Page 3 -- Getting Around Tunisia by Plane, Train, Louage, Bus and Car
Getting to Tunisia
You can get to Tunisia by boat, plane and road (from Algeria and Libya). Find details about all these options below.
Getting to Tunisia by Air
You can't fly direct to Tunisia from the Americas, Australia or Asia. You'll have to connect in Europe, Middle East or North Africa. Most scheduled airlines fly into Tunis-Carthage International Airport, just outside the capital Tunis.Tunisair is Tunisia's national carrier, they fly to various destinations in Europe as well as North and West Africa.
Other airlines flying into Tunis include Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and Alitalia, Royal Air Moroc, and Egyptair.
Chartered Flights
Most chartered flights head straight for the airports close to the beach resorts. You can fly direct to Monastir, Djerba and Touzeur (for the Desert) from the UK, France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands.
Nouvelair offers charter flights to European destinations from various tourist resorts in Tunisia.
Getting to Tunisia by Ferry
Ferries sail to Tunis from France and Italy throughout the year and several times a week. Book well in advance if you're planning to travel in July and August. Ferries and Cruise ships arrive and depart from 'La Goulette' the main port, which is about 10km from the center of Tunis. You can catch a taxi into town, or take a commuter train. You can also take a commuter train up to the very picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said.
Ferries to Tunisia from France
Ferries travel between Tunis and Marseille. The journey takes 21 hours and the ferries are operated by SNCM (French company) and CTN (Tunisian company).
Ferries to Tunisia from Italy
There are several ferries you can take from two ports in Sicily - Palermo (8-10 hours) and Tripani (7 hours) to and from Tunis. Grimaldi Lines and Grandi Navi Veloci operate the ferry services.
There are also several ferries a week to and from Tunis to Genoa(23 hours), Salerno (23 hours) and Civitavecchia (21 hours). Grimaldi Lines and Grandi Navi Veloci and SNCM operate the ferry services.
Getting to Tunisia By Land
You can cross into Tunisia by land from Algeria (which lies West of Tunisia). The most common border towns to arrive and depart from are Nefta and El-Oued. You can get a louage (shared taxi) from Tozeur or Gafsa. Make sure you check into the security situation in Algeria before you cross.To get to Libya, most people take the road from Gabes (in Southern Tunisia). It's busy with lots of trucks carrying goods as well as Libyan and Tunisians on vacation. But unless you hold a Tunisian passport, you need special permission to travel in Libya and you have to join an official tour. You can arrange to be met at the border, head to Ras Ajdir on the Tunisian side. Long distance buses go from Tunis to Tripoli every day and take about 12 hours. Check out the national bus company web site (SNTRI) for schedules and prices.
Stop by and sample some fresh, roasted lamb along this road, it's delicious.
More Tunisia Travel Information
Page 1 -- Visas, Health and Safety, Currency, When to Go
Page 3 -- Getting Around Tunisia by Plane, Train, Louage, Bus and Car
