13 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR THE PERFECT MOTORCYCLE RIDE IN TUNISIA

Riding the amazing roads of Tunisia is something that every adventure rider would surely love. Based on our experience, here are our essential tips for riding a motorcycle in Tunisia.

Here’s a shortcut to what you’ll find in this post.

This post is purely informational and based on our own experiences. We also use affiliate links which help us keep this website running, at no cost to you.

ESSENTIAL TIP 1: CHECK THE VALIDITY OF YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

The first thing you absolutely must do is to make sure that all your travel documents are valid for the period of your stay, and in accordance with Tunisian laws.

You don’t want to get to the port, all excited, and get turned away!

There are 4 main documents you will need to check before you travel to Tunisia- your passport, visa (if required), motorcycle documents, and your driver’s license.

PASSPORT: A validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry into Tunisia.
VISA: Check if you will need a visa to enter Tunisia.

Since Pietro is Italian, he didn’t need a visa. I, however, being Nigerian, needed to obtain one. It was a fairly straightforward and short process, so it wasn’t an issue.

MOTORCYCLE DOCUMENTS: Ensure all your documents are in order and are with you.
DRIVER’S LICENCE: You must have a full driver’s license from your country. An international driver’s license might also help. In our case, we didn’t get one, and our Italian driver’s licenses were accepted.

ESSENTIAL TIP 2: CONFIRM YOUR INSURANCE COVERS TUNISIA

The next tip for riding in Tunisia is to check whether your travel insurance covers riding in Tunisia.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Personal travel insurance that covers you and your passenger (if you have one).
MOTORBIKE INSURANCE: If you plan on riding or in Tunisia, you MUST have motorcycle insurance that covers Tunisia. Make sure to confirm with your insurance provider if your insurance covers Tunisia. If it doesn’t, you have two choices. Either get one before you leave or you can get one at the point of arrival.

In our case, we compared costs and found that it would cost us less to get insurance at the port in La Goullette. The insurance cost us the equivalent of 20 Euros.

ESSENTIAL TIP 3: BRINGING IN YOUR OWN MOTORCYCLE OR RENTING?

You need to decide the best option for you; whether to bring your own motorcycle or rent one. Of course, this would depend on where you’re traveling from. If you reside in Europe, you can take the ferry from either Italy or France with your own motorcycle or a rented one.

Renting a motorcycle in Tunisia is also possible. Preferably, rent from Tunis, the capital. You can read some reviews online in order to make a decision on what company to rent from.

If you’ve decided to rent a motorcycle in Tunisia, you would need an A (moto) license for motorcycles with an engine capacity above 150cc. Some rental companies ask for an International Drivers Permit (IDP) and possibly a security deposit (cash or card). Make sure to check the terms of the rental company in order not to get any hidden surprises.

ESSENTIAL TIP 4: DRONE LAWS IN TUNISIA

When we decided to go to Tunisia, we were quite disappointed to learn that the process to obtain a drone permit for Tunisia is so complicated and lengthy, that in the end, it isn’t worth it if you’re only going to be spending a short time there.

Meanwhile, if you try to smuggle it in and you get searched at the point of entry, it will be confiscated and you might never get it back.

Since we couldn’t take our drone, we decided on the next best thing- our Insta360 X3 camera, which takes amazing 360 shots. In addition, using the longest 3m stick gives you a makeshift drone shot.

Check out Hotels in Tunisia below.

ESSENTIAL TIP 5: BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU BRING INTO TUNISIA

Another essential tip for riding in Tunisia is regarding what to bring with you in your luggage, there are strict rules concerning items that are considered contraband, so you have to be careful not to break them.

While it is possible to bring in items such as cigarettes and alcohol, there is a maximum quantity allowed.

Other things you shouldn’t travel with include any publications that might be considered obscene or immoral.

Also, if you intend to use cameras for professional use, you will need special authorisation.

ESSENTIAL TIP 6: CASH OR CARD?

You can bring in other currencies that do not exceed an equivalent of 25,000 Dinars, the local Tunisian currency.

If you’re wondering the best place to change money, from our experience, we found that changing money at the port gave us the best exchange rate. Besides, since most places deal mostly in cash, it’s a good idea to have some local currency on you before you leave the port.

Since Tunsia isn’t an expensive destination, 300 Euro was sufficient for both of us and included lunch, excursions, fuel, and shopping at the souks.

When it comes to using your card, there are many places where you can use your card to pay for items. ATMs also accept VISA and MAESTRO cards. However, the further you are away from the main cities, the less likely you’ll be able to use your card, so having cash is always a great idea.

ESSENTIAL TIP 7: BUY A SIM CARD FOR CALLS AND INTERNET

Now, this was one are where we were a little stupid. We just assumed that no matter what, the hotels would have good wifi and we could make calls or go on the internet whenever we were back at the hotel.

But, of course, we were terribly wrong. We experienced poor wifi in all but one hotel- you might have guessed- the one in metropolitan Tunis.

What we should have done was be like some of the other riders on the trip and buy a local SIM. They bought a SIM from a provider called ORANGE and it worked quite well.

