Tozeur Airport

Tozeur-Nefta International Airport is not merely a transport hub, but a true architectural masterpiece that welcomes guests in the style of an Arabian tale. Its terminal, faced with the region's traditional yellow brick and geometric patterns, blends harmoniously with the landscapes of the endless desert and date palm oases. From the very first moments here, travellers are immersed in the authentic atmosphere of southern Tunisia, anticipating a journey to the filming locations of "Star Wars" and the dunes of the Sahara. It is one of the most colourful and tranquil airports in North Africa, where modern technology coexists with centuries-old architectural traditions.

Airport Features and Highlights:

The main highlight of the airport is its unique architecture. The terminal building is constructed in the classic "Djerid" style, characterised by light brickwork laid in relief ornaments. This makes the airport a landmark in its own right: tourists often take the first photos of their trip right in front of the terminal entrance.

Thanks to its compact size and relatively low passenger traffic, the airport is distinguished by high service speed. Queues at passport control and baggage claim are rare here, allowing you to leave the building as quickly as possible and head to your hotel or excursion. The staff, accustomed to international tourists, are generally friendly and speak French and basic English.

The airport's location is another undeniable advantage. It is situated just a few minutes' drive from the city centre and the main tourist zone with hotels. This is an ideal starting point for those planning to visit the Chott el Djerid salt lake, the mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza, as well as the famous Tatooine sets.

• Official Website: The airport is managed by the Office of Civil Aviation and Airports (OACA). Up-to-date information can be found on the official OACA website: www.oaca.nat.tn.
• Help Desk Phone: +216 76 453 511
• Address: Aéroport International de Tozeur-Nefta, 2200 Tozeur, Tunisie
• Email: For general enquiries, you can use the OACA email: boc@oaca.nat.tn. However, for urgent communication, using the telephone is recommended.
• Social Media: The airport does not have separate official pages on social networks. News and updates are published on OACA resources.
• Lost Luggage: In case of luggage issues, you should first contact your airline's representative at the airport. If this is not possible, contact the airport's lost and luggage tracing service via the main phone number.
• Passenger Support: For assistance and consultations, please contact the help desk at the phone number listed above.

Tozeur-Nefta International Airport (TOE) is located just a few kilometres northwest of the city of Tozeur, making the journey to it quick and simple. This airport serves as the main air gateway for travellers wishing to explore the oases and desert landscapes of southern Tunisia. You can get from the city centre to the airport in several ways, though some are significantly more convenient than others.

Taxi and Private Transfer are the most popular and recommended methods. A taxi ride from the centre of Tozeur to the airport takes only 10–15 minutes. Cars are easy to find in the city or order through your hotel. The cost of the trip is low, but it is strongly recommended to agree on the price with the driver in advance or ensure they have turned on the meter to avoid misunderstandings. For maximum comfort, you can pre-book a private transfer, which will meet you at a designated location and deliver you directly to the terminal.

Public Transport in the conventional sense (regular city buses to the airport) is practically non-existent in Tozeur. The main intercity transport in the region consists of shared taxis known as "louages". However, they do not have a fixed route to the airport terminal and are more suitable for travel between cities rather than for transfers with luggage. Therefore, for tourists, especially those with suitcases, a taxi remains a much more practical choice.

Car Rental is an excellent option for those planning to explore the region independently: from the Chott el Djerid salt lake to the "Star Wars" filming locations. You can rent a car at one of the rental agencies in the city and drive comfortably to the airport, leaving it in the parking lot. The airport has parking spaces, so there should be no issues finding a place to leave the vehicle. The road to the airport is simple and well-signposted.

If you have not found convenient flights directly to Tozeur, you might consider arriving at other airports, although they are at a significant distance. For example, the popular tourist Melita Airport (DJE) on the island of Djerba is located approximately 247 km away. The nearest airports in neighbouring Algeria are Guemar (ELU) (about 132 km) and Cheikh Larbi Tebessi (TEE) (about 166 km). Please note that travelling from these airports to Tozeur will require additional planning, time, and potentially a border crossing.

Tozeur-Nefta International Airport (TOE) is a compact and functional aviation hub, ideally suited as a gateway to the desert regions of Tunisia. All passenger infrastructure is concentrated in one terminal, which serves both international and domestic flights. This significantly simplifies navigation and reduces the time spent on all pre-flight formalities.

The terminal building is logically divided into two main zones: departures and arrivals. Thanks to the airport's small size, you won't have to walk far from the entrance to the check-in counter or from the baggage claim area to the city exit. Since there is only one terminal, the issue of transfers between them is irrelevant — all services are located under one roof, within walking distance of each other.

The Departure Zone includes check-in counters, passport control, and security screening points. After passing through formalities, passengers enter a small waiting hall with several boarding gates, a Duty Free shop, and a café. The Arrival Zone consists of passport control, a baggage claim belt, and a customs point. Immediately at the exit from the arrival zone, there are counters for tourism companies and car rental offices.

Check-in and screening procedures at Tozeur Airport usually proceed quite quickly due to the low passenger volume. Nevertheless, during the peak tourist season or when handling several charter flights simultaneously, queues are possible. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2–2.5 hours before an international flight to go through all stages without rushing. Navigation through the terminal is intuitive, and all key zones have signage in Arabic, French, and English.

