Getting Around Seychelles: Ferries, Buses, Cars, Taxis & Flights
By Anshima GuptaUpdated Sep 12, 20269 min readSpeak to a travel expert
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How do you get around Seychelles?
For most visitors, the easiest way to get around Seychelles is a combination of ferries, rental cars, buses, taxis and domestic flights. Mahé and Praslin have public bus services, while rental cars are useful on both islands for travellers who want more flexibility. La Digue is much easier to explore by bicycle. Ferries are the main practical option for travelling between the major islands, while domestic flights provide a faster alternative between Mahé and Praslin.
Seychelles is an island destination, so getting around is an important part of planning your trip. Your best transport option depends on whether you are travelling within Mahé, Praslin or La Digue, or moving between islands.
For most travellers, there is no single transport method that works for the entire holiday. A typical itinerary may combine an airport transfer, rental car or bus on Mahé, a ferry or domestic flight to Praslin, and a bicycle on La Digue.
The key is choosing transport based on your island, accommodation location, trip length, luggage and itinerary. Ferries for travelling between the main islands Domestic flights between Mahé and Praslin Rental cars mainly on Mahé and Praslin Public buses on Mahé and Praslin Taxis and private transfers Bicycles, especially on La Digue Boats and private charters for selected island and marine trips Tourism Seychelles officially lists buses, taxis, cars, bicycles, boats, ferry services, domestic air services and other transport providers across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Mahé is the largest and most developed of the main islands, and it offers the widest range of transport choices. A rental car is useful if you want to explore different parts of Mahé independently. It can make sense for travellers staying away from the main urban areas or planning to visit multiple beaches, viewpoints, hiking areas and attractions during their stay. However, Seychelles drives on the left, and official Tourism Seychelles guidance notes that roads can be narrow and winding, so visitors should drive carefully. Public buses are an affordable way to travel around Mahé. The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation operates bus services on Mahé and Praslin, rather than La Digue. Its current listed fares are SCR 10 with a Travel Card and SCR 12 when paying cash. Taxis are available around Mahé and can be useful when travelling with luggage, arriving at the airport, or reaching accommodation that is less convenient by bus. Tourism Seychelles recommends agreeing on the fare in advance; some taxis accept cards, while cash is also accepted. A pre-arranged transfer can be particularly convenient when arriving at Seychelles International Airport with luggage. Tourism Seychelles notes that taxis and pre-arranged hotel transfers are available outside the airport terminal. Praslin is smaller than Mahé, but you still have several transport options. A rental car can be useful if you want to visit beaches, nature attractions and different parts of the island without relying on fixed bus schedules. Public buses also operate on Praslin. The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation currently identifies Mahé and Praslin as the islands where its public transport service operates. Taxis are another option, especially for airport transfers, ferry-port transfers and journeys where public transport is less convenient. Cycling can also work for some travellers, although Praslin is not as strongly associated with bicycle-based travel as La Digue. La Digue is different. For many visitors, bicycles are the most characteristic and practical way to explore the island. Tourism Seychelles describes La Digue as the island where bicycles outnumber other motor vehicles and notes that bicycles are readily available to visitors. Cycling is ideal for exploring La Digue at a relaxed pace. It works particularly well for travellers who want to move between beaches, restaurants, accommodation and attractions without depending on a conventional car-rental system. Electric buggies are also used for trips to tourist locations on La Digue. La Digue is generally the easiest of the three main islands to experience without renting a car. This is one of the most important parts of planning transport in Seychelles. You generally have two main options: The ferry is the conventional sea connection between the islands. Air Seychelles operates scheduled domestic services between Mahé and Praslin. Its current network includes scheduled flights on this route. The domestic flight itself is very short; Air Seychelles describes the Mahé–Praslin flight as approximately 15 minutes. You prefer travelling by sea You want the straightforward island-hopping option Your itinerary fits the sailing schedule You want to minimise travel time You prefer flying The flight schedule works better with your itinerary For most travellers, sea travel is the practical choice for moving between Praslin and La Digue. This is particularly convenient when La Digue is being added to a Praslin itinerary. Travellers heading from Mahé to La Digue generally plan their journey through the inter-island transport network, often involving a ferry connection. The exact route and sailing times should be checked against the operator's current schedule before travel because ferry timetables can change. Yes. You do not need to rent a car to visit Seychelles. A car-free trip can combine: Buses on Mahé Buses on Praslin Taxis Private transfers Ferries between islands Bicycles on La Digue The biggest consideration is where your accommodation is located. If your hotel is in a convenient area, travelling without a car can be much easier than expected. Driving can be manageable for confident drivers, but visitors should be prepared for narrow and winding roads, particularly on Mahé. Seychelles drives on the left-hand side of the road. Before renting a car, consider: Your driving experienceRoad conditionsAccommodation locationParking availabilityWhether you plan to explore remote areas Whether you are comfortable driving on the left A rental car gives you flexibility, but buses and taxis can also work. Compare the ferry with the domestic flight based on your schedule and preference. The ferry is the natural transport choice between the islands. Use a combination of: car/bus → ferry or flight → ferry → bicycle This is often more practical than trying to use the same transport method everywhere. Luggage matters more than many first-time visitors expect. If you are changing islands, consider: Ferry transfer times Airport/ferry-terminal transfers Hotel distance from the arrival point Luggage size Whether your accommodation provides transfers For large or heavy luggage, a taxi or pre-arranged transfer may be