Our Favourite Travel Resources

HOTELS

Booking.com has always been our go-to for finding and booking both affordable and luxurious accommodation.

Expedia UK is especially useful if you live in the UK but you can still book with them regardless. It’s also perfect for finding great accommodation deals inside the UK.

FLIGHTS

Wayaway is a flight aggregator that is very helpful in finding great flight deals from major US and global airlines without any hidden fees. In addition, if you join the Wayaway Plus Membership, you’ll get more services such as deals offering “money back” options on selected flights. Sign up here and use my special code “ZEBRA01″ to get 10% off!

ACTIVITIES

Tripadvisor provides useful reviews from real people that have booked activities all over the world. This helps us compare experiences before making reservations.

Get Your Guide is by far our favourite place to book experiences for all things Europe. What we also love is that you can find major tour companies as well as individual private locals who can really show you around the unbeaten paths.

ESSENTIAL TIP 8: CHEK WEATHER CONDITIONS

So, most people assume that AFRICA is hot all year round.

WRONG!

There are also weather changes to consider when travelling to Tunisia. The weather is very much like most Mediterranean countries so there are 4 seasons.

Moving south towards the Sahara desert, the climate is more arid and dry. The days might be warm in the colder seasons, but the nights get cold when they release the day’s heat.

We rode through Tunisia at the beginning of March and the temperature ranged between 15 degrees Celsius during the day and 5 degrees Celsius at night.

Therefore, don’t forget to take a look at the weather for the period you want to travel to Tunisia. Obviously, you should bring appropriate clothing for the period of time you are visiting Tunisia.

ESSENTIAL TIP 9: BRING APPROPRIATE TYRES

This is definitely a tip not to ignore if you plan on riding your motorcycle to the south of Tunisia. Whether you go into the desert or not, you will encounter some sand on the roads. Depending on the winds, there might be more sand or less. Also, there might be some off-road riding.

This means you should have tires that are designed for off-road and sand rides. Preferably, it should be tyres with deep grooves for the best traction.

ESSENTIAL TIP 10: GETTING FUEL IN TUNISIA

The next essential tip for riding in Tunisia is planning for fuel. Petrol prices are pretty cheap compared to what you’ll find in Europe. For example, our motorcycle requires around 50 Euros for a full tank of 30 litres, in Italy. In Tunisia, this cost us roughly 30 Euros, which is great!

Regarding how to fuel up in Tunisia, most towns and cities have petrol stations within easy reach, so it won’t be difficult to fill up whenever you need to. However, riding out of bigger towns, you’ll be faced with miles and miles of desert and mountainous terrain with fewer and fewer towns or villages nearby. This means, petrol stations are far and between. While there are some people selling fuel on the street, there is no guarantee the quality of what they sell.

Therefore, we suggest that you ALWAYS get a full tank before leaving each town. Check the distance to the next town so that you know what fuel autonomy your motorcycle has. With a full tank, our BMW GS 1250 can ride for about 630km.

If you have a smaller tank, then it might be best to travel with a jerry can which you can carry extra fuel.

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ESSENTIAL TIP 11: RESPECT THE SPEED LIMITS AND WATCH OUT FOR CAMELS CROSSING

The speed limit for riding in Tunisia is 50 km/h (31 mph) within urban areas, and 110 km/h (68 mph) on highways. The police take their job seriously, so you will get a ticket if you exceed the speed limits.

With a chance of camels crossing the highways in the south, it is important to be very attentive while riding your motorcycle.

Besides, it’s a truly unique experience if you see them crossing, which we’re sure you’d enjoy. So don’t crash into a camel please!

ESSENTIAL TIP 12: RESPECT THE CULTURE, BRING A SCARF!

One of the most important Tunisian traditions to always keep in mind is that they are a Muslim country. As such, out of respect, please dress appropriately without unnecessary exposure, especially when close to holy sites and public places.

With the fact that Tunisia is quite an open country and the people are very friendly and helpful, we think it is only sensible to respect their culture and tradition in return.

Like we’ve always believed, there are things travellers should/shouldn’t do when they are visitors in other people’s countries.

Please do some research on the Tunisian culture so you know how to act respectfully towards the locals and their traditions.

No comparing, no judgements, no discriminations.

Which brings us to the point of bringing a scarf ( or buying one at the many souks in Tunisia!) – for both men and women. This is not only for use when visiting holy sites, but also to cover your nose and mouth when in the desert, to protect them from the sand, and ultimately to keep you enjoying the Sahara to the fullest!

ESSENTIAL TIP 13: BE PREPARED TO ENJOY THE PERFECT ROADS AND AMAZING TUNISIAN LANDSCAPES

Oh yes! With landscapes that go from endless desert to mountain ranges and olive groves, get ready to have the ride of your life. You will be wowed at every turn and amazed by the unique settlements all around you.

What’s more, the roads are in great condition, even those winding up the rural villages in the mountains, as well as through the oases.

So, enjoy your ride through this amazingly beautiful country called Tunisia!