Algiers Metro: Map, Operating Hours, Stations, Tickets and Airport Connections

The Algiers Metro is the rapid transit system of Algiers, Algeria’s capital. Planned in the 1970s and opened to the public on 1 November 2011 after long delays, it became the second metro system in Africa after Cairo. Today it is a key part of city transport, with Line 1 forming the core route and further expansion under way.

Key	Information
System	Rapid transit metro in Algiers, Algeria
Opening date	1 November 2011
Main route	Line 1
Current network	About 18.5 km (11.5 miles) and around 19 stations on the main operating network, plus a short trial section of Line 2
Typical operating hours	05:00-23:00, with reduced opening times during Ramadan
Peak frequency	About 2-3 minutes
Top speed	About 70 km/h (43.5 mph)
Rolling stock	14 six-car CAF trains
Airport link	No direct metro connection yet; bus and rail transfers are available

Algiers Metro Map

Map of Algiers Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Algiers Metro map in PDF format.

Lines and stations

The Algiers Metro currently operates one main line, Line 1, plus a short trial section of Line 2. According to the latest figures in the draft, Line 1 covers about 18.5 km (11.5 miles) and serves around 19 stations. That route has grown steadily since the original 9.2 km (5.7 miles) first phase opened in 2011.

Most stations are underground and built to modern standards, with two tracks and side platforms of about 115 m (377 ft). Haï El Badr stands out as the main surface terminus and has three platforms. Stations are largely accessible, trains are air-conditioned, and the system is driver-operated.

The metro is closely tied into public transport in Algiers. Several stops connect with bus, tramway, trolley, suburban rail, and cable car services, which makes the stations list especially useful when planning a route.

Key interchange points include Les Fusillés, a major multimodal hub; El Harrach Gare, which connects with SNTF suburban rail; and Tafourah – Grande Poste, a central stop with strong bus connections. There is still no direct path train or metro route to the airport, though an extension is planned.

Station	Details
Les Fusillés	Important multimodal hub with connections to the trolley network and nearby cable car lines.
El Harrach Gare	Interchange with SNTF suburban rail services.
Tafourah – Grande Poste	Central station with many surface bus connections and easy access to downtown.
Khelifa Boukhalfa	Well-used central station serving the commercial district.
1er Mai	Busy station linked with ETUSA bus services and taxis.
Aïssat Idir	Central stop in the Belcourt area.
Hamma	Useful for cultural sites and nearby attractions.
Jardin d’Essai	Serves the botanical gardens area.
Amirouche	Part of the main Line 1 urban corridor.
Mer et Soleil	Serves residential areas near Hussein Dey.
Haï El Badr	Main surface terminus with three platforms.
Bachdjarah – Tennis	Station on the eastern part of Line 1.
Bachdjarah	Residential-area station on the route.
El Harrach Centre	Eastern terminus reached by the 2015 extension.

Further stations are under construction as part of the network expansion. The latest plans mentioned in the draft refer to about 15 stations under construction, including a future Algiers International Airport station.

Operating Hours and Frequency

The Algiers Metro runs every day. Normal operating hours are generally 05:00 to 23:00, so the system covers most daily travel needs. During Ramadan, opening hours are reduced, with reported timings of 07:00 to 13:30.

Peak frequency is usually around 2 to 3 minutes, while off-peak service runs about every 4 to 6 minutes. Some reports give a typical wait of 3 minutes 20 seconds during busy periods. In practical terms, that means short waiting times on the main line for most of the day.

Service detail	Timings
Regular operating hours	05:00-23:00
Ramadan opening times	07:00-13:30
Peak frequency	About 2-3 minutes
Off-peak frequency	About 4-6 minutes
Typical last train	Around 23:00-23:15, depending on station
Line 2 trial service	About 06:00-22:00 on weekdays; suspended on weekends and public holidays during trial operation
End-to-end running time on Line 1	Roughly 30 minutes

The last train on regular Line 1 service is generally around 23:00 to 23:15, though exact closing time can vary by station. If you need timings today or the schedule today for a specific stop, check station notices before you travel.

Trains can reach about 70 km/h (43.5 mph), and the system is designed for high capacity. Reported figures put practical capacity at around 25,000 passengers per hour, with higher theoretical numbers in some sources.

Fares, Tickets, and Cards

The Algiers Metro uses a mix of single tickets, multi-ride products, rechargeable smart cards, and passes. Ticketing also connects in part with tram and trolley services, which is useful if you use more than one form of local transport in the city.

Typical single fares and multi-ride tickets

Metro single ticket price: about 50 DZD (USD 0.37).
Metro 10-ride booklet: about 400 DZD (USD 2.98).
Tram single fare: about 40-50 DZD (USD 0.30-0.37), depending on distance.
Tram 10-journey booklet: about 400 DZD (USD 2.98).
Unified transfer fare for metro plus trolley or tram: about 70 DZD (USD 0.52).
Unified 10-ride booklet: about 600 DZD (USD 4.47).
Day pass: about 120 DZD (USD 0.89) for unlimited metro rides within 24 hours.

