Ferry to Algeria
Sète - Algiers
Cross the western Mediterranean from Sète to Algiers with Grandi Navi Veloci - a comfortable crossing with your vehicle
- With GNV from the southern French port of Sète direct to the capital, Algiers
- Overnight crossing of around 20 hours - choice of cabin or reclining seat
- Car, motorbike and pets on board - passport and visa required
Route guide
Sète - Algiers ferry at a glance
Everything about the Sète - Algiers route with GNV: getting to the terminal in Sète, check-in and border formalities, life on board, vehicle and pet information, and visa, customs and arrival in Algiers.
Getting there and the Sète terminal
In Sète, GNV departs from the Gare Maritime Orsetti, at 2-124 Av. du Maréchal Juin, 34200 Sète. By car, you reach the port via the A9 motorway between Montpellier and Perpignan; the way to the ferry terminal is signposted. Coming from further afield, the drive is straightforward via the French motorway network towards the Mediterranean coast.
Without your own vehicle, you can reach Sète by train; buses run from the station and the town centre to the port. The nearest airport is Montpellier-Méditerranée, with transfer options available. A car park for the duration of your trip is available near the port at the GNV berth.
Check-in and border formalities
Check-in in Sète closes 60 minutes before departure. Since Algeria is outside the Schengen area, passport, customs and security checks apply: allow considerably more time and aim to be at the terminal around four hours before departure, especially with a vehicle. Keep your booking confirmation to hand; the ticket desk is staffed right up to departure on sailing days.
Travellers need a valid passport, valid for at least six months after entry, plus a visa applied for in advance. Apply for the visa in good time at the Algerian embassy or consulate in your home country; no visas are issued at airports or border crossings.
On board the GNV ferry
For the overnight crossing of around 20 hours, it's best to book a berth: GNV offers a simple deck seat, reserved reclining seats, and standard, premium and deluxe cabins. For meals there's a restaurant, a self-service area, a pizzeria, a bar and a bistro; the Sea-Fi WiFi is a paid service.
Pets travel in a pet-friendly cabin, but not in the seating and lounge areas. There are designated areas on deck where you can walk your pet on a lead.
Vehicle, motorhome and pets
Cars and motorbikes travel on the vehicle deck; provide your vehicle details when booking. For temporary import into Algeria you'll need your vehicle registration document, driving licence and motor insurance covering Algeria (a green card). Important: you must be able to prove the vehicle has left the country again within three months, or you risk heavy fines or imprisonment; the import is registered with Algerian customs (douane.gov.dz). Details for campers are covered in the Motorhome guide.
Register pets when booking; they travel in their own pet-friendly cabin. The Dogs and pets guide sums up what Algeria requires for entry with an animal.
Arrival in Algiers and onward travel
GNV docks at the Gare Maritime d'Alger, right in the heart of the capital. Before leaving the port you'll pass through passport and customs checks. The city centre around Place des Martyrs is reachable on foot, by bus lines 39 and 100, or by taxi; Houari Boumediène Airport is around 30 to 40 minutes away. With your own vehicle, you can be out of the port and on the road network quickly.
Note the currency rules: cash must be declared on entry, and taking Algerian dinars out of the country is prohibited. Special safety advice applies for travel to the south and border regions.
Tickets and fares
GNV doesn't publish fixed starting prices; what your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your travel date. The fare depends on the season, the on-board accommodation you choose (from a deck seat up to a deluxe cabin) and your vehicle. You'll usually travel cheapest by booking early and outside peak season; the exact departures are shown in the timetable.
Sète - Algiers
Direct from southern France to Algiers with GNV
The Sète - Algiers route connects the southern French Mediterranean port of Sète directly with Algeria's capital. GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) crosses the western Mediterranean in around 20 hours, meaning a night on board - a cabin or a reclining seat is therefore worth booking. The route generally runs on a weekly schedule, stepped up during peak season; exact dates are shown in the timetable.
On board you'll find a restaurant, self-service dining, a pizzeria, a bar and a bistro, plus the paid Sea-Fi WiFi. Cars and motorbikes travel on the vehicle deck. Algiers is outside the Schengen area: travellers need a valid passport and a visa applied for in advance. The ferry docks centrally at the Gare Maritime d'Alger, in the heart of the capital.
- Crossing
- approx. 20 hrs
- Operator
- GNV
- Frequency
- weekly
- From
- €115
Next departures
Sète - Algiers ferry
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Sète - Algiers ferry with GNV
How long does the crossing from Sète to Algiers take?+
The crossing from Sète to Algiers with GNV takes around 20 hours. Since there's a night between departure and arrival, it's worth booking a cabin or at least a reserved seat for the passage. The exact crossing time can vary slightly depending on weather and operations.
How often does the ferry run and where can I find the timetable?+
GNV usually serves the route once a week, with a more frequent schedule during peak season. Since exact departure days and times shift with the season, it's worth checking the current timetable before booking. Spaces fill up early in summer and around public holidays, so book in good time if travelling with a vehicle.
What determines the fare?+
What your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your travel date. The fare depends on the season, the on-board accommodation you choose (from a deck seat and reclining seat up to a deluxe cabin) and your vehicle. You'll usually travel cheapest by booking early and outside peak season. You'll find all routes compared under Prices & Costs.
Do I need a cabin, or are there seats?+
GNV offers several categories, from a simple deck seat and reserved reclining seats up to standard, premium and deluxe cabins. A cabin is the most comfortable way to arrive in Algiers well rested after the overnight crossing. Choose your accommodation directly when booking.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars and motorbikes travel on the vehicle deck. For temporary import into Algeria you'll need your vehicle registration document, driving licence and motor insurance with a green card; you must be able to prove the vehicle has left the country again within three months. Details for travelling by camper are covered in the Motorhome guide.
Can I bring my pet on board?+
Yes, you register pets when booking. Dogs and cats travel in a pet-friendly cabin; animals are not permitted in the seating and lounge areas or in standard cabins, though there are designated areas on deck. The Dogs and pets guide sums up the entry requirements for travelling with an animal.
Do I need a visa for Algeria?+
Yes. Travellers need a visa for Algeria, applied for in advance at the Algerian embassy or consulate in their home country - ideally at least four weeks before departure, as no visa is issued at the border. Your passport must remain valid for at least six months after entry.