Tunisia is a wonderful country and full of reasons to be visited. It is a cheap country to travel independently and there are adequate infrastructures to welcome visitors. The resorts of mass tourism almost disappeared after a vertiginous break of the tourists in consequence of the Arab Spring and of some attacks in Tunis and Sousse. But Tunisia remains a very safe country to travel to and it is worth taking a few days to explore it. As the country is small, one week you can see very diverse and breathtaking landscapes. The ideal will be two weeks for a circuit in Tunisia.
VACCINES
To travel to Tunisia no vaccination is required. Although there are no major risks involved, all trips outside the European continent should be preceded by a Traveler Consultation.
WHEN TO GO
The climate of Tunisia is strongly influenced by the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea so its temperatures are mild and with reduced thermal amplitudes between summer and winter. However, for those looking for beaches, the best time to visit the country is from May to October. For those who want to do a circuit and visit the desert, you can do it all year round. We travelled to Tunisia in December and January, and although it was a bit chilly (between 8ºC, at night and 18ºC, during the day), we always got clear skies and good weather. Take a coat for the desert nights. Even in the summer, they are very cold.
MONEY
The currency used in Tunisia is the Dinar (TND) and can be raised at almost every bank in the country. Almost all settlements, even the smallest, have ATM banks. ATMs are also available at the airport. You can still exchange money at the airport and at the banks. In tourist regions, you can pay in euros or dollars but usually, you are losing with the exchange. At the end of the trip, you have to exchange all the money left over from the airport. It is forbidden to leave the country with dinars. You can exchange the money at the airport. The exchange offices at the airport are open at night. To change the money at the airport you need to have a proof of the ATM or currency exchange at the bank. There is bureaux de change that does not accept the proof of the ATM. The first one we tried at the airport did not accept but on the second.
HOW TO GET TO TUNISIA
Tunisia has two international airports in Tunis, Djerba, Enfidah, Monastir, Sfax, Tabarka, and Tozeur -Nefta. There are regular flights – You can book tickets from Dream World Travel London Agency – to almost all European countries and to several African countries. We flew with the Lufthansa from Oporto to Frankfurt and from Frankfurt to Tunis. A taxi from or to the airport costs about 20 dinars.
HOW TO TRAVEL IN TUNISIA
Traveling in Tunisia is easy and cheap, just choose the place where you want to go and see what the best means of transport for you.
TRAIN
There is a train line that serves the main coastal cities of the country, from Tunis to Sidi Bou Said to the north, and from Tunis to Gabès, passing through Sousse, El Jem and Sfax to the south. Tickets can be purchased at the station.
One of the lines that can also be useful is from Sfax to Tozeur. The trains that make this line leave Tunis twice a day, one at night and one a day. There is also a train line between Sousse and Mahdia which can also be useful. Most of the trains connecting the interior to the coast of Tunisia are no longer active.
BUS
There are several buses making connections in Tunisia. The bus stations are usually located near the terminals of lounges (another good option), so you can choose what suits you best. Buses run essentially in the morning and after 16 – 17 hours buses are difficult to find connections.
LOUAGES
The louages are small vans, 7-9 places, which serve as public transport. It has similar prices to the train and the bus but they are more frequent and faster. The louages leave when they are full. They have, however, the same problem of buses for those who wish to travel late in the afternoon. They are very unlikely after 5 pm. Usually, there is a ticket office where you must buy Louis tickets.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN TUNISIA
On our trip through Tunisia we have been in several cities and in different lodgings.
WHAT TO VISIT IN TUNISIA
On our trip through Tunisia we visited several towns, villages, and places, from the desert to the coast, and to the Phoenician and Roman ruins.
