Renting a car and driving in Seychelles is probably the best way to get around and explore the islands of Mahe and Praslin. As for La Digue, there are very few vehicles on the island and both tourists and locals generally use bicycles to get around. The same goes for the other smaller islands that do not have actual roads. Cycling or sometimes just walking are your only options. To find out more, visit our post about getting around Seychelles. You’ll find all you need to know about travelling between the islands and within the islands themselves.
In this post however, we’re going to focus on driving in Seychelles. So, if you’re planning on renting a car during your holiday, here are a few useful things to remember.
Driving in Seychelles
1. License
You do not need an international licence to be able to drive in Seychelles. Your own national driver’s licence is sufficient for you to rent and drive a hired vehicle. You are however required to have some experience. Usually this is a year, but some car hire companies may require at least 2 years’ experience. It’s always best to double check with the company prior to booking.
2. Age
To be able to rent a vehicle in Seychelles, you must be at least 21 years of age. Some companies require you to be at least 23 years old, so again, it’s always best to double check.
3. Drive on the Left
Remember that in Seychelles, we drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Francis Rachel Street, Victoria, Seychelles, Radoslaw Botev, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
4. Roads
There are a few things to note about Seychelles’ roads. First of all, some can be quite narrow and they also tend to be winding. Additionally, in some places, the edge of the road is just a drop. Although these things can be quite daunting for some people, there’s no reason to fear driving in Seychelles. You’ll get used to the roads pretty quickly.
5. Car Hire Pricing
Generally, car hire companies will have a range of vehicles to choose from. Prices for some of the smaller vehicles typically start at around €35 per day. The larger SUV’s are more expensive, and can range from around €60 onwards.
6. Type of Car
I recently read a comment in which someone suggested it’s best to hire a 4-wheel drive vehicle while in Seychelles. Their reasoning was due to some of the roads being steep. There are a few reasons why I would disagree with this. Firstly, 4-wheel drive vehicles tend to be much larger. With many of the roads being small and at times narrow, it may be better to opt for smaller cars that are easier to manoeuvre, especially if you’re not familiar with the roads. The second thing to point out is that the really steep roads tend to be in residential areas. So, unless, you’re planning on doing a lot of exploring and taking little side roads, you wouldn’t really be using these roads all that much. Smaller vehicles will do fine to get you around Seychelles without any issues. Plus, as mentioned above, larger vehicles are more expensive.
That being said, the type of vehicle you opt for will depend on numerous factors, such as your budget, number of people, luggage, etc. The point I make is that there is no need to opt for a 4WD purely because of the steep roads.
7. Paid Parking
The only places where you have to pay for parking in Seychelles is in Victoria, and still this would only be in a few locations. The pay car parks are marked and parking coupons can be purchased in nearby shops and the post office.
8. Traffic Lights
Traffic lights are not common in Seychelles, so don’t expect to see many of these. Praslin only has one set of traffic lights by the airport and Mahe has a few in Victoria.
9. Peak Hour Traffic
As with any central business zone, you are likely to face some traffic coming into or leaving Victoria during the week. This tends to be from around 7:30 am to 8:30 am and again in the afternoons from around 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. You might also experience some traffic on Saturdays in the mornings and later on at around 12:00 to 1:00 pm. This is much less so than on weekdays however.
10. Overtaking
Overtaking is common in Seychelles, so don’t be surprised or alarmed if others pass you while driving.
11. The Heat
Seychelles can get very hot and getting into the car when it’s been parked in the sun a whole day can be somewhat uncomfortable. You can leave the window open slightly so that air can get in and circulate.
General Tips for Road Users Everywhere
Even on holiday, you should always follow the same rules you would at home.
- Always lock your vehicle
- Never leave any valuables in your car
- Take extra care when the roads are wet
- Always wear your seatbelt
- Keep to the speed limits
Wrapping Up
Hopefully this post has provided some useful guidance concerning driving in Seychelles. It’s definitely one of the best ways to explore the islands of Mahe and Praslin.
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Great post! I would love to explore those wonderful islands sometime!
You should definitely add it to your list. It’s incredible.
Loving these tips! Seychelles is on my bucket list so I enjoyed reading these tips.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.