Car Rental in Djerba

Why rent a car in Djerba?

Djerba is a great place to visit. The largest island in North Africa, it is famous for its beautiful beaches and unique nature areas. Djerba also boasts many souks (traditional markets), interesting architecture, and Berber cultural centers. With a rental car, you can explore the island first, then go to the mainland to travel to the Tunisian Sahara.

Top ways to enter Djerba

• Djerba Airport: Located on the northeastern coast of the island, Djerba-Zarzis Airport handles about 1.7 million travelers every year. The airport has flights by around 25 airlines including low-cost carriers like Transavia and Eurowings. It should be noted, however, that a lot of carriers only fly to and from Djerba seasonally.
• Monastir Airport: Serving the city of the same name, Monastir Airport handled 1.5 million travelers in 2018. Most of the flights are provided by Nouvelair, a Tunisian airline connecting Monastir with many destinations in Europe and the Middle East, and Nordwind Airlines, a charter company that has flights to and from around 15 destinations in Russia. Located 380 km (236 mi) north of Djerba, Monastir Airport can be reached in around five hours.
• Enfidha Airport: Another seasonally active airport on Tunisia’s northeastern coast, Enfidha-Hammamet handled around 900,000 travelers in 2018. The airport is popular with many charter airlines connecting Tunisia with destinations in Western and Eastern Europe. Located 418 km (260 mi) from Djerba, Enfidha Airport can be reached in about five hours.
• Tunis Airport: By far the largest in the country, Tunis-Carthage International Airport handled more than five million travelers in 2018. The airport is the main hub for the national carrier Tunisair which offers flights not only to North Africa and Europe but also to Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Canada. Located 525 km (326 mi) north of Djerba, Tunis Airport can be reached in about six hours.
• Note: You need to take a ferry to travel between Djerba and the Tunisian mainland. It’s a good idea to check the schedule in advance as the ferry service frequency depends on the time of the year. Some ferry companies permit traveling with a rental car while others do not. Even if bringing a car is permitted, you should still ask your rental car provider in advance to find out if they allow it.
• Crossing the borders: Although Djerba is located only a two-hour drive from Tunisia’s border with Libya, it is impossible to cross the border with a rental car. Moreover, all non-essential travel to Libya is strongly advised against because of the ongoing violent conflict in that country. The border with Algeria in the west of the country is open, although you cannot cross it with a rental car. Citizens of most countries of the world need a visa to visit Algeria. If you plan to cross this border from southern Tunisia, it is important to check the latest regarding the security situation in the region.

City facts

• Djerba has a Mediterranean climate with desert influences. Summers are very hot, although somewhat cooler than in many other North African cities, while winters are short and mild. The average high temperature is 32°C  (90°F) in August, the warmest month, and 16°C  (71°F) in January, the coolest. Precipitation is almost nonexistent from mid-May to August and increases - although only slightly - from October to January.
• The main everyday language of Djerba is Arabic of the Tunisian variety (although Standard Arabic is also understood). Djerba is also one of the last places in Tunisia where Berber languages continue to be spoken. Since Tunisia is a former colony of France, French is also known by most of the population - which means that many inhabitants of Djerba are at least trilingual. Knowledge of English varies but is quite high by people working in the travel and service industries, and many also know Italian and Spanish.

Top sights and activities

• Houmt Souk. Located in the northern part of the island near the airport, Houmt is the beating heart of Djerba. A loud and busy market - or rather, a collection of them - it is the best place to haggle for local crafts, buy fish that’s fresh from the ocean, or simply walk around and enjoy the festival-like atmosphere. After enjoying the market, nearby the marina and Algeria Square are also worth a visit.
• Borj El Kebir Castle. Built by the Moors at the end of the 14th century, Borj El Kebir is one of the most impressive (and best-preserved) historical buildings in Tunisia. Also known as Borj El Ghazi Mustafa, the former Ottoman fortress is also located on the northern coast of the island and offers amazing views of the Mediterranean at sunset and sunrise.
• El Ghriba Synagogue. Dating back to the days of ancient Carthage, the Jewish community lived in modern-day Tunisia for thousands of years. Although most left during the 20th century, many important Jewish sites remain all over the country, including in Djerba. El Ghriba Synagogue was built around the year 1,000 AD as it replaced an even older Jewish place of worship that was standing in the same location. Located in the village of Erriadh, the synagogue is in the central part of the island, about a 25-minute drive southeast of the airport. 

