Algiers Houari Boumédiène Airport sits 20 kilometers east of central Algiers in the commune of Dar El Beïda. The airport handles approximately 8.5 million passengers annually across two terminals. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights. Terminal 2, opened in 2019, processes all international arrivals and departures with 28 gates and 52 check-in counters. The facility replaced the older terminal infrastructure that operated from 1968. Flight connections arrive primarily from Paris Charles de Gaulle, Marseille, Lyon, Istanbul, Dubai, Tunis, Casablanca, and Cairo. Air Algérie operates the majority of international routes as the national carrier founded in 1947. Turkish Airlines, Air France, Emirates, and Tunisair maintain regular service. No direct flights operate from the United States. Travelers from North America connect through European or Middle Eastern hubs, typically Paris or Istanbul. The airport code ALG derives from the French colonial spelling "Alger."
Immigration processing in Terminal 2 occurs on the arrival level after deplaning. Foreign nationals form separate queues from Algerian passport holders and citizens of Maghreb Union states. Biometric passport scanning began in 2018 for all international arrivals. Officers verify visa validity and entry purpose during document review. The Algerian government requires visas for citizens of most countries before travel. Only nationals of Tunisia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, and Syria enter without prior visa arrangements, though diplomatic tensions periodically suspend these exemptions. Tourist visas issued through Algerian consulates allow stays of 30 to 90 days. Business visas require a letter of invitation from an Algerian entity registered with the Ministry of Commerce. Processing times at immigration average 15 to 40 minutes depending on flight arrival clustering. Peak congestion occurs when multiple European flights land between 1800 and 2100. No visa on arrival exists for any nationality. Attempting entry without proper visa documentation results in immediate deportation on the next available flight.
Baggage claim occupies the ground floor of Terminal 2 with six carousels serving international flights. Carousel assignment appears on overhead screens showing flight numbers and origin cities. Baggage delivery begins 20 to 35 minutes after immigration clearance. Luggage delays occur frequently on flights connecting through Paris due to transfer coordination issues at Charles de Gaulle. Lost baggage reports file at the Air Algérie desk near carousel 4 or the handling agent desk for other carriers. Customs declaration forms distributed on inbound flights require declaration of currency exceeding 1,000 euros or equivalent, all electronics valued above 500 euros, and any items intended for commercial use. Algeria enforces strict prohibitions on alcohol import exceeding one liter per passenger, narcotics, and publications deemed contrary to public morality or national interest. Customs officers conduct random baggage inspections at green and red channels. Inspection frequency increases for passengers arriving from known transit points like Dubai or Istanbul. Travelers carrying prescription medications should retain original pharmacy containers with labels showing name and prescribing physician. The customs hall exits into the public arrivals area on the ground floor.
Currency exchange operates through two banks in Terminal 2 arrivals: Banque Nationale d'Algérie and Société Générale Algérie. Both maintain desks beyond customs before exiting to the public area. Operating hours run from 0800 to 2000 daily. Exchange rates at airport banks include service fees of approximately 2 to 3 percent above the official rate. The Algerian dinar uses the code DZD. The official exchange rate as of 2024 fluctuates between 130 and 140 dinars per US dollar and 140 to 150 dinars per euro. A parallel black market exchange operates throughout Algeria offering rates 10 to 20 percent more favorable than banks, but foreign visitors engaging these transactions risk legal penalties including currency smuggling charges. ATMs from multiple Algerian banks line the wall opposite the exchange desks. Machines dispense dinars only. Daily withdrawal limits range from 30,000 to 50,000 dinars depending on card issuer and account type. International cards bearing Visa and Mastercard logos generally function, though transaction failures occur with some US-issued cards due to bank security protocols flagging Algeria as high-risk. Notify your bank before departure to reduce declination probability. Algeria operates as a cash-dominant economy. Credit card acceptance exists primarily at major hotels in Algiers, Oran, and Constantine. Street vendors, taxis, restaurants, and shops in smaller cities accept only cash.
SIM cards sell at two shops in the arrivals hall: one operated by Mobilis and one by Djezzy. Both are state-controlled telecommunications providers. Ooredoo Algeria, the third major carrier, lacks an airport kiosk but maintains shops in central Algiers. Tourist SIM packages cost 1,000 to 1,500 dinars and include 5 to 10 gigabytes of data valid for 30 days. Passport presentation is mandatory for SIM registration under Law 04-01 governing telecommunications. Staff complete registration while you wait, typically requiring 5 to 10 minutes. Network coverage reaches all major cities and highways along the Mediterranean coast. Coverage becomes sparse in desert regions south of the Atlas Mountains. 4G LTE functions in Algiers, Oran, Constantine, and Annaba. Rural areas revert to 3G or 2G speeds. International roaming from European carriers functions but incurs charges of 5 to 15 euros per megabyte. Purchasing a local SIM reduces costs substantially for stays exceeding three days.
Ground transportation from Houari Boumédiène Airport to central Algiers operates through taxis, private transfers, and limited public bus service. The taxi rank sits directly outside the arrivals exit. Two taxi categories operate: petit taxi for up to three passengers with minimal luggage, and grand taxi for larger groups or substantial baggage. Official airport taxis use meters, though drivers frequently propose fixed rates to avoid meter usage. The metered fare to central Algiers districts like Bab El Oued or Bologhine ranges from 800 to 1,200 dinars depending on traffic and exact destination. Fixed-price negotiations typically settle between 1,500 and 2,000 dinars. Drivers seldom accept credit cards. Carry sufficient cash in dinars for the fare. Journey time ranges from 35 minutes during off-peak hours to 90 minutes during morning rush between 0700 and 0900 or evening rush between 1700 and 1930. Traffic congestion intensifies on the Autoroute de l'Est approaching the city center. Taxi drivers speak Arabic and French. English proficiency remains extremely limited. Write your destination in French or Arabic script to facilitate communication.
Private transfer services require advance booking through hotels or specialized transport companies like Algeria Transfer Service or VIP Transfer Algiers. Rates start at 3,000 dinars for sedan service to central hotels and increase to 5,000 to 7,000 dinars for SUVs or minivans. Drivers meet passengers in the arrivals hall holding name placards. Payment occurs upon reaching the destination. Some services accept credit cards if arranged during booking. Private transfers eliminate fare negotiation and provide English-speaking drivers in some cases. The service offers minimal practical advantage over taxis for individual travelers but becomes cost-effective for groups of four or more.
Public bus service to Algiers operates through line 100 departing from a stop 200 meters from the terminal building. Follow signs reading "Transport Public" or "Bus" from arrivals. The bus runs every 45 to 60 minutes from 0600 to 2200 daily. Fare costs 50 dinars paid to the driver upon boarding. Exact change is required. The route terminates at Tafourah-Grande Poste near the central post office in downtown Algiers after approximately 60 to 90 minutes depending on stops. Buses lack air conditioning and become extremely crowded during commuter hours. Luggage space is minimal. This option suits only budget-conscious travelers with light bags and patience for local transport conditions. No schedule information exists in English. Departure times fluctuate without announcement.
The airport offers no rail connection. Plans for extending the Algiers Metro to the airport have circulated since 2015 but remain unimplemented as of 2024. The nearest metro station sits at Haï El Badr approximately 5 kilometers from the terminal with no connecting public transport between the two points.