Seychelles travel, Seychelles hotels transportation

Seychelles is easily accessible by both sea and air from many major cities across the world. Flights and cruises operate out of the main island Mahe, to and from various destinations. To move around within Seychelles, there are coaches, taxis and hired vehicles, domestic planes, helicopters, ferries, chartered boats and even bicycles.

Domestic flights provide a quick way of getting around the islands whilst offering breathtaking view of the beautiful scenery and the splendid blue ocean.

You'll have no trouble getting to and around the Seychelles with our Seychelles Transportation Guide below. You might like to consider taking one of our Seychelles tours to help you get around and experience as much of this beautiful region as possible.

Seychelles Transportation Guide

Getting to Seychelles

Many international airlines operate flights to Victoria, where the only international airport of Seychelles is located. You can also get to Victoria on any of the cruise ships that pass through, as a direct passenger service to Victoria is not yet operational. Air Seychelles and other chartered private helicopter services run regular flights from Victoria to Mahe, Desroches, Fregate, Praslin, Denis Island and Bird Island. You can also get to these islands by ferries, schooners and yachts. To get around within each island, there are mini-mokes or jeeps and buses.

By Air

The Seychelles International Airport is 10 kilometres away from the capital city of Victoria, on the main island Mahe. Air Seychelles, the national airlines, operates convenient direct flights to and from London, Rome, Paris, Singapore, Frankfurt, Mauritius and Johannesburg. Qatar Airways and Emirates operate premium flights from over 70 destinations to the Seychelles. Recently Seychelles has adopted an open sky policy, which has enabled many more international airlines to operate flights from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Africa.

Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Seychelles.

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Flights to Seychelles

Getting Around Seychelles

By Bus

The bus service on the main islands of Mahe, La Digue and Praslin is efficient and reliable. If you are not pressed for time, it is the best and cheapest mode of transport within each island. Routes and destination points are marked clearly on the front of the bus. The fare is a flat uniform rate, irrespective of the distance covered.

By Air

Air Seychelles operates about 20 flights everyday between Mahe and Praslin. This is a reliable service and convenient too, as the flying time is only about 15 minutes! It also operates regular flights to Denis Island, Bird Island, Desroches and Fregate, apart from chartered flights to other islands.

The IDC or Island Development Company is the only other local airline company. It runs daily flights to Alphonse and Desroches, as well as chartered flights to some of the other islands.

By Helicopter

The best way to drink in the beauty of the islands in their magnificent surroundings is to opt for a helicopter ride. Hop on to one of the excursions or island transfers of Helicopter Seychelles, a small helicopter company, to get a bird's eye view of Seychelles.

By Car & Motorcycle

If you want to get around at your own pace, then rent a car. The roads in Praslin and Mahe are in good condition. Speed limits exist all around the islands. The limit is 40 km/hr in built up areas, 65 km/hr outside the towns and 80 km/hr on the two lane highway between Victoria and Seychelles International Airport. The limit throughout Praslin Island is 40 km/hr. In Seychelles, cars are driven on the left side of the road. Watch out for steep curves and sharp bends, and the speed at which the bus drivers negotiate them. Also watch out for sleepy brains and reckless drivers, especially on weekend nights, starting from Friday night.

The tourist department office in Victoria has a list of car rental agencies which operate on the islands. You can book your car at the airport itself where the bigger operators have their desks. You can also book it through the guesthouse or Seychelles hotel where you are staying. Most of the international agencies are well represented here and their charges are fairly uniform. Do remember that only cash payment is accepted and the Euro is the preferred currency. Most agencies do accept national licences, but international licences are preferred. Drivers must be at least 23 years old and must have held their driving licence for at least one year.

By Boat

There are regular, reliable and comfortable ferry services between La Digue, Praslin and Mahe. You can either use a chartered boat or take a Seychelles tour to visit the other islands.

By Bicycle

Bicycles are the main mode of transport on the island of La Digue and Praslin. In Praslin, you can rent a bike either through your guest house or hotel or hire one at Anse Volbert. Mahe is hilly and not very comfortable for the casual cyclist. It is wiser to hire a car.

Transportation Companies

Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC)

SPTC - Seychelles Public Transport Corporation is the only public transport company operating in the Seychelles.

The Company operates on a flat fare system charging R 7/- (1/4 of a EURO) per journey that includes a network of 41routes with a set of well-planned schedules catering for general public. It's the most affordable way to explore the main Islands but please avoid carrying huge luggage.

Type: Bus shuttle

Address: P.O. Box 610 Mahe, Seychelles.

Phone: +248 280280

Fax: +248 322425

Email: inquiry@sptc.sc

Car Hires

From the amount of hired vehicle on the road one would tend to believe that there are no limits to hired car companies in the Seychelles. Car hire are very much liked by visitors because it removes the sense of urgency to get back to the hotels and immediately portrait the laid back atmosphere the Seychelles are known for. It is the best way to avoid the crowd and get to the most beautiful secluded beach you have ever seen.

No need to worry about going to pick it up -it is delivered to you and you can leave it at the airport when you leave. Basically renting out a vehicle is a no fuss way to enjoy your stay in the Seychelles, minus the endless waiting for a fully packed bus.

Another plus to getting one of those vehicles is that you can get to almost anywhere on the island without fear - some roads are notorious for being narrow, curvy and hilly.

The dilemma comes from choosing one among the gazillion car hire operators you get on the small island. The all-time favorite seems to be the Daihatsu Sirion, a tiny compact little number, which is also very economic.

Most hotels already have their chosen operators- who may not be the cheapest around- you can always go through the directory and ask the car owners themselves what they can offer you.

Type: Private

Address: Montagne Possé, Aux Cap Mahe, Seychelles

Phone: +248 376666

Email: info@holidaysseychelles.com

Helicopter Seychelles

Helicopter Seychelles Ltd is a privately-owned company, founded in 1992. The company's vision is to be the top air services operator in the Seychelles satisfying international standards in all aspects of their operations, with particular emphasis on safety and customer service. Their responsibility is to offer the Seychelles with a safe, useful and customer oriented helicopter service for:

The tourism industry.
The specialized needs of emergency services and infrastructural development.
The public air transport requests of islands without an airfield.

Helicopter Seychelles has always been used to augment the marketing of Seychelles as a tourist destination through aerial photography and filming.

Type: Helicopter Service

Address: Providence Industrial Estate P.O Box 595 victoria Mahe

Phone: +248 385858

Fax: +248 373055

Website: http://www.helicopterseychelles.com

Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles is the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, officially formed in 1978 as a domestic airline and International flights started in 1983. It currently operates a fleet of Boeing 767s on its international network and offers two classes of service, Pearl class (Business class) and Economy class. Air Seychelles operates a shuttle service between Mahe and Praslin Island which lasts 15 minutes only and also operates other inter-island flights, usually on the request of hotels to Bird, Denis, Desroches and Alphonse Islands. Throughout the twenty-five years that have passed since the first International service Air Seychelles has become a well-established international airline with one of the youngest fleet in the Indian Ocean, operating to 9 destinations on three continents.