What to pack for Tunisia? Below, you will find an ultimate packing list. It helps you pack the right clothes, essentials, electronics, and toiletries for your trip. Packing has never been this easy! In no time, bags are ready for Tunisia. After all, overweight bags could cost you dearly. So, this time let’s do it the right way.
What to pack for Tunisia
So the question of the day is: what to pack for Tunisia? I have divided the packing lists into different groups: essentials, electronics, cosmetics, and toiletries. In addition, I made clothing and toiletry lists for women and men, paying attention to the weather in different seasons. I also mention a couple of useful extras to bring with you.
In this post, I talk only about packing and things to bring with you on the trip. Read my post about the dressing guide for Tunisia if you are hesitating about what you should wear. There I answer the frequently asked question, such as what do women wear in Tunisia? What to wear at the beach, Sahara desert, or mosque? What not to wear in Tunisia? It’s helpful, so be sure to read it through.
What to pack for Tunisia: essentials
Let’s start packing for Tunisia with the essentials. These are items that you must remember to take with you. Everything else you could buy from the destination.
Passport
Visa
Flight or ferry tickets
Credit/ debit cards
Medication
Passport
Wherever you are coming from, you will need a valid passport for your travel. It certifies your travel authorization and identity in different situations. A travel document is generally required when leaving the country and is asked for at the border crossing. If you lose your passport, it’s better to have a photo of the passport’s ID page saved in your email.
In Tunisia, I don’t carry my passport with me outside. But I have a copy of it saved on my phone if I need to show it.
Visa
Whether you need a visa for Tunisia depends on your nationality. You might need it, or it’s not required for stays up to 90 days. Here’s a list of the countries that need a tourist visa and who can enter Tunisia visa-free. You may also contact an embassy to get updated information.
Note! A residence permit is required for stays longer than 90 days.
Flight/ ferry tickets
So, how are you going to get to Tunisia? The most common way is by plane. Also, many prefer to take a ferry from Southern Europe, especially if they want to bring their car. The earlier the ticket is bought, the cheaper it is.
If you wish, you could print your tickets or booking number. For years, I haven’t been doing that. For me, it’s much simpler to save everything on my phone and email.
Credit/ debit cards
Cash is the most practical payment method in Tunisia. But, the Tunisian dinars are called closed currency. It means that currency is only available in Tunisia. In addition, it’s illegal to import and export dinars. So, bring your credit/debit card for the trip! Of course, you could also take some cash such as euros, dollars, or pounds with you and exchange those for dinars.
If you are interested, here is more information about exchanging and withdrawing money in Tunisia.
Medication
Before the trip, there are three medicine-related things to remember. Get prescriptions and other documents for your medicines. Find out if there are any import restrictions (customs and the embassy can help) and carry your medications in their original packages in your hand luggage.
It’s always easier to bring medicines with you. If you need to buy medications abroad, you will need a prescription written by a doctor in the destination country. Sometimes, a paper prescription written by a doctor for purchasing medication abroad is enough.
What to pack for Tunisia: electronics
Nowadays, electronics come with us everywhere. In general, I am not a huge souvenir shopper, but I like to take some beautiful pictures of the destination. For that purpose, I use my phone. Read through the list of 13 things to buy from Tunisia if you want to bring home something more than beautiful pictures.
Phone
Charger
Travel adapter
Phone
For most people, it is necessary to take a phone with them when traveling. The phone enables information searching and capturing memories in the form of photos. When abroad, it’s important to remember the charges associated with cellular/mobile data use. To skip an unpleasant phone bill back home, use Wi-Fi or consider buying a local SIM card.
Charger
Remember to pack chargers for all electronics: phones, cameras, laptops, headphones, and tablets. It’s always easier if one charger fits many devices, but that’s not always the case.
Travel adapter
You might need to bring a travel adapter that fits the local power sockets. In Tunisia, plug types C or E are the official standards, 220-240 V. Consider packing more than one travel adapter if you need to charge multiple electronics.
What to pack for Tunisia: toiletries
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctIn packing, less is more. Perhaps you want to empty your whole bathroom in your bags, but it’s always better to bring only the essentials.
High SPF products
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Deodorant
Soap, shampoo, and conditioner
Hairbrush/comb
Face cleanser and lotion
Contact lenses/ solution
Shaving supplies
Nail clippers/ file
Tweezers
Hand sanitizer/ wet wipes
Tissues
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High SPF products
The essential toiletry items to pack are high-SPF products. Especially in the summer months, sunlight is strong in Tunisia. If you plan to spend extended time outdoors, pack sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and a water-resistant one for swimming. Also, you could consider buying other SPF products, such as hair and scalp mist, lip balm, and makeup with SPF.
