Getting around Tunis

Public transport

Transtu (tel: +216 71 904 894;www.transtu.tn) runs the city's public transport and offers weekly and monthly passes. Buses are inexpensive and efficient, but difficult to use, as the destinations are written in Arabic, and so is the bus map. You can buy tickets on the bus.

The Métro is a tramway with five lines departing from the railway station: line 1 goes to Tunis Marine; line 2 runs along the city's north-south axis; lines 3, 4 and 5 go near the north bus station; and line 4 also serves the Bardo Museum. Tickets are available at the kiosks at the stops.

The TGM, a small and efficient train, leaves from Tunis Marine at the end of avenue Habib Bourguiba, with regular departures to La Marsa stopping at Carthage, La Goulette and Sidi Bou Said.

Taxis

You can hail taxis in Tunis on the street or at ranks at the railway/bus station. Only use yellow metered taxis, making sure the meter is switched on. Taxi drivers are allowed to take a maximum of three passengers, and at peak times people share taxis.

Driving

Most drivers in Tunis obey the rules of the road, but do watch out for aggressive overtaking, erratic scooters and pedestrians.

Car hire

Reliable car hire companies in Tunis include Avis (tel: +216 71 750 299; www.avis.com), Hertz (tel: +216 22 202 201; www.hertz.com) and Sixt (tel: +216 70 729 292; www.sixt.com).

Bicycle hire

Renting a bicycle is not an option in Tunis. Using the efficient public transport system instead is highly recommended.