My arrival and entry into Algiers was a long but silent exchange.
My Arrival Into Houari Boumediene Airport In Algiers
My Lufthansa flight landed into Houari Boumediene Airport just after midnight. As we taxied to our gate, I noticed a number of Air Algérie and Tassili Airlines jets (Tassili, known as TAL, is owned by Sonatrach, the national state-owned oil company of Algeria).
Despite the vast and underutilized new ALG Airport, it seems the remote stands are still in use, although we pulled up to a gate and disembarked via jetbridge.
Underscoring the size of the new airport, I walked for a good seven minutes (it felt almost like being in Istanbul) before arriving at the immigration queue.
Despite the late hour and only one flight arriving, there were several agents on duty. But all moved very slow (which is not so much a complaint as an observation).
When it finally became my turn, I proceeded to the uniformed agent (all the agents working passport control booths were men in military-looking uniforms) and presented my passport.
He took it (along with the arrival card I had filled out onboard my flight) and began typing on his screen. And typed. And typed some more.
Next, he began looking through my passport. He found my visa to Algeria and then began typing again. It appeared he was entering details from the visa.
The whole process took about five minutes. He then stamped my passport and handed it back to me, again without a word.
Next came a customs check, in which all carry-on and checked baggage had to be screened. This also moved rather slowly and many were pulled aside for secondary screening, though I was not. Alcohol is not widely consumed in Algeria and I did not see a single bar outside my hotel, but it was not like the Maldives where alcohol is searched for and confiscated…it is permitted. I am not sure what officials were looking for.
Once past that, I ventured out into the arrivals hall. There were a fair number of people waiting, but absolutely no taxi touts…how strange and refreshing.
My hotel, the Hyatt Regency, was connected to the airport so I just followed the bridge to the hotel, which I could see in the distance (though there was no signage from the arrivals area pointing me in the right direction).
CONCLUSION
I share this experience because sometimes arriving in a new country can be daunting, especially if you do not speak the language. Here, it took a bit of time but otherwise was not cumbersome.
Merci beaucoup por votre rapport.
“I am not sure what officials were looking for.”
Gold and/or electronics would be my guess. Many countries in that part of the world levy significant duties on both. India used to be like this. It was often several hundred dollars cheaper to buy, for example, a laptop in the USA or Singapore, so people would bring extras with them. (As cheap and plentiful as flights are between India and SIN, it was actually a common ploy to make a weekend electronics run.) And, of course, conceal them to avoid declaring and paying the levy. Undeclared cash is the other likely target.
Your “introduction to exotic Algeria” involves staying at the airport hotel? W0w – way to venture out. Did you actually visit? Or just check the box?
Your comment on an article titled “My Arrival Into Algiers” talking about his arrival into the airport is to say he needs to venture out more. Or maybe he has another separate article to post to detail those travels??
You are welcome the next time in the deep of Algeria in big Sahara desert where you are going to see and enjoy another world. Algeria is vast and have variaty of different geographic aeria from nortth to south you can be stunned despite of all difficulties that you will face when trying to get a visa as a foreigner but believe me it worth it.
You are welcome the next time in the deep of Algeria in big Sahara desert where you are going to see and enjoy another world. Algeria is vast and have variaty of different geographic aeria from nortth to south you can be stunned despite of all difficulties that you will face when trying to get a visa as a foreigner but believe me it worth it.
You just stayed in airport hotel, what an experience? You are very adventurous Matthew,….. You went back next morning i guess
You are welcome and should visit some monuments in the capital Algiers. You have “le jardin d’essais” , the Martyr monument and Casbah ( The ottoman city)…. You Tipaza near you around 60 kms where you can visit Roman ruin and the Mauritanian thomb.
If you want to extend your travel and enjoy the biggest and the wonderful Sahara take the plane toward I advice El Oued because there a 5 stars hotel or Timimoun the red Oasis or Tamanraset, there is plenty beautiful town and amazing nature.
Welcome again and Good luck
Why are you in Algeria ?
By the way Mathew, it takes longer now to clear the never ending queues in all major airports in the UK Algeria is a wonderful vast country that will need more than one visit to truly appreciate
Yeah, some places are like that. My Indian national friend this year had valuables stolen from his carry-on at DEL security checkpoint. In some places, westerners are luckier than nationals. Yeah, the slow hunt and peck typing is a drag. My last time in DXB the guard scolded me for not using the self-serve computer automated mated gates.
It is a pity you did not venture out and visited beautiful Algiers ! May be next time.