Oran, Tlemcen to Algiers 8-Day Rail Itinerary
Explore the western Andalusian ancient capital and seaport, then take a train to the capital, connecting coastal ruins and canyons.
Enter via Oran to see the fortress and old town, head to Tlemcen to explore Maghrebi Islamic monuments, and then take the East-West trunk line train to Algiers, avoiding backtracking. The second half of the trip is based in the capital, visiting the Casbah, Tipasa, and Chiffa Gorge. The pace is moderate, skipping the eastern Roman cities to focus on Islamic and colonial urban history.
Coastal hotels are crowded and hot in summer; trains are often delayed, so do not schedule tight connections.
Day by day
Day 1 · Stroll Through Oran
Oran（Place du 1er Novembre、Palace of the Bey、Pasha Mosque、Sidi El Houari Old Town、Front de Mer）
Take a taxi from the airport to the city (about 30 minutes), then walk around the squares, old town, and seafront.
Stay: City Centre
Day 2 · Fortress Views to Tlemcen
Oran（Fort Santa Cruz、Chapel of Santa Cruz） → Tlemcen
Take a taxi up the mountain to see the fortress in the morning, and take a chartered car to Tlemcen in the afternoon (about 2 hours).
Stay: Tlemcen City Center
Day 3 · Mansourah Ruins to Oran
Mansourah & Sidi Boumediene → Oran
Take a chartered car to explore the suburban ruins in the morning, and return to Oran in the afternoon (about 2 hours), optionally via Sidi Bel Abbès.
The mosque does not accept visitors on Friday at noon; it is recommended to avoid this time.
Stay: City Centre
Day 4 · East-West Trunk Line Train to the Capital
Oran → Algiers（Grande Poste d'Alger、Rue Didouche Mourad & Downtown）
Take the Coradia train to Algiers (about 5 hours), and stroll through the city center in the evening.
Tickets can be purchased on the SNTF official website. Confirm the schedule in advance and allow buffer time for delays.
Stay: Algiers City Centre
Day 5 · Casbah & Notre-Dame d'Afrique
Algiers（Casbah of Algiers、Dar Mustapha Pacha、Ketchaoua Mosque、Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23)、Notre-Dame d'Afrique）
Take a taxi to the upper Casbah and walk down. In the afternoon, take a taxi up to Notre-Dame d'Afrique.
Hiring a local guide is recommended for the Casbah.
Stay: Algiers City Centre
Day 6 · Cherchell & Tipasa
Algiers（Cherchell、Tipasa、Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania）
Chartered car driving west along the coast, about 4 hours round trip, passing the Royal Mausoleum on the way back.
Stay: Algiers City Centre
Day 7 · Chiffa Gorge & Hamma Botanical Garden
Algiers（Chiffa Gorges (Ruisseau des Singes)、Jardin d'Essai du Hamma）
Chartered car via Blida to the gorge (about 1.5 hours), returning to Algiers in the afternoon.
Have your driver or travel agency confirm checkpoint requirements before taking the overland route out of the city.
Stay: Algiers City Centre
Day 8 · Museums, Great Mosque & Departure
Algiers（Bardo National Museum (Algiers)、Maqam Echahid & Riadh El Feth、Djamaa El Djazaïr (Great Mosque of Algiers)）
Take a taxi to connect the sights. The Great Mosque is close to the airport, from where it takes about 20 minutes to reach the airport.