Everything You Need to Know About Train Travel in Tunisia

If you plan to travel between the big cities of Tunis, consider the train as a comfortable and efficient local means of transport.

The rail network is operated by SNCFT, a government company under the direction of the Ministry of Transport.

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Although crowded at times, the trains are affordable, generally, run on time, and are considered safe for tourists and locals alike.

Currently, SNCFT offers 11 main lines connecting the largest cities in the country, as well as metro lines in Tunisia and the Sahel region.

Inter-City Train Lines

The 11 inter-city railway routes are as follows:

• Tunis - Ghardimaou (with stops at Beja, Bou-Salem and Jendouba)
• Tunis - Bizerte (with a stop at Mateur)
• Tunis - Sfax (with stops at Bir Bouregba, Enfidha, Kalâa Sghira and El Jem)
• Tunis - Kalâa Khasba (with stops at Gaafour and Dahmani)
• Tunis - Tozeur (with stops at Sfax, Gafsa and Métlaoui)
• Tunis - Sousse (with stops at Bir Bouregba and Enfidha)
• Tunis - Nabeul (with stops at Hammamet and Bir Bouregba)
• Tunis - El Kef (with stops at Gaafour and Dahmani)
• Tunis - Djerba (with stops at Sousse, Sfax and Gabes).

From Gabes, you can travel on to Tataouine via air-conditioned bus link.

• Tunis - Zarzis (with stops at Kalaâ Sghira, Sfax and Gabes).

The section between Gabes and Zarzis is undertaken on an air-conditioned bus.

• Sousse - Mahdia (with a stop at Monastir)

Some routes also offer express services.

Reservation of tickets and rail passes

The SNCFT website now comes in English, French, and Arabic, and you can use it to book tickets online.

Places are only available three days in advance. You can usually reserve seats the night before your trip, or even show up at the station and pay for them on the day.

However, during the peak holiday season (Tunisian summer) and holidays, it is a good idea to make your reservations as soon as possible. SNCFT also offers seven-, 15-, and 21-day rail passes.

This pass is called Carte Bleue and entitles you to unlimited travel on all SNCTF trains for the chosen validity period.

Decide if you want a comfortable second, first, or class pass (see below).

Children up to three years old travel for free on Tunisian trains. Children from four to nine years old pay 75% of the adult rate, while children 10 and over pay full price.

Second, First, or Comfort Class?

There are three classes of travel on Tunisian trains (except some express trains, which are all first-class).

The second class is incredibly affordable and is often crowded as a result.

Depending on when you travel, there may be room to stand, making second class a suitable option to save money on shorter trips.

Traveling first class does not mean that you are guaranteed a seat; however, your chances of getting one are greater and they recline for comfort.

There is also more space, fewer travelers, and more room for luggage.

The Comfort class is similar, but even more spacious, with seats arranged 2 + 1 the width of the car, rather than 2 + 2.

Travel time sign

You can check the updated schedules on the SNCFT website.

However, the example travel times listed below give you an idea of ​​how long it will take to travel from the Tunisian capital to some of the most popular destinations in the country on a regular (not express) train.

• Tunis - Hammamet: 1 hour, 5 minutes
• Tunis - Bizerte: 2 hours, 15 minutes
• Tunis - Sousse: 2 hours, 10 minutes
• Tunis - Monastir: 2 hours, 35 minutes
• Tunis - El Jem: 3 hours, 20 minutes
• Tunis - Sfax: 4 hours, 5 minutes
• Tunis - Gabes: 5 hours, 40 minutes
• Tunis - Gafsa: 7 hours, 15 minutes
• Tunis - Tozeur: 9 hours

Refreshments on board

A soda cart travels on long-distance trains serving drinks, sandwiches, and snacks.

If you are traveling during Ramadan, be sure to bring your own food supply, as onboard food services may be closed.

Trains don't stop at stations long enough to go out and buy anything.

Using TGM in Tunisia

TGM is a suburban rail service that runs between Tunis city center and the northern suburbs, including La Goulette, Sidi Bou Said, and La Marsa.

It works frequently (every 15 minutes or so) and is extremely cheap and easy to use.

Try to avoid rush hour unless you are willing to compete for space with Tunisian businessmen and women.

Trains depart from Tunis Marine station, located near the port. From here, you can also take trams and buses to various places in the city, including the main train station, the airport, and the Bardo National Museum.

Lezard Rouge tourist train

Built in the early 20th century to transport the Bey from Tunisia on his travels across the country, the historic six-car Lézard Rouge now operates as a tourist train for tourists.

It departs from Metlaoui, a rural town near Gafsa in central Tunisia, and takes you on an extravagant journey through the spectacular desert landscape of the Selja Gorges to a picturesque oasis and vice versa.

There are three weekly departures, one at 10:00 a.m. M. Tuesday and the other at 10:30 a.m. on M. On Fridays and Saturdays.

The full experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and includes scheduled photo stops.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Travel on Train in Tunisia 

Source: Discover Tunisia

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