All your usual toiletries
So, firstly you will need the basics, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. Depending on the accommodation, you might need to bring soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Additionally, you might want to pack a hairbrush, hairstyling products, face cleansers, lotions, contact lenses, shaving supplies, and nail clippers.
No matter where I am, I always like to carry a hand sanitizer or wet wipes with me. I highly recommend packing a couple of packets of tissues. Because often public toilets do not have toilet paper. If you want to read more about Tunisian toilet culture, click here.
If you are traveling just with hand luggage, you need to consider liquid rules in the airplane. Luckily many products are also sold in solid form: toothpaste tablets, solid deodorant sticks, shampoo bars, and facial cleansing bars. Substitute liquid products with these, and packing will be easier.
Medicine
Above I talked about prescription medicines, but what other pharmaceuticals to take with you? Painkillers and Imodium checked. Pack hydrocortisone and aloe vera gel for sunburns. Got a nasty blister? Maybe bandages, wound cleaner and blister bandages will help you out. Are you allergic to something? Take your allergy medicine, antihistamines, inhaler, or EpiPens. Don’t forget anti-itch gel for insect bites, insulin, or motion sickness pills, if you usually use those.
What to pack for Tunisia: clothes
What to pack for Tunisia? What kind of clothes you will need depends on when your trip is and what’s your plan to do. I made a separate clothing packing list for women and men. Pick your favorite clothing pieces and toiletries from the lists, and soon your bags are packed for Tunisia.
Tunisian weather is hot in the summer months. But during the winter you will need to wear warming clothes. Don’t worry! There’s no need for a down jacket. How is the weather going to be? Read through my guide about Tunisia weather. Find out how the weather looks in particular months, which will help you pack the right clothes.
Women's packing list for Tunisia
I have separated the women’s packing list into essential items, clothing for summer and winter, and toiletries. Pack the essentials and choose the things you will need from the lists of toiletries and summer and winter clothing. Let’s try to keep it simple! You can always buy something more from the destination if you need something else.
What to pack for Tunisia: essential clothes for women
Underwear – So, how many pairs should I bring with me? Consider how many days you’ll be going away and if you plan to wash underwear during your stay. Choose the lingerie that suits most of the outfits.
Bras – For hot weather, choose bras that make you feel comfortable. Maybe non-padded bras or cotton ones? Don’t forget sports bras if you plan to exercise on holiday.
Socks – For summer weather, you won’t need too many socks. But maybe a couple of pairs to wear with sneakers or walking shoes.
Sleepwear – Some like to sleep naked, others with underwear or sleepwear. Ideally, the sleepwear you choose also can be worn for other activities, not just sleeping. As said, pack the one you prefer.
Jewelry and accessories – I like to travel with a few neutral items that are easy to pair with many outfits. Usually, I wear a watch most of the time. Bring a bag or backpack that works as a beach bag, a carry-on piece of luggage, and a shopping bag. And a purse for more formal occasions, restaurants, and a night out.
Swimwear – Don’t forget to bring your bikini or swimsuit, especially during a summer holiday. Swimming is also possible in winter months if the seawater temperature of 16C/62F is warm enough for you.
What to pack for Tunisia: summer clothes for women
Swimwear cover-up
Shorts.
Skirts
Tops
T-shirts
A long sleeve shirts
Dresses
Lightweight scarf
Sportwear
During the summer, Tunisian weather is hot and humid. Choose clothes made of cooling materials like cotton, linen, bamboo, or silk. Shorts, skirts, tops, t-shirts, and dresses are great clothes for hot summer weather. A lightful long sleeve shirt will protect your skin from sunlight and will be practical if you visit a religious place. If long sleeve shirt sounds a bit much, a great substitute will be a lightweight scarf.
Cover-ups might come in handy by the beach, pool, or beach bar. Elevate your vacation wardrobe with a beautiful caftan, crochet, sarong, scarf, or kimono. Remember to pack sportswear if running, hiking, swimming, gym, yoga, or any other sport is part of your holiday.
Flip flops
Sneakers
Sandals
Headwear
Sunglasses
Towel
I am a person who packs way too many pairs of shoes. Flip flops and multiple pairs of sandals, high heels, and sneakers end up in my luggage. And those weigh a lot! Hopefully, one day I will follow a three-shoe rule: sneakers, one pair of casual sandals, and one pair of dressy sandals. That must be enough. In Tunisian summer, you will need a pair of sunglasses and headwear, such as a cap, straw hat, scarf, or bucket hat. And don’t forget to bring your favorite beach towel!
