If you’re planning a trip to Tunisia, it helps to understand the Tunisian dinar before you arrive to make your travels smooth right from the start. Knowing how to get cash, when to use cards, and what to expect when paying for everyday things can make your travels less stressful. This article gives an overview of the Tunisian dinar along with practical tips for handling money while you’re here. Read on for easy, practical tips that will help you navigate money in Tunisia so you can keep your focus on the places, people, and experiences that matter!
The Tunisian Dinar: An Overview
The Tunisian dinar (TND) is Tunisia’s official currency. Though the name dinar is shared with several other countries, the Tunisian dinar has its own value and rules. One dinar is divided into 1,000 millimes, so prices are often written in the thousands. For example, a coffee that costs 3 dinars will often appear as 3,000 on a menu or receipt. At the time of writing, one US dollar equals roughly 2.9 Tunisian dinars. The dinar is a closed currency, meaning you generally can’t get it before arriving in Tunisia.
Getting Cash in Tunisia
Getting cash in Tunisia is easy, and whether you choose to change money at a currency exchange or use an ATM is mostly a matter of preference. The Tunis-Carthage airport has plenty of both, so you can easily exchange or take out money before starting your Tunisia tour.
Once you leave the airport, don’t worry if you need more cash later. Currency exchanges are common throughout the country, including in banks and hotels. They charge minimal fees, and rates are the same across licensed offices. ATMs are also widely available, and most let you withdraw up to 800 TND per transaction. Most ATMs charge a fee of 10–12 TND for international cards.
Using Credit Cards in Tunisia
Credit cards are accepted in Tunisia in most larger hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and shops, but smaller cafés, markets, and local vendors often only take cash. Visa and Mastercard work well, but American Express is less commonly accepted.
Before you travel, let your credit card company know you’ll be traveling and check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee so you know what to expect. Most Tunisian vendors don’t add extra fees for international cards.
Planning Your Expenses in Tunisia
If you’re on a tour with Engaging Cultures Travel, most of your main costs are covered, so the money you’ll need each day will be mostly for lunches, dinners, and shopping you may want to do. For lunch, whether you grab some street food or go to a sit-down restaurant, you can eat well for 15–25 TND per person ($5–$9). For dinner, plan on 25–30 TND per person ($8–$10). Coffee or tea at a café costs around 3 TND ($1).
If you’ll be shopping for souvenirs and handicrafts, prices are generally very reasonable in Tunisia. Exactly how much to budget for souvenirs can vary a lot depending on what items interest you.
Exchanging Dinars Before You Leave
Wondering about what to do about any leftover dinars? You can exchange Tunisian dinars back into your home currency, but this can only be done at currency exchange counters in the airport. Make sure to keep your ATM or currency exchange receipts handy, because you’ll need to show them to complete the transaction.
Ready For Tunisia
Traveling in Tunisia is straightforward when it comes to money. With a little planning, knowing how to get cash, when to use your card, and what to budget will help you be prepared from the moment you arrive. You’ll be free to focus on what really matters: enjoying the food, the landscapes, the history, and the people who make Tunisia such a memorable place to visit.
