Ferry to Algeria
Marseille - Algiers
Cross the western Mediterranean to Algiers with Corsica Linea - cabin, halal on-board dining and WiFi included, vehicles and pets welcome
- Overnight crossing of around 22 hours from Marseille direct to Algeria's capital
- Year-round with Corsica Linea, usually once a week - up to three times in summer
- Car, motorhome and pets on board - note: a visa is required for Algeria
Route guide
Marseille - Algiers ferry at a glance
Everything about the Marseille - Algiers route with Corsica Linea: getting to the Cap Janet terminal, check-in and border formalities, life on board, entry with a vehicle and a pet, and onward travel from the port of Algiers - including the visa requirement for Algeria.
Getting there and the Marseille terminal
Ferries to Algeria depart from the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille. If you're travelling by car, check in at Porte 3 Beauséjour (Cap Janet); foot passengers use Porte 3C. Some foot passengers are received at the Gare Maritime de la Joliette (La Major) and taken to the ship by internal shuttle bus from there; anyone directed straight to Cap Janet gets off at the Terminal Maghreb bus stop.
Without your own car, you can reach the Gare Maritime easily on metro line 2 or tram line 2 to the Joliette stop, opposite Place de la Joliette. There's a taxi rank and a drop-off area right at the port entrance. Marseille itself is well connected to the European motorway network via the A7 and A55.
Check-in and border formalities
The key point to know in advance: a visa is required for Algeria. It must be applied for in person, before travel, at the Algerian embassy or consulate in your home country, ideally at least four weeks ahead. No visa is issued at the border, and your passport must remain valid for at least six months after entry. A national ID card is not sufficient - an original identity document is compulsory for all passengers.
Allow plenty of time for check-in. Vehicle processing at Porte 3 Beauséjour begins in the morning, and foot passenger processing in the early afternoon. The check-in and reporting times that apply to your booking are shown on your travel documents; on the day of departure you'll also receive a text message with your boarding time. Since passport and customs checks await both on board and at the port of Algiers, it's worth building in a generous buffer.
On board with Corsica Linea
Ships deployed on the route include the Danielle Casanova, the Jean Nicoli and the Méditerranée. For the night on board, you can book either a cabin or a reclining seat; a berth isn't compulsory, but it's the more comfortable option for the roughly 22-hour crossing. Cabins come in several categories, with a porthole, en-suite bathroom and TV. Meals are served in restaurants and snack bars with a guaranteed halal menu, alongside outdoor decks and WiFi in the public areas.
Vehicle, motorhome and pets
Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the vehicle deck. The garage deck is closed for safety reasons once the ship has cast off, so take your travel documents, valuables and medication up to the passenger area with you. To enter the country, you register your foreign-registered vehicle with Algerian customs for temporary import; the required Titre de Passage en Douane can be applied for in advance online via the ALCES customs platform (alces.douane.gov.dz). Temporary import is valid for three months for non-Algerians, and you must be able to prove you've left Algeria again with the same vehicle - selling the car without authorisation or leaving the country without your vehicle is prohibited and strictly penalised. You'll find full details for campers in the Motorhome guide.
Pets travel with Corsica Linea only in the on-board kennels; since 2018, animals have no longer been allowed in passenger areas or cabins. You book the kennel space by phone, at least 48 hours before departure, keep your dog on a lead, and bring a padlock for the kennel. To enter Algeria, your pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an official veterinary certificate. An additional rabies antibody titre test from an approved laboratory is required for the return trip into the EU, with the blood sample taken no earlier than 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before entry. The Dogs and pets guide explains how to plan for this.
Arrival in Algiers and onward travel
The ferry docks at the Gare Maritime on the Môle El-Djazair in the commercial port of Algiers, right in the heart of the capital and just a few minutes from the train station. On disembarking, you'll pass through police and customs checks and fill in several forms, whether travelling on foot or with a vehicle. The city centre is reached via Boulevard Zirout Youssef and the pedestrian bridge over the railway tracks. From the nearby train station you can continue by rail, while your own or a rented vehicle gives you access to the coast and the interior via the motorway network.
Tickets and fares
Corsica Linea doesn't publish fixed starting prices; what your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your travel date. The price depends on the season, the cabin or seat category and your vehicle. You'll usually travel cheapest by booking early and outside the summer months. If you're travelling with a pet, book by phone because of the kennel space. Alongside Corsica Linea, the Algerian operator Algérie Ferries also serves the Marseille - Algiers route; book those crossings directly through their own channels.
Marseille - Algiers
The direct link from France to Algiers
The Marseille - Algiers route is the shortest direct link from France to Algeria's capital and is operated year-round by Corsica Linea. The overnight crossing across the western Mediterranean takes around 22 hours: the ferry usually sails once a week, rising to up to three times a week during the summer season in July and August. Ships deployed on the route include the Danielle Casanova, the Jean Nicoli and the Méditerranée.
On board you'll find cabins with a porthole and en-suite bathroom, reclining seats as a cheaper alternative, restaurants with a guaranteed halal menu, outdoor decks and WiFi in the public areas. Cars, motorhomes and motorbikes travel on the vehicle deck, and pets in the on-board kennels. Worth knowing: travellers need a visa for Algeria, which must be applied for before departure. The ferry docks centrally at the commercial port of Algiers, just a short walk from the train station.
- Crossing
- approx. 22 hrs
- Operator
- Corsica Linea
- Frequency
- 1x/week, up to 3x in summer
- From
- €147
- Corsica Linea
- Nouris El Bahr Ferries
Next departures
Marseille - Algiers ferry
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Marseille - Algiers ferry with Corsica Linea
How long does the ferry from Marseille to Algiers take?+
The overnight crossing from Marseille to Algiers takes around 22 hours. Since there's a night on board between departure and arrival, it's best to book a cabin or a reclining seat. Corsica Linea usually sails once a week, rising to up to three times a week during the summer season in July and August.
How often does the ferry run and where can I find the timetable?+
The route is served year-round by Corsica Linea, usually once a week and up to three times a week during peak season. Exact departure days and times shift with the season, so it's worth checking the current timetable before booking. The Algerian operator Algérie Ferries also sails this route, and you book those crossings directly through their own channels.
How much does the Marseille - Algiers ferry cost?+
Corsica Linea doesn't publish fixed starting prices. What your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your specific travel date. The price depends on the season, the cabin or seat category you choose and your vehicle. You'll usually travel cheapest by booking early and outside the summer season. See how this route compares across the network in the Prices & Costs overview.
Do I need a visa for Algeria?+
Yes. Travellers need a visa to enter Algeria, applied for in person and in good time at the Algerian embassy or consulate in their home country. It's recommended to submit the application at least four weeks before departure. Visas are not issued at airports or border crossings, and your passport must remain valid for at least six months after entry.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the vehicle deck; the garage deck stays closed during the crossing, so take all travel documents and medication with you upstairs. You register your foreign-registered vehicle with Algerian customs for temporary import, and you must be able to prove you've left the country again with the same vehicle within three months. The Motorhome guide covers all the steps.
Can I bring my pet on board?+
Pets travel with Corsica Linea only in the on-board kennels, not in the cabin or passenger areas; you book the kennel space by phone, at least 48 hours before departure. To enter Algeria, your pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an official veterinary certificate. An additional rabies antibody titre test is required for the return trip into the EU. The Dogs and pets guide covers what to plan for.
Do I need a cabin, or are there seats?+
A cabin isn't compulsory - reclining seats are also available as a cheaper option for the night on board. For more comfort, cabins with a porthole, en-suite bathroom and TV are available in several categories. For a well-rested arrival in Algiers, your own cabin is the most comfortable option.