Ferry to Algeria
Sète - Béjaïa
Cross the western Mediterranean from Sète to Béjaïa with Grandi Navi Veloci - a comfortable way to reach the gateway to Kabylia with your vehicle
- With GNV from the southern French port of Sète direct to Béjaïa and Kabylia
- 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 - Béjaïa ferry at a glance
Everything about the Sète - Béjaïa 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 Béjaïa and Kabylia.
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; there's also a prayer room, and 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 Béjaïa and onward travel
GNV docks on Boulevard Frères Amrani, close to the centre and right by Béjaïa's train station. Before leaving the port you'll pass through passport and customs checks. Taxis wait round the clock at the terminal, city buses connect the port with the districts, and a guarded car park is available at the port station. With your own vehicle, the N24 national road takes you inland and into the surrounding mountains of Kabylia.
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 - Béjaïa
From southern France to Kabylia with GNV
The Sète - Béjaïa route connects the southern French Mediterranean port of Sète directly with the port city of Béjaïa on Algeria's north-east coast, gateway to the mountainous Kabylia region. 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. GNV usually sails direct twice a week, stepped up during peak season.
On board you'll find a restaurant, self-service dining, a pizzeria, a bar and a bistro, the paid Sea-Fi WiFi, and a prayer room. Cars and motorbikes travel on the vehicle deck. Béjaïa is outside the Schengen area: travellers need a valid passport and a visa applied for in advance. The terminal is close to the centre on Boulevard Frères Amrani, right by the train station.
- Crossing
- approx. 20 hrs
- Operator
- GNV
- Frequency
- up to 2x/week
- From
- €115
- Corsica Linea
- Grandi Navi Veloci
Next departures
Sète - Béjaïa ferry
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Sète - Béjaïa ferry with GNV
How long does the crossing from Sète to Béjaïa take?+
The crossing from Sète to Béjaïa 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 direct twice 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 Béjaïa 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 as a foreign traveller?+
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.