As one of North Africa's gems, Tunisia beckons travelers with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. Every year, thousands of globetrotters from around the world set foot in this enchanting country to discover its wonders.
If you're among the fortunate souls about to embark on a journey to Tunisia, your adventure begins the moment you land at Tunis-Carthage International Airport. With an ever-growing influx of visitors, it's essential to be well-prepared to make the most of your initial hours in this captivating land. In this article, we're here to provide you with an extensive guide to navigating the Tunis-Carthage Airport, ensuring that your arrival experience is both seamless and memorable.
From essential travel information to insider tips, WildyNess team have got you covered for a remarkable start to your Tunisian escapade.
What Affordable Airlines fly to Tunis Carthage Airport?
When visiting a new country in a new continent, knowing that some reputable airlines provide affordable adds up to your travel experience and budget planning . Explore the city's rich heritage, vibrant culture, and captivating attractions while enjoying the convenience of budget-friendly air travel.
Source : flightconnections
Tunisair: Tunisia's National Carrier
- Enjoy budget-friendly flights with Tunisair, Tunisia's national airline.
- Access domestic and international routes without compromising on quality.
- Note: Some travelers report occasional delays.
Air France: Global Connectivity, Affordable Fares
- Benefit from Air France's well-connected route to Tunis Carthage Airport.
- Seamlessly connect from various cities worldwide with competitive pricing.
- Note: Some travelers report occasional delays.
Transavia: Low-Cost Convenience
- Discover budget-friendly travel options with Transavia, a low-cost airline.
- Enjoy a comfortable journey while staying within your budget.
- Note: Additional fees may apply for baggage and other services.
Nouvelair: Tunisian Affordability
- Experience affordable flights to Tunis Carthage Airport with Nouvelair.
- Choose from different flight options while keeping your travel expenses in check.
- Note: Some travelers report occasional delays.
Top 5 Destinations with a direct flight to Tunis Carthage Airport
Tunis Carthage Airport offers convenient access to a variety of international destinations through direct flights. If you're planning a trip to Tunisia, you'll find seamless connectivity to major cities across Europe and beyond.
Here are the top five international destinations you can reach with direct flights to Tunis Carthage Airport:
- Paris, France: The City of Lights is a popular destination for both leisure and business travelers. Explore iconic landmarks, indulge in exquisite cuisine, and experience the charm of Parisian culture.
- Istanbul, Turkey: Bridging two continents, Istanbul offers a unique blend of history and modernity. Discover ancient architecture, bustling markets, and a vibrant arts scene in this captivating city.
- Rome, Italy: Immerse yourself in the rich history of Rome, where ancient ruins and Renaissance art coexist. Explore the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the enchanting streets of this historic capital.
- Barcelona, Spain: A dynamic city on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona boasts stunning architecture, sandy beaches, and a lively atmosphere. Delve into Gaudí's masterpieces and savor tapas in this vibrant destination.
- London, United Kingdom: Experience the cosmopolitan energy of London, where historical landmarks meet contemporary culture. Enjoy world-class museums, theater productions, and the city's diverse neighborhoods.
Do I Need a Visa for Tunisia?
Understanding Tunisia's visa regulations is key to a smooth journey.To enhance the practicality of this guide, we will address the query of "who is exempt from needing a visa for Tunisia?" This approach will assist you in determining whether a visa is necessary based on your circ*mstances.
Here's an overview of visa-exempt foreign nationals and their maximum stay allowances:
Visa-Free Stays:
- Canada, Germany, and the United States enjoy visa-free stays for up to 4 months.
- Bulgaria permits a maximum stay of 2 months, while Greece allows 1 month.
- Citizens of the European Union (except Cyprus), Algeria, Andorra, and many more can enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days.
National ID Card Entry:
Nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland can enter using a national ID card while on a package tour with a hotel voucher.
Diplomatic and Service Passports:
Holders of diplomatic or service passports from Egypt, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Ukraine do not require a visa for entry.
Diplomatic passport holders from Thailand, Cuba, Czech Republic, Iran, Pakistan, Singapore, Syria, Albania, and Vietnam also enjoy visa exemption.
