Tunisia: Traveling

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

Public transport in town is not always on time. The best way to get around in the big cities is to take a taxi (yellow cars). They are very inexpensive and work with a meter. You are advised to check each time that the driver starts the meter correctly when you set off!

Maps of Urban Networks

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Tunis - Carthage (TUN)	8 km / 5 miles	TND 5-7 / 15-20 min	TND 0.750 / 30 min	-	Available

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

The rail network covers almost all the country, linking most of the big northern cities (Tunis, Bizerte, Beja) and those on the east coast (Sfax, Gabès). The trains are quite slow, but they are economical and punctual. You can get different reduction cards from 25 to 50%: the youth card, the blue card and the museum rail card.
Tuninter serves domestic flights. This company links practically all cities with Tunis.
Buses serve the most remote places in Tunisia.

There are also taxis between towns, called "rental contract taxis". They are group taxis and only leave when they are full. Each town has a rental station. The cars with blue bands serve nearby places, those with red bands the longer distances. In some cases, they are more economical and less restricting than trains. According to the driver's style, the journey may be full of thrills!

Rail Companies

Tunisian national railway company (SNCFT)

Airlines

You Can Consult the List of Airlines Banned Within the EU. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling By Yourself

Recommendation

Renting a car can be very useful according to the kind of trip you want to make. You have nothing to fear on Tunisian roads. To make things easier, you should avoid rush hours (12.30 pm and 6 pm). Signs on main roads and motorways are in Arabic and French.

Road Maps

Road map of Tunisia

Find an Itinerary

Via Michelin

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical

Tunis is rich in fine architecture.
Many archeological sites are part of the world heritage (Carthage, El Jem, etc.).

Cultural

Islamic ceramics museum (Tunis), The Bardo Museum (Tunis), National museum of Islamic art (Kairouan).
Sculpture, Paintings, Theater, Concerts, Cinema, Literature, etc.

Nature

Many natural and wildlife parks.

Religious

Mosques, especially those of Tunis and Kairouan.

Thermal

The hot spring areas of Korbouse, Khebayet at Gabès, Hammam bent Jedidi.

Beach

All Tunisia's beaches are on the Mediterranean. The one at Djerba is especially renowned.

Outdoor Activities

In the south of Tunisia, you can do guided tours in the Sahara in 4x4s or by camel.

Shopping

Several shopping malls and other shopping places such as Centre el Menzah6 or Berges du Lac.
For local craftsmanship, you will find souks in Tunis or any other town. Be careful, it is common to haggle over prices.

Tourism Organizations

Tunisian National Tourism Office

Health and Safety

Health Precautions

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers over 1 year of age coming from contaminated areas.
Tunisia is not a country with serious health risks. To guard against traveler's diarrhea, you should avoid the highest risk foods: those that are undercooked or badly cooked, prepared dishes which are later eaten cold, raw vegetables as well as fruits you have not peeled yourself. Drinking water must be boiled and filtered or drunk from sealed bottles. Avoid ice cubes.

International Hospitals

There are no international hospitals, but there are private clinics where foreigners can be admitted to various specialized departments.

For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions

The information pages on the World Health Organization website.

For Further Information on Safety Conditions

Consult the services of your nearest Tunisian Embassy.

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference

It is %T:%M %A In Tunis (GMT+1 in winter, GMT+2 in summer)

Summer Time Period

Summer time from March to October