Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Tunisia take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
I’ve logged 1,500 km on Tunisian transport this spring. Every journey - tram, bus, or louage - was cash-only. Even the official tram system uses paper tickets loaded at booths, no cards accepted. The fare in Tunis was consistently 1.2 TND, and louages 3-5 TND per ride depending on distance. If the question is “do buses/metros take cards in Tunisia?”, the answer is no. Pack enough small cash and you’re all set.
The tram in Tunis is smart, but don’t expect to swipe a Visa - only cash-based ticket booths. I bought my carnet of 10 tickets with a 10 TND note at the kiosk. Louages and city buses across Tunisia run on old-school cash payment too. I experienced this in Sfax and the ticket collectors don’t carry card machines. If you’re budget-conscious, you’ll want small bills and coins in your pocket - rides cost just a few dinars each.
Used the louage system in March - only accepts cash. Even long-distance rides (like Sousse to Monastir) require you to pay the driver in dinars. In Tunis, I used the tram system a few times - it only worked with a paper ticket bought at the station with cash. No machines allow contactless bank card use yet. For public transport, keep 5-10 TND handy every day. Small change is essential.
There’s no metro in Tunisia - just buses, louages (shared minibuses), and occasional trams in Tunis. None of them take cards. I rode the tram in Tunis and used a rechargeable ticket bought with cash at the station. Louage rides cost 3-5 TND, paid directly to the driver in cash. Buses within city limits accepted cash only. If you're asking “can you pay public transport in Tunisia with card?”, the answer is a firm no. Bring small bills or coins - you’ll need them daily.