Last minute tours to Tunisia from Almaty: prices and upcoming departures

Last minute tours to Tunisia from Almaty are packages that the operator sells off two or three days before departure, when the flight and hotel are already paid for. The price drops by a third, sometimes by half. The best months for the balance of weather and cost are September and October: the sea is +24…+26 °C, the heat has subsided. In winter, packages cost the minimum, but swimming is uncomfortable. There are no direct flights, the journey goes through Istanbul, Dubai or Doha.

What changes in the price and composition of the package?

The destination to Tunisia gets cheaper for an understandable reason: the operator sells off seats already bought from the hotel and airline. The closer the departure date, the lower the price.

What makes up the cost of the package

The basis of the price of last minute tours to Tunisia is formed by the flight, and it takes up most of the sum. Then come the hotel with the chosen meal plan, transfer and insurance. Charter flights from Almaty do not operate, and a connection through Istanbul, Dubai or Doha adds from four to ten hours of waiting to the journey. That is why a week-long package costs noticeably more than it seems from the hotel price. The Tunisian side adds airport fees and a resort tax, which is collected on site. The shorter the flight and the fewer the connections, the higher the price. In low season, the operator reduces the margin to fill the flight.

Why the price drops a couple of days before departure

The last seats on the plane are sold the cheapest. Two or three days before departure, it is more profitable for the operator to give away a last minute tour to Tunisia at a discount than to lose the money entirely. The hotel is already paid for, the flight is already in the schedule. At such moments the price drops by a third, and sometimes by half. But the choice narrows: rooms without a sea view and hotels on the second line remain. Hammamet and Sousse are snapped up faster than Mahdia. If the dates are flexible, it is worth catching an offer in the middle of the week.

When to go so as not to overpay?

The season in Tunisia lasts longer than it seems: warmth holds from May to October, and the shoulder season offers the best prices. The difference between July and October in cost is noticeable.

Velvet season on the coast

September and October are the best time for a trip to the coast. The sea is still warm, the air is softer, and such destinations cost less than summer ones. The water stays around +24…+26 °C, the heat subsides, excursions are easier to handle. In Hammamet and Sousse it is calmer at this time than in August. By mid-October the evenings become cool, it is worth taking a light jacket. Hotels lower prices, and the beaches empty out. For families with children this is the most comfortable period.

Winter trips without swimming

From December to February, swimming on the coast is uncomfortable. Wind, a cool sea and air temperature around +15 °C. But winter last minute tours to Tunisia cost the minimum of the year. This is the time for excursions, trips to the Sahara and walks through the medinas. Djerba is warmer than the mainland, but even there swimming is rather for the hardened. Hotels operate, heated pools are not available everywhere. In winter it is worth checking the heating in the room.

How to get there and what to consider on the road

There are no direct flights from Almaty, so the journey to Tunisian resorts always involves a connection. Both the travel time and how the first day of rest goes depend on it.

Routes with a connection and travel time

The most common route is through Istanbul. The connection takes from two to five hours, and the whole journey stretches to 12–16 hours. Through Dubai the flight is longer, but the connection is shorter. Through Doha the route is convenient for those going to Djerba. Night connections are exhausting, especially with children. The time difference with Almaty is 4 hours all year round: Tunisia is on UTC+1, Kazakhstan on UTC+5. The time difference with Almaty is 4 hours all year round: Tunisia is on UTC+1, Kazakhstan on UTC+5. It is better not to plan the first day after arrival as a busy one.

Exchanging dinars and cash at the resort

The Tunisian dinar is not taken out of the country, so it is better to spend the remainder on site. The reverse exchange at the airport is possible only with a receipt for the exchange. Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted in hotels and large stores. At markets, in taxis and small cafes, cash is needed. ATMs in tourist areas exist, but the commission is noticeable. It is more profitable to exchange currency at a bank, not at the hotel. The rate at the airport is traditionally worse than in the city.

Where to stay and how to choose a hotel

The resorts of Tunisia differ in character: some are made for families, others for couples and young people. Choosing a hotel here is more important than in most destinations.

Resorts for families and for couples

Hammamet is the most family-friendly option with a gentle entry into the sea. Sousse is noisier, with more clubs and entertainment for young people. Monastir is calmer and cheaper, with the airport nearby. Mahdia is good for couples: quiet beaches and a measured atmosphere. Djerba will suit those who want privacy and wind for kitesurfing. The transfer from Enfidha airport takes from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Beachfront hotels are more expensive, but save time on the road.

Meals and all inclusive out of season

Out of season, some cafes and restaurants close. Therefore, in the shoulder season it is more profitable to take a hotel with meals rather than look for food on your own. All inclusive in Tunisian hotels usually includes locally produced alcohol. Pork and strong imported alcohol are hard to find outside tourist areas. During Ramadan, many cafes and shops outside hotels are closed during the day. The dates of Ramadan shift every year, it is worth checking before the trip. Breakfast at the hotel is almost always more abundant than dinner.

What to try and bring home

Tunisian cuisine is spicy, aromatic and not at all like European. And the markets here are a separate kind of holiday, where bargaining is appropriate and expected.

Tunisian cuisine: from brik to tajine

Couscous is the main dish of the country, served with lamb, fish or vegetables. Brik is a thin dough with egg and filling, eaten with the hands. Tajine in Tunisia is not Moroccan: it is a bake of eggs, meat and cheese. Harissa is a spicy pepper paste, put with almost every dish. It is worth trying fresh fish on the coast and dates from the market. The olive oil here is one of the best in the Mediterranean.

Markets, ceramics and olive oil

Ceramics from Nabeul and Sidi Bou Said are the most recognizable souvenir. Leather bags and jackets cost less than European ones, but you need to haggle persistently. The starting price at the market is inflated two to three times. Olive oil is convenient to bring in tin cans. Dates and halva survive the journey well. Markets only accept cash, cards are useless here.

Briefly

• Last minute tours get cheaper two or three days before departure.
• There are no direct flights from Almaty, the route goes through Istanbul, Dubai or Doha.
• The time difference with Almaty is 4 hours all year round: Tunisia is on UTC+1, Kazakhstan on UTC+5.