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Major city · Tunisia

Metlaoui

Skip Metlaoui as a base; day-trip from Tozeur for the Lezard Rouge train ride (1h45min, 25 DT). One hour is enough in the town itself.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Metlaoui is a dusty phosphate-mining town in southern Tunisia. Its only draw is the Lezard Rouge, a vintage tourist train that runs through dramatic canyons. Most travellers visit as a half-day trip from Tozeur, 45 minutes away by louage or bus. The town has no other sights worth stopping for.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
TND
Best months
Oct–Apr
avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
Airport
TOE
Nights
0

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Metlaoui: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
  • Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
  • Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
  • North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
  • North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
  • Tunisia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with official Tunisian government sources or your nearest consulate; visa exemptions depend on nationality.
  • Tunisia ↗The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency: it cannot legally be taken in or out; exchange on arrival and keep receipts to change leftovers back.
  • Tunisia ↗Do not bring a drone without prior authorisation; they are confiscated at customs.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

Official sites

Emergency numbers for Metlaoui197 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Metlaoui, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Lezard Rouge tourist trainPhosphate mining landscape
Airports
TOE Tozeur–Nefta International Airport (About 45 min by taxi or louage)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    36°C (97°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    40°C (104°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    39°C (102°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    34°C (93°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (40°C (104°F)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F) low), wettest Mar (4 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Metlaoui: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

3 rd

Feb

18°C (64°F)

7°C (45°F)

3 rd

Mar

22°C (72°F)

10°C (50°F)

4 rd

Apr

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

3 rd

May

31°C (88°F)

18°C (64°F)

2 rd

Jun

36°C (97°F)

23°C (73°F)

1 rd

Jul

40°C (104°F)

26°C (79°F)

0 rd

Aug

39°C (102°F)

26°C (79°F)

1 rd

Sep

34°C (93°F)

22°C (72°F)

2 rd

Oct

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

3 rd

Nov

22°C (72°F)

11°C (52°F)

3 rd

Dec

17°C (63°F)

6°C (43°F)

3 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Louage (shared taxi) from Tozeur to Metlaoui, about 45 min, 3–5 DT. The Lezard Rouge departs from the Metlaoui train station.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Tozeurgo

Door to door: 45 min

Louage or taxi, about 45 min

Base for Metlaoui and Chott el-Jerid.

Nefta

go

Door to door: 1 h

Louage via Tozeur, about 1 h

Oasis town with the Sahara Museum.

Douzovernight

Door to door: 2 h

Louage or taxi, about 2 h

Desert dunes and camel treks.

Gafsa

skip

Door to door: 1 h

Louage, about 1 h

Industrial town; little for tourists.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Tozeur

Better accommodation and dining options; 45 min away by louage or taxi.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
30–50 TND (day-trip from Tozeur)
Mid
60–100 TND
High
120+ TND

Watch out

Safety

Metlaoui is safe but dusty; watch for traffic on the main road. The Lezard Rouge train is well-run and safe.
  • Lezard Rouge runs only on certain days; check the schedule and arrive early as tour groups fill the train.
  • Metlaoui has no notable restaurants or cafés; eat before or after in Tozeur.
  • The town is dusty and industrial; not a place to walk around for leisure.

Emergency numbers

Police
197
Ambulance (SAMU)
190
Fire
198

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

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MetlaouiMetlaoui

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police197
  • Ambulance (SAMU)190
  • Fire198

Embassy

Embassies in Tunis; nearest consulate in Tozeur (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Louage Tozeur → Metlaoui: 3–5 TND, about 45 min
  • Lezard Rouge ticket: 25 DT adults, 15 DT children 2–12

Say or show

  • السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
  • شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
  • قداش؟ — How much? (qaddesh?)
  • إلى محطة القطار، من فضلك — To the train station, please (ila mahattat al-qitar, min fadlik)
  • ما فهمت — I don't understand (ma fhemt)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Metlaoui. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Tunisia

Sources

Ask about Metlaoui

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