Tunisian Mainland (Tunisia)

Best Time to Travel:

The most agreeable times to travel to the inlands are the spring and the autumn as the months of July, August and September are particularly hot.

Entry Requirements:

British Citizens need a passport which is valid for at least three months for a stay of up to 90 days. On arrival, security checks are sometimes run on British passport holders who are not UK-born. This can take a few hours and such visitors are advised to be patient until clearance is given. There is unlikely to be a similar checking process or delay on departure.

Security measures for all passengers departing from UK airports
Some liquids are allowed through airport security check points. There are however, restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through: Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100 ml. These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (about the size of a small freezer bag), which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cm x 20cm). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids. The bag must be presented separately for examination at the airport security point. Please note:
Any containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines, see section below) will NOT be allowed through the security search point. Most liquids of any amount may still be carried in hold baggage. One lighter per person may be carried through central search. Lighters form part of the allowance of liquid in the litre bag and can either be placed inside the litre bag or screened separately provided they would fit into the bag. It is very important that passengers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening - it must be carried on the person for the duration of the flight. Lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage.
'Liquids' includes:
- All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
- Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc.
- Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
- Pastes, including toothpastes
- Gels, including hair and shower gel
- Any other solutions and items of similar consistency.
Please note that liquids can usually be purchased beyond airport security search points, in the departures area, as these liquids are subject to a separate screening process. Liquid baby food or sterilised water, sufficient for the journey, can be taken through airport security. The accompanying adult will be required to verify by tasting. Liquid dietary foodstuffs which are deemed essential can be taken through airport security and will be subject to verification by the passenger. For information concerning essential medicines and medical equipment, cabin baggage and size allowed, laptops / electrical items and outsize items please visit www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/requirements.

Global Security Advice
Travellers should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places anywhere in the world. Be vigilant, and take sensible precautions.

Specific Advice of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office indicates that there is a general threat from terrorism in Tunisia. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by British expatriates and foreign travellers.
On Monday 9 August, and Friday 13 August, there were reports of clashes in the Ben Guerdane region of Tunisia. See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.
Visitors are advised to use and be accompanied by a reputable tour operator or an approved local guide if you plan travel in the southern border areas with Algeria. Tourists have to obtain permission from the Tunisian authorities to enter certain desert areas bordering Algeria and southern military zones. Given the threat of kidnap in the southern border regions you should follow the advice of the Tunisian authorities on travel in these regions.
Tension in the region has risen in the wake of the Israeli military action in Gaza, which began on 27 December 2008. This has led to a number of demonstrations throughout the country which have remained generally peaceful so far. You should however avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities.
There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) Swine Flu in Tunisia (source: Tunisian Public Health Ministry). Since 1 May 2009, the Tunisian authorities have been screening all arrivals into Tunisia using temperature-seeking cameras at all entry points (air/land/sea). Visitors should monitor local media reports and the British Embassy in Tunisia website http://ukintunisia.fco.gov.uk/en) for any further developments and advice.

Please ask the appropriate embassy in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the entry requirements, or inform yourself on the homepage of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: www.fco.gov.uk. You find the addresses of the embassies down below on this website.

Vaccination requirements:

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required if you are travelling from an endemic zone, except for infants under the age of one year.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination requirements, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Vaccination recommendations:

General: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid fever. Risk groups/regions: Polio, Rabies.

Food and Waterborne Diseases:
Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travellers. Travelers' diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout North Africa and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis).

Advices for healthy behaviour:
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches.
Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors.
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide).
- If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones.
Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked.
Do not drink beverages with ice.
Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis.
Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).
Avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination recommendations, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Geographical position:

Longitude: 7,5-11,6° east
Latitude: 30,3-37,4° north

Official language:

Arabic

Currency:

Tunisian dinar

Country code:

00216

Time Difference to Central European Time:

GMT +1h

Power supply/voltage:

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz, an adaptor is necessary.

Embassy address:

Tunisian Embassy
29 Prince's Gate
+44 20 75848117
+44 20 75843205

London SW7 1QG