Getting In and Around

Visas: Be sure your passport is valid for six months past your last day in Tunisia. If you are planning on staying in Tunisia for less than three months, then you do not need to apply for a visa ahead of time. Just make sure you have two blank pages in your passport, as you will receive a stamped visa once you arrive in the country.

Transportation: Getting to/from Tunisia: If you fly into Tunisia, you will likely land at Tunis-Carthage International Airport, located in Tunis. From the airport, you can grab a taxi or a bus to the city center. Some flights may also land at Monastir-Habib Bourguiba International Airport, located on the northeastern coast of the country.

Ferries operate between France and Italy and Tunisia. The trip is popular, so make sure you purchase your tickets well in advance.

Within Tunisia: Getting around Tunisia is generally not difficult, as there are plenty of well-maintained travel options. For those with money to spend, a number of daily domestic flights are available. Additionally, many popular tourist locations are serviced by train routes. Long-distance buses travel between all cities and are generally comfortable and affordable. Finally, you can take a louage, a shared taxi that travels between towns. Louages are cheap and, unlike other shared taxis, not too crowded.

Within cities, buses are generally reliable. We recommend taking taxis, however, as they are the most efficient and the safest form of transportation.

Mobile Phones: A SIM card–enabled phone is definitely the best way to go in terms of mobile phone use in Tunisia. You can buy the phones inexpensively, and top-up cards are sold all over the country. 

Safety and Security

The U.S. Department of State’s consular website has a great deal of information about safety and security in Tunisia.

It can’t be repeated often enough: be sensible when you travel. Be alert and aware about your surroundings. Always keep important items like passports or excess cash in a safe place.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has created a security ratings system called the Ibrahim Index, wherein scores are based on each country’s quality of government. Before traveling to Tunisia or anywhere on the continent, check the index and do your research.