What to pack for Tunisia: winter clothes for women
T-shirts
Tops
A long sleeve-shirt
Light cardigan/ thin jumper
Light jacket
Trousers
Jeans
Sportwear
Gloves
Scarf
Sneakers
Headwear
Sunglasses
Swimwear
The coldest months in Tunisia are December, January, February, and March. These months, I dress in layers: a top, light cardigan, jacket, jeans, and sneakers. I can still add gloves, headwear, and a scarf if the weather feels cold. This way, I can easily remove layers if I feel too warm. During the daytime, the temperature can climb up to 18C/64F, and in the evening, drop to 8C/47F.
What to pack for Tunisia: toiletries for women
Feminine-hygiene products
Makeup
Makeup remover
Tweezers
Cotton puds
Cotton pad
Hair-tie
Hair styling products
Hair styling tool
Parfum
Now, a couple of words about toiletries for women. Before you pack all grooming and beauty products, think about what you really need. In Tunisia, finding tampons is tricky, but pads you will find everywhere. So, if you prefer tampons, it’s better to pack your own. On hot summer days, you might like to tie your hair up, as hot hair on the back of your neck makes you feel sweltering.
Men's packing list for Tunisia
Let’s face it men tend to be slightly sloppy when packing. Or at least they are more stress-free and relaxed about it. It seems that it’s not a big deal if they forget something essential at home. Anyway, I wanted to create also a packing list for men, even though the chances are low that they will end up reading it. But if you are traveling first time to Tunisia might be that a couple of tips are needed.
What to pack for Tunisia: essential clothes for men
Throw in your luggage following essential clothes and boost it up with needed summer or winter clothes and toiletries.
Boxers/ Underwear
Socks
Sleepwear
What to pack for Tunisia: summer clothes for men
T-shirt
Shirt
Shorts
Long pants
Flip flops
Sandals
Sneakers
Pair of nicer shoes
Sportwear
Headwear
Sunglasses
Swimtrunks
Towel
Pack comfortable t-shirts which also dry fast. Due to the humid summer weather, you might want to change your t-shirt quite often. If you are a sporty fellow, you want to bring sportswear. And don’t forget your headwear and sunglasses if you stay outside at noon. You will need a pair of long and stylish pants for going out, even though all the dressing rules do not apply to tourists. Remember to wear long pants when visiting religious places.
What to pack for Tunisia: winter clothes for men
T-shirts
A long sleeve-shirt
Sweater
Light jacket
Trousers
Jeans
Gloves
Scarf
Sneakers
Headwear
Sunglasses
Sportwear
Swimtrunks
Tunisian winter can feel surprisingly cold, especially in December, January, February, and March. So, pack warm clothes with you. On sunny winter days, you will need t-shirts and might even want to swim.
What to pack for Tunisia: toiletries for men
Razor/ Shaving cream
Haircare products
Parfum
Cotton puds
I mentioned the essential toiletries above in this article. Besides these, you might want to pack a razor, haircare products, perfume, and cotton pads. Some might find these items absolutely unnecessary. For others, these are everyday products. So, pack only the things which you will use.
What to pack for Tunisia: useful extras
Insurance
Portable power bank
Laptop or tablet
Camera
Book
Items for flight
Insurance
I would say that travel insurance is almost an essential thing to have. You should seriously consider having one for your safety and peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you if something happens to you or the trip gets canceled. Choose the travel insurance that suits you the best and find out what the chosen insurance will cover.
Portable power pank
Plan to go hiking or camping? Or a long flight ahead of you? A portable power bank might be handy if you are away from a power source for a long time. If you decide to take a power bank with you, it’s important to remember not to pack it into luggage that goes to airplanes’ cargo.
Laptop or tablet
Perhaps you need a laptop or tablet for working, studying, or transferring images.
Camera
Tunisia is a photogenic country. Three winks and the camera is full of spectacular pictures. If you own a camera, bring it with you. I take my picture with my phone, as it’s easy to carry with me and it has a good camera.
Book
I like to bring a good book for my travels. I read in an airplane, by the beach, and in the evenings. I recommend trying it! Nowadays, we use too much time with phones, tablets, laptops, and televisions. If you are not a friend of traditional travel guides, read a book whose events are based on the destination.
Items for a flight
We want to make flights, especially long ones, as pleasant as possible. Consider bringing an eye mask, water bottle, comfortable outfit, neck pillow, headphones, and earplugs. If you are traveling with kids, don’t forget snacks and something to entertain them, for example, books, toys, or tablets.
And this was my response to what to pack for Tunisia. Did I forget something? Which item would you add to the packing list? Or do you have any handy packing tips? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. See you again next week with a new article. Meanwhile, take care!