Smart cards and season passes

Rechargeable smart card: available at station service windows and vending machines.
Reported smart card fare per ride: about 40 DZD (USD 0.30).
Reported refundable card deposit: about 200 DZD (USD 1.49).
Combined Metro+Tram monthly pass: cited around 2,200-2,500 DZD (USD 16.39-18.63).
Student monthly fare: about 700 DZD (USD 5.22).
Combined student metro+trolley monthly pass: about 1,000 DZD (USD 7.45).
Youth or senior monthly passes: reported in the 1,000-1,500 DZD range (USD 7.45-11.18), depending on coverage.
Recent longer-term offers cited in the draft include 3-month passes at about 3,000 DZD (USD 22.35) and 12-month passes at about 12,000 DZD (USD 89.40).

Concessions and children

Children under 6 are reported to travel free.
Children aged 6-12 are reported to receive half-price fares in some schemes.

Where and how to buy tickets

At metro stations, from automatic ticket machines and staffed ticket windows.
Smart cards can be purchased and recharged at station service desks or vending machines.
Some digital payment and online ticket options have also been reported.

Practical tips

If you make several trips in one day, a day pass or multi-ride booklet may offer better value.
For frequent travel, a rechargeable card can lower the fare and speed up entry.
Keep your ticket or pass validated, as inspections do take place.
Because fares have changed across operators and years, check the latest station information before buying.

As a quick price reference, reported figures in the draft include metro single tickets at about 50 DZD (USD 0.37), day passes at about 120 DZD (USD 0.89), and smart-card rides at about 40 DZD (USD 0.30).

Connections with other systems

The Algiers Metro is part of a wider public transport network that includes tramway, trolley, bus, suburban rail, and cable car services. Full integration is still developing, but several interchange points already make transfers fairly straightforward.

Main interchange points

Les Fusillés / Ruisseau: the main connection with tram or trolley services, plus access to nearby cable car lines and surface transport.
El Harrach Gare: direct interchange with the SNTF suburban rail system.
Tafourah – Grande Poste: a central hub with many bus routes and good pedestrian access to downtown.

Tram/trolley, cable cars and buses

Tram/trolley: a modern tramway or trolley corridor links with the metro at key points, especially around Ruisseau and Les Fusillés.
Cable cars: historic cableway lines serve steep neighborhoods such as Madania, Memorial, Palace of Culture, Notre Dame of Africa, and Triolet.
Buses: ETUSA operates many city bus routes and also provides airport shuttle services.

Tickets and transfers

Ticketing has been unified across metro and trolley modes since 2012 according to the draft. Compatible tickets, reloadable cards, and some combined passes can be used for transfers, which is helpful for regular city transport journeys.

Airport connections

There is no direct metro route to Houari Boumediene Airport yet. Until the airport extension opens, the usual route is to take an airport bus such as ETUSA Line 100, or the airport rail service, and then transfer into the metro network.

Airport Connections

Houari Boumediene Airport is about 20 km (12.4 miles) from central Algiers at Place de la Grande Poste. Travel time depends on the mode you choose: the airport train takes about 20 minutes to the main railway station, buses usually take 45 to 60 minutes, and a taxi to downtown is typically around 40 minutes in normal traffic.

Train

Since 2019, a direct rail link has connected the airport with Algiers. The airport station is between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and from Terminal 4 it is about a 5-minute walk. Trains reach Gare Agha in roughly 20 minutes, with a train schedule of about every 30 minutes.

The standard ticket price is 80 DZD (USD 0.60). Children aged 4 to 16 get a 50% discount, and children up to age 3 travel free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Bus

ETUSA runs regular airport bus services. The best-known is Line 100, which links Aéroport d’Alger with central stops including Place des Martyrs and also serves major points such as Gare Routière du Caroubier and Tafourah – Grande Poste metro station.

Line 100 departs about every 30 minutes. A single ticket costs roughly 50 DZD (USD 0.37), and the usual running time is 45 to 60 minutes. Two other ETUSA routes, lines 39 and 178, also serve the airport.

Metro and transfers

There is still no direct metro service to the airport. Work is under way to extend Line 1 to Houari Boumediene Airport, but for now the most practical option is to use the airport bus or commuter rail and then transfer to the metro at a central connection point such as Tafourah – Grande Poste.

Taxi

Taxis operate between the airport and downtown Algiers. The trip usually follows the N5, with the A1 also connecting on the way to the airport. Travel time is around 40 minutes, though traffic can change that quite a bit. It is wise to confirm the fare before the trip starts.

