Major city · Algeria
Bechar
Skip unless you have a specific reason to visit the Saharan Atlas: one night is enough for the town itself, but most travellers use it as a transit stop to the desert.
Bechar is a small city in Algeria's Saharan Atlas, 600 km from Oran on the N6 highway. It serves as a gateway to the desert and the closed Moroccan border, but has few tourist sights. Most visitors pass through on their way south or use it as a base for the surrounding landscape. One night covers the town; two if you explore the nearby ksour and canyons.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- DZD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- CBH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Algeria ↗Most visitors need a visa arranged in advance through an Algerian consulate, often with a hotel booking or invitation; check the current rules for your passport with the consulate.
- Algeria ↗Travel in the deep south (Tassili n'Ajjer, Hoggar) is generally done with a licensed local agency; check requirements before booking.
- Algeria ↗Declare foreign currency on arrival if required and exchange only at banks or official bureaux; keep receipts.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bechar17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bechar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Algerian dinar (DZD).Algeria-wide
- SIM or eSIMMobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo sell SIMs with a passport; buy in an official shop in town.Algeria-wide
- Tap waterDrink bottled water.Algeria-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10%.Algeria-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Algeria-wide
- SafetyBechar is safe for tourists who follow standard precautions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; squat toilets elsewhere.Algeria-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 14 Protection Civile (fire, ambulance) · 1548 Gendarmerie (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysWeekend is Friday and Saturday; many shops close Friday midday.Algeria-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCBH Bechar Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport (check).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeDZD 100–200
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi ride within townDZD 200–400
- Budget bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomDZD 3,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomDZD 5,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomDZD 8,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget DZD 4,000 · Mid DZD 7,000 · High DZD 12,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CBH Bechar Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport (check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bechar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
1 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
1 rd
Sep
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. For the surrounding ksour and canyons, you need a private car or a hired taxi. Check road conditions before heading out.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Taghit
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car or taxi, about 1 h south on the N6
Oasis town with a red ksar and dunes; best in late afternoon.
Beni Abbès
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Car or taxi, about 2 h south-west
Small desert town with a museum; check road conditions and fuel.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre
Hotels and guesthouses near the main square and railway station; most services within walking distance.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- DZD 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- DZD 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- High
- DZD 8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × DZD 8,000 | DZD 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × DZD 7,000 | DZD 14,000 |
| Taxi from Oran to Bechar (shared)2 × DZD 1,500 · check | DZD 3,000 |
| Meal in a local restaurant2 × DZD 800 | DZD 1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | DZD 2,660 |
| Trip total≈ DZD 14,630 per person per day, bed included | DZD 29,260 |
2026 estimate in Algerian dinars; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | DZD 100–200 |
| Mint tea | DZD 50–100 |
| Couscous or tagine in a local restaurant | DZD 500–1,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | DZD 30–50 |
| Taxi ride within town | DZD 200–400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Moroccan border is closed; do not attempt to cross.
- Summer temperatures exceed 45°C (113°F); carry water and avoid midday sun.Summer temperatures exceed 113°F (45°C); carry water and avoid midday sun.
- Police and gendarmerie checkpoints are common on the N6; carry your passport and visa at all times.
- Cash is king: ATMs are limited; bring enough dinars from Oran or Algiers.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Protection Civile (fire, ambulance)
- 14
- Gendarmerie
- 1548
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BecharBechar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
لهذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Protection Civile (fire, ambulance)14
- Gendarmerie1548
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Overnight train Oran → Bechar: about DZD 1,500–2,500, 12 h (check)
- Taxi from Bechar to Taghit: about DZD 2,000–3,000, 1 h
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بقداش؟ — How much? (bqaddash?)
- وين الفندق؟ — Where is the hotel? (win el fondok?)
- ما فهمت — I don't understand (ma fhemt)
French is widely understood; English is rare.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bechar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bechar
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