Driving in Tunisia opens up the coastal run from Tunis and Carthage down through Hammamet to Sousse and Monastir. You can pause at Roman sites like Dougga and El Jem without watching the clock.
Head south by car to explore Matmata troglodyte homes, Tozeur oases and the fringes of the Sahara. With your own wheels, detours to small villages, olive groves and quiet beaches are simple and relaxed.
At a glance
Drives onRight
Motorway tollCheck locally
CurrencyTunisian Dinar (TND)
Min. rental age21 years
Good to know before you drive
The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.
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Speed limits
Town50 km/h
Open road90 km/h
Motorway130 km/h
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Parking
Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.
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Alcohol limit
Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.
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Vignette / tolls
Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.
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What drivers say about Tunisia
★★★★★★4.5
★★★★★5
"Very smooth experience at Tunis airport. The car was clean, modern and exactly as described on Booking car. Staff were kind, spoke good English and the price was clear with no bad surprises."
م
مريم بن عمر
Tunisia
★★★★★★4.5
"I travelled with a friend and booked through booking car. Pickup in Tunis was quick and the car handled our road trip to Sousse and Kairouan perfectly. Only small issue was a slightly slow return queue, but staff were polite and the fuel policy was fair."
خ
خالد الوسلاتي
Tunisia
★★★★★4
"I travelled with my husband and two children, booking via bookingcar for our holiday in Hammamet. Spacious car, child seats ready as requested and easy paperwork."
In Tunisia it is sensible to book a hire car 2–4 weeks before travelling, especially for July–August and public holidays when demand is high around Tunis, Sousse and Djerba. For off‑season trips you can often book a few days before arrival, but earlier booking usually means a wider choice of vehicles and better prices in TND.
Most Tunisian car hire companies place a pre-authorisation on your card when you collect the vehicle. If you return the car on time, with no new damage or fines, the hold is typically released within 3–10 working days. Some banks in Tunisia and abroad may take a little longer to show the funds as fully available again.
The excess is the maximum amount you pay if the car is damaged or stolen. In Tunisia it commonly ranges from about 800–3,000 TND, depending on the vehicle class. If repair costs are lower, you pay only that amount. You can often buy extra cover or full protection to significantly reduce or even eliminate the excess you would owe.
Many Tunisian suppliers still require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. Some local partners now accept debit cards or even offer special no-deposit, no-credit-card deals on selected cars. Always check payment conditions on Bookingcar before booking, as rules differ between companies and locations.
Prices vary by season, location and car type. As a rough guide, a small car in Tunisia typically costs around 90–150 TND per day outside the peak season, and more in summer or at Tunis–Carthage Airport. Larger SUVs, automatics and one-way rentals are usually higher. Booking early and comparing providers in TND often secures better overall value.
Bookingcar is a price-comparison service that lets you quickly check offers from multiple Tunisian and international rental companies in one search. You can compare prices in TND, vehicle types, mileage limits and fuel policies side by side, then choose the most suitable and cost-effective option for your trip without visiting many separate websites.
If you return your hire car late in Tunisia, companies usually charge an extra fee, often based on the local daily rate plus any applicable taxes. Some allow a brief grace period, but this is not guaranteed. Failing to inform the rental office can lead to being billed for an additional day or more, and it may affect your insurance cover.
Typical Tunisian speed limits are:
Urban areas: about 50 km/h unless signs indicate otherwise
Rural roads: about 90 km/h on main routes
Dual carriageways and expressways: usually 110 km/h where posted
Always follow local signs, as limits may change near schools, villages, construction zones or in bad weather conditions.
Penalties in Tunisia vary with the offence. Typical fines for speeding, not wearing seat belts or using a phone while driving can range from 40–300 TND. Serious violations, drunk driving or accidents causing injury can lead to higher fines, vehicle impoundment or court action. Unpaid fines may be charged later through your rental company, plus administration fees.
Tunisia applies a very strict approach to drink-driving. The legal blood alcohol limit is effectively 0.0 g/l for drivers, so you should not drink at all before driving. Police carry out roadside checks, especially at night and on main routes. If you are found over the limit, penalties can include heavy fines, licence suspension and possible prosecution.
Fuel prices in Tunisia are controlled and generally lower than in much of Europe. As an approximate guide, unleaded petrol often costs around 2.5–3.0 TND per litre, with diesel slightly cheaper. Prices can change with government adjustments, and motorway service stations or remote areas may be a little more expensive than city forecourts.
Tunisia has per-use tolls on some main motorways, such as parts of the A1 route between Tunis and Sfax. Tolls are paid in cash in Tunisian dinars at booths along the motorway. There is no vignette system. Keep small notes and coins handy in TND, and always collect the receipt in case your rental company asks for proof of payment.
