Algiers Metro

Algiers metro map

The Algiers Metro, known for its efficiency and convenience, makes a significant contribution to the city’s transportation system. The system is managed by Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) – El Djazaïr.

For passengers’ comfort, air conditioning is provided in the carriages. The entire station infrastructure is designed so that passengers can easily move between platforms. However, it should be noted that the metro is not equipped with autonomous drivers and platform screen doors.

The metro’s operating hours cover most of the day: from five in the morning until eleven in the evening, giving passengers plenty of time for city travel. The speed of the trains reaches 70 km/h, allowing for quick movement along various routes.

The fare is 1.40 euros, making metro travel affordable for most residents and city guests.

Additional information can be found on the Algiers Metro official website, accessible via this link.

Lines and stations

Presently, the Algiers Subway system comprises of a single functional line, with an additional one under development. The operational line consists of fourteen stations spanning over a distance of approximately 13.5 kilometers. This subway line serves seven communities within Algiers, stretching from the central city area to El Harrach, tracing the coastline. Of the initial ten stations that were inaugurated, nine are entirely subterranean, with only the Hai El Badr terminal being a surface-level station.

Each station predominantly features two main tracks, divided by dual platforms each extending 115 meters in length. However, the Hai El Badr station stands out as it houses three platforms offering train access. The majority of stations have been constructed according to universal accessibility standards, ensuring independent usage for passengers. The stations include Tafourah – Grande Poste and Khelifa Boukhalfa in downtown Algiers, 1st Mai and Aissat Idir in the Sidi M’Hamed commune, Hamma and Jardin d’Essai in the Belouizdad commune, Le Fusilles, Cite Amirouche, Cite Mer et Soleil in Hussein Dey, Hai El Badr in El Magharia, Bachdjarah – Tennis and Bachdjarah in the Bachdjarah commune, El Harrach Gare in Bourouba, and finally, the El Harrach Centre Station located in El Harrach.

La Grande Poste Station:

La Grande Poste is centrally located in Algiers, serving as the hub for all main city routes that lead to key locations such as Place des Martyres, Audin Place, Algiers University, Tafourah bus station, and the Wilaya of Algiers. Due to its location at the beginning of the line and its proximity to many tourist attractions, it has the highest passenger transit. Future plans include a direct connection to Algiers underground line 2.

Khelifa Boukhalfa Station:

Khelifa Boukhalfa station leads to the commercial district of Algiers, encompassing Mourad Didouche Street, Cinema Algeria, and Victor Hugo Street. Additional significant locations around this area include Hassiba Ben Bouali, Meissonier Market, the Sacred Heart, and Liberty Park.

1st of May Station:

Situated in Mokrani, this station connects to the bus and taxi (ETUSA) networks, leading to the Mustapha Bacha Hospital and the Mohamed Belouizdad (Belcourt) district, one of the city’s oldest.

Idir Aissat Station:

Located in the heart of Belcourt, Aissat Idir station is nearby Maison de la Presse, several bus stops, Telecom Algeria, and UGTA headquarters. It strategically alleviates traffic congestion in its road network.

Hamma / Jardin d’Essais Stations:

The Hamma and Jardin d’Essais stations serve the areas surrounding the National Library of Hamma, Sofitel Algiers, Jardin d’Essais, and Pasteur Institute.

Les Fusillés Station:

Accessible from numerous areas (Brook, Kouba, Hussein Dey, and Bir Mourad Rais), this station is slated to become a significant transportation hub where underground lines, trams, buses, taxis, and funiculars converge.

Amirouche Station:

This station is positioned at the junction of the Hussein Dey and Kouba districts.

Sun and Sea Station:

The Mer et Solei station, on the western end of line 1, is at the heart of the residential area of Mer et Soleil, close to Hussein Dey.

Hai El Badr Station:

Located in the Hai El Badr district, this station serves the areas of Panorama, Hussein Dey, Ben Omar, El Kouba Cadat, and Bachdjarah. It forms a link between Algiers’ suburban regions, providing a quick, comfortable mode of urban transport.

Connections with other systems

As a recent addition, the Subway of Algiers hasn’t yet fully integrated with different transport systems. Despite this, Algiers is progressing towards a transportation system akin to the Parisian style, a development facilitated by direct French intervention from the operator RATP.

Alongside Algiers’ Subway System, a trolley operates within the city, serving as a modern mode of transportation spanning 16.2 kilometers. It traverses from the eastern edge of the Bay of Algiers to the western boundary, where it remains the only functioning mass transportation system.

A key link to Algiers’ Subway is located at the Les Fusilles station, which connects with the trolley station of Ruisseau. Operated by RATP, there exist ticketing systems compatible with both the Subway and the Trolley, a convenience for individuals commuting across the city.

Les Fusilles station also connects with a more niche system—the Cable Railway. Present only in certain areas of Algiers, the Cable Railway is one of the oldest modes of transportation in the city, tracing its origins back to 1956. Five cable railway lines operate in Algiers: The Madania, Memorial, Culture Palace, Notre Dame of Africa, and Triolet. Furthermore, Bab El Oued is under construction, and two more lines are projected. The Madania and Memorial are situated close to each other on the subway line, while The Culture Palace connects with Les Fusilles.

