Complete Guide to Transport in Tunis and Getting Around [Tunisia].
Getting Around the City
Once in Tunis, the main issue becomes how to get around in Tunis. The transport system in the Tunisian capital may initially be disorienting, but with a bit of experience, you’ll realize that getting around in Tunis is simple and economical.
By Metro
Getting around Tunis and its surroundings by metro is a truly convenient solution: the Tunis metro is actually a light rail, a hybrid between a metro and a train, and it’s one of the most used transportation systems in the city. It runs entirely at street level and operates on 6 lines:
- Tunis Marine – Ben Arous
- Place de Barcelone – Ariana
- Place de Barcelone – Ibn Khaldoun
- Tunis Marine – Kheireddine
- Place de Barcelone – Intilaka
- Tunis Marine – El Mourouj
The two main stations in the city center are Tunis-Marine and Place de Barcelone; the former is located east of the Medina, and the latter is west. The termini are all quite far from the center, so the Tunis light rail metro is a convenient travel solution even for those staying in the outskirts.
By Train
At Tunis Marine station, suburban trains TGM stop; they connect the city center with La Goulette area (where the port is located), Sidi Bou Saïd, Carthage, and the beaches of Marsa. The price for a ride is 0.680 DT. Be aware that some stations do not have ticket offices, so if you plan to make numerous trips along these lines, for example, traveling to and from Carthage or Sidi Bou Said, you might risk traveling without a ticket. Therefore, we recommend buying round-trip tickets for your final destination right away.
By Taxi
Taxis in Tunis are ideal for getting around the city, especially areas not served by the metro. Be aware that taxis parked in front of hotels usually have a much higher price; it’s better to hail one directly on the street since you’ll find many, and usually the waiting times are minimal. The initial fare on the meter is 0.4 DT, but make sure the driver turns it on. You can also try to negotiate a fixed price for a ride, but only after a few days, once you’ve learned to accurately assess fare prices.
Alternatively, you can use shared taxis, or louages. These are 8-seat minibusses and represent one of the most flexible travel options in the city; they depart when full and don’t have a well-defined schedule. Shared taxi prices are slightly higher than regular buses, but the difference is minimal, and travel time is significantly reduced.
By Bus
The company Transtu operates the bus service in the city. Tunis is divided into fare zones, and the price of a ticket varies depending on how many zones you cross during a ride; the minimum you’ll pay is 0.320 DT for a short trip.
By Car
Using a car in Tunis is convenient for getting around the outskirts, but driving in the city can be inconvenient, both due to traffic and the driving behavior of locals, and because ultimately the Medina is completely pedestrianized, and the car could be a burden; you can leave it at the public multi-story parking lot, near the roundabout with the clock tower, which applies fairly cheap rates. Anyway, a car proves to be an excellent alternative for getting freely to Carthage or Sidi Bou Saïd; road signs are in Arabic and French, and outside the city, there are no traffic problems.
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If after spending a few days in Tunis you want to explore the rest of the country, you can rely on internal flights, trains, or buses. Of course, the option of using a rental car or relying on a private driver remains valid.
Internal Flights
Tunisair Express, a subsidiary of the country’s flagship carrier Tunisair, operates domestic flights from Tunis airport to Djerba, Gabes, Gafsa, Sfax, and Tozeur. Flights can be booked directly online on the company’s website or by relying on classic online travel agencies. Given the country’s small size, internal flights in Tunisia never last more than an hour, so they could be an excellent alternative to road transport.
Trains
Trains in Tunisia are a highly used mode of transport both by locals and tourists. You’ll find modern, comfortable carriages with air conditioning. Trains have three service classes: second class, first class, and comfort class. For information on schedules, fares, and lines, you can visit the website of SNCFT, the Tunisian railway infrastructure manager, at http://www.sncft.com.tn, available in French and English.
Buses
Interurban buses in Tunisia are operated by the National Company for Rural and Interurban Transport, or SNTRI. The most used lines depart from Tunis, reaching practically all cities in the country, with frequencies ranging from about one bus per day (to the smallest and most remote villages) to one bus every half hour for important cities like Sousse and Sfax. Buses are punctual, fast, comfortable, and quite cheap. For more information, you can visit the official SNTRI website at http://www.sntri.com.tn/.
