Rail Travel in Tunisia

[Iskra]

I’ve booked a trip to Tunisia next year and I’m wondering which railway trip would be most worthwhile from Tunis. I’d prefer (diesel) loco-hauled and scenic, if anyone has any recommendations or experiences to pass on?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JB_B]

I can't tell you anything useful about rolling stock unfortunately - it's more than thirty years since I was last there.

Many of the most interesting historical sites are easy to get to by train - for example Bulla Regia (near Jendouba ), the enormous amphitheatre at El Djem and of course the remains of Carthage itself are all worth a visit.

 

[cyclebike]

Was in Tunisia in December 2024.

We were in Sousse and needed to get to Tunis so decided to take the train. This was a disaster. The train was completely packed and the stock absolutely knackered. We had booked 1st class but it was a complete free-for-all and we started off standing before a member of staff took pity on us. Extremely late leaving Sousse and shortly after the locomotive then seemed to conk out. We bailed out, with many others, and made alternative arrangements....

Somewhat better was the Tunis "TGM" suburban train. Equally clapped-out EMUs but somewhat more reliable. This is the one to take out to the Carthage ruins. When I was there the service was split into two as a bridge was being replaced in La Goulette. Trains were running both sides, you just needed to get off and walk between the two stations over the road bridge (the first time i travelled, the Tunis ticket office directed me onto a rail replacement bus, which I would not recommend!)

 

[peterblue]

I’ve booked a trip to Tunisia next year and I’m wondering which railway trip would be most worthwhile from Tunis. I’d prefer (diesel) loco-hauled and scenic, if anyone has any recommendations or experiences to pass on?

Thanks in advance.

The stock on the main lines down to Sousse, El Djem, Sfax, Gabes are pretty old and tired. When I was on one, the door was open for the entire journey! It's definitely a timewarp but in an interesting way. Also be aware that not every train stops in Sousse itself -- some stop off at a small suburb and you have to find your own way to Sousse by share taxi.

The Tunis TGM was busstituted when I was there so I can't speak for that, unfortunately.

The most comfortable train in Tunisia is probably the one between Sousse and Mahdia. It's reasonably scenic as it has some coastal stretches, though it's an electric train not a diesel one.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Oct 2025 ==

Somewhat better was the Tunis "TGM" suburban train. Equally clapped-out EMUs but somewhat more reliable. This is the one to take out to the Carthage ruins. When I was there the service was split into two as a bridge was being replaced in La Goulette. Trains were running both sides, you just needed to get off and walk between the two stations over the road bridge (the first time i travelled, the Tunis ticket office directed me onto a rail replacement bus, which I would not recommend!)

Oh yeah, now that you mention it, that's what happened. I think I ended up catching a bus from Casino just after La Goulette as the train turned around.

 

[Iskra]

I can't tell you anything useful about rolling stock unfortunately - it's more than thirty years since I was last there.

Many of the most interesting historical sites are easy to get to by train - for example Bulla Regia (near Jendouba ), the enormous amphitheatre at El Djem and of course the remains of Carthage itself are all worth a visit.

Thank you, I hope to have a day set aside for cultural sights/Carthage and I’ll also be staying near there as it’s close to the ferry port.

Was in Tunisia in December 2024.

We were in Sousse and needed to get to Tunis so decided to take the train. This was a disaster. The train was completely packed and the stock absolutely knackered. We had booked 1st class but it was a complete free-for-all and we started off standing before a member of staff took pity on us. Extremely late leaving Sousse and shortly after the locomotive then seemed to conk out. We bailed out, with many others, and made alternative arrangements....

Somewhat better was the Tunis "TGM" suburban train. Equally clapped-out EMUs but somewhat more reliable. This is the one to take out to the Carthage ruins. When I was there the service was split into two as a bridge was being replaced in La Goulette. Trains were running both sides, you just needed to get off and walk between the two stations over the road bridge (the first time i travelled, the Tunis ticket office directed me onto a rail replacement bus, which I would not recommend!)

Thank you! I can handle old rolling stock (indeed it can be preferable) but unreliability is more of an issue when you have limited time. I’ll have to factor that in to my plans.

The stock on the main lines down to Sousse, El Djem, Sfax, Gabes are pretty old and tired. When I was on one, the door was open for the entire journey! It's definitely a timewarp but in an interesting way. Also be aware that not every train stops in Sousse itself -- some stop off at a small suburb and you have to find your own way to Sousse by share taxi.

The Tunis TGM was busstituted when I was there so I can't speak for that, unfortunately.

The most comfortable train in Tunisia is probably the one between Sousse and Mahdia. It's reasonably scenic as it has some coastal stretches, though it's an electric train not a diesel one.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Oct 2025 ==



Oh yeah, now that you mention it, that's what happened. I think I ended up catching a bus from Casino just after La Goulette as the train turned around.

Thank you, very useful!

- - - -

Hopefully I’ll be able to allocate two days for train travel, to give me more ‘wriggle room.’ Although if I simply to travel to Sfax on the first train, that gives me a couple of options for getting back to Tunis, so that may be a sensible choice.

 

[peterblue]

Hopefully I’ll be able to allocate two days for train travel, to give me more ‘wriggle room.’ Although if I simply to travel to Sfax on the first train, that gives me a couple of options for getting back to Tunis, so that may be a sensible choice.

Depends how much you want to see - but to give you a sense of timescale I managed to do El Djem, louage to Mahdia, train to Sousse, train to Tunis in a day with enough time for general sightseeing. I overnighted at El Djem the night before. It should be doable.

