A collection of Tunisia travel and backpacking resources including Tunisia travel, entry visa requirements, employment for backpackers, and Arabic phrasebook.

Backpacking Tunisia

Looking for important travel information while backpacking around Tunisia? Here you will find information on working in Tunisia, entry visas, Tunisia hostels, and much more.

Table of Contents

Facts About Tunisia

Tunisia is a very small country yet somehow it manages to boast a huge number of attractions. History and culture fans will love the ancient ruins of Carthage, outdoors types come to see the stunning oases, sun seekers come for the glorious beaches and geeks and film buffs alike will make eager pilgrimages to Star Wars sets of Matmata.

Many travellers dismiss a country this small or include only a cursory few days of a longer tour but they are doing this country a grave injustice in not exploring all that this feature-packed destination has to offer.

  • Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TD) = 1000 millimes
  • Time Zone: GMT + 1
  • Language: Arabic
  • Telephone Services: Country code +216, International access code 00
  • Emergency Numbers: 197 police, 198 firefighters, 190 emergency

The best time to visit Tunisia

Tunisia is hot and dry all year round especially inland. The best time to visit is in the spring and autumn when temperatures drop slightly to a more comfortable level. Winter is very mild and experiences the most of what little rainfall Tunisia experiences.

Top Things to do in Tunisia

When deciding the best things to do in Tunisia, there is an abundance of options. Here are the top bucket-list items when backpacking Tunisia.

Tunis

The capital of Tunisia, Tunis, in many ways reflects its parent country. It is small by the standards of modern capitals yet still manages to pack literally scores of compelling sites within its boundaries.

The medina is the oldest area of the city, constructed in 7AD it also houses the Zitouna Mosque which was built in part from the ruins of Roman Carthage, although non-Muslims are not allowed right into the mosque it is still a fascinating structure to see. Just a stone’s throw away is the Tourbet el-Bey which is an enormous mausoleum that houses the remains of much of the Husseinite court.

Also worth checking out is the Dar Ben Abdallah Museum which specialises in popular arts and the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul.

Carthage

One of the most interesting areas of the country is Carthage. This city was once an incredibly influential city under both Carthaginian and Roman rule. Most of the ruins which remain are from the Roman period but they are still quite spectacular.

The key sight is the huge Roman amphitheatre which is rumoured to have once been one of the biggest in the world and despite much of the ruins being scavenged for other building projects, it is still worth taking a look at. The other main attraction is the Sanctuary of Tophet which was a Carthaginian sacrificial sight with an adjoining burial ground, the myths and folklore around this site is immense but it is rumoured that the Carthaginians killed and roasted children at this site to appease their gods.

Booking Activities in Tunisia

Since popular places in Tunisia can get crowded during tourist season, it is wise to reserve tickets and activities ahead of time. GetYourGuide sells entrance tickets to museums and landmarks at face value so you can avoid the lines and save that precious time for more exploring.

Viator is another popular travel website that helps you book things to do in Tunisia. They work directly with local tour operators in Tunisia, so you won’t have to scour the internet or roam around town trying to find the best deal.

How to Find Cheap Flights To Tunisia

In order to find the best flights to Tunisia we recommend using a few well-known flight comparison search engines. These websites offer powerful search options, like entering flexible dates and airports in order to find the cheapest flight to Tunisia.

Our go-to flight search engine is Skyscanner, which we love for its extremely flexible search options. Our favourite way to get travel inspiration is their “Everywhere” feature. Simply enter “Everywhere” as a destination, and it will then list all available flights from your departure city in order of price. This also works when entering the entire country of Tunisia as your destination. Skyscanner will search all possible airports in the country in order to find the cheapest option.

Kiwi is another new favourite flight search engine among savvy travelers. Kiwi works by combining flights from different carriers in order to get the best deal. Also, if there is a better ground or ferry option for the route you’re searching, Kiwi will include that in the search results. On average, we have found the cheapest flights to Tunisia with them compared to the other websites out there.

Tunis air operates a small number of domestic flights although these are quite reasonably priced they are only really useful if you are in a hurry, especially since they are so busy that you will normally have to book in advance.

Taking a Ferry to Tunisia

If you’re traveling from Italy or France, it’s easy to book ferry tickets to and from Tunisia. They have different daily schedules depending on the season. Ferry Scanner provides further information and the schedules for the local ferries in Tunisia.

How to Travel Around Tunisia on a Budget

Train and long-distance bus are the standard modes of transport for how to travel in Tunisia on a budget. Buses are the more economical option, nevertheless, they are well-equipped with the usual modern conveniences. Train travel, on the other hand, is the fastest way between cities in Tunisia, and the train stations are conveniently located right in the center of town.

Train travel in Tunisia

The SNCFT operates the rail network which links Tunis, Gabes, Sousse, Sfax and Gafsa. It is worth noting that tickets bought on the train are usually over double the price of those bought at stations so it is well worth purchasing before you get on the train.

The majority of services now have air conditioning and a buffet car although the air-conditioned facilities are very popular so when you can try to book them in advance. Trains passing through Tunis, Gabes, Sousse, Sfax and Gafsa are all air-conditioned, but for travelling from Tunis to Hammamet through Bir bouregba it’s not advised to take a train as they are not comfortable.

