Algiers and Oran have a well-developed public bus system that can take you pretty much wherever you want to go, if you are willing to budget time for traffic and other minor delays. Some of the more useful routes for researchers are:
National Archives (Bir Khadem/Les Sources): The Archives are located right on the border between the districts of Les Sources and Bir Khadem. The Blue bus #34 which runs from Place Premier Mai (Champs de Manoeuvres) to Bir Mourad Rais/Bir Khadem, will drop you off at Les Sources. The bus stop, immediately after going under a highway and right next to the intercity buses going to Blida, is about a 10 minute walk from the National Archives. Alternatively, if you are at the Bir Mourad Rais bus station, you may take any bus that goes by “Les Sources.” In either case, you should ask the ticket seller to tell you when you reach “Les Sources.” That is where you will need to get off.
National Library at Boulevard Franz Fanon (Telemly): Blue bus #15 (Grande Poste/Place Premier Mai) will drop you off a block away from the library. If coming from the Grande Poste, you want to get off at the top of the hill, just underneath the Aurassi Hotel.
National Library at Hamma: Blue bus # to Anasser or #34 to Bir Mourad Rais/Bir Khadem. Get off before the Jardin d’Essai on your left. It is hard to miss the library which is right next to the Sofitel and separated from the street by a gate.
Taxis are available. You should insist that the driver operates with the meter. Some destinations, however, are charged fixed rates. From the Algiers Airport to Hydra, for example, an average rate is 600 Algerian Dinars. One should expect to pay the same rate from the Oran Airport to downtown Oran. Algerian taxis are frequently shared taxis. If you feel uncomfortable sharing a taxi, you need to let your driver know in advance.
|
