🏜️ Tunisia Road Trip: From the North to the Sahara
7 days, 600 km, 4 stops. Rent a car in Tunis and discover the wonders of Tunisia: Sousse, El Jem, Tozeur and Douz.
Why a Road Trip in Tunisia?
Tunisia is one of the most accessible destinations for a road trip in North Africa. With well-maintained roads, a moderate distance (600 km from north to Sahara) and incredible landscape diversity — Mediterranean beaches, Roman amphitheaters, oases and sand dunes — it's the perfect territory to explore by car.
By renting a car with CarthageGo at Tunis Carthage Airport, you pick up your vehicle upon arrival and hit the road immediately. Unlimited mileage included, so you don't count the kilometers.
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Stop | Distance | Time |
|---|
| 1 | Arrival Tunis → Sidi Bou Said → Carthage | 20 km | Full day |
| 2 | Tunis → Sousse | 140 km | 1h30 |
| 3 | Sousse → El Jem | 70 km | 45 min |
| 4 | El Jem → Tozeur (via Gabès) | 350 km | 4h |
| 5 | Tozeur — oases and desert | — | Full day |
| 6 | Tozeur → Douz (gateway to the Sahara) | 100 km | 1h15 |
| 7 | Douz → Tunis (return flight) | 500 km | 5h |
💡 Tip: For the return, you can take a domestic flight from Tozeur or Djerba to Tunis, or drive back in a day with lunch stops. With CarthageGo, unlimited mileage lets you choose.
Day 1: Tunis, Sidi Bou Said and Carthage
Pick up your car at Tunis Carthage Airport and start your journey with the capital's must-sees:
- Sidi Bou Said — The blue-and-white village perched on the cliff. Perfect for a terrace coffee with a sea view. Park at the bottom of the village and walk up.
- Carthage — The Roman ruins 20 minutes from the airport. The national museum and the Antonine Baths are worth the detour.
- La Marsa — Seaside promenade and fresh fish restaurants.
Overnight in Tunis or Sidi Bou Said. Many hotels offer free parking for your 7-day road trip.
Day 2: Tunis → Sousse (140 km, A1)
Take the A1 motorway towards Sousse (toll ~7 TND / €2). Sousse is Tunisia's third-largest city and a lively seaside resort.
- Sousse Medina — A UNESCO World Heritage site, quieter than the one in Tunis.
- Port El Kantaoui — Tourist resort with a marina, golf course and developed beaches.
- Sousse Ribat — 8th-century fortress with panoramic views.
Day 3: Sousse → El Jem (70 km, RN1)
Head south on the RN1. In 45 minutes you'll reach El Jem, home to one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world.
- El Jem Amphitheater — UNESCO-listed, the third-largest in the world after the Colosseum and the one in Capua. Entry ~12 TND. Allow 2 hours.
- El Jem Museum — Exceptional Roman mosaics right next door.
Overnight in El Jem (small, quiet town) or continue to Sfax for more hotel options.
Day 4: El Jem → Tozeur (350 km, A1 + RN3)
The longest leg. Take the A1 to Gabès, then the RN3 towards Tozeur through mountains and arid plains. Spectacular scenery.
Plan a lunch stop in Gabès — its seaside oases are unique in the world. Fill up on petrol before leaving Gabès; gas stations become scarce.
💡 Advice: The Gabès-Tozeur road (RN3) crosses lunar landscapes. Preferably drive during the day. Check your fuel level — about 200 km without a major gas station.
Day 5: Tozeur and the Desert
Tozeur is the pearl of southern Tunisia. One day isn't enough to see everything:
- Tozeur Oases — A palm grove of 400,000 palm trees, walk or take a horse-drawn carriage.
- Chebika Village — A mountain oasis with a waterfall, 45 min from Tozeur. Paved road, accessible with a regular car.
- Tamerza Gorges — An ancient troglodyte village, movie set (The English Patient was filmed here).
- Chott El Jerid — A salt lake stretching to the horizon. At sunset, the colours are surreal.
Day 6: Tozeur → Douz (100 km)
Douz is the "Gateway to the Sahara". This is where the tarmac ends and the dunes begin:
- Camel trekking — A one-hour ride at sunset through the dunes.
- Douz Festival — If you're here in December, don't miss the International Sahara Festival.
- Desert camping — A night under Berber tents with dinner and traditional music. Unforgettable.
💡 Important: For the tracks around Douz, an SUV is recommended. At CarthageGo, we offer Dacia Duster and Renault Captur — perfect for this terrain. If you stay on paved roads, a regular car is sufficient.
Day 7: Return to Tunis
Two options:
- Domestic flight — Take a Tozeur → Tunis flight (about 1h, ~€80). Tozeur Airport is 5 minutes from town.
- Road — 500 km, about 5h30 via Kairouan. Scenic route, plan a lunch stop in Kairouan (holy city, great mosque, famous carpets).
Head to Tunis Carthage Airport to return your vehicle. With CarthageGo, drop-off is quick — hand over the keys and you're done.
Practical Tips
- License: See our complete driving in Tunisia guide. French, German, Belgian, Swiss licenses accepted. International permit recommended for others. Minimum age: 21.
- Fuel: Around 2.30 TND/L (€0.70). Fill up in large cities — gas stations become scarce in the South.
- Tolls: Cash only (dinars). Tunis → Sousse: ~7 TND.
- Accommodation: Book in advance during high season (July-August). In low season, find on the spot.
- Best time: March-June and September-November. Avoid July-August for the South (45°C+).
- Waze app: Essential. Speed cameras, police checks, optimized routes.
Ready for the Adventure?
Book your car at Tunis Carthage Airport. Unlimited mileage, free cancellation, 24/7 assistance. Perfect for a Tunisian road trip.
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