How to Go from Sousse to Tunis

It’s a straightforward trip from Sousse to Tunis with several options available.  Much depends on your destination in Tunis as to what’s the best transport option for you.  The train is easy – you’ll get a coastal view on the way up, a seat, and a set of reasonably timed options.  Buses and louages get you there cheaply, but probably nowhere near as comfortably.  As ever, private transfers and taxis win if you want door-to-door or need to catch a flight at a certain time.  And then a rental car gives you total flexibility.  In this guide to going from Sousse to Tunis, I’ll cover each of these options, the pros, cons, timings, and how to book each option so you can pick what suits you best.

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Sousse to Tunis is roughly 140–150 kilometers (87–93 miles).  On a good day, it’s 2–2.5 hours by road; trains take a similar time (when running to time).  But your best option for traveling to Tunis from Sousse depends on two things: where you need to be in Tunis and when you must arrive.   If you’re taking an early or late flight, heading for a ferry, or wanting to get there on a budget.  I’ll cover each of the options, so you can clearly figure out what’s best for you.

How to Go from Sousse to Tunis

Your best transport option between Sousse and Tunis depends on where you need to be in Tunis (airport? city center? Suburbs?) and what time you need to arrive. The train generally wins for simple, budget-friendly travel into central Tunis as there’s no traffic and predictable stops. The bus is similar in price with more departures; it can be handy if the train times don’t suit you. A louage (shared minivan) is the quickest road option when it fills up, and it’s great if you’re flexible on time and not quite so worried about comfort. A private transfer or taxi wins for door-to-door trips, especially if you’re heading for an early or late flight. Driving yourself gives maximum freedom for detours, but you’ll need to handle tolls, parking, and city traffic. There’s more about the different forms of transport in Tunisia in my guide here.

Taking the Sousse to Tunis Bus

Intercity coaches run daily between Sousse and Tunis, generally taking around 3 hours depending on traffic. Services depart from Sousse’s main bus station, the Gare Routière de Sousse, near Bd Yahia Ibn Omar, and arrive in Tunis at the southern intercity terminal Gare Routière Sud, Bab Alioua, and you can take onward transport from there.

SNTRI is the Tunisian National Coach company, and they run 17 coaches a day on this route.  The timetable is here.  You can’t book tickets for these buses online, and you’ll usually buy tickets at the station on the day.  Get there early if you want a specifically timed bus.  Tickets cost just over 10 TND per seat.

Al Mada also runs one bus a day on this route; the timetable is here.  They DO offer online booking, but I could never find any availability online with them.

The Sousse to Tunis Train

There are usually 5 trains a day that run between Sousse and Tunis, and the route takes about 2 hours 20 minutes (sometimes a little longer).  The usual timetabled trains leave Sousse at 04:35, 05:00, 07:25, 13:15, and 15:15.  You can check the timetables here.

You board the train at Sousse’s main station and arrive at Tunis Ville (Gare de Tunis) on Place de Barcelone, which puts you in the right place if you want a metro or a taxi.  You can buy tickets at the station on the day or up to three days in advance (not before).  When you’ve arrived in Tunis, then if you want to get to the airport, you’ll need my guide here.

Transfer from Sousse to Tunis

If you’re thinking that not being able to book online in advance is stressful, I’m right there with you.  A prebookable private transfer is definitely the lowest-stress way to go from Sousse to Tunis, especially if you’re boarding a flight at the other end! 

And it’s not actually that expensive.  You get door-to-door service, with pickup at your hotel and drop wherever you need: Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN), the Medina, or La Marsa, perhaps.

And if you have time, you can build in some stops for sightseeing along the way.  A couple of hours checking out Carthage (my guide is here) before you leave or move on? Perhaps an hour to explore Kairouan?  There are a variety of stops you can make – like Hammamet’s seaside medina/fort for a quick walk, Thurburbo Majus, or Uthina.  And you can leave the bags safely in the car while you explore.  It’s a super option if you have luggage, family, or a flight.  The service is from a company called Daytrip, who’ve been around since 2015 and work with local drivers to make it easy for you.  Check out your options here.

