Hi Jono - The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency, so although you can buy it at some of the airports in the UK, I really wouldn't bother - the rate is ludicrous! There is an ATM at both Monastir and Tunis airports, so you can get your money there. There are ATM's all over the tourist areas and also in several of the hotels. The exchange rates are set by the government, so you don't need to go searching for the best rate! We live in Tunisia for 6 months every year and never take TCs- just a little spare cash in case the ATMs are having a difficult day! They have been known to be on strike for 24 hours, but not too often.
There is no need to get a visa unless you are staying for longer than 3 months!
I will leave other Ht members to give you some useful tips. Do hope that you enjoy my second home. Jenny x

hi Jenny
Thanks for that, i'll head straight for the ATM at the airport and get my currency there. Perhaps take £100 in sterling as a "just in case".

Cheers
Jon

When you are waiting to collect your baggage there are small kiosks in that area to change money,I usually change £10 there,and take Travellers cheques ,always change them in hotel,same rate everywhere.

Thanx Crispy that is good to know.
Seem's currency wont be a problem.
1. Take sterling, travellers cheques or combination of the two.
2. Use ATM's at airport/resort/hotel.
4. Exchange sterling at kiosks in airport
3. Exchange sterling or travellers cheques at hotel.

Hopefully i have got all the bases covered with currency (but please correct me if i am wrong)

Spot on,make sure you spend currency before you leave,cant bring it out of the country,cant even use it up in cafe or duty free at airport,you can change some back at the airport,only maximum of a 3rd youve changed and must have reciepts,but the rate is ridiculious,you lose about 50p in the pound,I usually have just a £20 TC to change near the end of holiday so im not left with any or little amount of Dinars

Do they frisk everyone at the airport then for any odd coins or is it like customs where they could pull you out at random.
What are the penalties for being caught with Dinar on you, or do they just confiscate it.

Hi Jono - no, they don't frisk anyone, neither do they usually ask if you have any currency. Like most regular visitors to Tunisia, I do bring a little home with me, just so that I have some small change in my pocket for tips etc on my return. Don't worry about it too much! Jenny x

thanks Jenny
Just had visions of a customs man with a marigold on and me looking like my Avatar of Bart

Well Jono - despite many departures from Tunisia, I have never actually seen that happen - to Franks profound relief! Jenny x

Me too, guilty as charged. As I go out a couple of times a year I always bring dinars back with me so I've at least got my taxi fare and a bit for tipping on arrival the next time. You may hear of people who have had it confiscated but it has never happened to me, nor have I been asked, in all the years I've been doing it. If I've been short of dinars I've even changed £10/20 at the TTT Bureau de Change at Stansted. You don't get the best rate but for a small amount it can be useful.

And me guilty,Ive got 44 Dinars left over from last time,they will start me off next month when we go again,must admit I was so scared at their customs bringing it out with me last time.

I think I should stress that although I do this I do not advocate anyone else does so and will not be held responsible if anyone has money confiscated. :lol:

Well, thats is, took the plunge, booked to go to Tunisia. Going to Hammamet on Sunday
Thanx to all for the currency advice

yea i agree got bring back some small dinars for the coin collection..

To be honest,we probably spend less money going to Tunisia than any where else we go to.We take duty free drinks,so have a few drinks on the balcony before we go out in the evening,booked full board for this year,so dont need to buy meals out,if you did does not cost a lot.not a lot to spend your money on in the shops,maybe a leather handbag,and leather sandals which are really cheap,I like the ceramics but they weight the cases down,weight allowances have spoilt that because they have some nice things,have a few drinks in the hotel later in the evening,travel on the train which is cheap,not doing any big trips this year,£300 should be plenty for 2 weeks.

Have a lovely time Jono. Train travel is very cheap, as are the buses, but if you are going in the next couple of weeks do check timetables carefully because they can change during Ramadan, which ends on or about 11th October.

Regarding the Visa - just to clarify what is posted above - you will have to fill in an entry Visa Card for a holiday (one per person), either on the plane (if the airline is organised enough), or at the destination Airport just before Passport control - but you wont have to pay anything.

So dont panic when you are presented with the Visa card(s) - there isn't a fee attached.

Have a good one!

MJ

Thanx for that, fly from Birmingham tomorrow(sunday) , been to Turkey the last few times and loved it. At Dalaman airport in Turkey they have duty free shops when you arrive in the country, just by where you are waiting for your cases to appear (or not) on the carosel. Does Tunisia have the same (hope so)

Hia Jono, I don't recall seeing any duty free, when you are waiting for your cases at Tunisia, but then we were 5and a half hours delayed flying out, but I am certain there isn't, but maybe I was half asleep haha. We flew from Manchester, and bought a couple of bottles of iced cold water, which lasted us until we arrived at the hotel, just aswell as we couldn't change our money till later on that day, and we were k knackered, so if you think on buy yourself a couple of bottles of water.
When you have got your cases and go to get you transfers, if booked through the tour operator, a porter will come up and take your cases and take them to your coach, but they will want a tip, we tipped in English money, and the guy was fine with that.
I accidently also had some dinars left in my bag in the suitcase, and didn't relize until we came home, and we also did not get searched for dinars, when you go through to passprt control they do have security on, and he will ask you if you have any dinar coins left and to please give them to him, I would personally, if I had known you could not change coins, would have given them to the waiters at the hotel, so the cleaner at the airport got a good tip, with the left over coins I did have Any notes you have can be changed at the aiport before you go through to passport control.
As its already been said, do fill out the form on the plane, they will give you half back, keep that with your passports as you have to hand that back in when you go back through passport control when leaving Tunisia.
Hope you have a fab time, I personally found Tunisia, a very relaxing holiday, and would go back tomorrow if I could
Roo