Getting Around Tunisia
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use louages (shared taxis) and light metro for Tunis and coastal cities. Rural: Rent a car for Sahara and interior exploration. Coast: Buses and ferries. For convenience, book airport transfers from Tunis-Carthage to your destination.
Train Travel
SNCFT National Rail
Reliable train network connecting Tunis to major cities like Sousse and Sfax with regular services.
Cost: Tunis to Sousse 15-25 TND, journeys 2-4 hours between most cities.
Tickets: Buy via SNCFT app, website, or station counters. Printed or mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM for lower crowds and fares.
Rail Passes
Carte Bleue offers unlimited second-class travel for 5 days at 60 TND or 10 days at 100 TND.
Best For: Multiple stops along the north-south line, savings for 4+ trips.
Where to Buy: Major stations, SNCFT offices, or online with e-voucher activation.
Regional Connections
Trains link to borders for Algeria and Libya, with metro extensions in Tunis for urban travel.
Booking: Advance purchase recommended for holidays, discounts for students and seniors.
Tunis Stations: Tunis-Ville central hub, with lines to suburbs and coastal routes.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for Sahara dunes and remote sites. Compare rental prices from 50-100 TND/day at Tunis Airport and tourist hubs.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised for desert driving, verify off-road inclusions.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 110 km/h highways.
Tolls: A1 Tunis-Sfax highway charges 5-15 TND per segment, pay at booths.
Priority: Yield to roundabouts, pedestrians in medinas, watch for erratic traffic.
Parking: Free in rural areas, paid zones in cities 2-5 TND/hour, use guarded lots.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations common at 2.3 TND/liter for petrol, 2.1 TND for diesel, 24/7 in cities.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation in remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy in Tunis rush hours, lighter on coastal roads but watch for checkpoints.
Urban Transport
Tunis Metro & Light Rail
Modern light metro system in greater Tunis, single ticket 0.5-1 TND, day pass 3 TND, 10-ride card 8 TND.
Validation: Use magnetic cards at turnstiles, fines for non-validation are strict.
Apps: SNCFT app for schedules, live tracking, and e-ticket purchases.
Bike Rentals
Vel'Omob services in Tunis and Sousse, 5-15 TND/day with docking stations in key areas.
Routes: Flat coastal paths ideal, but traffic-heavy in medinas—use caution.
Tours: Eco-bike tours in Carthage and Hammamet, including historical site visits.
Buses & Louages
SNC and private companies run buses; louages (shared taxis) are fastest for inter-city at 10-30 TND.
Tickets: 1-3 TND per ride, pay onboard or at stations, louages depart when full.
Coastal Routes: Frequent services to Hammamet and Sousse, 5-10 TND for short hops.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near louage stations in cities for easy access, medina areas for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and major festivals like Carthage.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable regional travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G in cities and coasts, 3G in rural interiors with improving 5G in Tunis.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from 5 TND for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Ooredoo, Orange, and Tunisie Telecom offer prepaid SIMs from 10-20 TND with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, post offices, or provider shops with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for 15 TND, 10GB for 25 TND, unlimited for 30 TND/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, cafes, and tourist sites, but speeds vary in rural areas.
Public Hotspots: Airports and major souks have free access, use VPN for security.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps in urban zones, sufficient for browsing and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC+1, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Tunis-Carthage Airport 8km from city center, taxi 10-15 TND (20 min), louage 5 TND, or book private transfer for 30-50 TND.
- Luggage Storage: Available at train stations (5-10 TND/day) and airport services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and trains have basic access, medina sites often require stairs—plan accordingly.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains with carrier (small fee 5 TND), check riad policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on trains off-peak for 5 TND, folding bikes free on louages.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Tunisia
Tunis-Carthage (TUN) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales or Kiwi for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Tunis-Carthage (TUN): Primary international gateway, 8km from city center with taxi connections.
Monastir (MIR): Budget hub 10km from city, bus to Sousse 10 TND (1 hour).
Djerba (DJE): Island airport with European flights, convenient for southern Tunisia.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Malta or Sicily and taking ferry to Tunisia for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Nouvelair, Transavia, and Ryanair serve Monastir and Djerba with European connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee 2-5 TND, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels and shops, cash preferred in souks.
- Contactless Payment: Growing use in cities, Apple Pay and Google Pay in major spots.
- Cash: Essential for markets, taxis, and rural areas, keep 50-100 TND in small notes.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, add 5-10% in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport bureaus with poor exchanges.