Why Is Tunisia So Cheap | Why Is Tunisia So Cheap for Holidays

If you’ve ever dreamt of stunning Mediterranean beaches, ancient ruins, golden deserts, and vibrant souks without draining your bank account — welcome to Tunisia.

I’ve explored luxury cabanas in the Caribbean and eco-huts in the Philippines, but Tunisia gave me the same views, better history, and a price tag that felt almost unreal. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about why Tunisia is so affordable — and how to make the most of it.

Table of Contents

• Why Is Tunisia So Cheap for Holidays?
  
• Economic Overview: How the Exchange Rate Benefits You
  
• Flights from the UK: Why Is It So Cheap to Go to Tunisia?
  
• Affordable Accommodation: Where to Stay for Less
  
• What Makes Tunisian Food So Cheap Yet Delicious?
  
• Transport Costs: Getting Around for Pennies
  
• Activities on a Budget: Culture, Adventure, and Beaches
  
• Why Tunisia Is So Cheap in 2024 (Political & Global Context)
  
• Safety and Value: Is Cheap Travel to Tunisia Worth It?
  
• Local Reactions and Travel Reviews (Embedded Tweets)
  
• Sample Budget Table: What a Week in Tunisia Really Costs
  
• Video: My Full Tunisia Travel Experience
  
• Tips to Travel Tunisia Like a Pro
  
• FAQs
  
• Final Thoughts
  

Why Is Tunisia So Cheap for Holidays?

When I first booked my flight to Tunisia, I paid less for a week-long stay in a beachside cabana in Hammamet than a weekend in London. From package holidays to DIY itineraries, Tunisia is almost unmatched in affordability.

Here’s why:

• Weak Tunisian Dinar (TND): The currency favors foreign travelers — especially those from the UK, EU, or US.
  
• Low Labor Costs: Accommodations and service-based costs are significantly lower.
  
• Under-Tourism Recovery: Since political unrest in 2011, tourism has been rebuilding, with competitive pricing to attract travelers.
  

Economic Overview: How the Exchange Rate Benefits You

Tunisia’s currency is the Tunisian Dinar (TND). As of 2024:

• 1 GBP ≈ 4.1 TND
  
• 1 EUR ≈ 3.4 TND
  
• 1 USD ≈ 3.1 TND
  

This strong exchange rate gives you immense purchasing power. A 3-course meal costs about £5–£8, and luxury hotel rooms start at £30/night.

Flights from the UK: Why Is It So Cheap to Go to Tunisia?

There’s been a noticeable drop in flight prices from UK airports like London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham to Tunis, Monastir, and Djerba. Why?

• Charter Flights: Tour operators like TUI and Jet2 Holidays bundle flights with accommodation.
  
• Seasonal Deals: Tunisia’s shoulder seasons (March–May, September–November) offer unbeatable prices.
  
• Government Subsidies: Tunisia promotes tourism as a key GDP contributor, keeping taxes on tourism low.
  

💡 I booked a roundtrip flight from London to Tunis for £80 in April — with a carry-on included.

Affordable Accommodation: Where to Stay for Less

Here’s where Tunisia blew me away. The quality of hotels, resorts, and cabanas far exceeded their price tags.

Accommodation Type	Average Cost/Night (GBP)	My Notes
Hostels	£8–£15	Great for solo backpackers
Boutique Hotels	£20–£40	Stylish, central, often include breakfast
Beach Resorts	£30–£60	Full board with pools and sea views
Private Cabanas	£25–£50	My personal pick — peaceful and scenic

🛏️ I stayed in a beachfront cabana in Hammamet for £28/night, with breakfast and sunrise views included.

What Makes Tunisian Food So Cheap Yet Delicious?

Food in Tunisia is incredibly affordable, full of flavor, and influenced by Berber, French, Arab, and Mediterranean cuisines.

What You Can Get:

• Brik (egg pastry): ~£0.80
  
• Couscous with lamb: ~£2.50–£4
  
• Fresh seafood platter: ~£5–£7
  
• Mint tea & sweets: ~£1.50
  

Even in tourist zones, I never paid more than £6–£7 for a hearty sit-down meal.

Transport Costs: Getting Around for Pennies

From bustling cities to sleepy villages, Tunisia’s transport network is cheap and surprisingly reliable.

Mode	Avg Cost (GBP)	Notes
Local Bus	£0.10–£0.30	Very affordable but can get crowded
Shared Taxis (Louage)	£1–£5	Great for intercity travel
Train	£2–£8	Scenic routes, esp. Tunis to Sousse
Car Rental	£15–£30/day	Affordable, but road signs often in Arabic/French only

🚗 I rented a car for £20/day and explored the desert roads of Douz and Tozeur — highly recommend!

Activities on a Budget: Culture, Adventure, and Beaches

What amazed me was the range of things to do for free or very little money.

• Medina Walks (Tunis, Sousse): Free
  
• Desert Safari: £15–£25
  
• Beach access: Always free
  
• El Jem Colosseum Entry: ~£3
  
• Star Wars Film Sets in Matmata: £5 guided
  

You get luxury travel experiences (camel rides, ancient ruins, hammams) for a fraction of European prices.

Why Tunisia Is So Cheap in 2024 (Political & Global Context)

• Post-Pandemic Travel Recovery: Tunisia remains less touristy than other Mediterranean spots, creating deals.
  
• Currency Inflation: Favorable for visitors, tough for locals.
  
• Political Stability Gaining Ground: With stabilized governance, tourism is slowly recovering — still keeping prices low to attract visitors.
  

Safety and Value: Is Cheap Travel to Tunisia Worth It?

I felt safe throughout Tunisia. Like anywhere, caution is key:

• Dress modestly outside resorts
  
• Use trusted transport
  
• Avoid political demonstrations
  

The value? Exceptional. From spa treatments to ancient wonders, everything feels like a premium experience without the premium price.

Local Reactions and Travel Reviews

“Tunisia is Europe’s budget Bali.” — @BudgetNomad

“A 5-star hotel for the price of a London hostel. Unreal.” — @JetSetJules

📊 Sample Budget Table: 1 Week in Tunisia (Per Person)

Expense	Cost (GBP)
Flights (RT)	£80
Accommodation (7 nights)	£200
Food & Drinks	£70
Transport	£40
Activities	£50
Total	£440

🎥 Video: My Full Tunisia Travel Experience

Tips to Travel Tunisia Like a Pro

• Use XE app to track exchange rates
  
• Travel in spring or autumn for deals + good weather
  
• Haggle in markets — it’s expected!
  
• Get a SIM card at the airport (~£3)
  

FAQs

Q: Is Tunisia a good budget holiday from the UK?
Yes! Flights + accommodations are some of the cheapest in the Med.

Q: Is food safe and affordable in Tunisia?
Absolutely. Just avoid street food that sits too long in the heat.

Q: Are there all-inclusive options?
Yes, especially in Sousse and Hammamet for as low as £300/week!

Final Thoughts

If you’re wondering why Tunisia is so cheap — now you know. It’s a mix of currency, history, and strategy — a country offering premium travel at off-the-radar prices. I came for the beaches and history. I stayed for the cabanas, couscous, and charm.