Bus travel in Tunisia

There is a state-run bus service recognisable by its green and yellow buses, these are operated by SNTRI and are air-conditioned, comfortable and affordable. In addition, there are numerous small private companies offering a similar service. Between these and the SNTRI buses, you should have any problem reaching anywhere in Tunisia.

Renting a Car in Tunisia

You may also want the flexibility to stop in smaller towns between the major cities. If you decide you want to rent a car in Tunisia, you can use DiscoverCars to compare offers from the major car rental agencies in the region. If you choose the rent a car, be sure to carry your passport and license with you. Steel your nerves as well, because most drivers do not follow typical traffic rules.

Health and Safety in Tunisia

Tunisia has a fairly well-developed health service but it is not available throughout the country. Health insurance is essential and it is advisable to purchase a policy which will cover the cost of repatriation if required. Even for short trips, our go-to travel insurance provider is World Nomads, which is also recommended by Lonely Planet, HostelWorld, and other major travel companies.

There is a significant cholera risk in Tunisia and you should consult your GP for advice concerning the somewhat disputed cholera vaccination. Vaccination against typhoid is recommended; this can be supplied by your local GP and should cost around $40.

Rabies is present in the country and those at risk (i.e./ working around animals) should consider vaccination before arrival. Anyone bitten by an animal is advised to seek immediate medical advice.

Water in the main urban areas is chlorinated and while safe to drink may cause mild stomach upset, it is advisable to use bottled water for the first week or so of stay. Drinking water from other sources should be treated as potentially contaminated and should be sterilised before use.

Both pasteurised and unpasteurised milk is sold so always check the packaging and ensure you are buying pasteurised milk. If pasteurised milk is unavailable milk should be boiled before consumption. Dairy products should be avoided as they are not guaranteed to be made from properly sterilised milk.

Meat should be well cooked and eaten hot, fruit and vegetables should be washed and cooked or peeled where appropriate. Caution should be observed when buying food from street vendors.

Entry visa requirements for Tunisia

All foreign visitors to Tunisia require a passport valid for at least 3 months after the period of intended stay as well as evidence of a return ticket. EU nationals do not require a visa for a tourist visit of up to 3 months and US nationals do not require a visa for tourist visits of up to 4 months. All visa application and enquiries should be directed towards the local Tunisian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.

Visa requirements for Tunisia can vary widely depending on your country of origin and can change over time. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, be sure to check the latest visa requirements while you’re still planning your trip.

Tunisia Hostels

There are plenty of hotels in Tunisia, mainly centred around urban areas. Hotels are graded by a star sign ranging from luxury (close to international standard) 5-star hotels to cheap and basic 1-star hotels. During the peak tourist season, it is advisable to book in advance as hotels can fill up.

We have had good experiences finding hostels in Tunisia on HostelWorld. They have the largest inventory of hostels worldwide, and with over 10 million reviews and ratings from other travellers, you know exactly what to expect.

Another good way to find accommodation in Tunisia is by checking booking.com. You’ll find hotels, homestays, hostels, and other unique accommodations. They have the most reviews and advanced filtering of any accommodation-booking site, so you’ll be sure to find a great place in your budget. Many of the places on booking.com also offer free cancellation, which takes the pressure off the planning phase of your trip to Tunisia.

If you are backpacking with another travel companion, we highly recommend booking a rental via VRBO. With a vacation rental in Tunisia, you’ll have more space, your own kitchen, and you’ll get a better feel for how the locals live. Plus, the cost of a vacation rental can be split among your group, oftentimes making it cheaper than doing individual hotel rooms. 

If you’re looking to save even more money while backpacking in Tunisia, there are plenty of creative ways to get free accommodation in exchange for work. For example, one of our favorite ways to stay in amazing locations for free is by signing up as a petsitter with Trusted Housesitters. The site connects responsible animal lovers with petsitting opportunities in Tunisia and all over the world. It’s a win-win for both sides – travellers can stay in amazing locations for free, and homeowners can rest easy knowing that someone is watching over their place.

And lastly, CouchSurfing is a great community that connects travellers with local hosts in Tunisia. You can stay for free with verified hosts, who will usually take some time to show you around the local spots.

Useful links for Backpacking in Tunisia

  • Kiwi & Skyscanner – Flight comparison search engines to find the cheapest flights to Tunisia and within the country
  • DiscoverCars The world’s leading rental car search engine to rent a car in Tunisia 
  • GetYourGuide and Viatora collection of local tours and activities. Also offers Skip the Line tickets for crowded attractions
  • HostelWorld – #1 hostel search website to find budget accommodation while backpacking in Tunisia. Thousands of hostels and millions of reviews from fellow travellers
  • Booking.com – commonly used booking site. Hostels, hotels, and other unique accommodation with advanced filtering and millions of reviews
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance – Comprehensive travel insurance for long and short trips when backpacking Tunisia 

There you have it, the ultimate Tunisia backpacking guide. We hope you have found all the information you need for backpacking around Tunisia.

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A guide for backpacking around Tunisia. Get important travelers information when it comes to Tunisia including visa requirements, employment opportunities, common Arabic phrases and translation, as well as Tunisia hostels.

 

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