Organized Tours and Hotel Vouchers:
Citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan can enter visa-free when on an organized tour and holding a hotel voucher.
Steps to Take WHEN Arriving to Tunis Carthage Airport
Leave the Aircraft
Once the aircraft arrives at the gate, follow the disembarkation instructions provided by the cabin crew.
Connect to Airport WiFi
If you cannot do without internet, you may need to connect your phone to the WiFi at this stage. Tunis-Carthage International Airport offers free Wi-Fi service for travelers. The Wi-Fi is provided by the airport itself. Each free session allows connectivity for up to 240 minutes, offering ample time for passengers to stay connected during their time at the airport.
Immigration and Passport Control Area
As you disembark the aircraft and step into the terminal, head toward the luggage reclaim hall. Your journey will start off with a first stop in the immigration and passport control area. Before 2022, travelers coming to tunisia needed to fill in some information in a small white card before getting their passport stamped. You’re lucky enough to be able to skip this step, with all the mess that not having your own pen can create.
So, what you need to do now is to proceed directly to passport control. A brief walk within the terminal will take you to the Passport Control area, characterized by its row of blue-green Passport Control booths. Upon reaching the Passport Control booth, present your passport, be ready to state the purpose of your visit, and respond to a few basic questions. With these steps completed, you'll smoothly navigate the arrival process and be ready to embark on your Tunisian adventure.
If you’re coming from a visa-exempt country, you'll receive a Tourist Stamp upon your arrival, which will be stamped in your passport. This Tourist Stamp is typically valid for either 90 or 120 days, though the precise duration can vary. Various sources might confidently state it's either 3 or 4 months, yet the definitive indicator is the information printed on your stamp itself.
If your intended stay extends beyond 3 or 4 months, and you don't possess a work or student Visa, you'll need to exit the country and re-enter to secure a new Tourist Stamp. It's important to note that exceeding the permitted duration will result in fines.
Hand Luggage X-Ray
Before going to the luggage reclaim belt, you need to x-ray scan your hand luggage. It’s a mere safety measure and doesn’t take that much time.
Luggage Reclaim Belt
After passing through the Passport Control booths, you'll transition through sliding glass doors leading into the baggage area. The baggage claim zone at Tunis Carthage Airport encompasses a spacious hall with a single lengthy row of baggage carousels. Don’t feel lost. Just raise your eyes to see the monitors suspended from the ceiling, and you will know the flight details matched to the corresponding baggage carousel.
In case you don’t get your luggage, you need to proceed to the designated desk to report your lost belongings. Clear signage will guide you in the right direction. Don’t be shy or too angry. Try to gather all the details you need about your luggage's whereabouts and the necessary steps to recover it. It’s very crucial to know how to talk with clerks in the airport and listen to them attentively to be able to detect any incoherence.
It's imperative that you obtain proper documentation from the Lost Luggage counter before leaving. This documentation will prove invaluable when you revisit the airport to retrieve your bag, as it can assist you in navigating security.
The Lost Luggage personnel should provide you with a tracking number specific to your bag. If this isn't possible, ensure you have at least some form of documentation indicating your lost luggage status.
Be diligent in checking the Lost Luggage tracking number online. When collecting your bag from the airport, remember to bring your passport and the documentation containing your luggage information. To increase your ease of navigation, consider having a Tunisian friend accompany you on your return to the airport for luggage retrieval.
Customs and Item Decalration
Keep in mind that a guard may conduct a routine search of your baggage as you leave this area, which is a standard procedure.
Once you step through the doors from the Baggage Claim room, you'll be outside of the security check zone. While you're in Tunisia, you'll need to declare the items in your luggage to Customs. Typically, personal belongings are allowed without any duties or taxes. However, items that indicate commercial intent due to their nature or quantity might require payment of duties and taxes, along with foreign trade formalities.
If you're carrying foreign currency that you intend to exchange, make sure to declare it to the officers in the Baggage Claim area before your exit. You're permitted to bring foreign currency into the country without any restrictions. However, if the amount equals or exceeds 25,000 Tunisian dinars, it's mandatory to declare it to Customs upon entry.
