Page 2 -- Getting to Tunisia by Air, Land and Sea
Getting Around Tunisia by Plane, Train, Louage, Bus and Car
Tunisia is very easy to get around by plane, train, louage (shared taxi) and bus. Public transport is well organized, cheap and runs frequently. If you don't have a lot of time, there are domestic flights to every major town (usually in and out of Tunis). You can chose from trains, buses and shared taxis (louages) as well as rent your own car. Information on all transport within Tunisia follows below.
By Plane
Tunisia's national domestic airline is called Sevenair. Sevenair operates some charter routes as well in and out of Tunis to various destinations in France, Spain and Italy. Their scheduled domestic/regional routes include Tunis to Djerba, Sfax, Gafsa, Tabarka, Monastir, Tripoli, and Malta.You can't book directly online, but I e-mailed from the US, got a booking and just paid for it upon arrival in Tunis. It worked perfectly well. If you live in Europe you can usually book through a travel agency.
By Train
Traveling by train in Tunisia is an efficient and comfortable way to get around. The train network in Tunisia is not very extensive but many of the major tourist destinations are covered. Trains run between Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, El Jem, Touzeur and Gabes. Read my Guide to Train Travel in Tunisia for details about routes, train passes, prices and more.By Bus
Long-distance buses cover every major town in Tunisia and the network is more extensive than that covered by the train. Long-distance buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and everyone gets a seat. The national bus company SNTRI has a decent web site with schedules and fares - in French.Within big cities like Tunis and Sfax, local buses operate, these are extremely cheap and often crowded. In Tunis it's probably the least pleasant way of getting around, opt for the tram or a taxi instead.
By Louage
When there's no bus available or train, everyone uses a louage. A louage is a long-distance shared taxi, with fixed rates and routes, but no fixed departure times. They do go frequently, and they go when they're filled up (usually 8 passengers). But they travel fast and it's a very convenient way to get around. There may not be a huge amount of room for luggage and you'll be a bit squished. Sometimes, you'll be charged extra for large bags.Most louages don't travel at night so plan accordingly. There are louage stations just like a bus station or taxi stand where you get on. You usually pay the driver and as soon as you show up. You'll have no problem getting help to find the right louage for your destination. Louages are either old white station wagons with a colored stripe down the side, or mini buses.
Renting a Car
All the major car rental companies are represented in Tunisia and you can rent a car upon arrival at any of the airports. The cheapest rate runs at around 50 TD per day, but that doesn't include unlimited mileage. If you're headed for the desert in Southern Tunisia you'll want to rent a 4x4 which is double the price.Check out Tunisia Auto Rental web site for a comparison chart of all the major car rental companies that are represented in Tunisia. I got a good quote from Budget in Djerba as well. Auto Europe has some good advice about road conditions and what to expect in Tunisia. They are also an excellent car rental company.
The roads are decent for the most part in Tunisia and paved. Drivers don't always adhere to the rules though and often drive too fast. In towns and cities many traffic lights are just ignored, so be careful especially when driving in Tunis. It's best use public transport.
Private Taxi
Private taxis are a great way to get around major cities and towns. They're easy to spot, they're small and yellow and you just flag them down. Taxis have to use their meters and usually this is no problem except getting to and from the airport in Tunis. For some reason, this is where tourists always seem to get ripped off, and I was no exception.If you'd like to tour around the south of Tunisia, chartering a taxi is a great way to get to the more remote Berber villages and avoid the large tour buses.
Tram
There's a good tram line in Tunis, it's called the Metro Legere and the hub is on the Place de Barcelone (opposite the main train station). Take the number 4 to get to the Bardo museum. Buy your tickets before you board and if you don't like crowds avoid commuting times. Click here for the route map.
More Tunisia Travel Information
Page 1 -- Visas, Health and Safety, Currency, When to Go
Page 2 -- Getting to Tunisia by Air, Land and Sea
