Cruise Port Guide
Tunis Cruise Port
Quick answerShips berth at the La Goulette cruise terminal, about 12 km from central Tunis, so you need transport for every main sight. Carthage is 15–20 minutes away by car and Sidi Bou Said about 10 minutes beyond it; the TGM light railway serves all three from a station about 1 km from the port. Finish sightseeing and be in your vehicle two hours before all-aboard, because afternoon traffic and port security queues are slow.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
At a glance
Terminal to centre
TGM light railway
Frequent trains, roughly 04:00–00:50 · Fare not confirmed; pay in dinars
Walkable to centre
No
Tender
No
Dock port
Typical time ashore
~8h
Check your own itinerary
Buffer before all-aboard
120 min
Measured for this port
Currency
TND
Arabic; French is widely used
Transport and cost figures are estimates, last checked 24 June 2026.
Plan your Tunis day
Tell us two things and we'll build the whole day around your ship's schedule.
Free preview · no account needed
Know your ship? See which other ships are in Tunis with you →Leave-by calculator
When to head back to the ship in Tunis
Tunis medina
Driver or taxi to La Goulette, 20–30 min plus afternoon traffic and terminal security
Leave by
15:30
Sidi Bou Said
Driver or taxi about 25 min, or TGM plus 1 km walk
Leave by
15:30
Carthage
Driver or taxi 15–20 min, or TGM plus 1 km walk
Leave by
15:30
Bardo National Museum
Driver or taxi across Tunis to La Goulette
Leave by
15:00
La Goulette port village
Walk to the terminal gates, then security
Leave by
16:00
Where to leave from, and when
on foot bus, train, boat taxiPins show when to leave each place. Lines: route back to your ship.
Where people get it wrong: Passengers try to see Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, the medina and the Bardo in one day and get caught in afternoon Tunis traffic.
Times count back from all-aboard using the travel times and buffers in this guide. Your ship's daily programme always wins.
Open my full Tunis day, timed to 17:30 Get this for every port on your cruise, with alerts on the day Write about Tunis? Put these leave-by times on your blog, freeTransport: La Goulette cruise terminal (Port of La Goulette) to Tunis medina
La Goulette is the port of Tunis. A cruise day here usually links three places: the ruins of Carthage, the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, and the medina of Tunis, with the Bardo National Museum as a fourth for those who prefer indoors. None is within walking distance of the ship. Traffic into Tunis builds in the afternoon, and terminal security adds time on the way back, so plan the farthest sight first and the closest last.
Walkable? No (12 km)
You can walk out into La Goulette town, but Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, the medina and the Bardo all need a taxi, driver, tour or the TGM. The nearest TGM station is about 1 km from the port, on an unshaded walk.
Where your ship docks
- La Goulette cruise terminal and port village · 12 km to the centre — Two berths with a combined length of 657 m. The terminal building and port village have shops, cafés, banking and tour desks. The village is within walking distance of La Goulette town, but not of Tunis or Carthage.
TGM light railway
Fare not confirmed; pay in dinarsFrequent trains, roughly 04:00–00:50
The Tunis–La Goulette–La Marsa line runs from Tunis Marine (at the bottom of Avenue Habib Bourguiba) through La Goulette and Carthage to Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa. The full line reopened on 20 February 2026 after bridge works; sections can close for engineering work at short notice. Trains have no air conditioning and timings are irregular.
Private driver or pre-booked tour
Varies; agree in writing before the dayPort to Carthage 15–20 min; Sidi Bou Said to the medina 25–35 min; medina to the port 20–30 min
The most reliable way to link Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and the medina. Book a driver who will meet you at the terminal exit.
Taxi from the port gate
Negotiated; unregulated drivers have quoted €100–150 for simple transfersAs above
The US government advises against unregulated taxis, and Uber and Bolt do not operate in Tunisia. If you use one, agree the total price, the stops and the return time first.
Ship's shuttle or tour
Holland America's 'Panoramic Tunis' coach tour from US$79 (2026)About 3¾ hours
Covers central Tunis, the medina gate, Sidi Bou Said, an American Second World War cemetery and Carthage, mainly from the coach.
Know your all-aboard time? Build the whole day around it.
Return timing: getting back to the ship on time
Finish sightseeing and be in your vehicle two hours before all-aboard; from the Bardo, leave two and a half hours before. Be back at the terminal gates 90 minutes before all-aboard.
The road from central Tunis to La Goulette jams in the afternoon, and freight traffic queues on the N9 after about 14:00. Terminal security checks add time at the end. If you use the TGM, allow for irregular trains and the 1 km walk from the station.
If you're running late
If the train or your driver lets you down, get a taxi to the port at once and agree the fare before setting off. If you will miss all-aboard, call the port agent number on your daily programme.
A one-day plan for Tunis (all aboard 17:30)
Assumes the ship docks at 08:00, all-aboard is 17:30 and you have a pre-booked driver.
