Tunisia Travel Notes

Print Page

Access to your government’s embassy while travelling

Australia www.dfat.gov.au
New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz
Canada www.travel.gc.ca
United Kingdom www.gov.uk
America www.usembassy.gov

Time Zones

Tunis, Tunisia is GMT +1 hours (Nov – March). GMT+0 (Apr – Oct when daylights savins is observed in Europe/Britian).

To obtain the current local time and date in the cities and countries you are travelling to, please visit: www.timeanddate.com

Electricity and Plugs

Tunisia uses 230 volts. Plugs are two-round-pronged – type C and E – www.korjo.com/adaptor-guide

Currency

To obtain the most up-to-date exchange rate you may wish to visit: www.xe.com/currencyconverter

The official currency is the Tunisian Dinar (TND). Bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50. Coins are Millimes and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 & 500. There are also dinar coins, demoninations are 1, 2 and 5 Dinars.

Upon arrival in Tunisia, you’ll find currency exchange services at airports, banks, and authorised exchange offices. It’s recommended to exchange a small amount of your currency to dinars at the airport for immediate expenses. However, for more favourable rates, consider exchanging large sums at local banks or authorised exchange bureaus in the city. It’s important to declare any cash brought into Tunisia in excess of 10,000 TND at the airport customs.

When changing USD or EUR cash, please ensure foreign banknotes are in good condition.

It’s advisable to carry small denominations of TND for tipping and small purchases. Despite the fact that using bank cards is becoming more and more popular among Tunisian vendors, cash is still king in Tunisia. In souks, small vendors, taxis, the majority of restaurants, still use cash.

Credit cards are common in major cities, but they may not be accepted in smaller restaurants and stores.

ATMs are widely available. Almost all ATMs will accept Visa cards, and many (including Bank of Tunisia and BIAT) will also accept Maestro cards for cash withdrawals. Foreign issued credit and debit cards are accepted in an increasing number of shops, restaurants and hotels, though there can be connectivity problems. In places that do take cards, there can be problems authorising Mastercard purchases. Please note many banks are now lowering the limits for cash withdrawals from ATM machines. Please remember to advise your bank of your travel destinations.

An important aspect to keep in mind is that Tunisians sometimes talk in Millimes instead of Dinars, such as saying that the price of a pack of tissue paper is 700 hundred or the meal costs 4000. Make sure you clarify if it is Dinar or Millimes.

Visa

Currently, visas are not required for Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, United States or United Kingdom passport holders for a stay of up to 90 days. You must hold proof of sufficient funds, hold all documents required for your next destination and be able to show proof of return or onward tickets. For other nationalities, please check with your local authority, consulate or embassy for requirements.

Telephone & Communication

Mobile Telephones

Most mobile telephones work in Tunisia and coverage is good in major cities and tourist areas but will be limited in more rural areas. Check with your local provider regarding ‘Global Roaming’ and coverage in the places you are visiting. If you are planning to purchase a local sim card (connected all the time while in Tunisia), please check with your local provider prior to departure to make sure your phone is unlocked and will accept another sim card.

WhatsApp Messenger is an economical way to stay in touch with friends and family. WhatsApp is free and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling service when you have internet access.

ASA tour leaders use WhatsApp to communicate with tour participants while travelling, so the app should be downloaded to your mobile devise prior to joining the program.

Internet

Internet access is widespread and available throughout larger cities and towns in Tunisia. Many hotels and cafes offer access; some charge while others have free Wi-fi zones.

Check with your local provider to see what they offer for international travel, some have a simple daily cost. Alternatively you may wish to purchase a pre paid sim card prior to your departure from your home country. For Australians you may wish to look at www.prepaidsims.com.au.

Personal Safety

We recommend you drink only bottled water. Tap water is generally safe in the cities but not recommended.
We strongly recommend the use of a money belt to keep your cash, valuables, cards and travel documents safe. This should be kept under your clothes at all times. This is a precaution that should be taken anywhere due to the difficulties that can be experienced when trying to replace stolen items.
Take photocopies or photos of all important documents (passport, credit cards, E-tickets, insurance).
It is generally helpful to take a business card from the hotel you are staying at. This can assist hugely if you get lost or if there is a language barrier. If you have a key card for your hotel, make sure you keep these two cards separate. Alternatively take a photo of your room number and hotel address.
Take extra care in crowded places and avoid keeping your wallet or phone in your hip pocket.

