Getting around the Seychelles by bus, taxi, ferry, plane or hire car
The Seychelles has no bridges and no railways. Between the islands you travel by ferry, plane or boat, and on Mahé and Praslin you can also use buses, taxis or a hire car. On La Digue the bicycle is the main way of getting around. The right mix depends on where you are staying and how much you want to see.
Several modes of transport have their own pages: travelling by bus, the Cat Cocos ferry, hire cars, domestic flights, airport transfers and boat trips. Most ferries and small aircraft depart from the main island of Mahé.
Getting around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue
Bus
On the main islands of Mahé and Praslin, the bus is a convenient and inexpensive way to get around. It covers the whole road network with plenty of stops. On Mahé the main bus station is in Victoria. Buses run roughly from 5.30am to 8.30pm, though in the evening they are few and far between. At weekends and on public holidays services are less frequent than on weekdays. You can get a detailed timetable with exact departure and arrival times and bus routes at the bus depot, as well as online from the operator SPTC and in its app. Before boarding, check the route number and destination on the front of the bus.
La Digue has no public bus service. There you get around on foot, by bicycle or by taxi.
Taxi
Independent taxi drivers operate on Mahé, Praslin and, to a lesser extent, La Digue. You can flag down a taxi on the road, go to a taxi rank or call the driver directly. If the taxi has no meter, please make sure you agree a price for the journey beforehand. For the trip from the airport to your hotel you can also book an airport transfer in advance.
Hire car
Hire cars are available only on Mahé and Praslin. The various companies have desks at Mahé International Airport or in the larger hotels. You can also book a car through a local agency without any problem. There is a wide choice of vehicles: from the classic Mini Moke to a four-wheel drive, a minibus or even a Mercedes with chauffeur, almost anything is possible. The car is delivered to the place of your choice. You will find more on the hire car page.
To hire a car you need a valid national driving licence, your passport and, as a rule, a credit card. An EU licence is sufficient; an international driving permit is mainly needed for licences in a non-Latin script. Under the current rules, visitors may drive on their foreign licence for up to three months after arrival. Most hire companies require a minimum age of 21, some higher. Ask about this when booking. Please bear in mind that traffic drives on the left in the Seychelles. The roads are narrow and winding, speed limits are low (mostly between 40 and 80 km/h), and traffic in Victoria is heavy at peak times. If you normally drive on the right, take extra care at roundabouts. An automatic makes the switch easier, so be sure to request one.
Bicycle, walking trails and guided tours
You can also discover the islands by bicycle. Bikes can be hired on La Digue and Praslin, where they are among the most popular ways of getting around. La Digue, being small and flat, is particularly well suited to it.
Another way to explore the islands is with an experienced tour guide. Set out on one of the many walking trails that lead to special viewpoints on the islands; for ideas, see Hiking. Or travel in comfort on a sightseeing bus.
Between the islands: ferry and plane
Island hopping is made possible by a well-developed network of transport. Ferries and small aircraft operate mainly from the main island of Mahé.
Ferry
Fast catamarans run between the three main islands. The Cat Cocos leaves from Victoria on Mahé and reaches the Baie Ste. Anne jetty on Praslin in under an hour. The crossing to La Digue (La Passe jetty) takes a little longer, and depending on the departure includes a stop on Praslin. The smaller Cat Rose also shuttles between Praslin and La Digue. Departure times vary with the day of the week and the season; you will find the current timetable on the Cat Cocos ferry page.
| Route | Ferry | Duration approx. | Adults from (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahé to Praslin | Cat Cocos | 1 hr | 53 to 56 € |
| Mahé to La Digue | Cat Cocos | 1¼ to 1½ hrs | 68 to 71 € |
| Praslin to La Digue | Cat Rose, sometimes Cat Cocos | 15 min. | 15 to 22 € |
Prices are for economy on the main deck and vary by operator and booking portal. The upper deck and business class cost more, children aged 2 to 11 pay about half, and babies travel free. On Mahé a small port fee of around €2 is also charged. If you are continuing on the day you arrive, allow at least two hours between landing at the airport and the ferry departure. You can get to the terminal in Victoria by shuttle or taxi. In high season, book your crossing early.
Plane
The national airline Air Seychelles runs a shuttle service between Mahé and Praslin, the second-largest island. The flight takes just 15 minutes, with 20 return flights a day. According to the airline, fares start at around €138 for an economy return (as of November 2026). That makes them dearer than the ferry, but they save time and are especially welcome after a long journey. Small aircraft often have stricter baggage limits than long-haul flights, so check these before booking. Details can be found under domestic flights.
To the outer and smaller islands
Air Seychelles also operates further flights within the islands, for example to Bird Island, Denis Island, Desroches and Alphonse. These are usually arranged at the request of the hotels. Charter flights to the "Outer Islands" are also organised by specialist operators, generally through the hotel itself.
Smaller islands such as Curieuse, Cousin or Sainte Anne are usually reached as part of an excursion, see boat tours. For an overview of all the islands, see the page Islands of the Seychelles.
Back to travel suggestions or on to bus connections in the Seychelles.
