Independent travel guide to Tunisia
Tunisia Explore Travel guide
By car

Road trips in Tunisia

Coastal roads, hilltop villages, oases and desert tracks in the south: Tunisia is perfect for exploring by car. Here are four tried-and-tested itineraries, with stops and distances, and a distance chart to help you plan your own.

Four driving itineraries

2 days280 km in total

Cap Bon

The peninsula of citrus groves and coves, ideal for a first road trip from Tunis or Hammamet.

Stops
  1. Tunis
  2. Hammamet+65 km
  3. Nabeul+15 km
  4. Kelibia+60 km
  5. El Haouaria+25 km
  6. Korbous+60 km
  7. Tunis+55 km

Tip : Spend the night in Kelibia to enjoy the sunset over the fort and El Mansoura beach in the morning.

3 days402 km in total

The Sahel, El Jem and Kairouan

Coastal medinas, a Roman amphitheatre and a holy city: the ultimate cultural tour, with short driving stages.

Stops
  1. Hammamet
  2. Sousse+85 km
  3. Monastir+22 km
  4. Mahdia+45 km
  5. El Jem+45 km
  6. Kairouan+95 km
  7. Hammamet+110 km

Tip : Visit El Jem in the late afternoon: the golden light on the amphitheatre is magnificent and there are fewer crowds.

3 days475 km in total

The green north-west

Cork oak forests, an unspoilt coastline and major Roman sites, far from the beach-resort trail.

Stops
  1. Tunis
  2. Bizerte+65 km
  3. Tabarka+140 km
  4. Ain Draham+25 km
  5. Bulla Regia+45 km
  6. Dougga+90 km
  7. Tunis+110 km

Tip : The road from Tabarka to Ain Draham is winding: allow plenty of time and stop at the viewpoints.

5 days790 km in total

The Deep South

Troglodyte dwellings, dunes, salt lakes and mountain oases: the great southern loop starting from Djerba.

Stops
  1. Djerba (Houmt Souk)
  2. Matmata+110 km
  3. Douz+100 km
  4. Tozeur+120 km
  5. Mountain oases (Chebika, Tamerza, Mides)+130 km
  6. Djerba (Houmt Souk)+330 km

Tip : Cross Chott el Djerid early in the morning for the mirages and the light, and never leave the tarmac road.

Distances and driving times

The most popular journeys from the country's main towns and cities.

From Tunis

DestinationDistanceDriving time
Sidi Bou Said20 km30 min
Bizerte65 km1 h
Hammamet65 km1 h
Nabeul70 km1 h
Sousse140 km1 h 45 min
Kairouan155 km2 h
Monastir165 km2 h
Tabarka175 km2 h 45 min
El Jem205 km2 h 30 min
Mahdia205 km2 h 30 min
Tozeur430 km5 h
Djerba (Houmt Souk)510 km5 h 30 min

From Sousse

DestinationDistanceDriving time
Monastir22 km30 min
Mahdia60 km1 h
Kairouan60 km50 min
El Jem65 km50 min
Hammamet85 km1 h
Tozeur340 km4 h 15 min
Djerba (Houmt Souk)390 km4 h 30 min

From Djerba (Houmt Souk)

DestinationDistanceDriving time
Zarzis60 km1 h
Matmata110 km2 h
Tataouine130 km2 h
Douz210 km3 h
Tozeur330 km4 h

From Tozeur

DestinationDistanceDriving time
Nefta23 km25 min
Chebika60 km1 h
Douz120 km1 h 30 min
Matmata220 km2 h 45 min
Kairouan300 km3 h 45 min

Distances and journey times are approximate, by road, excluding traffic and stops.

Hitting the road in Tunisia

  • The A1 (Tunis–Sousse–Sfax–Gabès), A3 (towards Béja) and A4 (towards Bizerte) motorways are tolled and in good condition; keep a few dinars in coins handy.
  • Off the motorway, watch out for speed bumps at the entrance to villages, as well as carts and animals on the road.
  • Police checkpoints are common: keep your licence, vehicle documents and rental agreement within easy reach.
  • Fill up whenever you can in the south: petrol stations become scarce between the oases.
  • Avoid driving at night on secondary roads, which are poorly lit.

Our tips for driving in Tunisia →

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Pick up your car at the airport or your hotel and travel at your own pace.

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