Getting around Tunis

Public transport

Transtu (tel: +216 71 904 894;www.transtu.tn) runs the city's public transport and offers weekly and monthly passes. Buses are inexpensive and efficient, but difficult to use, as the destinations are written in Arabic, and so is the bus map. You can buy tickets on the bus.

The Métro is a tramway with five lines departing from the railway station: line 1 goes to Tunis Marine; line 2 runs along the city's north-south axis; lines 3, 4 and 5 go near the north bus station; and line 4 also serves the Bardo Museum. Tickets are available at the kiosks at the stops.

The TGM, a small and efficient train, leaves from Tunis Marine at the end of avenue Habib Bourguiba, with regular departures to La Marsa stopping at Carthage, La Goulette and Sidi Bou Said.

Taxis

You can hail taxis in Tunis on the street or at ranks at the railway/bus station. Only use yellow metered taxis, making sure the meter is switched on. Taxi drivers are allowed to take a maximum of three passengers, and at peak times people share taxis.

Driving

Most drivers in Tunis obey the rules of the road, but do watch out for aggressive overtaking, erratic scooters and pedestrians.

Car hire

Reliable car hire companies in Tunis include Avis (tel: +216 71 750 299; www.avis.com), Hertz (tel: +216 22 202 201; www.hertz.com) and Sixt (tel: +216 70 729 292; www.sixt.com).

Bicycle hire

Renting a bicycle is not an option in Tunis. Using the efficient public transport system instead is highly recommended.

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Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Dar Fatma

Overlooking the whole of Sidi Bou Said, Dar Fatma is a small and welcoming traditional house in Tunis, scrubbed clean and decorated with great style and care, with modern furniture against bare walls and Tunisian woodwork. Glorious yet intimate.

Dar Said

In a quiet back street, in the heart of the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said, is this charming hotel set around four patios filled with bougainvillea. Whitewashed walls and blue window frames give everything a clean air. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, furnished in local style, and there is a small pool in the garden. The service is excellent, and there are some good restaurants within a minute's walk from the front door.

Hotel Salammbo

Simple, uncluttered rooms with high-shuttered windows and a good location near Avenue Habib Bourguiba make this a decent budget option in Tunis.

Hotel Maison Dorée

A modest yet pleasantly welcoming hotel in Tunis, well located for both the medina and the train station. Rooms are quaint, although some have nice wrought-iron balconies to add to the charm. Clean, and great value for the price.

Dar el-Medina

This small luxury boutique hotel, the first in the medina, is located in the grand Belouahane family mansion, and still run by the family. It blends traditional architecture with contemporary tastes and amenities, with individually styled rooms to make you feel like you're in a jewel box, plus a lovely courtyard and roof terrace for relaxing.

Grand Hôtel de France

This old-fashioned French colonial hotel in Tunis has immaculate and comfortable rooms oozing character and period detail. Rooms at the back are quieter and overlook a pleasant courtyard.

Introducing Tunis

While you’re there

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Tunisia Information

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