There really isn't a whole lot in Sfax to see so if you're pushed for time, only go as far as El Djem.

If you like architecture the stuff in the desert in the south (Tatoouine and the old ksar granaries) is interesting to look at and worth a day trip from Sfax, but with limited time I would skip this as it takes a long time to get there and it's not the most easily accessible place via public transport.

 

[Iskra]

Depends how much you want to see - but to give you a sense of timescale I managed to do El Djem, louage to Mahdia, train to Sousse, train to Tunis in a day with enough time for general sightseeing. I overnighted at El Djem the night before. It should be doable.

There really isn't a whole lot in Sfax to see so if you're pushed for time, only go as far as El Djem.

If you like architecture the stuff in the desert in the south (Tatoouine and the old ksar granaries) is interesting to look at and worth a day trip from Sfax, but with limited time I would skip this as it takes a long time to get there and it's not the most easily accessible place via public transport.

Thank you, that seems like a good plan.

 

[P Binnersley]

I'm going next month. Probably only one "main line" train as the service is so sparse.
(eg Sousse-->Tunis is 04:50, 05:10, 07:20, 14:00, 15:55). You can get train times at https://www.sncft.com.tn/

There is a YouTube video of what to expect - The WORLD'S WORST First Class Train.

 

[Iskra]

I'm going next month. Probably only one "main line" train as the service is so sparse.
(eg Sousse-->Tunis is 04:50, 05:10, 07:20, 14:00, 15:55). You can get train times at https://www.sncft.com.tn/

There is a YouTube video of what to expect - The WORLD'S WORST First Class Train.

Excellent, I’d be intrigued to hear how you get on out there if you wouldn’t mind updating us after your travels please?

 

[johnnychips]

I went in 2014 and found the trains excellent, so it looks like things may have gone downhill since! However, I am here to recommend El Djem if you can get there. The amphitheatre is stunning.

 

[P Binnersley]

Excellent, I’d be intrigued to hear how you get on out there if you wouldn’t mind updating us after your travels please?

I had a very enjoyable trip to Tunisia. The architecture and empty beaches are stunning, and nothing can beat feeling warm in November.

Most of journeys were by Louages (shared minibus), but I managed a few rail journeys. People were very helpful and more than made up for the lack of information in English/French.

The details on Seat61.com are mostly correct, but the through Monastir-Tunis service has been withdrawn. Times have changed slightly, the current times are available at www.sncft.com.tn/ (Select passengers/Train schedules).

The scenery around the trains was mostly semi-desert with a sections of urban and olive groves. The Lézard Rouge (Red Lizard) tourist train tourist train operated through the Selja Gorge near Tozeur (Summer only). This line also has one scheduled service each way daily, but these will be in the dark in the Winter.

TGM Line (Tunis-Carthage)

The line is currently split between La Goulette Casino and Kheireddine due to a bridge replacement with a single railcar operating an hourly shuttle either side of the break. It is a 15 minute walk between the stations. We were directed onto the parallel 347 bus route (but took the train anyway). The fare is still 0.8Dt (20p).

The bridge works looked to be nearing completion with the track relayed and being ballasted. The line is double track, but the shuttles are only using one and the second track has become heavily overgrown in places.

The line is still operated with the 1970's MAN railcars which are showing their age!

(La Marsa station)

Tunis Light Rail

We made one trip on one of the newer Alstom Citadis trams which operate most services. A couple of the original Siemens-Duewag TW 6000 were still in use. Services are crush loaded in the rush hour with people hanging out of the doorways, but are OK at other times. Frequency seemed to be ~30 minutes, but there are no timetables or departure boards.

(Siemens -Duewag unit at Tunis Plaza Barcelona)

Gabes-Sousse

We travelled on the 10:50 from Gabes in first class 17.8 Dt (£4.60), the ticket was brought 20 minutes before departure. First class have "reserved seats", but act like counted places as sets are not numbered.

The train was three 1980's ex SNCF coaches (one first, one second and a luggage/brake/second). The loco was a Bombardier MXS 624 diesel built 1984 and last cleaned not long after! The ride was smooth and while the coaches are tired, the 1980's seats still beat anything in newer trains. No air conditioning, but the doors are left open for ventilation!

(Gabes station)
Arrival in Sousse was 50 minutes late, mainly due to adding an additional coach in Sfax.


Sahel Metro

Sousse main station is now a terminus with the line through the port out of use. The Sahel Metro operates from Sousse Bab Jadid to Monastir (reverse) and Mahdia.
Fares: Sousse-Monastir 1.0 Dt, Sousse-Madhia 2.5 Dt. The line is operated with Hyundai Rotem EMUs similar to those used on the Tunis suburban services (standard and meter gauge). Service intervals vary between 25 and 95 minutes.
(Madia station)

Nebeul-Badj Cedrie-Tunis
Fare 3.4 Dt (90p).

We got the 16:20 railcar from Nebeul to Badj Cedrie where we connected to the electrified suburban service to Tunis. The rail car ran to time, but the train to Tunis was 30 minutes late with a last minute platform change (everybody ran across the tracks). The return railcar to Nebeul did not wait for the late running service from Tunis!
Arrival in Tunis ws too dark to see anything on the approach.

(Nebeul station)

Tunisia have taken delivery of 20 new EMD GT42AC diesel locomotives. We got a passing sight of one on a passenger train south of Sfax


If anybody has any questions I'll do my best to reply.