Gabès

Gabès (Arabic: قابس‎ , Gābis) is in the Gulf of Gabès, along the Tunisian coast, and the last stop for the railway line heading south. For most tourists, you will pass through Gabès on the way to another city.

Get in

A mosque in Gabès

By train

There are direct trains from Tunis, journey time about six hours, as well as regional trains from Sfax that takes about two hours. The main station, 1 Gare de Gabès is located on Ave Mongi Slim. The national railway operator SNCFT sells online tickets and at ticket offices in stations.

There are two types of trains from Tunis: Direct and Express. The direct trains are quite run-down and dirty, doors might not close, etc. Getting the first class tickets for a few dinar more will at least guarantee you a bit cleaner compartment.

By bus

While the bus may drop you off near the louage station, the bus station is (unverified) located about 200 m to the south-west.

By louage

The main louage station is near the Palmerie.

Louages to Matmata, however, leave from a different place: the Esso station about 300 m to the east of the main louage station. The first louage will get you to Matmata Nouvelle (New Matmata) for 2.500 DT, and another louage to old Matmata (1 DT). Connections to old Matmata are harder depending on time of day, and hiring the whole louage to continue from New Matmata should be 20-25 DT.

Eat

Fast food places line the louage station area.

Sleep

Hotel options in Gabes are not impressive. Most tourists will want to catch a series of two quick louages to Matmata, or another destination.

• 1 Hotel Rahma, 26 Avenue Farhat Hachad, ☏ +216 75 275 385. One of the better midrange hotels. 35 DT single, 50 DT double. 
• 2 Oasis Gabes Hotel, ☏ +216 75 270 381. Beachfront hotel. (updated May 2016)
• 3 Hotel El Houda, ☏ +216 75 220 022. Near the louage station, nice cafe in the ground floor. 50 DT single. (updated Jan 2023)

Go next

• Matmata
• Sfax