Traveling to Tunisia is one of those trips where you quickly realise that you don’t need a big budget to have a great experience. From slow mornings with coffee in the medina to sunsets in the desert or lazy beach days, Tunisia feels relaxed, welcoming and surprisingly affordable.
Instead of throwing numbers at you, let me walk you through what traveling Tunisia actually costs, as if you were already there.
Money in Tunisia: Getting Used to the Dinar
When you arrive in Tunisia, the first thing you’ll notice is that prices feel low compared to Europe. The local currency is the Tunisian dinar, and roughly speaking, one euro is worth a bit more than three dinars. That means even small amounts of money suddenly feel like a lot — but don’t worry, you’ll get used to it quickly.
Cash is still king here. In cafés, taxis, markets and small shops, paying cash is the norm. ATMs are easy to find in cities and tourist areas, so you don’t need to carry huge amounts with you.
Flights: Often Cheaper Than You Expect
Flights are usually the biggest upfront cost of your trip. Luckily, Tunisia is well connected to Europe. If you book early or travel outside peak season, return flights can be very affordable. Many travelers manage to find tickets for around €100 to €200 return, sometimes even less during sales.
Once that flight is booked, it already feels like you’ve done the most expensive part.
Where You Sleep: Affordable Comfort Everywhere
Accommodation in Tunisia is where your budget really starts to stretch. Whether you stay near the beach or inland, prices are generally low for what you get.
If you choose a simple guesthouse or budget hotel, you can easily find a clean, comfortable place for €20–€40 per night. These places are often family-run, friendly and perfectly fine if you’re out exploring most of the day.
Move up a level, and you’ll find charming boutique hotels or comfortable mid-range stays for €50–€80 per night, often including breakfast. And if you’re dreaming of an all-inclusive resort by the sea, Tunisia is famous for offering great value. For prices that would barely cover a hotel room elsewhere, you suddenly have pools, buffets and beach access included.
Eating in Tunisia: Cheap, Local and Delicious
Food is one of the best things about traveling Tunisia — and it barely costs anything.
On the street or in small local cafés, you’ll find sandwiches, brik, grilled meat and simple dishes for just a few euros. Sitting down for lunch rarely feels like a decision you need to budget for; you just eat when you’re hungry.
In the evening, even a proper restaurant meal with fresh bread, salad and a main dish often stays under €10–€15. Add a coffee or mint tea afterwards, and you’ll still feel like you’ve spent very little.
Eating local not only saves money, it’s also where the flavors really shine.
Getting Around: Simple and Inexpensive
Moving around Tunisia is easy on your wallet. Short taxi rides inside cities cost very little, and for longer distances, shared taxis or buses are a cheap and authentic way to travel.
If you decide to rent a car, prices are reasonable compared to Europe. Fuel is cheaper too, which makes road trips surprisingly affordable. Driving through Tunisia gives you a lot of freedom, without adding much to your daily costs.
Activities, Experiences & Little Extras
Many of Tunisia’s best moments don’t cost anything at all. Wandering through old medinas, watching daily life, sitting in a café — it’s all part of the experience.
Museums and historical sites usually charge only a small entrance fee. Desert tours or guided experiences cost more, but even these are affordable compared to similar trips elsewhere. A Sahara tour, for example, often costs less than you’d expect for such a memorable experience.
So… What Does a Day in Tunisia Cost?
If you put it all together, Tunisia feels very manageable budget-wise. A comfortable travel day often looks like this:
You wake up in a cozy hotel or guesthouse, grab breakfast, take a taxi into town, eat a cheap but delicious lunch, explore for hours, enjoy dinner in a restaurant and still haven’t spent much.
For many travelers, that day costs somewhere between €40 and €80, depending on how you travel and where you
Traveling Like a Local: Using the Louage in Tunisia
If there’s one form of transport that really shows you everyday life in Tunisia, it’s the louage. Chances are you’ll see them almost immediately after arrival: white vans or shared taxis lined up at small stations, waiting patiently until every seat is filled.
The louage is one of the most popular and cheapest ways to travel between cities and towns. Instead of fixed schedules, it works on a simple rule: once the car is full, it leaves. Sometimes that means waiting ten minutes, sometimes a bit longer — but that’s all part of the experience.
What makes the louage special isn’t just the price (which is usually very low), but the atmosphere. You’re traveling with locals, listening to conversations you may not fully understand, watching the landscape roll by, and feeling truly connected to the country. It’s not luxury, but it’s authentic — and surprisingly efficient.
For budget travelers, the louage is perfect. It costs far less than private taxis, gets you almost everywhere, and adds a small adventure to your journey. If you’re not in a rush and want to experience Tunisia the way locals do, hopping into a louage is something you should try at least once.
