Changing money in Tunisia?

I'm going to Sousse in a couple of weeks and want to know what is best to take; travellers cheques or cash. I have read that you get charged commission to change Travellers Cheques but not cash. Is this right?

Tunisian currency is NOT a fully convertible currency as of yet, so therefore it can only be purchased INSIDE of Tunisia.

Here is some conversion for you:
1TDN = 拢0.39, 拢1=2.578TDN
1TDN = 鈧?.57, 鈧?=1.750TDN
1TDN = $0.79, $1=1.272TDN
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency
(Currency rates as of 16:55 GMT on 7 September 2007)

The way the money system works is this:

1 Tunisian Dinar (TDN) = 1000 millimes.
Paper money is in denominations of 30, 20, 10 and 5.
Coins are in denominations of 5 &1 TDN, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes.

English pounds, US Dollars, and Euros are all widely accepted at banks, hotels, and the change counter at the airports. There really is not one that is better than the other. This is also true for if you want to bring Travelers checks. Whether you bring cash or travelers checks is a personal choice that is up to you. You will get charged commission on either one you bring.

Just a quick note: Tunisia is one of the few places in the world where you will get a better exchange rate at most hotels than you will at a bank. Keep that in mind when you are changing your money.

Travelers鈥?checks and credit cards are accepted at some establishments in Tunisia, mainly in urban or tourist areas. The Tunisian dinar is not yet a fully convertible currency and Tunisian law prohibits the export or import of Tunisian bank notes or coins. Tunisian law permits the export of foreign currency that was declared when entering Tunisia. Tourists are expected to make foreign exchange transactions at authorized banks or dealers and to retain receipts for dinars obtained. Under foreign currency regulations, a tourist can reconvert to foreign currency (cash or traveler checks) 30 percent of what has been exchanged into dinars, up to a maximum of 100 dollars. Declaring foreign currency on entering Tunisia and obtaining a receipt for dinars purchased thereafter will facilitate reconverting dinars to your original currency. Keep all receipts of monetary transactions for presentation when leaving the country.

Now that the government part is over, there are cash points (ATMs) all over Tunisia, mainly in touristicy areas, and at banks. I personally wouldn't bring travelers checks as it will take a long time for them to process it when you check out because not many people use them. Really the only place that they are valuable at is a bank.

And because Tunisia is still a developing country, most places aren't set up to accept credit cards or debit cards. You'll find that only you're major stores, such as Carefour (in Tunis), and Monoprix, and Magasin General, plus a few major restaurants are equipped to handle them. Most major hotels can handle them as well.

Or bring a credit/debit card and use it at the ATM's when you need money. There is a fee for using the ATM's though, and that varies from bank to bank. Mostly the fee is between 1,500 dinars and 2 dinars. Remember though, you also get charged a fee from your bank for having to convert your normal currency into local currency. You will have to check with your bank/credit card provider to find out how much that fee would be.

My best suggestion to you is to bring the amount of money you want to have and change it little by little when you are in Tunisia. Which ever way you go, keep only the necessary cash on you, and the rest in your hotel room.

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

You will be charged to change travellers cheques in Tunisia. Buy some dinars before you go, only take travellers cheques if you are concerned with the safety of your cash (which might be a good bet). They do have cash machines in Sousse and in some places they will even take GBP but will overcharge you like mad. Most hotels will change travellers cheques for you but you probably won't get a good deal.

Marks and Spencers usually have the best exchange rate, although you may have to order dinars if you want a lot.

Change a small amount of cash before you go, For the first day or two,then use a cash machine to withdraw cash as you need it, all the machines are on the international link system.

You can not get Tunisian money anywhere else in the world apart from Tunisia. There are places to change in the airport and maybe in your accomadation

When i went i simply took cash and had it converted in banks there. It was no problem and the exchange rate was really good. They give you a receipt and any left over at the end of your stay you simply take that slip of paper to any bank or exchange bureau and you get your own currency back, easy. I would not wait till i got to the airport to get it back you wont get as much as if you do it locally before leaving.

PS there is no point in taking any dinars home with you unless as a suvenier as you wont be able to exchange it back where ever you live. Have a great trip.....

Take cash in Tunisian Dinars or Euros. Avoid Traveller's Cheques and do not use your credit card for small payments (only hotel or car rental).