The International Airport of Tozeur-Nefta (TOE) is not just an air gateway to the Sahara, but also an important element of Tunisia's tourism infrastructure. Its history is closely linked to the country's desire to make its unique southern regions accessible to travellers from all over the world. The airport was opened in 1978 with the primary goal of stimulating tourism development in the oases of Tozeur and Nefta, known for their date palm groves and unusual architecture.

Initially, the airport was designed to handle small aircraft and seasonal charter flights. However, as the popularity of desert tours, safaris, and excursions to "Star Wars" filming locations grew, the need for expansion arose. In subsequent decades, the airport's infrastructure was gradually improved to meet international standards and cope with increasing passenger traffic, mainly from Europe.

One of the most significant events that indirectly influenced the history and popularity of the airport was the filming of George Lucas's "Star Wars" saga. The landscapes around Tozeur became the setting for the planet Tatooine, and the airport turned into a major transport hub for film crews, and later for thousands of fans wishing to see the famous locations with their own eyes. This fact made Tozeur-Nefta Airport famous worldwide and forever inscribed it in the history of film tourism.

A key stage in the airport's development was a major modernisation completed in 1992. As part of the reconstruction, a new, more spacious and modern terminal was built, capable of serving a larger number of passengers and accommodating large airliners. This step allowed for a significant increase in the number of direct flights from various countries and made the journey to the heart of the Tunisian desert even more comfortable. Today, Tozeur-Nefta Airport remains a key facility that opens up access to the magical world of the Sahara, salt lakes, and ancient oases for travellers.

Tozeur-Nefta International Airport (TOE) offers passengers all necessary services for a comfortable wait for their flight. Despite its compact size, the terminal is well-equipped and meets the basic needs of travellers arriving in Tunisia or departing from it.

The airport features cafés and small snack bars where you can have a coffee and a bite to eat before departure. Duty Free shops are also open for passengers, offering a selection of perfumes, beverages, and local souvenirs, including the region's famous dates. For those who value enhanced comfort, a VIP lounge is available, offering a quieter atmosphere and additional services.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, allowing you to stay connected. Special stations are provided for charging electronic devices. Financial matters can be handled at bank branches and currency exchange points, and ATMs are also located in the public area.

To ensure passenger safety and health, a medical point operates around the clock at the airport, ready to provide first aid. Travellers with children can use the mother and child room. The airport is also equipped for the needs of passengers with reduced mobility: there are ramps and special restrooms, and staff are ready to provide necessary assistance during boarding and disembarking.

Although there are no hotels within the airport grounds, many accommodation options can be found in the nearby city of Tozeur, located just a few kilometres away. For business travellers, basic business services, such as internet access and quiet areas for work, can be provided in the VIP lounge.

When planning a snack at Tozeur-Nefta Airport (TOE), it is important to consider that this is a small regional airport, and the choice of establishments here is quite limited. Dining options are primarily designed for passengers to grab a quick bite before departure, rather than for a full lunch or dinner.

Typically, there are one or two café-bars operating in the main airport hall (public area, before security). Another small outlet may be located in the departure lounge. The assortment in such places usually includes:

• Quick snacks: Sandwiches, pastries, croissants, crisps, and chocolate.
• Drinks: Coffee, tea, bottled water, juices, and soft drinks.

Finding local cuisine dishes here is quite difficult, although dates or local sweets, for which the Tozeur region is famous, are sometimes on sale. Regarding special dietary requests, finding vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free dishes is practically impossible. Most food products in Tunisia are Halal, but a small café might not display specific certificates. If you have strict dietary restrictions, it is strongly recommended to bring food with you.

Prices at the airport, as elsewhere, are higher than the city average. Opening hours of establishments depend directly on the flight schedule — they usually open a few hours before departure and close shortly after the last plane leaves. Therefore, if you are looking for a place for a full meal, the best solution would be to eat at one of the restaurants in the city of Tozeur before travelling to the airport.

To ensure your journey through the airport of Tozeur goes smoothly and without unnecessary stress, use our tips. This is a small but important transport hub serving as the gateway to the Tunisian Sahara, and knowing a few nuances will make your trip more comfortable.

Arrival Time and Check-in. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 2.5-3 hours before departure, and for domestic flights — 1.5-2 hours. This will give you enough time to complete all formalities. To save time, complete online check-in if your airline provides this option. This will allow you to head straight to baggage drop-off or, if you are travelling light, to the security checkpoint.

Security Control and Seat Selection. Screening procedures are standard, but be prepared to remove all electronics and liquids from your hand luggage. When choosing a seat on the plane, note that the windows offer stunning views of the desert landscapes — especially during takeoff and landing. If comfort and legroom are important to you, choose an aisle seat.

Hand Luggage. Remember the standard restrictions: liquids in containers no larger than 100 ml, packed in a transparent bag. All sharp objects, including nail scissors, are best placed in checked luggage. Power banks and other batteries must always be carried only in hand luggage. Please check weight and dimension allowances for hand luggage with your airline.

Transfers and Customs. Tozeur Airport is rarely used as a major transit hub, but if you have a connecting flight, check whether you need to collect your luggage and check it in again. Upon arrival in Tunisia, you will need to fill out an immigration card. The customs control procedure is standard: follow the "Green Channel" if you have nothing to declare, or the "Red Channel" if you are carrying goods subject to declaration.

Savings and Unforeseen Situations. To save money, book your transfer from the airport online in advance or use official taxi services. Prices for food and drinks at the airport can be inflated, so bring an empty water bottle to fill after security. In case of a flight delay, first contact your airline's counter for information, meal vouchers, or accommodation. Having travel insurance will also help in resolving many issues.