Algeria travel advice

Travel to the area south of Arak is not advised.

Travellers are also advised to avoid all but essential travel to the administrative districts (wilayas) of Boumerdès, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, east of Algiers, which have been the focus of sustained terrorist activity over the last three years.

Travellers should also exercise caution in the wilayas of Bejaia, the the east of Algiers, and Blida, Medéa, Chlef and Ain Defla, south and west of Algiers. Journeys within Algeria should be made by air where possible.

There is a high threat from terrorism in Algeria. Exercise extreme caution at all times as terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, targeting places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as restaurants, hotels and shopping centres.

If visiting Algiers, exercise caution at all times. It is generally safe to move around the centre of the city during the day. You should avoid areas that you do not know, particularly in the suburbs of the city, and especially after dark.

We advise against travel by road at night outside the major cities.

The high threat from terrorism in Algeria remains. On 22 October 2009, seven Algerian security guards were killed and two were injured in a gun attack south-east of Tizi Ouzou, between Maatkas and Souk El Tenine. The security guards were en route to work, where they were responsible for protecting the building site of a Canadian company.

On 29 July 2009, 14 Algerian soldiers were killed and several others wounded in an ambush in Damous, in the wilaya of Tipaza. A roadside bomb was detonated and then the soldiers were fired upon.

There were two explosions in Bordj el Kiffan, in the suburbs of eastern Algiers on 4 June 2008. A suicide bomber who was targeting the Republican Guard barracks, is reported to have died along with at least one soldier and several people were injured. The second explosion was at a cafe close to the barracks. In 2007, there were a number of bomb attacks in Algeria. There were two explosions in central Algiers on 11 December 2007, causing over 30 fatalities.

Foreigners have been targeted by terrorists. Travellers should exercise extreme caution at all times as terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as restaurants, hotels and shopping centres.

If you are planning to travel to Algeria, you should be very careful about your personal security arrangements throughout your visit. It is recommended that you vary your daily travel routines, changing the timings and routes of regular journeys where possible. Check travel advice regularly for updates.

Overland travel between major cities should be avoided at night. Sustained small-scale attacks, including bombings, illegal roadblocks, kidnapping and murder, occur in rural and remote sections of the country.

Travellers are recommended to vary unavoidable travel, changing the timings and routes of regular journeys where possible.

Crimes against individuals, such as assaults and muggings, are on the increase in urban areas. Visitors should avoid carrying large amounts of money or valuable property.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel