Directions to TGM in La Goulette, Tunisia

[Halemaumau]

We would like to take the TGM from La Goulette, Tunisia, to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said.

 

I need walking directions from the dock to the TGM station. I also need to know if it is within walking distance of the dock.

Has anybody out there taken advantage of the TGM and light rail in Tunisia?

 

I did manage to find the TGM stations as follows:

* Tunis Marine

* Le Bac

* La Goulette

* La Goulette Neuve

* La Goulette Casino

* Khereddine

* Aéroport

* Le Kram

* Carthage Salammbô

* Carthage Byrsa

* Carthage Dermech

* Carthage Hannibal

* Carthage Présidence

* Carthage Amilcar

* Sidi Bou Saïd

* Sidi Dhrif

* La Corniche

* Marsa Plage

Thanks for your help,

Ellen

[rsquare]

I didn't actually take the train, but saw the train station from my verandah, and rode past it on a tour. Yes, you can walk it. You need to clear Tunisian immigration in a little building on the dock. Then go the main exit from the dock area (for us, the ship was docked athwart this road, and I could see straight to the entrance gate as you can see below), which will be perhaps a city block or two from the water. Go through the gate (there is a cop in a booth, I have no idea if he would be concerned about pedestrians), and turn left at the statue just outside the gate. The rail station is about two or blocks down, just outside the left side of this picture (you can click to enlarge).

[Halemaumau]

Bob,

This is EXACTLY the information I needed. I cannot thank you enough. I hope you had a good experience in Tunisia.

Best regards and thanks once more,

Ellen

[rsquare]

Bob,

This is EXACTLY the information I needed. I cannot thank you enough. I hope you had a good experience in Tunisia.

Best regards and thanks once more,

Ellen

 

Tunis was great. The ruins at Carthage are kind of spread out; best map I've seen of the area, which also shows the rail stations, is in the Blue Guide to Tunisia. Sidi Bou Said is both touristy and charming. You go up a hill and run a gauntlet of guys standing outside their stores trying to entice you in, but at the top of the hill there is a nice plaza with a cafe, and if you continue walking past the plaza, you're out of the commercial area and into the residential area, with views of the Bay of Tunis.

[laurelhollow]

couple of questions - did you feel safe in tunisia? have heard most feel safe, but would like your input.

 

 

next - can you actually take the light rail from the dock to carthage? if so that would be awesome. i was just looking at traveling the metro in tunis.

generally prefer to take the local transportation. just makes the experience better.

 

 

 

I didn't actually take the train, but saw the train station from my verandah, and rode past it on a tour. Yes, you can walk it. You need to clear Tunisian immigration in a little building on the dock. Then go the main exit from the dock area (for us, the ship was docked athwart this road, and I could see straight to the entrance gate as you can see below), which will be perhaps a city block or two from the water. Go through the gate (there is a cop in a booth, I have no idea if he would be concerned about pedestrians), and turn left at the statue just outside the gate. The rail station is about two or blocks down, just outside the left side of this picture (you can click to enlarge).

[Captain Canuck]

She who must be obeyed and I did the train into tunis. we made inquires on the ship and they made it sound impossible to do without a ship tour...its not... its an easy walk.

 

there was a guard at the gate leaving the port area but I don't remember his even looking at our passports...but we were 2 very white very obviously tourists. area around the port is pretty barren and it was a bit spooky

 

we walked into town of the ship and waited til the bank opened to get some local currency. at that time Tunisia had currency restrictions so you could not take their money out of the country...so not sure you can get local currency ahead of time...sorry but I forget how much the train was but it was cheap...

 

 

we then went to the train station and bought tickets...guy did not speak english ..I think I used my awful French..billet (bill-ai) is ticket....

 

once in Tunis we went to the bazaar and walked around...was wearing shorts so a vendor would not sell to me..pretty strange

 

felt safe the whole time though...millions of Brits go to Tunisia every year...

 

we took the train back and walked around a bit...did not make it to the museum near the port as it was hot hot hot and we were tired...did go into the port town (La Guellette) and spent our remaining local currency.

 

have a good trip

[sj cruiser]

We took the train from La Goulette to Carthage and it was an easy walk from the dock. Get a copy of Lonely Planet--the directions are very specific and accurate. We memorized the directions so we wouldn't flash the book on the street. There were a couple of taxis that slowed down and asked if we wanted a ride but otherwise, we didn't have any hassles.

 

The only problem was getting local currency. The Money Exchange at the dock was not open. We arrived at the train station and offered US dollars. At first, they wouldn't take it but when we told them we had no other currencies, they relented and took our dollar. They even gave us change in local currency (which we didn't expect).

 

Carthage is easy to find and navigate. They do accept US dollars for admission (you can even get a few more dollars exchanged).

 

Overall, we loved our time in Tunis. We found the people very friendly. We didn't feel threatened and we enjoyed walking around by ourselves. Best of all, unlike in Morrocco, no one is yelling "guide? guide?" every step of the way!

[Halemaumau]

I am so glad you replied - thank you very much. Your information is very helpful and very good to have. We are going to try to take advantage of the train and knowing it is an easy walk from the dock makes all the difference. I have got a Globetrotter, but I don't think it has explicit directions to the train station. I hope you enjoyed your cruise! - Ellen

 

We took the train from La Goulette to Carthage and it was an easy walk from the dock. Get a copy of Lonely Planet--the directions are very specific and accurate. We memorized the directions so we wouldn't flash the book on the street. There were a couple of taxis that slowed down and asked if we wanted a ride but otherwise, we didn't have any hassles.

 

The only problem was getting local currency. The Money Exchange at the dock was not open. We arrived at the train station and offered US dollars. At first, they wouldn't take it but when we told them we had no other currencies, they relented and took our dollar. They even gave us change in local currency (which we didn't expect).

 

Carthage is easy to find and navigate. They do accept US dollars for admission (you can even get a few more dollars exchanged).

 

Overall, we loved our time in Tunis. We found the people very friendly. We didn't feel threatened and we enjoyed walking around by ourselves. Best of all, unlike in Morrocco, no one is yelling "guide? guide?" every step of the way!

[nursebubba]

Can you use plastic at the train station to buy tickets? Are there days of the week the money exchange is closed. Where would we go next to get money. Do they take Euros.

[Captain Canuck]

the station was a platform with a small cement hut where there was a guy selling tickets...doubt he could take credit cards...not sure about euros but I doubt that too.....