Families traveling to the Sahara will likely access the desert in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, or Tunisia. In Algeria, excursions depart from Tamanrasset or Djanet. Air Algerie, Alitalia, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, and Lufthansa fly direct to Algiers from major cities in Europe and charter companies offer direct service from France (Paris and Marseille) to Tamanrasset. In Tunisia, expeditions depart from Djerba. Tunis Air, Alitalia, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Swiss fly direct to Tunis. Charter companies such as Tuninter, a subsidiary of Tunisair, offer direct flights from several cities in Europe to Djerba. Tunis Air flies from Tunis to Djerba. The Libyan Sahara is accessed from either Sebha or Ghat. Lybian Airlines, Alitalia, British Airways, Swiss, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines fly to Tripoli. Lybian Airlines flies daily from Tripoli to Sebha and Ghat. Charter airlines offer service between Paris, Brussels, Rome and Ghat. Baharia, Siwa and Dakla in the Egyptian Sahara are best accessed by road from Cairo. Egyptair, Alitalia, British Airways, Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Iberia, and Air France all fly direct to Cairo. In Morocco, the desert begins in Zagora and Merzouga. Low-cost airlines offer service between a variety of European cities and several destinations in Morocco including Agadir, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. Most major airlines arrive/depart Casablanca and Marrakech only. Travel onward to Zagora and Merzouga will be by bus or car.

In Algeria, Egypt, and Libya, expeditions are by 4X4, and for the most part are off road. Only a small portion of the Sahara falls in Tunisia and Morocco and travel, for the most part, will be on paved roads. However, depending on your family's interests and the age and experience of the kids, you can also travel by motorcycle or bike or take a camel trek.

Passports must be valid for at least six months. For travel to Egypt, visas can be obtained upon entry. For travel to Libya, a visa is required for most tourists except nationals from some neighboring and Arab countries and, at the moment, can be obtained upon entry. Israeli passport holders and passport holders with a current or expired Israeli visa will be denied entry. For travel to Morocco, a visa is required for visits exceeding 3 months only. For travel to Tunisia, a tourist visa is required for visits exceeding 3 months except for Australian and South African nationals, who can obtain a visa upon entry, and some Eastern European nationals.

The climate in the Sahara is dry subtropical. The best time to travel is in October and November or February, March and early April. Winter (December-January) days are sunny and warm but the nighttime temperature can fall below 0°C (32°F). It is unadvisable to travel to the Sahara in summer (May to September).

There are no vaccination requirements for international travelers. The Sahara is a sterile environment and there are no particular health risks. Drink bottled or sterilized water only.