Algeria flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide · Algeria

Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in Algeria

Public transit, airports, and getting around

Algeria, Africa's largest country by area, has prioritized transport infrastructure through multi-billion-dollar development plans, boasting modern highways like the 1,216-km East-West Highway and the near-complete Trans-Saharan route. Key strengths include expanding rail (targeting 15,000 km by 2035), Algiers' metro, and tramways in multiple cities, alongside 38 major airports and key ports handling 95% of trade. Challenges persist in rural connectivity, rising urban congestion, and public transport integration outside major cities. Residents and visitors rely on reliable buses, growing rail freight, and private vehicles on right-hand drive roads.
Public Transport
Moderate
Road Infrastructure
Moderate
Public Transport
5.5/10

Good public transport in major cities: Algiers metro (opened 2011, 9 km), tramways in Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Sétif, and others by Alstom. Bus networks serve intercity routes reliably. Rail spans 4,575 km with expansions underway. Limited integration and rural coverage keep it average overall.

Road Infrastructure
7.2/10

One of Africa's most modern networks: 1,216-km six-lane East-West Highway, 4,500-km Trans-Saharan (90% complete in Algeria), plans for 5,600 km more. €46.9bn invested 2000-2014. Good maintenance in urban areas, but surging vehicles cause congestion; safety features improving.

Internet Speed
4.2/10

Moderate speeds with urban-rural divide; heavy investments since 1970s but limited access persists. Mobile internet growing, fiber expanding in cities like Algiers.

Avg: 35.6+ Mbps • Limited to major cities; ADSL common elsewhere, fiber rollout accelerating in urban centers

Airport Connectivity
7.1/10

Strong network with 112 airports, 38 major; key hubs Algiers (ALG), Oran (ORN) connect to Europe, Africa, Middle East. Good domestic coverage for vast territory; modernizing terminals for tourism.

Hubs: Algiers Houari Boumediene (ALG), Oran Es Senia (ORN), Annaba Rabah Bitat (AAE)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass
DZD 10,000/month (Algiers)
Bus Trip
DZD 40-50 single ride
Taxi
DZD 200 start + DZD 25/km
High-speed Train
DZD 2,000-5,000 Algiers-Oran

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Deployed in Algiers, Oran, Constantine; expanding to major cities 2024-2026
4G Coverage: Extensive urban coverage (90%+), good in populated areas, limited remote Sahara

Reliable networks from Ooredoo, Mobilis, Djezzy; strong 4G in cities supports mobility apps, but rural gaps remain due to geography.

Driving License

IDP requiredConversion needed

Foreign licenses valid 3 months with IDP (required for non-Arabic/French licenses). Long-term residents must convert to Algerian license via exam after 1 year. Drives on right.

    Getting around Algeria | NestFainder