08:30 Clear the terminal and meet your driver at the exit. Walk through the port village without stopping.
08:45 Drive to Carthage (15–20 minutes): Byrsa Hill, then the Antonine Baths before the heat.
10:45 Sidi Bou Said, about 10 minutes away. Walk the main street up to the square.
12:00 Mint tea with pine nuts at Café des Nattes, then lunch.
13:15 Drive to the Tunis medina by the inner route via La Marsa (25–35 minutes), avoiding the N9.
14:00 Walk the souks. Keep cash in a front pocket.
15:30 Back in the vehicle, two hours before all-aboard.
16:00 Through the terminal gates, 90 minutes before all-aboard.
What to see in Tunis on a cruise day
Carthage archaeological site
The remains of the Punic and Roman city: Byrsa Hill, the Antonine Baths, the Tophet and the Punic Ports.
⏱ 2 hoursPaid entry; check at the gate
Tip: The sites are spread out and unshaded. Bring a hat and water, and use a driver to move between them.
Sidi Bou Said
A whitewashed hillside village with blue doors above the sea.
⏱ 1–1.5 hoursFree to walk
Tip: The cobbled lanes near the Ennejma Ezzahra palace are steep and slippery; wear shoes with grip.
Tunis medina
The old city and its covered souks.
⏱ 1.5–2 hoursFree to walk
Tip: Enter from Avenue Habib Bourguiba via the Porte de France. Commission shops can swallow hours; say 'non, merci' and keep walking.
Bardo National Museum
Tunisia's national museum, reopened after a closure of about two years.
⏱ 1.5–2 hours30 TND (April 2026; due to rise to 45 TND in January 2027)
Tip: Opens at 09:30. It shares a building with the parliament; do not photograph the parliament side.
Avenue Habib Bourguiba
The colonial-era main boulevard, with St Vincent de Paul Cathedral and the municipal theatre.
⏱ 30–45 minutesFree
Tip: Demonstrations happen here, often at weekends. Walk away from any crowd.
Byrsa Hill and St Louis Cathedral
The hilltop at the heart of ancient Carthage, with the cathedral beside it.
⏱ 45 minutesCheck at the gate
Tip: Start here early, then go down to the Antonine Baths.
Beaches near Tunis cruise port
La Marsa
TGM to the La Marsa Plage terminus, or taxi · Past Sidi Bou Said at the end of the TGM line · TGM fare (not confirmed)
Seaside suburb at the end of the line. Dress modestly away from the sand.
Gammarth
Taxi or driver beyond La Marsa · A few minutes beyond La Marsa by car · Taxi fare; agree it first
Coastal district north of La Marsa, passed on panoramic tours.
What to eat in Tunis
Brik à l'oeuf (fried pastry with a whole egg)
Street stalls in the Tunis medina
Lablabi (chickpea soup with harissa and egg)
Small restaurants in the Tunis medina
Mint tea with pine nuts
Café des Nattes, Place Sidi Bou Saïd
Salade mechouia (grilled pepper and tomato salad with tuna)
Restaurants in the medina and Sidi Bou Said
Couscous with merguez
Restaurants in central Tunis
Ship excursion or do it yourself?
Varies by line
Ship excursion avg, per person
See table
DIY day avg, per person
Depends on line
Saving, per person
Ship tour prices differ by cruise line and change often, so we only show ones we could verify. Check your line's cruise planner.
| Item | Ship tour | On your own | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunis, Sidi Bou Said and Carthage panoramic tour | From US$79, about 3¾ hours (Holland America, 2026) | TGM plus entry fees, or a private driver at a negotiated price | Depends on your driver deal |
| Bardo Museum | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | 30 TND entry (2026) plus a taxi or driver | Depends on line |
This is a port where the ship's tour or a well-reviewed private driver earns its price. The sights are spread out, taxis at the gate are unregulated, the TGM is irregular and hot, and the return through city traffic and terminal security is the main risk. Go independently only if you are comfortable with French or Arabic, carry dinars, and keep to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said on the TGM. Be aware that ship tours that are mostly panoramic may show the Antonine Baths only over walls and trees.
Common mistakes cruise passengers make in Tunis
Taking the first driver at the port gate without a fixed price.
Instead: Pre-book a driver or agree the full price, stops and return time before you get in.
Trying to fit Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, the medina and the Bardo into one call.
Instead: Pick three at most. On a call under five hours, stay with Carthage and Sidi Bou Said.
Coming back from the medina in mid-afternoon traffic at the last minute.
Instead: Be in your vehicle two hours before all-aboard.
Bringing only euros or cards.
Instead: Get dinars at a port ATM for the TGM, souks and cafés. Spend them before you leave: exporting dinars is generally prohibited.
Photographing police, soldiers or government buildings.
Instead: It is against the law. Keep cameras away from them, including the parliament next to the Bardo.
