Shore Excursions from La Goulette (Tunis) — Private Tours 2026
Cruise ships calling at La Goulette (the port of Tunis) usually stay in port for 8 to 10 hours — just enough time to explore Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, the Tunis medina or even Kairouan and Hammamet with a well-planned private tour. While cruise lines sell their own excursions on board, prices are steep (often 80 to 120 € per person), groups are large (40 to 50 passengers in one bus), and the itineraries feel rushed. Booking directly with a local, licensed operator like Easy Tunisia Transfer offers a much better value: private vehicle, English-speaking driver, flexible schedule, personalized stops, and a guaranteed return to the ship at least 2 hours before departure. This guide lists the five most popular shore excursions from La Goulette in 2026, with fixed prices per vehicle (not per person), transparent inclusions, and a step-by-step booking process you can complete from your cabin the day before you arrive.
Top 5 shore excursions from La Goulette
| Excursion | Duration | Price ETT | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carthage + Sidi Bou Said | 4 h | from 185 € / sedan (1-4 pax) | Build & book |
| Tunis Medina + Bardo | 4 h | from 185 € / sedan (1-4 pax) | Build & book |
| Full Day Tunis Classic | 7 h | from 185 € / sedan (1-4 pax) | Build & book |
| Kairouan Holy City | 7 h | from 185 € / sedan (1-4 pax) | Build & book |
| Simple port transfer | 20-30 min | from 25 € / vehicle | See fixed prices |
Pricing model 2026: 185 € flat per sedan for 1 to 4 passengers and 250 € flat per van for 5 to 8 passengers (up to 4 stops, driver included — same price whatever the number of stops). For 9 passengers or more: 45 € per person + 100 € guide. Prices are per vehicle, not per person — that is where the saving against cruise-line excursions comes from.
Ready to pick your stops? Compose your own shore excursion or book a fixed-price port transfer.
Why book private vs cruise ship tours
Cost efficiency — Cruise line excursions charge 80 to 120 € per person for group tours. A private ETT sedan for 3 passengers to Carthage + Sidi Bou Said costs 185 € total (62 €/pax) — 40 % cheaper than the ship's offer, with a private car instead of a 50-seat coach.
Flexibility — You choose the sites, the pace, the lunch stop. Want to skip the pottery shop and spend 45 minutes photographing Sidi Bou Said instead? Just tell the driver. No fixed schedule imposed by the group.
Guaranteed return — Our dispatcher tracks your ship's official departure time and builds a 2-hour safety buffer. Since 2018, ETT has never had a single passenger miss their re-embarkation. If your ship's schedule changes, we adjust in real time.
English-speaking driver-guide — All our La Goulette drivers speak English fluently and know the historical sites in depth. On request we can assign German, Italian or Spanish speakers (+15 € language fee for German/Spanish, free for Italian).
What is included in the excursion price
Included: pickup at La Goulette cruise terminal with a nominal sign, private air-conditioned vehicle (sedan, van or minibus depending on group size), English-speaking driver/guide, fuel, toll roads, comprehensive passenger insurance, bottled water on board, up to 60 minutes of waiting time, drop-off at the pier at least 2 hours before ship departure.
Not included: entrance fees to museums or archaeological sites (Carthage: 12 TND ≈ 4 €, Bardo Museum: 13 TND ≈ 4 €, Great Mosque of Kairouan: free but donation appreciated), lunch (recommended local restaurants suggested by driver, budget 15-25 €/pax), tips (optional, usual practice is 5-10 % of the tour price).
For a full pricing breakdown across all La Goulette shore options, see our La Goulette port page.
How to book from your cabin
24 to 48 hours before your call: send a WhatsApp to +216 29 971 102 with: ship name, port day date, arrival time, re-embarkation deadline, number of passengers, preferred excursion.
We confirm within 30 minutes, send the voucher by email and share the driver's mobile number directly. Payment by credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) via secure Airwallex link, or cash on arrival (EUR or USD accepted).
The driver waits at the exit of the cruise terminal building with an ETT nominal sign — no crowd, no confusion, no negotiation. Departure within 5 minutes of your disembarkation.
Practical tips for cruise passengers
La Goulette to Tunis city center: 12 km, 20-25 minutes by road. Carthage is between La Goulette and Tunis — perfect first stop before continuing to Sidi Bou Said (5 km further) or the medina.
Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND) is a closed currency — you cannot get it outside Tunisia. Bring some cash euros to exchange at the port ATM or pay small tickets in EUR at museums. Cards accepted only in upscale restaurants.
Dress code: shoulders and knees covered when visiting the Great Mosque of Kairouan (scarves provided). Elsewhere, standard tourist attire is fine — comfortable walking shoes recommended for the Tunis medina cobblestones.
Best season: April to June and September to early November — mild temperatures, less crowded sites. July-August: 35°C+ in Tunis, plan indoor stops (Bardo Museum) in the afternoon.
Book your La Goulette shore excursion
Fixed price per vehicle, English-speaking driver, guaranteed return before ship departure. Confirm from your cabin 24 h before arrival.
Questions fréquentes
How far is La Goulette from Tunis city center?+
La Goulette cruise terminal is 12 km from central Tunis, about 20-25 minutes by road via the northern suburbs. Carthage is on the way, 8 km from La Goulette and only 15 minutes by car.
Can I book a private shore excursion the day before?+
Yes. Send a WhatsApp to +216 29 971 102 up to 24 hours before your port call with your ship name, date, arrival/departure times and preferred excursion. We confirm within 30 minutes and share the driver's contact.
What is included in the excursion price?+
Private air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver, fuel, toll roads, insurance, bottled water and guaranteed return to the pier 2 hours before ship departure. Entrance fees to museums (about 4 € each) and lunch are not included.
What happens if my cruise ship is delayed?+
Our dispatcher monitors ship arrival times via port authority feeds. If your ship arrives late, the driver waits at the terminal at no extra cost. If departure is delayed, we adjust the excursion end time accordingly.
Is it safe to leave the ship independently in Tunis?+
Yes, absolutely. La Goulette and the tourist sites (Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Tunis medina) are safe, well-policed and welcome cruise passengers. Booking a licensed private driver eliminates any risk of unlicensed taxis or misleading tour touts at the port exit.