Traffic and parking

• Tunisia drives on the right-hand side of the road.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 110km/h (68mph) on freeways, 90km/h (56mph) outside urban areas, 70km/h (43mph) on four-lane expressways within urban areas, and 50km/h (31mph) within urban and built-up areas.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.00% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and even deportation or imprisonment.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When traveling, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency number is 197 for the police (when inside cities and towns), 193 for the national guard when in the countryside, 190 for an ambulance, and 198 for the civil protection in cases of car accidents, fire, and other accidents.
• If you plan to drive outside Tunis and away from the main highways, try to reserve a car with an up-to-date GPS system. Even if it is only available in French, it can come in very handy because road maps for some rural areas can be incorrect or outdated.

Toll roads

There are several toll or péage roads in Tunisia, including the main highways A1 (from Tunis to Sfax), A3 (from Tunis to the border with Algeria), and A4 (from Tunis to Bizerte). 

There are toll booths on these roads and you can only pay with cash. The prices are quite cheap and it’s good to have small change at hand.

Ideas for day trips

• Beaches. Although Djerba has plenty of fascinating culture, history, and cuisine to explore, the island’s number one attraction is undoubtedly its long and beautiful coastline. The most famous ones are located in the so-called Tourist Zone on the northeastern part of the coast where you’ll find all-inclusive resorts, beach bars, and water sports shops. But with a rental car, you can also travel all over the island, reaching scenic spots like El Kantara Beach on the southern coast or finding quiet and special spots on your own.
• Star Wars filming location. Although set on the fictional desert planet of Tatooine, the 1977 movie Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope was actually shot on Djerba. Fans of the movie who visit the island are sure to recognize the Mos Eisley Cantina, the farm where young Luke Skywalker grew up, as well as other sites from the movie. Most of the Star Wars-related locations on Djerba are situated along the island’s western shore. Any up-to-date GPS system should be able to find the locations and you can easily drive to them yourself.
• Guellala. The center of a pottery tradition dating back thousands of years, the vases and pots of Guellala were known to Romans, Greeks, and Phoenicians. The potters continue their work to this day, and visitors can purchase ceramic art, as well visit the cozy and interesting local museum dedicated to the craft. The village of Guellala is near the southern coast of the island. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Djerba is the Renault Clio, closely followed by the Skoda Fabia and the Chevrolet Aveo. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and standard.

Further destinations

• Sfax. Located on the eastern coast of Tunisia, Sfax combines the appeal of beautiful beaches with an interesting history. The city is home to one of the most picturesque medinas in the region, an impressive kasbah or fortress, and Sfax Archaeological Museum. Located about 250 km (155 mi) north of Djerba, Sfax takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach.
• Matmata. A small village not far from the coast, Matmata’s main claim to fame is its cave dwellings that were used in the filming of Star Wars (despite the names, most of the shooting was done here and not in Tataouine, a city famous for its forts that is quite a bit further south). Traveling to Matmata also provides insight into another, less often seen side of Tunisia, although it does take more planning as there are not as many hotels and other amenities here as in Djerba or Tunis. The drive from Djerba to Matmata takes about three hours.
• Tunis. The capital of Tunisia is one of the largest, liveliest, and most interesting cities in North Africa and the Middle East. Plenty of modern and classical art can be enjoyed in different museums. The Tunis Medina is a world heritage site. Finally, lovers of ancient history can’t do without a visit to the ruins of nearby Carthage. Located some 525 km (326 mi) north of Djerba, Tunis takes about six hours to reach.
• Jebil National Park. Located in the southern part of the country, Jebil National Park is where the Sahara Desert begins. Home to spectacular landscapes and plenty of opportunities to go on a desert tour and sleep under the stars, it is a destination that’s one of a kind. The national park is home to unique species of animals like the fennec fox, jackal, and barbary sheep. Jebil is about 170 km (105 mi) west of Djerba and takes three to four hours to reach. Note: While over the last decade Jebil National Park has been a safe place to visit, there have been sporadic incidents in Southern Tunisia. It’s important to check the latest security situation before traveling to the region. It’s also a good idea to hire a trustworthy guide who speaks your language - the biggest risk in Jebil can be getting lost in the desert.

Car rental prices in Djerba

• Large cars - from $45 per day
• SUVs - from $85 per day
• Medium cars - from $76 per day
• Vans - from $158 per day
• Small cars - from $23 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Get a great rental car by following these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Djerba is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 55% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 75% cheaper than renting a car in November. Start your year with a trip to Tunisia!