If you're a non-resident planning to re-export foreign currency worth 5,000 Tunisian dinars or more, you must also declare it to Customs before leaving the Customs zone. This declaration should be made using the "Foreign Currency Import Declaration" form.
Drone Regulations
Please note that drones brought into Tunisia without prior permission will be confiscated by local authorities upon arrival. These drones will be stored until your departure. It's important to be aware that owning drones in Tunisia requires a license, and obtaining this license can be a time-consuming process.
Check this official website to get through everything you may need to know, here.
Arrival Hall
When leaving the Baggage Claim area, you will head to the Arrival Hall. Welcome to Tunisia! The Arrival Hall at Tunis-Carthage Airport offers a basic range of services to ensure a smooth entry into Tunisia. From currency exchange and banking facilities to SIM card services, information desks, lounges, shops, and dining options, travelers can easily transition into their journey.
Essential amenities like power sockets, police assistance, luggage scales, tax refunds, restrooms, prayer rooms, and designated smoking areas cater to various needs. This bustling hub ensures comfort and convenience, providing everything needed for a successful arrival experience in Tunisia.
Steps to Take AFTER Arriving to Tunis Carthage Airport
Exchange Some Cash
The airport provides currency exchange services and ATMs for cash withdrawal. Using ATMs is recommended for obtaining dinars, with larger withdrawals minimizing fees. Upon arrival, obtaining local currency is crucial. Tunisia's currency is the dinar, and it's a closed currency available only within the country. Importing or exporting Tunisian dinars is prohibited. Cash remains widely used for payments in transportation, dining, cafes, and more.
At Tunis Carthage Airport, you can conveniently exchange various currencies, including USD and British Pounds, into Tunisian Dinars (TND) at several banks on the first floor. Before making your choice, check posted exchange rates to ensure the best deal. In order to optimize your exchange, try to check the semi-public banks first, as they usually have the best rate. These banks include STB Bank (Société Tunisienne de Banque), BH Bank (Banque de l'Habitat), and BNA Bank (Banque Nationale Agricole). While airport exchange rates may not be ideal, consider exchanging a small amount for immediate needs like transportation.
Important Note: Remember that Tunisia operates with a "closed currency," meaning TND cannot be converted back without a receipt. Keep your exchange receipt as proof.
Buy a SIM card
After securing local currency, consider purchasing a SIM card and internet for your phone. This service is available at airport kiosks like Orange Tunisia, Ooredoo, and Tunisie Telecom. Although Wi-Fi is accessible within hotels, restaurants, and public places, a SIM card will guarantee constant and reliable connectivity.
Unlike many other countries, the prices of SIM cards is the same at the airport and outside. So, it would be convenient to get yours on the spot. Your existing cell phone can be used in Tunisia for calls, texts, 3G, and 4G at reasonable rates. Opting for a prepaid Tunisian SIM card is a cost-effective approach.
Important Note: make sure to purchase a prepaid SIM card and not a 4G SIM cards. You will need to make phone calls on the go, whether to book a taxi, call local guides, or get your food delivery confirmed. The price is the same internet-wise. It would be better not to be stuck with a SIM card that doesn’t allow you to make phone calls.
Tunisia features three major mobile phone service operators: Ooredoo Tunisia, Tunisie Telecom, and Orange Tunisia. All three providers offer prepaid SIM cards equipped with 4G capabilities, ensuring robust coverage across the nation except in the most secluded regions.
We would recommend Tunisie Telecom if you’re heading to the remote regions in the Southern part of the country or those near the borders, as its network is more reliable. All the three operators offer exactly the same services and fees. The SIM card cost around 2 USD and 25G cost around 8 USD. So, it wouldn’t really make a big difference which one to choose.
Also note that you need to purchase some credit to activate the SIM card. Don’t hesitate to ask the salesperson to do it for you.
Get a Taxi
Located in the center of Tunis, Tunis-Carthage Airport is quite near to any place you’d go to. However, it's important to note that the airport's transportation options don't include trains or metros for direct access. For this fact, you need to opt for the most convenient option, a taxi. There are three ways to get a taxi from the airport.
