Réunion in 10 Days: The Ultimate Travel Itinerary

A 10 day Réunion itinerary works best as a loop: start in Saint-Denis, explore the cirques (Mafate, Cilaos, Salazie), then head south for Piton de la Fournaise and finish on the west coast beaches around Saint-Gilles. This plan balances hikes, culture, and lagoon time with realistic daily budgets.

Réunion welcomed about 574,000 visitors in 2023 according to the Comité Régional du Tourisme, and most use Saint-Denis as their gateway before road-tripping around the island’s microclimates and mountains. This 10 day travel plan assumes you’ll rent a car (the most practical option) but also notes where buses or taxis work.

You’ll average 2–3 hours of driving on your longest days, with short hops on others. Budget travellers can get by on roughly $70–90 per day in 2026 (shared rooms, self-catering, local snacks), mid‑range visitors should plan around $140–190, and luxury stays with guided activities and upscale dining often run $280–350 per day.

Use the Hello app to keep your costs organised as you move between regions: its AI receipt scanning and multi‑currency tracking are handy when you’re paying in euros but thinking in dollars. Buy a Hello eSIM for Réunion before you fly so you land connected at Roland Garros Airport and can navigate mountain roads and hiking trailheads from day one.

The best way to start a Réunion 10 day trip is with two easy days in Saint-Denis, exploring markets and Creole architecture while you recover from the flight and sort your rental car. It keeps the first 48 hours low‑stress but still genuinely local.

Day 1 – Arrival & Old Town walk (Saint-Denis)

• Morning (arrival): Land at Roland Garros Airport and either take a taxi into town (around €25–30 / $28–33 in 2026) or a shared shuttle (from about €10 / $11). Check into a guesthouse near Rue de Paris for walkable sights.
• Afternoon: Stroll Rue de Paris to see colorful Creole houses, then loop to the Barachois waterfront for cannons, sea views, and a first dodo beer. Entrance is free; budget €5–8 / $6–9 for street snacks.
• Evening: Dinner at a local Creole restaurant (carri chicken or rougail saucisses) will run €18–25 / $20–28 including a drink. In 2026, expect:
  • Budget day total: $70–90 (bus or shared shuttle, simple guesthouse, one restaurant meal)
  • Mid‑range: $140–170
  • Luxury: $250+ (boutique hotel, fine‑dining tasting menu)

Day 2 – Markets & museums
Start at Le Grand Marché for spices and vanilla, then the smaller Petit Marché for fruit; plan €10–15 / $11–17 for snacks and small souvenirs. According to Réunion’s tourism board, local markets are among the most visited attractions in Saint-Denis. Visit a small museum like Musée Léon Dierx (entry around €5 / $6).

Use Hello’s budget tracking to log cash purchases at the markets; its AI receipt scanning works even for handwritten French receipts, making it easier to see how quickly small treats add up early in your trip.

Spending two days in Cirque de Salazie and Hell-Bourg gives your Réunion itinerary a deep dive into Creole heritage, waterfalls, and easy hikes without intense altitude or technical trails. It’s a gentle introduction to the island’s interior.

Day 3 – Drive Saint-Denis → Hell-Bourg (Salazie)

• Morning: Pick up your rental car if you haven’t already (compact car from about €35–50 / $38–55 per day in 2026). Drive 1–1.5 hours into lush Salazie; roadside viewpoints are free.
• Afternoon: Check into a guesthouse in Hell-Bourg, then visit Maison Folio, a beautifully preserved Creole home with gardens; entry is typically around €5–7 / $6–8, cited by several local guides. Wander the village’s pastel houses and church.
• Evening: Dinner at an auberge with mountain cuisine (chayote gratin, smoked pork) will be €20–28 / $22–31 per person.

Day 4 – Waterfalls and short hikes
Spend the morning driving to viewpoints like Cascade du Voile de la Mariée; parking is usually free, and you’ll pay only for snacks. According to Lonely Planet, Salazie’s waterfalls and rainforests are among Réunion’s top natural attractions.

In the afternoon, choose a short trail near Hell-Bourg (1.5–3 hours, free access) or a guided walk (from €40–60 / $44–66 per person). Daily budget estimates:

• Budget: $80–100 (shared car costs, simple room, self‑catering breakfast)
• Mid‑range: $150–190
• Luxury: $260–330 (character hotels, private guide)

This is a good stage to use Hello’s trip planning feature: create a simple day plan with activities and estimated costs so you can compare planned vs. actual spending as fuel, meals, and tours accumulate.

Two days in Cirque de Cilaos are essential in any Réunion 10 day itinerary, giving you dramatic road scenery, thermal village vibes, and optional day hikes without committing to multi‑day trekking. It’s also a good base before heading further south.

