Tunisia Travel Guide

Tunisia — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

Arabic in culture and tradition, Tunisia is nevertheless one of the more liberal and tolerant Muslim countries: women choose whether or not to wear the headscarf - Habib Bourguiba, the country’s first president, was opposed to women wearing the veil, calling it an ‘odious rag’. The Tunisians’ varied origins are shown in the country’s architecture, crafts, music and food. Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Hospitality is important and a small gift in appreciation of hospitality or as a token of friendship is always well-received. Dress can be informal but it is appreciated by locals if visitors dress with decorum and avoid wearing skimpy clothing, especially outside the main resorts. Visitors should respect the conventions of Islam when visiting religious monuments (shoulders and knees must be covered).

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Tunis Air (TU) (website: www.tunisair.com).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Tunis (TUN) (Carthage International) is 8km (5 miles) northeast of the city (journey time - 15 to 30 minutes). To/from the airport: An airport-city coach and buses are available. Return is from Ave Habib Bourguiba. Taxis are available.

Monastir (MIR) (Skanes) is 8km (5 miles) west of the city. To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available to the city center.

Tozeur (TOE) (Nefta) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available.

Facilities: All the above airports have bars, restaurants, both incoming and outgoing duty-free shops, banks/bureau de change and car hire.

For more information on airports in Tunisia, contact the Tunisian Civil Aviation and Airport Authority (OACA) (website: www.oaca.nat.tn).

Getting There By Water

Main ports:Tunis.

SNCM (tel: 0825 88 80 88; website: www.sncm.fr), CTN (tel: 71 341 777; website: www.ctn.com.tn) and Viamare Travel (tel: (020) 8206 3420; website: www.viamare.com) run ferry services from France and Italy to Tunisia. The major routes are Marseilles-Tunis (journey time - 21 hours) and Genoa-Tunis (journey time - 22-24 hours). Ferries also run from Tunis to Palermo (Sicily), Cittavecchia, Naples (from June to September), Salerno and Livorno. Cruises in the Western Mediterranean also stop in Tunisia.

Getting There By Road

Theoretically, there are several points of entry by road from Algeria, served by louages (shared taxis): Annaba and Constantine (in Algeria) to Tunis. However, political unrest means that it is difficult for tourists to cross the border.

Entry by road from Libya is at Ras al-Jedir, east of Ben Guerdane. There are daily buses to Tripoli from Tunis (journey time - 16 hours), and louages from Tunis, Sfax, Gabès, Medenine, Houmt Souq and Ben Guerdane.

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Tunisia by anyone, irrespective of age, without incurring customs duty:

• 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 400g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits or 2L of alcoholic beverages.
• 250mL of perfume.
• Gifts up to a value of TND100.

Note: The export of antiques is subject to a permit from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Pets must have a health certificate from the Veterinary authorities, stating they are free from any diseases.

Prohibited Imports

Firearms (unless for hunting), explosives, narcotics, walkie-talkies, obscene publications, any other items which may be regarded as dangerous to public security, health, morality and so on.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Tuninter runs around four flights daily in summer between Tunis and Djerba (one hour), and about two flights a week between Tunis and Tozeur, Sfax (45 minutes), and Gafsa. Sevenair (tel: 71 94 26 26; website: www.sevenair.com.tn), formerly Tuninter, is owned by the Tunis Air group. Prices are reasonable and services are normally heavily subscribed, so it is advisable to book ahead.

Getting Around By Water

Ferries operate between Sfax and the Kerkennah Islands, and between El Jorf and Jerba Island.

Getting Around By Rail

Regular trains are run by SNCFT (tel: 71 345 511; website: www.sncft.com) and connect Tunis with major towns. The main route is north-south between Tunis and Gabès, via Sousse and Sfax, one train per day branches at Mahres, south of Sfax, to Gafsa and Metaloui. There are also branch lines to Bizerte, Nabeul (in the Cap Bon), and the Metro de Sahel links Sousse to Monastir and Mahdia. There are three classes (first, second and confort). It is a good idea to book in advance for popular routes, especially in summer. Superb views of the Selja Gorge can be seen from the Lezard Rouge (Red Lizard), a restored train dating from 1910, which runs daily between Metlaoui and Redeyef.

Travelers to Port el Kantaoui are advised to take the train to Sousse and travel the remaining 7km (4 miles) by taxi. For Jerba, travelers can take the train to Gabès and then a bus (three daily).

Getting Around By Road

Tunisia has an extensive road network; all but the smallest roads are tar-sealed. Traffic drives on the right.

Bus: National buses, run by SNTRI (tel: 71 784 433, website: www.sntri.com.tn) are air-conditioned, fast, comfortable and cheap, and travel daily to most towns across the country.

Taxi: Long-distance shared taxis are called louages. They leave their departure points when full. They serve the whole of Tunisia. This is the quickest form of public road transport. There are many louage stations and prices are similar to those of buses and trains.

Car hire: Major international and local companies are plentiful, but hire is relatively expensive; the charge usually includes insurance and breakdown cover. To hire a self-drive car, the driver must be over 21 and hold a full driving license that has been valid for at least one year.

Regulations: Speed limits are 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas, 90kpm (55mph) on the open road and 110kph (70mph) on the A1 toll road between Tunis and Msaken, south of Sousse. Seatbelts are compulsory in the front seats. The legal driving age is 18.

Emergency breakdown service: Touring Club de Tunisie (www.touringclubtunisie.org), based in Tunis, can be of assistance in case of emergency breakdown.

Documentation: Log books, valid national driving licenses and insurance are essential.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

A suburban train line, Tunis-Goullete-Marsa (TGM) (website: www.snt.com.tn), links Tunis with the northern suburbs. Tunis and Sousse also have a modern and convenient tram system (métro léger).

Taxi: Within Tunis and other cities, city taxis are numbered and have meters. The price on the meter is what you should pay. There is a 50% surcharge on night fares.

Bicycle: Bicycles and motorcycles are available for hire in most major towns and do not require a license.