Take a Metered Taxi Outside the Airport
If you don’t have a lot of luggage and can walk out with ease, you better take a taxi from the outside the airport. You need to follow the signage to reach the outside door. You will notice a roundabout just in front of you. Make sure to choose a location where the taxi driver can see you. Available taxis would be flashing a red light.
Once you get your ride, ensure the taximeter is operational and also note that there's a fee for baggage. After 9 pm, expect a 50% surcharge to the usual fee.
Opt for Uber-like apps
Convenient and safe as it is, uber-like apps can be a great alternative to spare yourself all the headache of communication and haggling. The apps available in Tunisia are Bolt, Indrive and Yassir. Make sure to download one of them while you’re waiting on the queue at some point in your journey out of the airport.
Non-Metered Taxis Ready for Passengers
The most popular means of departing the airport involves the queue of taxis awaiting passengers. As you proceed towards your exit, taxi drivers will likely approach you, aiming to offer their services. These taxis usually operate on a fixed rate, which you might want to negotiate before stepping into the taxi.
Additionally, be aware that these taxis may charge an extra fee for handling luggage. Typically, this fee ranges from 10 to 20 TND as a base charge, coupled with an additional 5 to 10 TND for suitcases. You will end up paying an average of 60 TND, depending on your destination and the number of luggage.
It’s convenient for travelers with many suitcases after a long and tiring flight.
Recommendations for a Successful Trip in Tunisia
Rent a Car and Pick it up from the Airport
For added convenience and flexibility during your trip, consider renting a car. You can either make an advance online reservation or rent a car on the same day. We recommend booking on advance to get the best fee possible. If you prefer a seamless experience, some car rental companies offer a meet-and-greet service, ensuring your vehicle is ready upon your arrival.
Keep in mind that while most rental cars feature manual transmission, booking online allows you to secure an automatic transmission if needed. Don't forget to bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card for the rental process. Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Tunisia at your own pace and discover its hidden gems.
Good to know: You can rent your car directly from the airport. Car rental services are available on the lower floor, conveniently located near the baggage claim area. Needless to say, these service providers may not have the best fees in the market as they take advantage of the urgency factor.
Always Carry Some Cash with You
One important tip to keep in mind when traveling in Tunisia is to always ensure you have enough cash on hand. Tunisia operates primarily on a cash-based system, so having local currency in your pocket help you avoid any unexpected challenges or surprises.
From the moment you land in the country, having cash in hand will ensure you can smoothly navigate the country's cash-focused economy without any hassles.
Get a Revolut free Bank Online Account and Card for money cash
For those who are always looking for ways to optimize their financial transactions, consider obtaining a Revolut online bank account and card. With its attractive exchange rates and the added benefit of free weekday conversions for most currencies, the Revolut card makes for a great companion during your travels. The user-friendly app adds to its appeal, although it's worth noting that the card does have strict ATM withdrawal limits that might pose a slight challenge.
Please note: this is not an advertisem*nt or affiliate marketing. We don’t benefit from anything except helping our community with the best tips.
Register Your Phone on the Sajalni Platform for Extended Stays
If you're planning to stay in Tunisia for more than 3 months, it's recommended to register your phone on the Sajalni platform. This platform allows you to register your phone's IMEI number to ensure its legal use in the country during your extended stay. This step can help you avoid any issues with local authorities and ensure a seamless mobile experience throughout your time in Tunisia.
Welcome to Tunisia, don’t forget to make positive impact on local communities
While your time in Tunisia might be filled with remarkable memories, the airport itself is likely to be a forgettable part of your journey. With these tips, we aim to assist you in navigating this gateway to Tunisia. Wishing you an incredible journey ahead!
So, as you traverse Tunisia's landscapes and neighborhoods, remember that your presence has the potential to leave a positive mark. Let your exploration be a two-way exchange, where you gain insights and connections, and the local communities you engage with benefit from your respect, support, and appreciation. Together, we can make every step of your journey a step toward a brighter future for all.
