This seems the obvious ferry to take to get to Algeria and go south - it is easily bookable and costs about the same as the ferry to Tunis - yet there is a definate lack of enthusiasm or info re this crossing - with the Overland book dismissing it as 'a ferry that hasnt been used by Europeans for ages' -with no other reasoning - is it just that the Tunis ferry means you avoid northern Algeria...and that is why it is recommended...any info appreciated as I'm about to book it!

'a ferry that hasnt been used by Europeans for ages' -with no other reasoning

That sums it up reasonably well. I took it last Jan and was the only non-Algie off the packed boat and took them by surprise at the port. Same reaction in 2006 I recall (first time in 18 years - see link below). I believe a few other Euros do it per year.

is it just that the Tunis ferry means you avoid northern Algeria...and that is why it is recommended

Correct. I did Algiers in Jan as a bike importing experiment and as i was heading straight down the TSH but got bogged down for 2 days with Customs - not a problem that you may have. On the way back home they x-rayed my whole car in a car wash-sized machine. Suddenly La Goulette did not seem so bad after all but north Alg is not so bad at the moment AFAIK - many many checkpoints. Next time I would try Oran.

No matter how great a time you've had you can't beat that feeling of sailing away from a north African port!

Ch
Sahara Overland ~ Trans Sahara to Mali

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Chris

You say you were the only non-Algerian?

This was the ferry from Marseille to Algiers??? I have seen another one from Sete (nearer home for me) to Algeria but going into Bejaia (sp?) ...

Were the cars mainly French? Are there many French cars on the road over there? Do you know the format for bringing a car into the country???

I'm seriously looking at a contract in Algiers (working for an arm of the govt.) for a few months & thinking of driving over so that I'll have my own wheels - my French insurance covers me but ...

1. Will I also need a carnet?
2. Will 9 months be too long to have a car there, without re-registering it there?
3. Is it worth taking one over? Is there as much theft there as in other African countries?

I realise you were driving through rather than taking one into the country but if you do know of any of the above it would be a great help! Any other hints appreciated!

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit!

Kira

You say you were the only non-Algerian?
Definitely the only touristy type/car.

This was the ferry from Marseille to Algiers???
Yes

I have seen another one from Sete (nearer home for me) to Algeria but going into Bejaia (sp?) ...
I tried to come back on that one last time for a change but they cancelled it. Less busy than Alg. Sete is a nice spot.

Were the cars mainly French? Are there many French cars on the road over there?
Mostly shagged French bangers driven by Algies.

Do you know the format for bringing a car into the country???
Its pretty simple - at least as a tourist. Longer term resident, who knows.


1. Will I also need a carnet?
No
2. Will 9 months be too long to have a car there, without re-registering it there?
Dont know - ask the embassy.
3. Is it worth taking one over? Is there as much theft there as in other African countries?
Dont know either I'm afraid. I would have thought working in Algiers they would supply you with an driver. I'd be happy not to drive a conspicuously not local car in that city. I hope they will pay you well!

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Any news on this crossing? I might need to actually be in Algiers before heading south, so would rather use this crossing as opposed to Tunis or anything else.

I am wondering which operators run the line, and whether there's a reliable agency that sells online and has rates posted on their web site. A couple of agencies I've come across on the web want you to fill out a multi-page questionnaire (including your car number plates) before they even give you their rates.

Any recent first-hand experience on the crossing itself appreciated too. Conditions on board, customs and immigration procedures etc.

Thanks,

Peter

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https://famous-walker.dreamwidth.org - in Russian but with lots of photos

Google Southern Ferries, they have a website with details of ferries to Algiers, they are agents for lots of ferry companies, and have a London office you can email or phone up.

An SNCM boat, Marseilles-Algiers. Return trip, one person with vehicle (TLC), no cabin (a seat). 521 euros. Tickets booked today, travel in a couple of weeks. No refund, no change. Booked online with an SNCM agent in Germany (see the ferry line's official site for list of agents).

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Here's how it works. Boarding at the port of Marseilles it might be a good idea to queue up the night before, as you would be among the first to get off the boat (no guarantee, but at least with my ferry it was those who boarded first got off first). The ship I was on, MS Danielle Kazanova, an SNCM ferry, is actually very nice, except for I did not have a cabin. Never mind. Slept in my sleeping bag in the seats area with other people. I was indeed the only western tourist on the boat, at least I didn't see any other ones. Not that it bothered me much.

