The money unit is the Dinar divided into 1000 millimes. One Dinar is about 0.44 Pound (1 GBP = 2.300 TND). Money can be changed in banks, change offices and big hotels. Credit cards are accepted in the main hotels, large restaurants, airline companies, travel agents and souks. Cashpoint (ATM) machines accept UK debit and credit cards can be found in the arrivals hall in the Tunis-Carthage Airport next to the tourist information stand on the right.

The national language is Arabic. Most people use a Tunisian dialect of Arabic. However, most people are comfortable in French. English is less common except in the business sector. If you do not speak French fluently, you should consider hiring an interpreter. The Embassy can provide a list on request.

The National Tourism Office divide into five categories from 1 to 5 stars. Prices are set per head and not by room and can vary according to the season.

For further information, please visit the official tourism website in English: www.tourismtunisia.com

Tunisia has an excellent network of buses connecting all the main cities throughout the country. The service is cheap and comfortable with many buses being air-conditioned. Yellow taxis with a meter are readily available in all main centres and reasonably cheap. Regular trains connect all the main cities in the north of the country with a fairly good and comfortable service, but you need to book in advance.

 

Tunisia has 6 airports: Tunis Carthage, Djerba, Tozeur, Sfax, Monastir and Tabarka. The national company, Tunisair, and the private airline company, Tuninter, link these towns. British Airways currently operate direct flights five times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) between London Gatwick and Tunis. The Tunisian Company, Tunisair also operates four flights per week from London Heathrow to Tunis (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

Tunisia is now the "blue ribbon" of African tourism. In addition to the more classic beach networks, inland tourism is now being promoted. The aim is to encourage foreign visitors to discover the wonders of the inland regions, for example the numerous remains of Roman towns (Carthage, Dougga, Bulla Regia, El Jem, Sbeitla, etc) and the major cultural centres, such as Kairouan. The deep Saharan south with its Berber villages, nomads and unusual architecture (the Matmata troglodytic dwellings and the Ksour in the Tataouine region) is of particular interest.

Life in Tunisia is more moderate than it is in most other African and Middle Eastern countries. This uniformity is chiefly due to the people's similarity in language and religion, and to the fact that political and cultural life is centred in one city, Tunis. Many people in the rural areas continue to wear traditional Arab clothing, a turban or skullcap, and a long loose gown with long sleeves, whereas people in the cities usually wear western-style clothes.