To whom it may concern :

https://www.visa-algerie.com/reouver...o-tunisiennes/

Levelo.

As of July 15 land borders between the 2 countries have officially reopened.
Safe travels to all.
L.

In December we are going to visit Tunisia in our own car and then we want to visit the north of Algeria

I would like to know if you can go with the car, if you need a reservation or if you need an agency that accompanies you

What would be the best point to cross the border with Algeria?

Thank you

What nationality are you ?

The last time I enquired ( pre-Covid ) I would have needed a hotel booking or an invitation in order to get the visa ( French passport holder ). Visas ARE NOT issued at the border. Also bear in mind that it is ( was ) virtually impossible to get the Algerian visa outside of your country of residence ( applying at the Algerian consulate in Tunis would be a bad idea ).

As far as I know you are free to roam pretty much wherever you want in the north of the country.
That doesn't mean that you'll travel alone all the time, though.
The local gendarmerie may decide to escort you in some areas, or deter you from setting up camp in the wild ( with a smile ).

Go if you can. Algeria is in my opinion the friendliest country in North Africa.

L.

Thank you Levelo

I am Spanish, my idea is to go with the visa before traveling.

According to what I had understood before the pandemic, an invitation was necessary, I suppose that has not changed. I hope I can get it from a hotel reservation.

According to the link above, it says that the border has only been opened for Tunisians or Algerians, not for foreign citizens, I don't know if it could be done with a visa or not?

I was thinking of crossing the border through bou chebka or through Ras el Ayoun

Which border crossing is better, faster, safer?

thank you

Hey,

According to this article 9 border posts have fully reopened :

https://www.france24.com/fr/afrique/...x-ans-de-covid

There is no mention of third party nationalities being excluded so I'd say that is a green light for you.

The only border post that most probably is a no go is Taleb Larbi ( on the El Oued to Tozeur road ). As far as I know the Algerian authorities don't let tourists roam on their own in that part of the country.
You'd need a guide.

You should phone one of the Algerian consulates in Spain to check what the latest visa requirements are.

I'm also considering going back later this year ( ferry from Marseilles with my trusted bicycle on it ).

L.

Bou Chebka is one border I would definitely avoid.
This is opposite Tebessa in Alg where ambushes often occurred and jihadists were coming and going from Tunisia via Jebel Chaambi. This may have been some years ago - I have not been keeping track, but this has been an overlooked hot spot for decades.
See the map at: https://sahara-overland.com/tunisia/ (still current)

Go far south: Taleb Larbi - or far north: Med coast.
No border into Alg is fast: expect 2-3 hours.

We always used Taleb as we were heading for the desert, but that included meeting our agency escort there once that rule was introduced (2004). Some have managed to dodge this ‘certificate d’hebergment’ requirement when applying for the visa - sometimes by booking then cancelling hotels online, but only if you stay out of the 'Grand Sud' (desert; more or less 30°N).
And even then in the north a foreigner in a foreign plated car will raise eyebrows at checkpoints. Especially the gendarmerie in green & white Nissans.

It’s best to look at Alg like Iran – a rightly acclaimed favourite by the few who manage to visit but with a tricky and unreliable visa policy. In this way it was never like normal Morocco, Tunisia or Egypt. Do not expect any tourist infrastructure or services.
Much depends on your nationality (or more accurately you country’s visa regime towards Alg) or indeed the mood of the guy at the consulate.
I think Spain and DZ are getting on well well right now with gas imports, etc no? (maybe no, but it will pass)

Another interesting article: https://www.france24.com/en/business...endence-on-oil

__________________
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

Seems like the land border should be fully open now:

https://www.africanews.com/2022/07/1...ears-closure//