Looking for the entrance to the port in Marseilles took some time, as the area is under a massive reconstruction now. I even had to visit the SNCM office to ask for directions. Give yourselves time.

On the boat there was a person from an insurance company, and it took me just an hour of queuing (with not much else to do), to get my insurance - 26 euros for 30 days, for a vehicle with one driver.

There were also forms available on the boat for the border police and the customs (not all the forms, but at least a couple - the green little fiche d'entree de vehicule, the white form for the border authorities, and the personal valuables declaration form (no one ever asked for the latter).

The ferry docked, and then the madness began. All 2000 vehicles or so attempted to get out at the same time. I ended up being among the last, and that was a bad idea. I ended up waiting for 9 hours (!), before I got out. Every single car was searched. All luggage out on the floor, what's this, what's that, have you got a small whisky for me, etc. I had to fill out additional forms, at least three or four. Most of them were needed to obtain a further form, so I never kept track or copies of all those papers. I also had to drive through a scanner, whilst my bags were out on the floor being searched.

On the good side, no questions were ever asked about the guide (I didn't have one and it didn't surprise anyone). No questions at all, just it all took a very very long time. Didn't have to pay anything additionally to the insurance, and there was no obligatory currency exchange.

The problem is that you can't even snooze, because every five minutes the queue moves a bit, and if you miss the moment somebody cuts in front.

Generally, it was a good way of getting to Algeria, except the long wait. I think that was in part due to the sacrifice day which was to take place in a few days after my arrival.

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https://famous-walker.dreamwidth.org - in Russian but with lots of photos

Thanks for the prices and update FW - 9 hours does sound like a world record!

Are we to understand they let you out of the port gates without an escort?
That would be a turn up for the books (but could add up to another 9 hours finding your way out of Alger...)

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

I am visiting friends in Algeria so got my visa with a private invitation. Still, there were no questions like 'where is your friend' or 'is he meeting you at the port'. The only question was where I was going to stay. I gave my friends' address and that was it.

Not sure if it works the same with an organised tour. For me it was the same thing on a previous visit when we crossed from Tunisia at Tabarka. No questions about the guides.

This time I managed to get down as far as In Salah before anyone asked for a guide. They wouldn't let me pass without one there, so I had to organise a local one.

It was exactly 9 hours and 20 minutes between the docking and my sortie out of the port gate. And I wasn't the last one in the queue.

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Formalities. The guy on the other side of the counter needs to follow procedure to keep his job, so help him out.

Applying for Visa in Sweden, the Algerian embassy asked for an adress. We made reservations online for hotel in Algiers (there were only three hotels in the country you could book online at the time). We had to make individual reservations.
We printed these out and showed at the embassy. and he gave us the visas.

We then presented the same reservations when we entered the country at Bou Chebka.
The friendly border guys asked where we were going and we talked about making a tour (but didn't mention Djanet ), and they let us in without asking for a guide.
We cancelled our hotel reservations next time we were online in Tebessah and were on our way.

This was last May. We drove without a guide as far as Illizi.

I believe the Visa procedure may be tighter in London (or not?). And Taleb Larbi border guards more stringent (so why go there).

Now for next trip we will be met at the border by touareg friends. It will be even better. More relaxed. More laughter. Better tea.

Edit: added smiley

About SNCM ferries and Marseille's harbor don't forget taht they are VERY WELL known in France about their regular and unprdictable strikes.
The last one on October 10th : all passengers were derouted to Genova (I was in Genova at that time waiting the CTN ferry (no strikes with this company) but only if there is enough space....
I NEVER want to use this port or this company: not reliable.
But if you want to go to Algiers there is no second solution except Sete-Oran (if it works).
RR;

Catching this ferry back to Marseilles there was the usual delay at the customs. All luggage out of the car for inspection, then drive to the scanner, then back to the customs, then pick up some stupid papers, then load your bags back, smile through your teeth all the time and say nice things to the damn slow and clueless chaps in uniforms. The most pointless was the final check before getting on the boat - some uniformed officials stop you to make sure once again that you have actually stamped your passport a few minutes ago and cleared your car at the customs. The fella studied my passport for over a minute including visas for some other countries from the past years, then asked me for my 'piece d'identite'. I said 'you're holding it' - he looked once again blankly at my passport, gave it back it to me and finally let me go. The boat was 4 hours late for departure because of this one final check of every vehicle.

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