Australians Studying Abroad takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and every measure is taken to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

Australia Smart Traveller
New Zealand Safe Travel
Canada Canada Travel Information
United Kingdon UK Foreign Travel Advice
USA US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Health

It is advisable to consult with your doctor or local travel clinic in the weeks leading up to your departure, allowing enough time to obtain any relevant vaccinations or travel medication that may be required.

Travelling with Medication

Not all medications available in your home country, over the counter or by prescription, are available in other countries. Some may be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by a doctor. If unsure, travellers should check the regulations on importing or transporting medicines to their chosen destination by contacting the relevant embassy or high commission for clarification.

All medication should be carried in their original packaging and in your hand luggage. If you are taking medication whilst travelling, please make sure you have enough for the duration of your trip.

Carry a letter from your doctor stating:

what the medication is and what it is for
your required dosage
that it is for personal use

For more information, contact the Tunisian Embassy in your country.

Australia www.dfat.gov.au
New Zealand www.mfat.govt.nz
Canada www.travel.gc.ca
United Kingdom www.gov.uk
USA US Department of State

What to Pack

Clothing (general)

The time of the year you visit this destination will dictate the type of clothing it is appropriate to bring. It is always advisable to take a raincoat or a waterproof windbreaker. For daytime activities, we suggest a wardrobe that is versatile, casual and comfortable. It is recommended that “layered” clothing might offer the best comfort in a variety of conditions. Always expect the weather to be changeable.

Beyond the normal wardrobe, we suggest the following:

Day pack or a cross-body handbag. Site visits often involve walking on cobbled streets and uneven ground, up numerous steps and may be of a reasonable duration. You will want to have your hands free to hold rails or steady yourself as applicable. A day pack will allow you to easily carry your ancillary items: camera, torch, waterproof, sunhat, sunscreen, bottled water, sunglasses etc.
A hiking pole (fold-up) should be considered as many sites have steps and uneven ground, often without handrails.
Comfortable walking shoes are very important (hiking boots are not required); sandals or open shoes are only suitable for the evening.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
Travel torch
Folding umbrella and/or waterproof, windproof jacket.
Fleece or pullover. It can be cold in the mornings / evenings, and you do travel to medium altitude where the temperatures can vary considerably.
Toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitiser. (see note below – Toilets)
Camera: Please take all necessary equipment/spares as will be difficult to purchase additional supplies while on tour.
As this is a Muslim country, foreign women should dress modestly, and a head scarf will be required when visiting a mosque.

Shorts and sleeveless tops are not appropriate.
Extra prescription eyeglasses (if required).

Toilets: Western-style toilets are generally available at established tourist attractions across the country however be prepared for some rudimentary squat/pit toilets elsewhere. Carry your own supply of soap/sanitiser and toilet paper, as these aren’t always provided.

Etiquette

No attempt should be made to photograph anything remotely connected with the armed forces, police or in the vicinity of defence installations. Many people do not like being photographed, while others may try to obtain money from you. Always ask permission before photographing someone.

When visiting religious sites shoulders and knees must be covered and hats are not allowed. Shorts are not generally acceptable for men or women.
In Africa, tips can represent a significant portion of a worker’s salary. Tipping too much is better than not enough. In restaurants, tipping 10 to 15 percent is customary, but in some more upscale eateries, a service charge will already be added to the check.
Handshaking is the normal form of greeting
Please remember if you are in a market and bargaining, it should be a bit of fun and undertaken with a generous dose of humour and patience, resulting in both parties reaching a mutually beneficial outcome. More common in Southern France, not common in the North of France.
Try to respect the locals to the same degree you would want to be respected at home.

Climate

The climate in Tunisia differs according to region. We suggest checking the weather forecast for the most up-to-date information, prior to your departure.
www.worldweatheronline.com or www.weather-finder.com

Average minimum/maximum Temperatures (˚C)

City

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Tunis

10/16

9/16

10/18

13/21

16/25

21/30

24/30

25/33

23/30

19/26

15/21

11/17

The information above has been compiled with care and provided in good faith however it is subject to change.