TUNIS - FAQ`S
Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN) is 5 miles from the city center. If you have not booked a transfer with Tripmasters, you have a few options.
There is a taxi rank just outside the terminal building. The taxi ride is about 10 minutes to the medina without traffic, and no more than about 25 minutes even with traffic. We recommend to just ignore the touts that will approach you outside the airport and just go directly to the clearly marked taxi stand. Note that large taxis and white taxis are intended for regional trips and unmetered, but may attempt to persuade you that they are deluxe. Small taxis are yellow and are local for trip to the Tunis area. Taxis are supposed to use their meter, but some drivers may insist on a fixed fare. If a driver refuses to use their meter, just agree on a reasonable price (around 10 dinar during the day to the Tunis medina, no more than 20 dinar at night) and make sure this is an 'all inclusive' price. Check the meter before starting your journey and it will start at 0.5 dinar. Some taxis illegally modify their meter for a faster rate.
During the daytime, you can go to the departures area and get a taxi. You are more likely to get a hassle-free ride this way. However, if you have a late arrival (after 10 pm) you will not be able to do this.
Alternatively, buses depart regularly during the day (not at night) and charge a fraction of the price (around 1/ dinar) but it will take much longer and it is probably not worth the hassle unless you speak French or Arabic and have previously visited Tunis.
Many taxi drivers do not have a GPS and they will not necessarily be familiar with your destination and probably won't speak English, although they will speak French. The best way to tell the taxi driver your destination is to mention several landmarks or the closest major street name. GPS in your phone is best, although the lookup on Google Maps between addresses and physical locations, for Tunis, is not really close enough to locate an address. In some cases, Apple Maps has more accurate street names and numbers than Google Maps.
Trains are run by SNCFT. Tunis is a main hub of Tunisia railway system. Tunis Central Station is near Place de Barcelone for easy interchange onto the light metro. The light metro is a convenient six-line system. The interchange hub for all lines is in the center of town at Place de Place de la République/Place de Barcelone. Taxis are also a good option if you need to go a bit farther than the metro.
Transtu runs the city's public transport and offers weekly and monthly passes. Buses are inexpensive and efficient, but difficult to use, as the destinations are written in Arabic, and so is the bus map. You can buy tickets on the bus.
The Metro is a tramway with five lines departing from the railway station: line 1 goes to Tunis Marine; line 2 runs along the city's north-south axis; line 3,4 and 5 got near the north bus station; and line 4 also serves the Bardo Museum. Tickets are available at the kiosks at the stops.
The TGM, a small and efficient train, leaves from Tunis Marine at the end of avenue Habib Bourguiba, with regular departures to La Marsa stopping at Carthage, La Goulette and Sidi Bou said.
You can hail taxis in Tunis on the street or at ranks at the railway/bus station. Only use yellow metered taxis, making sure the meter is switched on. Taxi drivers are allowed to take a maximum of three passengers, and at peak times people share taxis.
Is Tunis a walking city?Tunis is a very walkable city and the distance between landmarks is easy to do by foot.
Is it helpful to have a car in Tunis?
In the greater Tunis area, there is no reason to rent a car as the taxis are easily accessible and inexpensive. However, if you want to do a road trip, particularly around the northern half of the country, a car may come in handy. If you do rent a car, make sure you have a GPS, and it will have if you can speak French in case you get lost or need to ask about parking. Mostly all road signs and markers are in French and Arabic lettering.
Most drivers in Tunis obey the rules of the road, but do watch out for aggressive drivers, erratic scooters, and pedestrians. The roads in the tourist areas are good and well-marked, though car rentals are quite expensive and Tunisian driving is not for the faint-hearted.
Tunis is generally a safe city for travelers, with a welcoming local population. However, visitors should still exercise caution and take certain safety precautions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Most of downtown Tunis closes down around 8 pm and is deserted by 9 pm. There is no good reason to be out on the streets.
Although the locals are friendly and helpful once you approach them, most politely ignore foreigners. However, there are several men, especially in the medina and along Avenue de France/Habib Bourghiba who make their living by taking advantage of tourists. In general, and as extreme as this sounds, anyone in any area where tourists frequent who approaches you uninvited is almost certain to be a confidence trickster. Tunisian people are far too polite to casually strike up a conversation with a stranger on the street. Those who do are typically just after your money.
