Going there!, Done It! - Tunisia Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

Going there!, Done It!

mgb

2006-01-09 18:05:21

Not sure if this should be here or in the DIY forum

Last year we had a great 2 weeks at Marhaba Salem,Sousse (chosen after extensive research on this site!), and now have enough confidence to travel independently within Tunisia.

After weeks of searching, found cheap BA flights Inverness-Gatwick-Tunis, 8 nights hb at Royal Salem Sousse, flight tunis-tozeur, 5 nights hb Ksar Jerid tozeur (hope it's good!), return to tunis, overnight b&b at El Hana central tunis, and then home.

Got this, including one overnight in Gatwick Ibis, for £1358, for 3 adults (actually 2 adults and one 13 yo) during Scottish school holidays in October.

Would have preferred to fly from Aberdeen which is 40 miles nearer us, but BA wanted another £140 for the privilige and the flight times weren't ideal on the outward leg!

Only 278 sleeps to go

Only thing that might stop me sleeping is that the desert hotel was booked through a french site, no english translation available, so I hope I've booked the right thing.

Regards
Marina

Aslemma

2006-01-09 21:44:15

Well done Marina - you should feel very proud of yourself. You did indeed get a good price considering the various flights and hotels.

I guess you are on the BA from Gatwick about 8.30 a.m. I do hope you will be getting the train from Tunis to Sousse which leaves between 13.30-14.00. It takes a couple of hours and first class is about £4 each. Remember to haggle with the taxi driver at the airport. I did that last October and will be doing it again in April. The station in Sousse is near the centre of town - just turn right and walk a short way and you will come out not far from the Soula Centre where there are plenty of taxis.

mgb

2006-01-09 22:02:31

HI Asslemma

Thanks for the tip - we were in Sousse last year and did take the train, however I was a bit worried about how long we might have to wait around for a train this time, and you've answered my questions and allayed my fears!

Thanks to this site, last time we took taxi transfers from Monastir to Sousse, and got great service and a good price, can you tell me is it a similar distance from Tunis airport to the railway station, as it is from Monastir to Sousse?

We will be going towards the end of Ramadan, so I hope there will be normal trains running at that time of day, and that there will be plenty of taxis.

I'm off for one of those sleeps now.
Ciao and thank you
Marina

ps.. when are you off to Tunisia again?

Aslemma

2006-01-10 00:34:51

It was still Ramadan when I was there last October and the 13.30 train was changed to 14.00 so it wasn't really a problem. I'm getting the train from Tunis again in April so I will let you know what I pay for the taxi and how long it takes, as I can't really remember - it's certainly not very far.

Aslemma

2006-02-16 00:13:51

I've finally sorted out my accommodation. :lol:

I e-mailed both the El Hana Residence and the Marhaba at Sousse direct. The Marhaba hasn't replied but the El Hana responded saying they have reserved me a single room half board for 30 dinar a day from 23rd April. Depending on the actual exchange rate this works out at between £175/£190 for a fortnight, whilst Alpharooms was offering the same hotel/board for £266 so I think I've got quite a bargain, especially as they haven't asked for any money 'up front'. I think the hotel gives better rates to returning guests so I mentioned that I had stayed there in October.

I won't forget to confirm taxi fare and time from Tunis airport to the station Marina.

Moggy

2006-02-16 01:46:52

Aslemma, I find that very interesting..!!!! but what about the cost of the flights back and forth from UK ?
We're flying out with Thomas Cook on the 16th of April for 2 weeks in Hammamet, HB Total cost £770. We're now looking for cheaper ways of going to Tunisia if that's at all possible.

mgb

2006-02-16 07:35:19

Hi Aslemma,

thanks for thinking about me! Hope you have a great time - I think you have a real bargain, and having been there before you know the hotel will be good.

Moggy - try British airways (online) or e-bookers for a direct flight from the uk to Tunis, then you can get a train from Tunis to Hammamet.

Best wishes
Marina

starty

2006-02-16 08:42:57

Hi everyone

Just want to share my experience of booking independently. Went on to the BA site and booked two return flights Gatwick-Tunis, departing on 16th June and staying for 10 nights. Cost £99 each - (inc all taxes) what a bargain - so much cheaper than what the charter companies were quoting. And you get free drinks/meal etc.
Sent an email to the hotel we always stay at to reserve a twin room for 10 nights and got an email back quoting 44TD per room per night, B & B and as we had been before we would get 10% off this! So thats about £195 each for 10 nights which I think is a really good deal. Panorama wanted nearly double this.
Yes, we have to get to and from Tunis but thats not going to cost much.
Didnt we do well!!!

Starty

roundasapound

2006-02-16 09:21:58

Hi there

Going to Hammam Sousse on 5th April, got flights for me and daughter £416 inc taxes and a 2 bedroom apartment with amenities for £83.00 for 1 week.

Not bad for half term week :lol:

Aslemma

2006-02-16 11:20:35

Hi again - aren't we all getting wised up :lol:

I too used BA to Tunis, but booked using my Airmiles which cost £106 - next time I'll follow starty's example and try BA direct which was even better - cheaper and won't use up my Airmiles. It is always worth having a look at the cheap flight sites as well, though prices vary enormously. Incidentally, the train fare from Tunis to Sousse last October was 8,650 dinar first class (about £4). The journey takes about 2 hours and is perfectly comfortable, though you have to stack your luggage on the overhead rack which can be a bit of a problem if it is heavy and you are only 5'2" :roll:

brad121

2006-02-18 14:47:34

Going there!, Done It!

Hi,

We have booked our flights from heathrow- Tunis (via Italy) with http://www.alitalia.co.uk

Just over £600 return for 3ads, 1 child in August summer holidays!

Yours,
Brad

Aslemma

2006-02-18 15:01:30

Well done Brad - isn't it a nice feeling when it all starts to come together :tup

Have you booked your accommodation yet? Where do you want to stay?

Aslemma

2006-02-18 15:15:44

I'm not feeling so proud of myself now - I've just had a look on the BA site and the exact flights I've booked for £106 using my Airmiles, are showing at £74 including all taxes. I know where I'll be looking when I go out next time :roll:

brad121

2006-02-18 15:49:13

Going there!, Done It!

Hi,

Is is indeed pleasing when the holiday is booked!

We are staying at the 4* Albatros hotel in Hammamet- AI

All together 3 ads, 1 kids 2 weeks AI with flights cost £1300! Very pleased!

BRAD

Aslemma

2006-02-18 15:57:00

It sounds great Brad - I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time.

nuttynet

2006-02-20 09:32:42

roundsa pound i find the flight price you paid a bit expensive first choice are doind 1 week half board in hammemt during arpril for 196 each nom thats a good deal

Aslemma

2006-02-20 09:57:32

I do find flight prices very variable. I've just discovered that the BA price of £74 I mentioned above was actually one way. :roll:

However, the return is about £150 so it isn't too bad. It is quite a hassle finding the cheapest offers, but it can certainly pay dividends.

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