwick via British Airways. Additionally, several top airlines provide one-stop flights to Algiers. Use Netflights to compare return flights, direct flights and last-minute flights from Air Algérie, Air France (stopover in France), Alitalia (stopover in Italy), Iberia (stopover in Spain), Lufthansa (stopover in Germany), Turkish Airlines (stopover in Turkey) and Vueling (stopover in Spain). Check-in for Algiers flights from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London City as well at airports across the United Kingdom with Aer Lingus and Flybe connecting Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh to London-Algiers flights.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) is comprised of three terminals. The International Terminal (Terminal 1) was renovated in 2006, which the Domestic Terminal (Terminal 2) was renovated in 2007. The older Terminal 3 is now used for pilgrimages and charter flights. The two main terminals are only a five-minute walk away each other, although a free shuttle bus also connects the two. A cafeteria, tea room, prayer room, pharmacy, perfumery, hairdresser, watch retailers, luggage shops, games and toys as well as a tobacco and newspaper shop are all on site.
Getting to the City from Houari Boumediene Airport ALG
Regular public buses from ALG to central Algiers depart approximately every 30 minutes during the day with a journey time of 30 minutes. Tickets can be bought on the bus. Taxis can be picked up outside Hall 2. Since they are not metered, it’s best to negotiate a fare before starting your journey. There are no rail services that connect directly to the airport, but the closest station is Dar El Baida. There is also a selection of car hire offices in the airport for those who would like their own wheels.
Why Visit Algiers?
Algiers’s ancient heart – and a must see for all visitors – is its ancient casbah. Whitewashed houses interconnected by labyrinthine winding streets and stairs conceal ornate Ottoman mansion houses, a ruined citadel and a number of impressive mosques, such as Djemaa Ketchoua. Once welcoming Emperor Napoleon III, the eighteenth-century Dar Hassan Pacha contains detailed tile work and mosaics. Comprising three palaces and six houses, the waterfront Palais des Raïs is another example of Algiers’s Ottoman architecture; now it’s home to the Centre of Arts and Culture. Finally, the National Museum of Antiquities has earned its place as one of the best museums in the country.
When travellers have had their fill of cultural activities, they can always take a stroll around the exotic botanical gardens of Jardin d'Essai. For those looking to sample a taste of Algeria’s cultural legacy before heading to a beach holiday or Saharan safari or for those looking for a unique city-break destination, Algiers is the place to be.
Algiers Visa & Currency Info
British passport holders need a visa to travel to Algeria, which can be obtained from the Algerian Consulate in London. These can take four weeks to process, so it’s essential that you plan ahead. A single-entry tourist visa is valid for 30 days. Passports need to be valid for at least six months past your date of entry. Visitors may be required to show a return or onward ticket to be entry to the country. The Algerian dinar is the currency of the country. It’s available from ATMs and currency exchange desks in the airport.
