Algeria is North Africa's largest country, offering a stunning blend of Mediterranean coastline, ancient Roman ruins, and vast Saharan landscapes. From the UNESCO-listed Casbah of Algiers to the dramatic M'zab Valley and endless desert dunes, Algeria promises authentic cultural experiences and natural wonders largely untouched by mass tourism.
Local currency: Algerian Dinar (DZD) — approximately 130 DZD = 1 USD (rate varies).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Algeria.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $10-20
- Budget
- $25-45
- Midrange
- $60-120
- Luxury
- $160-400+
Food
- Street
- $1-3
- Local
- $5-12
- Midrange
- $15-30
- Fine
- $50-120+
Transport
- Bus
- $0.15-0.40
- Taxi
- $3-10 city trip
- Airport
- $9-12 from ALG airport
- Daytrip
- $20-50 organized
Activities
- Museum
- $1.50-3
- Sites
- $2-5
- Guided Tour
- $20-50
- Sahara Excursion
- $150-300/day
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Algeria costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$200-300/week
Midrange traveller
$500-800/week
Luxury traveller
$1500-3000+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Algeria's official Algerian Dinar is not convertible outside the country — exchange money at banks or official bureaux de change upon arrival; black market rates are illegal and carry serious risks
Domestic flights on Air Algérie can be surprisingly affordable when booked early — for distances like Algiers to Tamanrasset (2,000km), flying saves 2 days of expensive overland travel
Shared taxis (louages) between cities cost significantly less than private taxis and are safe and reliable — ask at the central bus station for the shared taxi departure point
Hotel restaurants charge 2-3x what equivalent nearby restaurants charge — eat lunch at local restaurants and save hotel restaurants for special occasions
Buy Saharan date boxes directly from markets in Biskra or Ghardaïa rather than at tourist shops in Algiers — same product, 50% cheaper
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Casbah of Algiers
The UNESCO World Heritage medina is free to explore on foot — wander the Ottoman alleyways, admire palace facades, and discover mosques at no cost; guided tours are optional extra
Martyrs' Memorial (Maqam Echahid)
Algiers' iconic triumphal monument and the surrounding Riadh El Feth cultural park are free to visit and offer panoramic city and bay views from the hilltop
Algiers Corniche Walk
The seaside promenade of Algiers stretching several kilometers along the bay is one of the Mediterranean's most scenic free walks, especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset
Jardin d'Essai du Hamma
Algiers' magnificent 58-hectare botanical garden contains over 1,200 plant species from around the world in a Victorian-era landscape — entry is very cheap at under $1
Notre-Dame d'Afrique Basilica
The distinctive black-and-white striped basilica perched above the bay is free to enter and offers extraordinary views over Algiers from its terrace
Timgad Site Exploration
While the main Roman ruins require a small admission fee, the surrounding area and approach roads offer free views of the site's triumphal arch and columns
Plage Publique (Public Beaches)
All of Algeria's public beaches are free to access — the Mediterranean coast offers beautiful swimming from June to October at no charge
Constantine's Bridges Viewpoints
The dramatic hanging bridges spanning the Rhumel Gorge in Constantine can be seen and crossed for free — viewpoints along the gorge rim are among Algeria's most spectacular
M'zab Valley Old Towns
The exterior areas and main streets of the M'zab valley ksour (except Beni Isguen interior) are walkable for free — the distinctive conical minarets and ancient mud-brick architecture are visible from public roads
Saharan Sunrise and Sunset
The most profound free experience in Algeria — watching the Saharan sun rise or set over the dunes near Tamanrasset or from Assekrem costs nothing and is unforgettable