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| Tunisia
Getting Around - Internal Travel |
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Air
Tuninter runs regular services
7 to 8 times a day between Tunis and Djerba
airports with a flight time of approximately 1 hour.
There is a daily flight to Sfax from Tunis
Tuesday to Friday, and 2 flights on Monday. Flights to Tozeur are
available on most weekdays. Tuninter is represented internationally
by Tunis Air (telephone number: (020) 7734 7644).
Prices are reasonable and services are generally heavily subscribed,
so it is advisable to book in advance.
Sea
Ferries operate between theKerkennah Islands
and Sfax twice a day, and between Jerba
Island and Jorf and regularly throughout
the day.
Rail
Regular trains, run by SNCFT, and connect Tunis
with the main towns. The primary route is between Tunis
and Gabès, via Sousse, Sfax and
Gafsa.
It is vital to buy a ticket before boarding the train or double
the fare may be charged. Many daily trains run on each route, several
with air-conditioned accommodation.
The outstanding views of the Selja Gorge can be
seen from the Lezard Rouge (Red Lizard), a renovated
old-fashioned train that runs daily between Metaloui
and Redeyef, it is highly recommended to book in
advance, if possible, particularly for the more popular air-conditioned
routes.
Road
The country has an extensive road network. In case of breakdown,
the Garde Nationale (National Guard) will assist
free of charge and they generally contact the nearest garage.
The traffic drives on the right.
Bus
The yellow and green coloured national buses, run by SNTRI,
are air conditioned and travel daily to most towns throughout the
country. Other services include the intercity buses which are quite
cheap and reasonably comfortable with the destination written in
French and Arabic on the front of the bus. Passengers are allowed
up to 10 kilograms of luggage without additional charge and each
piece of luggage must, however, be registered.
Taxi
Long-distance taxis (normally a large Mercedes or similar), called
louages, are authorised to carry 5 passengers.
They have no fixed schedule and leave their individual departure
points when they are full. They serve the whole of the country and
is the quickest form of public road transport. There are several
louage stations and prices are similar to those charged on the buses
and trains.
Car hire
Car Hire can be very expensive. To rent a self-drive car, the driver
must be over 21 and own a full driving licence, which has been valid
for at least 1 year.
Speed limits
• 50 kilometres per hour (30 miles per hour) in the towns
• 110 kilometres per hour (60 miles per hour) on major highways
Documentation
Log books, valid national driving licences and insurance are essential
in Tunisia. Both AA and RAC are affiliated to the National
Automobile Club (NACT) located in Tunis. Insurance valid
for up to twenty one days can be purchased at the border.
Note
For safety reasons, it is forbidden to drive a car in the Sahara
without 1st contacting the National Guard post at
the nearest town, giving the intended itinerary and the anticipated
point of exit from the area and full provisions, a suitable vehicle
and an experienced guide are necessary for travel in the Sahara.
Urban
A suburban train line (TGM) links Tunis with the
suburbs in the north. Tunis and Sousse have a modern and convenient
tram system (métro léger).
Taxi
In Tunis and other cities, city taxis are numbered and have meters.
The price on the meter is the price you pay. There is a 50% surcharge
on the night fares.
Bicycle
Bicycles and motorcycles are available for hire in most large towns
and do not compel a licence.
Travel times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and
minutes) from Tunis to other major towns and cities in Tunisia.
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Air |
Road |
Rail |
Monastir |
0.35 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
Sfax |
0.50 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
DJerba |
0.60 |
7.00 |
- |
Tozeur |
1.10 |
6.00 |
- |
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Note
Travellers to Port el Kantaoui are advised to take
the train to Sousse, and travel the remaining 7 kilometres (4 miles)
by a taxi.
For Monastir they should change in Sousse
to the Metro Leger.
For Jerba, they should take a train to Gabès
and then take the shuttle-bus. |
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