Is Algiers Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Unlicensed taxi drivers at Houari Boumediene International Airport (ALG) solicit passengers outside the arrivals hall before they reach the official taxi rank, quoting fares of DZD 6,000–10,000 for the 45-minute ride to the city center. The legitimate metered rate from the official taxi stand is DZD 2,000–3,500 depending on traffic. Drivers from the unofficial rank use no meters and may take unnecessarily long routes to inflate perceived value.

How to avoid: Use only the official taxi rank located in the designated zone outside arrivals — look for the marked "Taxi Officiel" sign. Agree on a metered fare or negotiate DZD 2,500–3,500 maximum before entering any cab. Alternatively, use a pre-booked hotel transfer.

Where: Houari Boumediene International Airport (ALG) arrivals hall exit, the unofficial driver area near the car park entrances, and the road in front of the terminal building

Strangers near the main entrances of La Casbah on Rue de la Casbah and around Place des Martyrs approach tourists offering to guide them through the medina's labyrinthine derb alleys. Once deep inside the maze — far from any recognizable landmark — the "guide" either demands a large cash payment to lead you back out, or disappears and sends associates to demand fees. Prices quoted are rarely mentioned upfront and can reach DZD 3,000–6,000 for a short walk.

How to avoid: Book licensed guides through your hotel or the Office National du Tourisme (ONT) only. If approached at a medina entrance, politely decline all unsolicited guide offers. Download an offline map of La Casbah before entering and note the GPS of entry points.

Where: La Casbah medina entrances on Rue de la Casbah near Place des Martyrs, and the upper Casbah access points near Rue Arbadji Ben Mehidi

Informal money changers operate on and around Boulevard Zighoud Youcef and near the central post office on Boulevard Mohamed Khemisti, offering exchange rates 10–30% above the official bank rate for Euros and USD. While the offer appears financially attractive, transactions are illegal under Algerian law and tourists caught participating face fines, confiscation of funds, or detention. Some changers also use sleight-of-hand to shortchange tourists during the count.

How to avoid: Exchange currency only at official bank branches or the licensed bureaux de change inside Houari Boumediene Airport. The legal rate is fixed and non-negotiable — the premium offered on the street is not worth the legal and personal safety risk.

Where: Boulevard Zighoud Youcef waterfront area, the streets surrounding the Grande Poste on Boulevard Mohamed Khemisti, and near the main entrance of the Casbah

Street-level touts in central Algiers near Rue Didouche Mourad and around budget hotels in the Bab El Oued district pose as licensed tour operators offering heavily discounted packages to the Sahara Desert, Tassili n'Ajjer, or Tamanrasset. Deposits of EUR 100–300 are collected, with the remaining balance due "at the meeting point." Tourists who pay arrive at designated meeting points to find no transport, no guide, and no means of recourse.

How to avoid: Book Sahara tours only through operators registered with the Algerian Ministry of Tourism, verifiable through the ONT office on Rue Mohamed Belouizdad. Request a signed contract with company registration number before paying any deposit. Use hotel concierge referrals rather than street contacts.

Where: Budget accommodation areas in Bab El Oued district, street-level tour desks near Rue Didouche Mourad, and informal offices near the Algiers central bus station (Grande Poste area)