TUNISIA

January 2011

This information predates the deposition of Beni Ali in early 2011, but
you get the feeling not too much may have changed for tourists.

Tunisian dinar exchange rates
Dinar. 1.9TD = 1 eu or 2.3TD = £1

Price of fuel
Unleaded petrol about 1.1 TD/litre; diesel 0.74 TD

Costs
Moderate

Useful languages
Arabic, French, English

Visas
Required by all except citizens of EU countries, Canada and USA

Border formalities
If you're ferrying a car from southern Europe you do your formalities aboard the ships from Marseille or Genoa if they are CTN ships. It's frustrating when it's busy (holidays) but does mean you get out of the port quickly. With SNCM ships you do it in the port. At La Goulette (Tunis port) watch out to ID-badged hustlers in grey overalls working with the Customs to fleece you if you don't unpack. Stick to your guns; you should not have to pay anything. Leaving La Goulette back back to Europe there was no hassle or hustling.
No carnet required. A Green Card extension to your EU motor insurance is valid in Tunisia or you can buy local motor 'assurance' at the port easily enough. No one checks except when you come back from Algeria and maybe Libya where you may need to pay 1TD for a new driving permit (so keep 1TD handy).

Desert pistes
For Brits it's a long way and an expensive ferry compared to Morocco and, desert-wise, there's much less going on here. With Algeria's Grand Erg Oriental spilling over the border, there's more sand than Morocco. The far south is a military area and lately it's said that escorts are now needed here.

The only border open into Libya is on the coast at Ras Ajdir.

 

Restrictions to independent travel in southern Tunisia from 2009

Green zone: guide and permit required, at least 2 cars, gps, satphone
Red zone: only organized tours, rallies, at least 4 cars and as above.

Thanks to Ulrich H for the map