Dressing for the beach in the medina.
Instead: Cover shoulders and knees for the medina and religious sites.
Safety: is Tunis safe for cruise passengers?
Tunis and the north coast are outside the areas the UK and US governments advise against visiting, but the US rates Tunisia as Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for terrorism, crime and unrest. Security forces are on high alert in Tunis, and tourist sites and crowded places are possible targets. Petty theft such as bag snatching and pickpocketing is common in tourist areas, and thieves sometimes use confidence tricks as a distraction. Demonstrations can start without warning, especially at weekends in central Tunis around Avenue Habib Bourguiba; walk away from them. Do not photograph police, military or government buildings. Ride-share apps such as Uber and Bolt do not operate.
Scams and tourist traps
- Confidence tricks as a distraction: the UK government warns that criminals use a friendly approach or a trick to distract you while someone else steals.
- Unregulated drivers at the port gate: drivers have quoted €100–150 for short transfers, renegotiated mid-trip, demanded ATM stops by claiming card readers are broken, or detoured to friends' shops.
- Commission shopping stops: guides and drivers steer visitors into shops that pay them commission, which can use up two to three hours of a port day.
Emergency number: 197 (police), 190 (ambulance)
Practical information
Crowds
La Goulette is getting busier: over 243,000 cruise passengers by the end of September 2026, against 200,000 a year earlier, and two big ships can land more than 10,000 people in a day. Ship tours fill Carthage and Sidi Bou Said from mid-morning, so a private driver who starts at Carthage at opening time beats the coaches. Avoid the N9 into Tunis after about 14:00.
Accessibility
Ship coach tours here are listed as not wheelchair accessible. Carthage is spread over several uneven, unshaded sites, Sidi Bou Said's main lanes are steep cobbles, and the medina has narrow, crowded alleys and steps. The TGM involves a 1 km walk from the port. Visitors with limited mobility are best served by a private driver with an accessible vehicle, booked well ahead, focusing on the Bardo and drive-past views.
If it rains
Go to the Bardo National Museum, which opens at 09:30. The covered souks of the medina give some shelter. Carthage's open sites and Sidi Bou Said's slippery cobbles are poor in rain.
Money, language, time
Currency: TND · Language: Arabic; French is widely used · Time zone: CET (UTC+1) all year
Your whole cruise, planned like this
This is one port. Pro plans every port on your cruise.
The day plan above assumes a 17:30 all-aboard. Your ship's times will differ, and so will every other stop. Pro builds the plan from your ship's real times: a timed day in Tunis and every other port, a leave-by time for each stop, and a Plan B if you run late. Ultimate adds a live leave-by countdown from where you are on the day. Every plan uses the same checked facts as this guide. Nothing is made up.
Cruise Pass
€14.99
One sailing, up to 10 ports. Pay once, nothing renews.
- Every port of your cruise timed to your all-aboard, in port time and ship time
- Live on the day: Google Maps travel time back to the pier, alerts at 30, 15 and 0 minutes
- The full planner for each port, with a Plan B if you run late
- An offline copy for when there is no signal
Year Pass
€39/yr
Every cruise you take for 12 months. Cancel any time.
Everything in the Cruise Pass, for as many sailings as you like.
30-day full refund. Secure checkout with Stripe.
Other ports on cruises that call at Tunis
Tunis Cruise Port — Common Questions
Was this accurate?
Your answer helps the next cruiser — it takes one tap.
Sources & method
Facts checked against official sources: October 2026
- GOV.UK – Tunisia travel advice (updated July 2026)
- GOV.UK – Tunisia travel advice: safety and security
- US Department of State – Tunisia travel advisory (May 2026)
- US Department of State – Tunisia international travel information
- Idaraty (Tunisian government services portal) – Musée National du Bardo
- Holland America Line – Panoramic Tunis excursion
- Seabourn – La Goulette (Tunis) excursion
- Webdo – Museum and site fares from 1 April 2026
- Managers – New prices for museums and historic sites (April 2026)
- Webdo – TGM back on the whole line (February 2026)
- La Presse – TGM suspension between Kheireddine and La Marsa Plage (September 2025)
- Webdo – La Goulette cruise passenger figures (October 2026)
- CruiseMapper – La Goulette-Tunis port
- GoWithGuide – Tunis cruise port excursions (September 2026)
- Seat61 – Train travel in Tunisia
- ARTnews – Bardo National Museum reopening
- Routard forum – Stopover at Tunis, port of La Goulette
- Petit Futé – Café des Nattes, Sidi Bou Saïd
- TripBase – Tunis food
Independently researched
None confidenceParts of this guide were drafted with AI and reviewed against the sources above.
Related Cruise Planning Guides
Authority Guide
The Ultimate Mediterranean Cruise Port Planning Guide
We use essential cookies. Analytics and marketing only if you allow them. Privacy policy