Is Algiers Safe in January 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.

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.

A well-dressed local approaches tourists on Rue Didouche Mourad or near Jardin d'Essai du Hamma botanical garden, offering unrequested help — pointing out directions, carrying bags, walking alongside to "show something interesting." After 5–15 minutes of this company, the person firmly demands payment for their time, framing it as compensation for their services. Refusal can result in a scene, loud accusations, or an escalating confrontation.

How to avoid: Politely but firmly decline unsolicited company from the outset by saying "non merci" and continuing walking. Avoid engaging in extended conversation with strangers who initiate contact near tourist sites, as any extended interaction is later reframed as a paid service.

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.

Restaurants in the tourist-facing streets near Notre-Dame d'Afrique and along the Boulevard Colonel Amirouche present visitors with menus that carry prices two to three times higher than what locals pay for identical dishes. In some cases a second, cheaper menu in Arabic is not offered to foreign visitors. Final bills sometimes include undisclosed "service charges" or items never ordered.

How to avoid: Ask to see the price list before ordering and confirm whether service charges are included. Checking recent reviews on TripAdvisor for the specific restaurant helps identify consistent overcharging. Eating at busy local restaurants away from the immediate tourist circuit typically yields honest pricing.