The Ultimate Guide and Tips for Planning Your Trip to the Seychelles

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Getting around between the islands

Everything you need to know about ferries, planes and transfers: schedules, prices and logistics.

🚢 Ferry

The most popular option. Modern, air-conditioned boats.

  • Routes:
    Mahé ↔ Praslin (1h)
    Mahé ↔ La Digue (1h30)
    Praslin ↔ La Digue (15 min, Cat Rose).
  • Other islands: Only possible by private plane or helicopter.
  • Frequency: Very limited (3 trips per day: morning/noon/evening).
  • Boarding: Port of Victoria (Mahé), Baie Ste Anne (Praslin) or La Passe (La Digue).
    Arrive 30 to 45 min early for ticket exchange and baggage check-in.
  • Luggage: Total limit of 25 kg (ECO) or 30 kg (Business). Extra baggage is charged.
  • Taxi: Essential to get from the airport to the port (approx. 20–30 min, ~€40).
  • Mahé–Praslin return fare: €110 (Eco) / €140 (upper deck) / €170 (1st class) per person.
⚠️ Seasickness warning: The crossing between Mahé and Praslin can be very rough from June to September (trade-wind season). Bring medication! Book an upper-deck seat and sit near the center of the boat.

✈️ Plane

Small 19-seat aircraft. A scenic experience in itself.

  • Routes: Mahé ↔ Praslin only (no airport on La Digue).
  • Other islands: Only possible by private plane or helicopter.
  • Frequency: Very high (one flight every 30 to 60 min during the day).
  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal (right next to International at Mahé). Fast check-in.
    Arrive 45–60 min before departure.
  • Luggage: Allowance is often strict (20 kg or 23 kg depending on ticket). Extra is charged.
  • Transfer to La Digue: Once you land in Praslin, take a taxi (15 min) to the port, then the ferry (15 min) to La Digue.
  • Recommendation: Book a seat on the left (Mahé→Praslin) or the opposite direction to get the best view over Baie St-Anne and the small islands.
  • Noise : Bring ear protection or earplugs, especially for children — the flight is quite noisy.
  • Mahé–Praslin return fare: €160 (low price) / €280 (high price) per person.

✈️ Private plane

4–8-seat aircraft. Total flexibility and stunning aerial views.

  • Routes: Mahé ↔ Praslin/Bird/Denis/Desroches/Alphonse/Platte. No airport on La Digue.
  • Frequency: Total flexibility. On-demand schedules.
  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal (right next to International at Mahé). Fast check-in. Arrive 45–60 min before departure.
  • Luggage: Very strict allowance depending on aircraft type and flight length (220/350 kg for 4 pax on a P68 and 800/900 kg for 8 pax on a Traveller).
  • Transfer to La Digue: Once you land in Praslin, take a taxi (15 min) to the port, then the ferry (15 min) to La Digue.
  • Mahé–Praslin private fare: €600 (for 4 people) / €916 (for 8 people) per one-way trip.
💡 Practical: If you arrive on an international flight, you can go straight to your destination (Praslin, La Digue or another island) without waiting. If your flight is delayed, flexibility is guaranteed. No risk of missing the ferry or the plane.

🚁 Helicopter

The VIP option to reach luxury hotels or remote islands.

  • Helipads: Zil Air has a base near the airport. They can land on helipads at major hotels (Ephelia, Maia, Kempinski, Cap Lazare, Lemuria, Raffles, Chateau de Feuilles) and islands (Silhouette, North Island, Bird, Denis, Cousine, Félicité, Praslin, Félicité, La Digue, Frégate, Sainte Anne, Cerf).
  • La Digue: The only aerial way to arrive directly in La Digue (L'Union Estate helipad).
  • Frequency: Total flexibility. On-demand schedules.
  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal (right next to International at Mahé). Fast check-in. Arrive 45–60 min before departure.
  • Luggage: Strict total weight limit of 325 kg (passengers + luggage).
  • Price: Expect roughly €900 to €1,500 per one-way trip depending on aircraft and destination (price per aircraft, max 4 pax).
💡 Practical: If you arrive on an international flight, you can go straight to your destination (Praslin, La Digue or another island) without waiting. If your flight is delayed, flexibility is guaranteed. No risk of missing the ferry or the plane.

