Monastir Airport: Cheap Flights, Transport and Terminal

Monastir Habib Bourguiba Airport lies on the Sahel coast of eastern Tunisia, about 8 kilometres from the centre of Monastir and 20 kilometres from Sousse. Opened in 1968 and operated by the Tunisian civil aviation authority OACA, it was for decades the country's busiest charter airport as the gateway to the resort hotels of Sousse, Port El Kantaoui, Monastir and Mahdia; after Enfidha opened to the north in 2009 some tour operators moved there, but Monastir remains Nouvelair's home base and the centre of scheduled flights to Europe.

Nouvelair flies from here to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hanover, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart and Leipzig in Germany as well as to many cities in France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy, and Transavia and other European airlines add flights in season. For Tunisians living in Europe, Monastir is the shortest way between Germany and the Sahel region, and the airport sees its busiest weeks in summer.

The cheapest flights to Monastir usually come up between October and March and on midweek dates; July, August, school holidays and religious festivals call for early booking. Compare the Nouvelair services from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Hanover with flights into Enfidha and Tunis, and because tickets are priced one way, try outbound and return separately. The prices on this page are the current lowest Monastir fares found by our searches.

The Sahel metro has a station right next to the airport: the commuter trains on the Sousse–Monastir–Mahdia line reach central Monastir and Sousse at low fares. Most hotels organise transfers, and shared taxis known as louages as well as regular taxis wait in front of the terminal. Timetables and fares change, so check the airport website or ask your hotel for current details.

• Taxi: the ride to central Monastir is short and to Sousse and Port El Kantaoui about half an hour; agree the fare before you set off.
• Transfers: pre-booked transfers are the most comfortable option for hotels in Hammamet, Mahdia and Sousse.
• Car hire: international and local companies have desks in arrivals; the coastal road and the Tunis–Sfax motorway are close to the airport.

The single terminal building has separate departure and arrival levels, with short distances between check-in, security and the gates. There are duty-free shops, cafés and small restaurants, currency exchange and ATMs, car-hire desks and a lounge. As night flights are frequent in the summer season, the terminal operates around the clock.

Open-air car parks for short and long stays lie in front of the terminal; the rates are displayed at the entrance and paid in cash or by card. Space can be tight in peak season, so arrive early for pick-ups; current rates are listed on the airport website.