more convenient than public transport. Tourism Seychelles specifically recommends considering a taxi, rental car or hotel transfer for visitors arriving with larger suitcases. Transport costs vary depending on the method, route, operator and travel date. Rather than publishing fixed prices that can become outdated, check the current fare directly with the relevant transport provider before booking. For example, the current SPTC information lists public bus fares of SCR 10 with a Travel Card and SCR 12 cash. Rental-car, taxi, ferry and flight prices can vary significantly, so these should be checked for your specific dates. For a smooth trip, consider arranging these before arrival: Airport transfer if required Rental car Inter-island ferry tickets Domestic flight if preferred Accommodation transfers Private boat trips or charters You don't necessarily need to pre-book every local bus or taxi journey, but inter-island transport deserves more planning, especially when your accommodation and activities depend on the connection. A beautiful hotel can be inconvenient if it is far from the places you want to visit. Mahé, Praslin and La Digue have different transport patterns. Island hopping requires you to work around sailing schedules. Keep transfers practical, particularly if you are changing islands several times. If you are staying in a convenient area and mainly visiting nearby attractions, buses and taxis may be sufficient. There is no single best transport option for every Seychelles trip. For Mahé: choose a rental car if you want maximum flexibility; use buses, taxis or transfers if you prefer not to drive. For Praslin: rental cars, buses and taxis all have a role depending on your accommodation and itinerary. For La Digue: cycling is the signature way to explore the island, with electric buggies also available for tourist transport. For island hopping: use ferries for the main sea connections and consider a domestic flight between Mahé and Praslin when saving time is more important. For most first-time visitors, the best strategy is therefore not to choose one transport method for the entire holiday, but to combine the right option for each island and transfer. This guide should be maintained against current official transport information because ferry schedules, flight schedules, fares and service availability can change. Primary references include Tourism Seychelles, the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation, and Air Seychelles.How Do You Get Around Seychelles?
The main transportation options are:
Getting Around Mahé
By Rental Car
By Bus
By Taxi
By Private Transfer
Getting Around Praslin
Rental Car
Bus
Taxi
Bicycle
Getting Around La Digue
By Bicycle
By Electric Buggy
Without a Car
How to Travel Between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue
Mahé to Praslin
Ferry
Domestic Flight
Which Is Better?
Choose the ferry if:
Choose the flight if:
Praslin to La Digue
Mahé to La Digue
Seychelles Ferry vs Domestic Flight
Can You Get Around Seychelles Without a Car?
Is It Easy to Drive in Seychelles?
Which Transport Is Best for Different Travellers?
How to Choose Transport Based on Your Itinerary
Staying Only on Mahé
Mahé + Praslin
Praslin + La Digue
Mahé + Praslin + La Digue
Getting Around Seychelles with Luggage
How Much Does Transport Cost in Seychelles?
Best Transport for Each Island
What Should You Book in Advance?
Common Transportation Mistakes in Seychelles
Choosing Accommodation Without Checking Transport
Trying to Use One Transport Method Everywhere
Ignoring Ferry Timing
Carrying Too Much Luggage Between Islands
Renting a Car When You Don't Need One
Best Way to Get Around Seychelles: Final Decision
Sources & Editorial Note
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get around Seychelles?+
The best option depends on the island and your itinerary. Rental cars are useful on Mahé and Praslin, buses provide a lower-cost option, taxis and private transfers offer convenience, and bicycles are particularly practical on La Digue. Ferries connect the main islands, while domestic flights provide a faster option between Mahé and Praslin.
Can you travel around Seychelles without a car?+
Yes. You can travel without renting a car by combining public buses, taxis, private transfers, ferries and bicycles. La Digue is particularly easy to explore without a car because cycling is one of the main ways visitors get around the island.
Is public transport available in Seychelles?+
Yes. Public bus services operate on Mahé and Praslin. La Digue does not have the same public bus network, so visitors generally rely more on bicycles, walking and other local transport.
Is it easy to drive in Seychelles?+
Driving can be manageable for confident drivers, but roads can be narrow and winding, particularly on Mahé. Seychelles also drives on the left-hand side of the road, so visitors should be comfortable with this before renting a car.
How do you travel from Mahé to Praslin?+
You can travel between Mahé and Praslin by ferry or domestic flight. The ferry is the conventional sea connection, while a domestic flight is a faster option.
How do you get from Praslin to La Digue?+
The practical way to travel from Praslin to La Digue is by ferry. This makes it relatively easy to combine both islands in the same itinerary.
What is the best way to get around La Digue?+
Bicycle is the most characteristic and practical way for many visitors to explore La Digue. Electric buggies are also used for transport around the island.
Should you rent a car in Seychelles?+
A rental car can be worthwhile if you want flexibility and plan to explore different parts of Mahé or Praslin. If you are staying in a convenient area or prefer not to drive, buses, taxis and private transfers can also work well.
Should you book Seychelles ferries in advance?+
If your itinerary depends on a specific inter-island connection, booking ahead can make your trip easier, particularly when you have accommodation or other activities planned around the arrival time. Always check the operator's current schedule before travelling.
How much does transportation cost in Seychelles?+
Transport costs vary by route, operator, travel date and transport type. Public buses are generally a lower-cost option, while taxis, rental cars, ferries and domestic flights have different pricing structures. Check current fares before booking because prices and schedules can change.
Written and reviewed by our travel team
Researched and fact-checked by the specialists who plan and book these trips every week.
We confirm current prices, availability and travel requirements with you by phone before anything is booked.
Sources
Written from our own travel research and the trips our team books and services each week, plus traveller feedback from those bookings. Prices, availability and entry requirements change often — we reconfirm current details with you by phone before booking.
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