Arguably, the busiest connection might be the nearby trains RER. The Societe Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires (SNTF) operates these trains, linking the city with the suburbs. While the majority of the system runs parallel to Algiers’ Subway line without any connection, it does intersect with the Algiers Trolley. Notably, the new station named El Harrach Gare provides a connection to the nearby SNTF system, which branches in two directions: east and south.

Finally, like in any city, the bus transportation system mustn’t be overlooked. The Entreprise de Transport Urbain et Suburbain (ETUSA) operates more than a hundred lines along with a couple of public lifts.

Airport Connections

The Algiers Metro system navigates crucial areas of the city, teeming with population and tourist attractions. Many passengers wonder about the best route from the airport to Algiers Subway. Currently, there is no direct connection. However, construction is underway to extend Line 1 to Houari Boumediene Airport. The SNTF has also planned a new branch reaching the airport directly from the Bab Ezzouar and Dar El Beida stations. At present, the most convenient way to reach Algiers’ Subway from the airport involves taking a bus and a trolley. Every half hour, the ETUSA’s bus line 100 departs from the airport to Cite 8 Mai 1945, which has a trolley station. This system allows passengers to further connect with the Algiers Subway.

Operating Hours and Frequency

The capital of Algeria needed a transit system operating for the better part of the day, and the Algiers Subway has delivered. This underground service operates seven days a week, from 5 am to 11 pm. The schedule is shortened during the holy month of Ramadan, when the Subway runs from 7 am to 1:30 pm. Train frequency depends on the time of day and crowd size. During peak hours, the wait time is about 3 minutes and 20 seconds, which extends to 5 minutes during less busy periods. The system accommodates 25,000 passengers per hour, although actual numbers are usually much lower. For many tourists, the Algiers Subway is a helpful tool given its relative lack of congestion.

Fees, Tickets, and Cards

The Algiers Subway fares have evolved over time. A single ride costs about 50 dinars ($0.45 USD), while a ten-ride ticket costs 400 dinars ($3.68 USD). Since 2012, the ticketing system has been unified across Algiers’ various modes of transport, especially the subway and trolley. This unification enables passengers to transfer between the two systems using the same ticket. A universal fare costs 70 dinars ($0.64 USD), and a ten-trip ticket costs 600 dinars ($5.51 USD). There’s also a monthly payment option for residents and long-term tourists, covering the subway and trolley for 2500 dinars ($23 USD). This monthly pass comes in the form of reloadable cards. There are also student discounts, with a monthly fee of 700 dinars ($6.44 USD) for college students, reducing to 400 dinars ($3.38 USD) for junior high school students and younger. The combined fare for students for both the subway and trolley is 1000 dinars ($9.19 USD) per month.

System Regulations

Every transportation system has rules that facilitate an optimal relationship between passengers and the transport method, offering mutual benefit. Algiers Subway operators ensure the compliance with these established standards. Some rules include: each passenger must possess a valid ticket, available at station booths and machines. Orderliness is expected on all wagons and platforms, and disrespectful behavior towards other users or subway employees is prohibited. High-volume music without earphones, which may disturb other passengers, is also forbidden. Animals are not permitted in the subway, except for companion animals or small pets that can be carried in purses or baskets by their owners.

Future Expansions

The construction of the Algiers Subway is progressing assertively. The original project envisions a larger system than currently exists, hence the expansion is a certainty. In 2015, the second phase of Line 1 of Algiers Subway was launched with four additional stations extending the system to El Harrach Centre. By 2020, the third phase of this line is planned to be unveiled, adding nine more

stations and culminating at Houari Boumediene International Airport. Other extensions are also under construction, including a southern section with four stations between the existing Hai El Badr and Bachdjarah – Tennis stations. The most notable aspect of the Algiers Subway expansion is that most of it is already under construction. There are also future plans for an elevated subway system from Hai El Badr to Chevalley.

Advice

Safety should always be a priority. The Algiers Subway is no different. During peak hours, overcrowding can occur, creating an ideal environment for pickpockets. It is highly recommended to keep personal belongings in front pockets and to hold purses in front. For tourists, there can be a significant language barrier. Arabic is Algeria’s national language, so subway users should understand standard Arabic. French is also widely spoken due to Algeria’s past as a French colony, and some English can be heard as well. Tourists are advised to be patient and to use a language they somewhat understand.

To avoid suspicions of terrorism, subway users should carry their own bags, backpacks, and purses. Any abandoned bag could be viewed as a threat and trigger alarms within the subway system.

Interesting Facts

• Algiers Subway is the second subway system launched in Africa, following the Cairo Subway in Egypt, which opened to the public in 1987.
• It is the first subway system planned in the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. In 2020, the subway in Oran will open to the public, which is now under construction.
• During construction excavations, an archeological treasure dating back to the Roman Empire was discovered, including a public building and a Byzantine necropolis from the 7th century. Parts of the Es Sayida Mosque, built by the Ottoman Empire and destroyed during French colonization in the 19th century, were also discovered.

Sightseeing from the Algiers Subway

The Algiers Subway, originating from the city’s downtown area along the Mediterranean Sea bay, is perfect for tourists wishing to explore the city. Some key attractions accessible via the subway include the Grande Poste Plaza, D’Essai Gardens, Monument to the Martyrs, and Boulevard Zighout Youcef.

Algiers Metro Pictures