Algeria - General Information

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Country Name

Algeria (Algerie)

National railway system

La Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires (SNTF)

Official Website

SNTF (In Arabic and French)

Language

Arabic and French.

Currency

Algerian Dinar, symbol DZD.

UIC code

Numeric 92; alpha DZ

Timetable

Journey Planner

SNTF website front page.

A good official SNTF app with timetable and train type is available for android mobile phones

Downloadable Timetable

There do not appear to be any downloadable SNTF timetables available on the main SNTF website. The Fahrplancenter website does provide some timetable information, but it has not been updated recently.

Printed Timetable

None

Engineering Information

None

Maps

=Printed Maps

There is no currently available published map of Algerian Railways

Web-based Maps

Note that this map includes all lines (passenger and freight) including those which are under construction but not yet opened for traffic, and projected lines. Refer to the map key carefully for details. The ANESRIF website also features maps for each individual project (see “Recent and Future Changes” section below).

Ticketing

The Seat61 website > Travelling by train in Algeria gives useful information on travelling in Algeria.

Gauge

Standard

Electrification

3kV DC except for the Tanger - Kénitra high speed line, which is 25kV AC. All passenger lines are electrified except for the routes east of Fes to Oujda and Beni Nsar Port.

Rule of the road

Left

Other Railways

None

Tourist Lines

None

Metro

None.

Trams

  • Rabat – Salé. Revenue earning services started on 23 May 2011.
  • Casablanca. Revenue earning services started on 12 December 2012.

Recent and future changes

Morocco’s first high speed line, between Tanger and Kénitra and originally planned to open in December 2015, is due to be handed over for the start of trial running in June 2018, when the stations have been completed. Tracklaying was completed in October 2017 and the catenary in November 2017. The electrification system was energised at the beginning of January 2018 and the signalling commissioned in February 2018. This 200 route-km section is the first phase of the planned Tanger – Casablanca high speed line. The trains will then run on the upgraded line from Kenitra to Casablanca, and construction of a third, parallel track, for freight was announced along with the other upgrading plans in September 2012. Tanger Ville station was closed temporarily, possibly from 7 January 2015, for high speed line works and all services now terminate at Tanger Morora.

A new railway line opened on 17 June 2009 between a triangle immediately south of Tanger Morora and the huge new port of Tanger Med. In early 2013 a sparse passenger service of 2 trains per day was scheduled on the branch as far as Ksar Sghir. Regular services between Tanger Ville and Tanger Med commenced on 15 June 2013.

November 2012 saw the launch of the first phase of a project to double the Settat to Marrakech line, build a new station at Benguerir, and construct a 2 hectare ‘dry port’ at Sidi Ghanem on the outskirts of Marrakech.

In 2010 a new 27km cut-off between Sidi Yahya El Gharb and Mechraa Bel Ksiri allowed trains from Casablanca to Tanger to avoid the longer route via Sidi Kacem.

The new railway from Taourirt to Beni Ksar Port was officially opened by King Mohammed VI on 10 July 2009, along with the two new stations at Nador, the major city on the line.

Special Notes

The line from Oujda to Maghnia in Algeria has been closed for political reasons for some years, so Morocco has no rail connections to other countries. Beni Nsar Port station is only 150 m from the border with the Spanish enclave of Melilla, which has a ship connection to Almeria. Beni Nsar Port has ship connections to Almeria and Sete (France).