Practical tips

If you want the fastest public transport option to central rail links, the airport train is usually the quickest.
If you plan to continue by metro, allow extra time for the transfer because there is no direct line yet.
Check current timetable information before you travel, especially if you need exact timings today.

System Regulations

The Algiers Metro has a set of basic rules intended to keep the system safe, orderly, and comfortable for everyone. Staff monitor compliance, and passengers are expected to follow posted instructions.

A valid ticket or pass is required for every journey.
Passengers should behave respectfully toward other riders and metro staff.
Loud music or other disturbing noise is not allowed.
Animals are not permitted, except certified companion animals or very small pets carried in a bag, basket, or purse.
Staff instructions should be followed at all times to support safe operation.

These rules are simple, but they matter. They help keep the metro reliable and safe for daily public transport use.

History

The history of the Algiers Metro goes back to the 1970s, when the first plans were drawn up. The project was officially launched in 1982, and technical studies were completed by 1985. Financial problems, lower oil revenues in the 1980s, and security issues slowed progress for years, so the system did not finally open until 1 November 2011.

Early planning and stalled works

Initial plans imagined a much larger 64 km (39.8 miles) network. In 1988 and 1989, contracts were awarded to national companies COSIDER and GENISIDER, but progress remained limited. Difficult geology, uneven topography, and funding shortages meant that only a few short tunnel sections and four stations were completed over a long period.

Among the works finished in the 1990s were the 450 m (0.45 km / 0.28 mile) Emir-Abdelkader tunnel and a 650 m (0.65 km / 0.40 mile) link from the Central Post Office to Khélifa-Boukhalfa.

Restart and international partnership

The project was revived in the early 2000s. International firms joined the program: Systra-Sgte for project management, the Agéro-German GAAMA group for civil works, Siemens Transportation Systems for integrated systems, Vinci for civil engineering, and CAF for the trains.

From 2003 onward, the government increased funding and restructured the project. In January 2006, Siemens took charge of signaling, electrification, and fixed equipment, while CAF supplied 14 six-car trains. The line was equipped with Trainguard MT CBTC technology.

Construction milestones

The El Hamma-Haï El Badr section, with four stations and associated systems, was completed within 38 months. Civil engineering and rail laying were officially finished on 30 June 2007.
Track installation and welding began in April 2007, and the first metro car was scheduled for delivery by December that year.

Opening and extensions

The first phase of Line 1, between Haï el Badr and Tafourah-Grande Poste, opened on 1 November 2011. That section was about 9.2 km (5.7 miles) long and had ten stations.

On 4 July 2015, a 4 km (2.5 miles) extension with four more stations opened from Haï el Badr to El Harrach Centre. That brought the system to 14 stations and about 13.5 km (8.4 miles) of route. Further expansions followed in later years.

Costs and future aims

The first phase cost has been reported at about 1,200 million euros. Another figure in the draft gives roughly 77 billion DZD for the first phase. Authorities have also stated long-term goals to expand the network to around 60 km (37.3 miles) and about 58 stations.

History

Future Expansions

The Algiers Metro is in a significant expansion phase. Authorities announced that the Aïn Naâdja-Baraki and El-Harrach-USTHB sections are scheduled to open in the second half of 2026. Civil works on those segments are reported complete, with equipment and systems installation under way.

If those sections open as planned, the network is expected to grow from about 19 km (11.8 miles) to roughly 33 km (20.5 miles). That should improve transportation in Algiers and strengthen the airport connection in particular.

Key extension projects (selected)

El-Harrach Centre to Houari Boumediene International Airport: 9.5 km (5.9 miles) with 9 stations.
Aïn Naâdja to Baraki: about 4 km (2.5 miles) with 4 stations.
Place des Martyrs to Bab El-Oued (3 Horloges): about 1.5 km (0.9 miles).
Triolet to Chevalley: 7.5 km (4.7 miles) with 5 stations.
Chevalley to Rostomia (Mohamed Boudiaf Olympic Complex): 1.5 km (0.9 miles) with 1 station.
Rostomia to Ouled Fayet (Cheraga): 8.8 km (5.5 miles) with 8 stations.
Rostomia to Draria: 5.5 km (3.4 miles) with 7 stations.
Airport to Pole Hammadi (Hammadi Transfer Station): 6.1 km (3.8 miles) with 3 stations.
Cité 2004 logements to Eucalyptus Gare: 6 km (3.7 miles) with 5 stations.
Draria to Douira: 7.4 km (4.6 miles) with 6 stations.

Separate work is also reported on inner-city sections such as Place des Martyrs to Taleb Abderrahmane. Published targets differ, with some statements pointing to about 60 km (37.3 miles) and others to as much as 90 km (55.9 miles), but the direction is clear: the system is set to expand well beyond its current footprint.