Quick summary (Mahé ↔ Praslin)

Mode Duration Approx. price (return) Benefit
Ferry 1h00 €110 - €140 City center to city center, budget-friendly.
Plane 20 min €180 - €300 Stunning aerial view, fast, less seasickness.
Helicopter 15 min €800+ (Private) Experience, flexibility, direct hotel landing.

Getting around on the islands

Rental car, taxi and bus

🚗 Rental car

The most convenient option and highly recommended for visiting Mahé and Praslin.

  • 💳 Mahé: ~€46–56/day (Hyundai Grand i10 / Suzuki Swift / Fronx type)
  • 💳 Praslin: ~€45/day

🚕 Taxi

Taxis are easy to find (airport, hotels, beaches). They have a meter, but it’s common to negotiate a fixed fare.

  • Airport ↔ Beau Vallon: ~ 450 SCR
  • Airport ↔ Anse Royale: ~ 400 SCR
  • Airport ↔ Anse Volbert: ~ 500 SCR
  • La Digue ~ 1.3 km: ~ 200 SCR
  • Contact: Via WhatsApp
  • Mahé: Patrick Jean: +248 2 565 668
  • Praslin: Laurent: +248 2 510 652
  • La Digue: Jael: +248 2 584 143

🚌 Bus

The SPTC network covers most of Mahé and Praslin at very low cost. Limited flexibility and not recommended for families.

⚠️ Luggage not allowed! ⚠️

  • 🚌 App: For iPhone / For Android
  • 🚌 Timetable: ~05:30–20:00.
  • 💳 Fare: 12 SCR, payable only with the Bus Card.
  • 📍 Main bus station: Victoria (Mahé)
  • 🎫 Card infoCards available at terminals & SPTC counters, rechargeable.

🚴🏻 Bicycle

No cars in La Digue

This is the island of bicycles! Cars are prohibited (except for a few taxis and utility vehicles).

Check the condition

Check the condition of your bike before setting off, especially the brakes.

Rent a bicycle

Book with a reliable, recommended provider: 👉 Rent a bike 🚲

🚗 Renting a car

The practical guide

🛣️ What you need to know

  • Left-hand driving: A British legacy—cars drive on the left. The gear lever is on your left.
  • Narrow roads: Mountain roads are winding and narrow, often without guardrails and with deep ditches (the famous Seychellois drains).
  • Low speed limits: It’s “slow life”. Speed is limited to 40 km/h in towns and 65 km/h on main roads (rarely more).
  • Driving licence: Your national licence (French, Belgian, Swiss, etc.) is sufficient for a short-term rental.

🔑 Booking and prices

  • Price: A small automatic car (Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10 type) costs between €45 and €60 per day.
  • Automatic transmission: Almost all rental cars are automatic, which is a real relief for hill starts on steep roads.
  • Flexible delivery: Rental companies deliver the car for free to the airport, the ferry port (Jetty) or directly to your hotel.
  • Fuel: You generally need to return the car with the same fuel level as when you received it.

⚠️ The 3 pitfalls to avoid

1. No cars on La Digue

It’s the island of bicycles! Cars are banned (except a few taxis and utility vehicles). Don’t try to rent one there.

2. Vehicle inspection

Take photos of the bodywork from every angle when you receive the keys—especially the lower panels.

3. Parking

In Victoria (Mahé), parking is regulated. Buy parking tickets at kiosks or shops before you park.

💡 My tip: Book your car at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance, especially in peak season. Fleets on the islands are limited, and small local companies are often more flexible and cheaper than big international brands.