Travel in Tunisia

[herbertroelandt]

Has anybody visited Tunisia on a motorcycle recently? Any problems there these days?
I am thinking about visiting the country in about 10 days from now on my motorbike.
I do not plan to go off road
Any advice on ferry's would be nice.

[Chris Scott]

I have not been there for years but I have not heard of any problems directed at tourists even though this recent report sounds alarming.
There was a moto rally there recently which passed off as normal, AFAIK.

There are several ferries a week from Marseille or Genoa (~20 hours). Genoa used to cost some 20% less than France, but its still a few hundred euros.

I did a quick quote here
CTN Tunisia Ferries - book CTN Tunisia Ferries with Southern Ferries
came in at 405.36 EUR

[priffe]

Or if you like Italy you can take the ferry from Sicily for around €40.

[herbertroelandt]

As I am heading towards Sicily now, I think I will use that ferry.

[priffe]

Four sailings weekly to Tunis, from Palermo or Trapani

Ferries to Sicily - Book a ferry to Sicily with Direct Ferries

[mj]

The Palermo - Tunis ferry is pretty decent, takes nine or ten hours if I remember correctly.

We've spent four weeks in Tunisia in October 2011 and haven't regretted a single minute. At least last year we felt very safe, people were incredibly friendly and helpful. We liked the south a lot more than the north, especially the bits in the Sahara south of Tozeur. Try to avoid touristy areas (especially Sousse, Hammamet, and Djerba) since the hard selling has gotten a lot worse last year with the revolution and the economic crisis (tourism pretty much went extinct in 2011). Even then it was simply bothersome but never dangerous. And I highly recommend Sfax as a place to stay for two or three days. No tourists, no "here mister" when strolling through the streets, friendly locals and the best Medina we've seen, because you can walk around unbothered, get lost in the tiny streets and end up some place you'll never ever find again no matter how hard you try

Do you have a rough idea what you want to see?

[joesimpson]

hi

i was there last year, but any friends of mine were there in march 2013 and all was normal and they rode in the south too

for the ferry u can start from genoa, but remember the ship i very uncomfortable

[herbertroelandt]

I had a great time in Tunesia.
No problems at all, super friendly people and not expensive.
The police and many other local people told me that the situation can change fast. So keep an eye open for the news.
Almost everybody speaks French
Almost no tourists to see, many hotels and resorts almost empty.
Very easy border crossing in Tunis, in and out.
I took Grimaldi lines from Palermo- good sailing, comfortable ship.

[Peter Girling]

Hi Folks,

Anyone in Tunisia at the moment or been there in the last few weeks? I'm hearing tales from a French operator regarding groups being turned back at La Goulette "Tourisme est fini" and of police confiscating alcohol at Ksar Ghilane.

Up to date info anyone?

Happy trails,

Peter

[herbertroelandt]

Originally Posted by Peter Girling

Hi Folks,

Anyone in Tunisia at the moment or been there in the last few weeks? I'm hearing tales from a French operator regarding groups being turned back at La Goulette "Tourisme est fini" and of police confiscating alcohol at Ksar Ghilane.

Up to date info anyone?

Happy trails,

Peter

Have been there not so long ago, and did not hear anything about that. On the ferry you can buy tax free alcohol, even many Tunesians did buy that, customs at arrival could not care less.
The police officers I have been talking to where all very well aware that they need tourists, so they care for the safety of visitors.

[Matt Roach]

I am getting a little bored of Morocco, and Mauritania is a bit far to go for a few weeks, so I am currently considering a mostly off road trip in Tunisia in Oct.

Can anyone recommend some interesting pistes, which ideally would be sandy open desert routes? I already have the details on the El Hamma-Tataouine and Douz-Ksar Ghilane pistes courtesy of Chris Scott's excellent book.

Does anyone also have any details of the tracks used on the Taureg rally this year?

[roro]

Hi Matt,

Try to get the GAndini's Book about desert pistes in Southern Tunisia: may be 10 years old but some interesting routes.

Pistes du Sud Tunisien - Extrem'Sud

Unfortunately, some of them are now forbidden for tourists except with military escorts: try to find these areas on this website.

RR.

Try to read the Gandini's

[Capo Sakke]

Hi,
I was riding Tuareg Rally this year and every thing was calm on those days. All locals what I met were real friendly and told that they need tourists and most of those groups whom made troubles beginning of this year are eliminated....
To me situation looks like it same than Kyrgyzstan Osh riots in 2010. So not that bad?

Normally you can do most of paper work on board ferry. There should be forms available in advance what you must fill up (bike = fiche and person) make them double. Just make sure to be on custom and immigration desk on time, there isn't any open hours....they just show up when they want. Have you documents ready (passport, bike registration papers, Green card) and it should go smoothly...

When you enter La Goulette there will be lot of local "helpers" telling that they can get you trough custom smoothly. Don't trust them or give any of your documents, they try to nick them and are asking money to give it back to you.

Recommended documents:
- Green insurance card valid for Tunisia if you don’t have one you have to buy insurance in the port of Tunis.

Custom process (Genua)
- Fill in exit fiche per person in the port of Genua.
- Go to police office in the port of Genua and get the exit stamp for your passport typically police want to see each person personally.

Custom process (Ferry Genua-Tunis)
- Fill in person entry fich and go to the police office on the ship. You will get an entry stamp in your passport.
- If you enter only one vehicle, go to custom desk, fill in entry form and enter the vehicle.

Custom Process (Port Tunis)
- Leave boat and drive through the custom line.
- First station: Control of police. If you don’t make the police procedure on the ship you now have to do it now.
- Second station: control of custom.
If you don’t make the custom procedure on the ship you have to do it now.
- Show custom officer the documents of the vehicle you want to enter.
- Custom officer will confirm you the vehicle.
- Go to office Number 4. There you will get a stamp.
- Go back to your vehicle and the custom officer will confirm your vehicle entry.
- At exit of port all documents will be controlled.

[Brina]

I'm a US citizen living in S. Tunisia. I've not heard any issues with local authorities turning anyone away, especially tourists. I have noticed many motorcycle touring groups heading down to the sandbox to play. I travel extensively throughout the country and we've not had any problems. Due to military operations in the Central West of the country (Kasserine) i highly recommend staying away from there. Other than that, Tunisia is open for business. As far as traveling down into the desert regions, i'd recommend doing it soon, as in a month from now it will be TOOOO hot to enjoy. Otherwise you'll need to wait until mid-late Sept.
The previously mentioned procedures by Capo are spot on, as i've done this multiple times. Gran Navi Veloci is the company i normally use.

[PanEuropean]

Brina:

I'm toying with the idea of visiting Tunisia on my Honda ST1100 (PanEuropean) between now and the end of May. I've visited Tunisia before (Tozeur - very pleasant - I flew my own aircraft in and out of there), and have lived and worked in Algeria (not much fun). I speak French.

The ST1100 is a pretty large and heavy motorcycle, only suited for operation on paved surfaces. What road conditions could be expected along a circle route Tunis - Tozeur - Gabes - then up the east coast to Tunis? Would that be a pleasant trip (so far as road condition is concerned), or do I have the wrong kind of motorcycle?

Michael