Advice

If you are using the Algiers Metro for the first time, a little planning goes a long way. Here are the most practical points from the available information.

Hours & frequency

Line 1 usually runs from 05:00 to 23:00, so check the first train starting time and last train timing if you are traveling early or late.
Line 2 is in trial operation, with service around 06:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and no service on weekends or public holidays during the trial.
Peak frequency is about 2-3 minutes, while off-peak service is about 4-6 minutes.
A full Line 1 trip takes roughly 30 minutes.
Schedules may be shorter during Ramadan.

Tickets & fares

A standard single ticket costs about 50 DZD (USD 0.37).
A day pass is commonly reported at around 120-150 DZD (USD 0.89-1.12), which can be a smart choice for multiple rides.
A rechargeable card may lower the cost to about 40 DZD (USD 0.30) per ride, plus a refundable deposit of about 200 DZD (USD 1.49).
Children under 6 travel free, and ages 6-12 usually pay half price.

Transfers & airport

There is no direct metro airport link yet, so allow time for a bus or rail transfer.
ETUSA Line 100 is one of the main airport bus options for connecting with the city transport network.
If your route depends on Line 2, check current service carefully because trial operations can change.

Accessibility & onboard comfort

Stations are reported to have elevators, tactile paving, and barrier-free access.
Trains are air-conditioned.
Announcements are made in Arabic and French, and English station names appear on electronic screens.

Luggage, crowds & safety

Large luggage is allowed, but elevators are easier than stairs, especially at busy stations.
Peak crowding is reported around 07:30-09:00 and 17:00-19:00.
The metro is a reliable and affordable way to move around central Algiers.
For taxis, agree on the fare in advance if there is no meter.

Final tips

Buy a smart card if you expect to ride several times.
Check station notices for temporary service changes, public holiday updates, and Ramadan opening times.
If you need a route plan, station staff and posted maps are your best quick reference.

Interesting Facts

The Algiers Metro is Algeria’s first metro system and the second to open in Africa after Cairo. It is mostly underground, uses modern CAF trains, and has developed in phases after a very long gestation period.

Key dates

The project was first designed in the 1970s, officially launched in 1982, and technically studied by 1985.
It was inaugurated on 31 October 2011 and opened to passengers on 1 November 2011.
The 4 km (2.5 miles) extension to El Harrach Centre opened on 4 July 2015.

System and operations

The first phase measured 9.2 km (5.7 miles) and had 10 stations, nine of them underground.
Haï El Badr is a surface terminus with three tracks and two island platforms.
The fleet includes 14 six-car CAF trains, each about 108 m (354 ft) long with 208 seats and a crush capacity of about 1,216 passengers.
Top speed is around 70-72 km/h (43.5-44.7 mph).
The system uses Siemens CBTC signaling technology.
Regular working hours are generally about 05:00-23:00.

Extensions and figures to note

Different sources in the draft give different totals, depending on the year and whether planned or recently opened sections are counted. Early post-2015 reporting gave the network about 13.5 km (8.4 miles) and 14 stations, while later figures list roughly 18.2 km (11.3 miles) and 19 stations.

What stays consistent is the bigger picture: Algiers has a modern metro system with a long history, a growing route, and several expansion projects that could reshape urban transport in the city.

Sightseeing from the Algiers Subway

The Algiers Metro is useful for sightseeing because Line 1 links central districts, cultural sites, and busy commercial areas. For visitors, it is one of the easiest ways to move through central Algiers without getting stuck in road traffic.

Top stops for tourists

Station	Details
Tafourah – Grande Poste	Best starting point for downtown walks, with access to Place des Martyrs, Audin Square, the university area, and many central sights.
Hamma / Jardin d’Essai	Useful for the National Library of Hamma, the Jardin d’Essai botanical gardens, and nearby hotels.
Khelifa Boukhalfa	Good stop for the commercial district, Mourad Didouche Street, Victor Hugo Street, Meissonier Market, and nearby landmarks.
1er Mai	Serves the Mustapha Bacha Hospital area and the historic Belcourt / Mohamed Belouizdad district.
Aissat Idir	Located in the heart of Belcourt near the Maison de la Presse and other central institutions.
Les Fusillés	Main interchange for reaching tramway, trolley, and nearby cable car connections.
Cité Mer et Soleil	Convenient for local neighborhood walks near Hussein Dey.
Haï El Badr	Surface terminus linking suburban districts with the city center.
El Harrach Gare	Handy if you need to continue by suburban rail beyond the metro system.

Practical tips

Start at Tafourah – Grande Poste if you want an easy first stop in the center.
Change at Les Fusillés if you want to continue by tramway, trolley, or cable car toward hilltop areas.
There is no direct metro connection from the airport, so if you are arriving by air, add extra time for a bus or rail transfer before sightseeing.