Currency in Tunisia?

I've been told that I can only buy Tunisian currency in Tunisia. When we land we will be wanting to get a taxi from the airport to our hotel. Does anyone know if I can buy currency at the airport when we land or if not do the taxi drivers accept other currency? Thank you!!

Sorry should have said ..We're flying into Monastir airport.

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

Tipping the taxi is not necessary or expected. It is a nice gesture though, and if you want to do it, you can change money at any one of the banks or money change stations. In Monastir airport they are located in the baggage claim area. I wouldn't change too much money there because there isn't a big selection of banks there, and because you will probably get a better exchange rate at your hotel.

You definitely do not want to offer the taxi driver foreign currency because it is useless to him (Tunisians can only change currency if going on a trip and must provide an air ticket and get approval in their passports), and plus it is insulting.

Here's some important things you should know about the Tunisian money:

Here is some conversion for you:
1TDN = 拢0.39, 拢1=2.588TDN
1TDN = 鈧?.57, 鈧?=1.752TDN
1TDN = $0.77, $1=1.303TDN
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency
(Currency rates as of 14:35 GMT on 04 June 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 &1TDN, 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.

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 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 anytime.

There are a few banks in the airports to make changing currency easy (at least at Tunis and Djerba; I'd expect at other airports that get a lot of charter or international flights). I don't think a taxi driver would easily accept foreign currency (it may be against the law) so it's better to change some money before leaving the airport.

Have a great trip.

What elf 2002 said is correct but if you are concerned take a few $ u.s. with you - usually accepted without a fuss.
Unload all your Tunisian currency before you leave as it's illegal to take it out of the country and is an imprisonable offence.

yes, there is currency exchange in monastir airport, i used it. just ak a porter and they should show u. you can only get the currency in tunisia and u must not take it out of the country with u either.................................g... luck and have a nice time