Also, be aware of unofficial guides who hang around near tourist spots in the medina. Ignore them as they share their spiel on the architectural wonders of the area, or they will demand some payment for their unwanted services.
Don't allow this to give you a bad impression of Tunisian people. They are for the most part friendly and welcoming. They just don't speak much English and don't presume to interfere.
Tunisian Dinar (TND; the symbol DT is also used commonly within Tunisia). Notes are in denominations of TND 50, 30, 20, 10 and 5 millimes. Coins are in the denominations of TND 1, 5, 10 dinars, as well as 5, 10, 20, 50 and 500 millimes.
You can exchange money at the airport or at your hotel. There are several ATMs, but some seem to struggle with international cards. When you change money over you will be given a printed receipt of the transaction, keep this as when you leave the country you can change your money back. It will not be accepted unless you provide a receipt of a transaction. ATM receipts are not a valid receipt to change dinars to foreign currency.
ATMs are widely available in tourist resorts. Most ATMs are linked to the Visa network through a few, also accept Maestro. It is important to always have a small emergency cash fund at hand when traveling in Tunisia for the times when the ATM rejects your card, or simply doesn't work, which can be easily happen, especially once you're away from the coastal resort areas.
Note: The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, but large amounts should be declared and the amount exported must not exceed that declared upon arrival.
Tipping is not required, but waiters and taxi drivers are usually tipped a few coins; waiters in tourist restaurants are accustomed to 10%.
What is the weather like? When is the best time to visit?
Despite being in Africa, the area enjoys a combination of both an African and Mediterranean climate. Temperatures in Tunisia are generally high throughout the year with cooler weather at night. July has an average temperature of around 87°F that often rises above 95°F.
April to June and September to October are the best times for visiting Tunis - avoiding the extreme heat of the summer and high-season prices and crowds. Winters can be cold and damp, and you'll need to head further south for winter sun. In the summer months, July and August, the temperatures can get extremely hot and hotel prices are high.
French and Arabic are the official languages of Tunisia. Most people in the city speak French well. English is scarcely spoken and while the younger generation have a better grasp of the language, we suggest you learn a few French phrases and pickup an English-French guidebook or phone app and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What is the food like?
Tunisian food combines Arabic, Berber, European and Middle Eastern elements. It's a blend between Mediterranean and desert-dweller cuisines. Dishes are cooked with olive oil, spiced with aniseed, coriander, cumin, caraway, cinnamon or saffron are flavored with mint, orange blossom, or rose water. Many are accompanied by harissa, a spicy chili and garlic condiment.
The coastal areas offer fresh seafood. Couscous with various meat, vegetables, and spices are the main fare here. Add some spicy harissa sauce, which the Tunisians are known for, and enjoy! Street food culture is big throughout the city, with shawarma shops everywhere - thin slices of beef or chicken in a wrap with veggies, spices, and harissa.
Tuna is another common food throughout Tunisia. It is eaten with cheese in a wrap, or add it's added to their shawarma sandwiches.
Water is normally chlorinated in Tunis and other urban areas of the country. While it is safe to drink, it may cause mild abdominal upsets. It is advisable to only drink bottled water during your stay, which is widely available.
What is the nightlife like in Tunis?
The nightlife in Tunis offers a little bit of everything, from casual cafes along Avenue Habib Bourguiba to lively clubs on the coast. A hot spot, particularly in the summer months, are the cafes in Sidi Bou Said. Visitors can enjoy a casual evening of smoking a narguilah (water pipe) or trying a local favorite, bambaloni (a sweet, dep-fried doughnut).
If you are interested in a lively night out, head to La Marsa or Hammamet (a clean, modern beachfront city 70 mins. from Tunis) for the nightclubs, or stick to the city center for more casual bars.
Most of the cultural events in the city take place in the summer, including the Festival de Carthage in July and August.
The emergency/ambulance phone number in Tunisia is 190. Ambulance arrival times can be delayed and the service is not available in more rural areas.