Tunis Taxis
Your Guide to Getting Around the City with Tunis Taxis
Tunis is the capital and largest city of Tunisia, a beautiful country in North Africa. Whether you're visiting Tunis for business or pleasure, you'll want to explore its rich culture, history, and attractions. And one of the best ways to do that is by taking a taxi. Taxis are plentiful, affordable, and convenient in Tunis. You can easily find them on the streets, at taxi stands, or by calling a local taxi service. But before you hop in, there are some things you should know about Tunis taxis, such as how they work, how much they cost, and how to avoid common scams.
Taxis are plentiful, affordable, and convenient in Tunis. You can easily find them on the streets, at taxi stands, or by calling a local taxi service. But before you hop in, there are some things you should know about Tunis taxis, such as how they work, how much they cost, and how to avoid common scams.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about Tunis taxis, including:
- How to get a taxi in Tunis
- How to recognize a licensed taxi
- How to negotiate the fare and pay the driver
- How to stay safe and avoid scams
- How to get from the airport to the city center
- How to book a private transfer service
By the end of this guide, you'll be ready to enjoy your trip to Tunis and get around the city like a pro. Let's get started!
How to Get a Taxi in Tunis
There are three main ways to get a taxi in Tunis: hailing one on the street, walking to a taxi stand, or calling a taxi service.
Hailing a Taxi on the Street
The easiest and most common way to get a taxi in Tunis is to hail one on the street. You can do this by holding out your hand and waving at an empty taxi. You can tell if a taxi is available by looking at the red sign on the windshield. If the sign is lit, it means the taxi is free. If the sign is off, it means the taxi is occupied or off-duty.
When you see a free taxi, make eye contact with the driver and signal your interest. The driver will usually stop and ask you where you want to go. If the driver agrees to take you, get in the back seat and tell the driver your destination. If the driver refuses or drives away, don't worry. There are plenty of other taxis around, so just try another one.
Walking to a Taxi Stand
Another way to get a taxi in Tunis is to walk to a taxi stand. Taxi stands are designated areas where taxis wait for passengers. You can find them at the airport, outside the main shopping streets, Tunis Mall, Byrsa Hill, the Roman Ruins of Sufetula, Le Palmarium, all the popular tourist stops and the main transport hubs.
To get a taxi from a taxi stand, simply approach the first taxi in line and tell the driver where you want to go. The driver will either accept or decline your request. If the driver declines, you can try the next taxi in line, or walk to another taxi stand.
Calling a Taxi Service
The third way to get a taxi in Tunis is to call a taxi service. This is a good option if you want to book a taxi in advance, or if you can't find a taxi on the street or at a taxi stand. You can call a taxi service yourself, or ask your hotel reception to do it for you.
There are several taxi services in Tunis, some of which have mobile apps that you can use to book a taxi online. Some of the well-known taxi services in Tunis are:
- Allo Taxi Tunis: +216 71 233 400
- Tunisie Taxi: +216 50 222 151
- Allo Taxi Tunis: +216 71 233 400
However, keep in mind that the taxis ordered by phone will start running the meter as soon as they set off to collect you, so this could increase the taxi fare by a lot.
How to Recognize a Licensed Taxi
Not all taxis in Tunis are licensed and regulated. There are some unofficial taxis that operate illegally and may try to rip you off or scam you. To avoid these taxis, you need to know how to recognize a licensed taxi.
A licensed taxi in Tunis has the following features:
- It is yellow in color
- It has a red sign on the windshield that indicates if it is free or occupied
- It has a taximeter that shows the fare
- It has a license plate that starts with "T" and ends with four digits
- It has a sticker on the rear window that shows the taxi number and the driver's name
If you see a taxi that doesn't have these features, don't get in. It is probably an illegal taxi that will charge you more than the normal rate, or worse, put you in danger.
How to Negotiate the Fare and Pay the Driver
One of the most important things to know about Tunis taxis is that they use a taximeter to calculate the fare. The taximeter is a device that measures the distance and time of the trip, and applies a rate per kilometer and per minute. The rate varies depending on the time of the day and the area of the city.
There are two different taximeter rates in Tunis: one during the day (6:00 to 21:00) and one that is 50% higher at night (21:00 to 6:00). The cost of a taxi in the city center is as follows:
- Base rate day: €1.45 (4.70 TND)
- Base rate night: €2.20 (7.05 TND)
- Price per km day: €0.14 (0.45 TND)
- Price per km night: €0.21 (0.68 TND)
These rates are regulated by the local authorities and are displayed on a sticker inside the taxi. You can also check the official rates on the [Ministry of Transport website].
However, not all taxi drivers follow these rates. Some taxi drivers may try to charge you more than the normal rate, or refuse to use the taximeter at all. To avoid being overcharged, you need to negotiate the fare and pay the driver correctly.
Here are some tips to help you do that:
- Before you get in the taxi, ask the driver to use the taximeter. If the driver refuses, find another taxi.
- Make sure the taximeter is reset to zero at the start of the trip. If the taximeter is already running, ask the driver to reset it. If the driver refuses, find another taxi.
- Keep an eye on the taximeter during the trip. If you notice that the taximeter is running too fast, or that the driver is taking a longer route, ask the driver to stop and get out of the taxi.
- At the end of the trip, check the taximeter and pay the exact amount. Don't pay more than what the taximeter shows, unless you want to tip the driver. Tipping is not mandatory, but it is appreciated. A 10% tip is considered generous.
- Pay the driver in Tunisian dinars (TND), the local currency. Don't pay in euros or dollars, as the driver may give you a bad exchange rate. You can exchange your money at the airport, at a bank, or at a currency exchange office.
- Have small bills and coins ready, as the driver may not have change. If the driver claims that he doesn't have change, don't accept his offer to keep the change. Insist on getting your change, or go to a nearby shop and ask for change.
By following these tips, you can avoid being overcharged and pay the driver fairly.
How to Stay Safe and Avoid Scams
Tunis taxis are generally safe and reliable, but there are some scams and dangers that you should be aware of. Here are some common scams and how to avoid them:
- The broken taximeter scam: The driver tells you that the taximeter is broken, and offers to charge you a fixed price. The price is usually much higher than the normal rate. To avoid this scam, insist on using the taximeter, or find another taxi.
- The long route scam: The driver takes a longer or more congested route to increase the fare. To avoid this scam, use a map app on your phone to check the best route, and tell the driver to follow it. If the driver deviates from the route, ask him to stop and get out of the taxi.
- The fake taxi scam: The driver is not a licensed taxi driver, but a random person who pretends to be one. The driver may charge you an exorbitant price, or worse, rob you or harm you. To avoid this scam, only use licensed taxis, and check the features that we mentioned before.
- The luggage scam: The driver helps you with your luggage, but then drives away with it before you get in the taxi. To avoid this scam, never let the driver handle your luggage, and always get in the taxi before putting your luggage in the trunk.
- The switch scam: The driver switches your large bill with a smaller one, and claims that you gave him the wrong amount. To avoid this scam, always check the denomination of your bills before handing them to the driver, and pay attention to the driver's hands.
By being aware of these scams and following our tips, you can stay safe and avoid being scammed.
How to Get from the Airport to the City Center
If you're flying to Tunis, you'll probably land at Tunis–Carthage Airport (TUN), the international airport serving the city. Book your car in advance by Tranigo drivers