(We took this option when we flew out from Tunis to Jeddah (read about that here!)

If you’re heading into the Medina in Tunis, then the old city gate is a good point to be dropped off.

Louage from Sousse to Tunis

The louage is often the fastest road option for short routes like Sousse to Tunis.  But that’s once the shared minibus has filled up.  It doesn’t move until it’s full.  You’ll need to head to Sousse’s main louage station (Al Lawajat Station), which is a short taxi ride from the medina.  Expect it to take about 2–2.5 hours to Tunis, depending on traffic. Louages go to Tunis’s Moncef Bey louage station, which is handy for connections across the city.  Fares on louages are regulated, and you’ll pay about 13–13.5 TND.  There’s *some* luggage space at the back, but if you’ve got a lot of bags or a large case, you might have to pay extra, or even for an extra seat.

You’ll need to pay cash for the louage. Read my guide to Tunisian currency and cash here.

Compared with buses, louages are usually quicker and more direct, but they don’t run late at night and waits can be longer at off-peak times.

Driving between Sousse and Tunis

It’s a pretty straight run from Sousse to Tunis on the A1 motorway, and while normal traffic means it’s about 2–2.5 hours, it will take longer at the weekend or if you hit rush-hour around Hammamet and greater Tunis. The A1 is a toll road, so you’ll need to have cash for tolls and expect speed cameras.

Tips for Traveling from Sousse to Tunis

Not decided yet on what transport options are best for you?  Here are a few suggestions.

If you have luggage

Train and intercity buses handle big suitcases easily; stow your big bags in the hold of the bus or overhead on the train, and ALWAYS keep your valuables with you. Louages have limited space and may charge extra for large bags.  Transfers are best if you’ve got multiple bags or cases.

Time of day

If you’ve got an early or late flight, then opt for a private transfer or taxi. There are fewer trains and buses in the evening, and louages stop when they can’t fill the seats.  If you’re traveling around rush hour around Hammamet and greater Tunis, add some extra time to your journey.

Where you are going in Tunis

For the Medina or central hotels, a train to Tunis Ville is straightforward. For the airport or coastal suburbs like La Marsa or Sidi Bou Said, then a transfer or taxi from the edge of town is easier and likely quicker than multiple connections.

Where you are departing from in Sousse

If you’re near the Medina in Sousse, then the train and main bus stations are convenient. From Port El Kantaoui or resort areas, factor in the cost of a local taxi to the station. Or book a transfer for door-to-door services and less hassle with luggage.

The quickest way to get from Sousse to Tunis

The quickest way from Sousse to Tunis is a private transfer, door to door, with no waiting for schedules.  Your driver picks you up, handles luggage, and drops you where you want. You can get a price for a private transfer here.

The easiest way to go to Tunis from Sousse

The easiest way to go to Tunis from Sousse is a private transfer: one booking, one vehicle, zero connections. It’s door-to-door, friendly for luggage and kids, and you can schedule pickups around flights and check-in without juggling timetables.  You can get a price for a private transfer here.

The cheapest way to go from Sousse to Tunis

The cheapest way from Sousse to Tunis is the train. Second-class fares are low, tickets are easy to buy at the station, and luggage is straightforward. It’s not always the fastest, and you can’t prebook it online, so add some time in and treat the inevitable delays as part of the adventure.

The best way to go from Sousse to Tunis

The best way depends on your budget and whether you’ve a firm deadline. If you’ve got a flight or a late arrival, make it easy on yourself and choose a private transfer. If you’re on a budget and going into central Tunis with bags, then take the train. If you have light luggage and are completely flexible, then opt for the louage.

Final Words on How to Go from Sousse to Tunis

Getting from Sousse to Tunis is simple once you match the route to your plan. If you’ve got a flight or a fixed appointment, a private transfer removes all the variables and gets you exactly where you need to be. For central locations and a tight budget, the train is the easy choice. The louage is the quick road option for the time-flexible and light packer.

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