Day 5 – Salazie → Cilaos via Saint-Louis

• Morning: Drive back toward the coast and then up the famous RN5 road to Cilaos; allow 3–4 hours total with stops. The road has more than 400 bends, so plan carefully and avoid night driving.
• Afternoon: Explore Cilaos town: church square, embroidery shops, and local wine cellars. Visits are free; tastings or small purchases €10–20 / $11–22.
• Evening: Dinner at a bistro (carri fish, lentils from Cilaos, local wine). Expect €22–30 / $24–33 per person in 2026.

Day 6 – Hiking day in Cilaos
Common half‑day trails include La Chapelle or short viewpoints; these are free but you may pay €5–10 / $6–11 for parking at popular trailheads. More serious hikers might book a guide for Piton des Neiges (often done as an overnight from Cilaos, from €70–100 / $77–110 plus refuge costs).

Réunion’s interior is one reason it’s called an "intense island" by local tourism campaigns: mountains reach 3,069 m at Piton des Neiges and weather shifts quickly, so pack layers and check forecasts each morning.

Approximate daily budgets:

• Budget: $75–95 (simple hostel, self‑cooked meals)
• Mid‑range: $150–185 (comfortable hotel, one restaurant meal, shared guide)
• Luxury: $280–340 (spa hotel, private hikes, premium wine)

Use Hello’s expense splitting if you’re traveling with friends and hiring guides; the app automatically converts currencies if one person pays in euros and another logs costs in their home currency.

Dedicating two days of your Réunion travel plan to the Sud Sauvage (Wild South) and Piton de la Fournaise gives you lava cliffs, waterfalls, and one of the world’s most active volcanoes, all within a manageable driving loop from Saint-Pierre or Bourg-Murat.

Day 7 – Cilaos → Saint-Pierre and Sud Sauvage

• Morning: Drive down to Saint-Pierre (about 1.5–2 hours) and check into accommodation. Saint-Pierre’s lagoon and market are popular; local sources note the Saturday market is one of Réunion’s liveliest.
• Afternoon: Explore the Wild South by car: Cap Méchant (lava cliffs), Grand Anse beach, and, if time, Cascade de Grand Galet above Langevin. Fuel for the day may be €10–20 / $11–22 depending on your vehicle.
• Evening: Creole or seafood dinner in Saint-Pierre runs €20–30 / $22–33. Nightlife here is more active than in mountain villages.

Day 8 – Volcano day: Piton de la Fournaise
According to Lonely Planet and multiple local guides, Piton de la Fournaise is Réunion’s signature attraction. Drive the Route du Volcan via Plaine des Cafres and Plaine des Sables to the Pas de Bellecombe viewpoint.

• Morning: Leave by 6–7 a.m. (about 1.5 hours’ drive each way). Many travellers simply walk the rim; others hike into the caldera. Parking and trails are free; plan €10–15 / $11–17 for snacks.
• Afternoon: Optional guided lava tunnel tour near Tremblet or Sainte-Rose from around €50–70 / $55–77 per person.
• Evening: Return to Saint-Pierre or stay near Bourg-Murat.

Daily budget ranges:

• Budget: $80–110
• Mid‑range: $160–200
• Luxury: $290–360 (private volcano guide, upper‑mid hotel, specialty dining)

This is an ideal time to rely on an eSIM from Hello; mobile coverage can be patchy, but staying connected via Hello eSIM for Réunion helps you check real‑time road closures and weather alerts in the highlands.

Ending your Réunion 10 day itinerary on the west coast beaches around Saint-Gilles gives you calm lagoon swimming, snorkeling, and sunset bars before looping back to Saint-Denis for your flight home. It’s the perfect soft landing after mountain drives.

Day 9 – Saint-Pierre → Saint-Gilles / L’Ermitage

• Morning: Drive 1.5–2 hours up the west coast to Saint-Gilles-les-Bains or L’Ermitage. This region has protected lagoon beaches and many restaurants.
• Afternoon: Swim at Roches Noires or L’Ermitage’s lagoon; rent snorkel gear for around €8–12 / $9–13 per day. Local blogs often highlight beach cafés like Chez Loulou or La Case à Pains for pastries and coffee (about €5–8 / $6–9).
• Evening: Sunset at Boucan Canot followed by dinner at a beachfront spot; budget €25–35 / $28–38.

Day 10 – Maïdo viewpoint and return to Saint-Denis
In the morning, drive up to Le Maïdo viewpoint over Cirque de Mafate (about 1–1.5 hours one way). It’s one of Réunion’s most praised panoramas; access and parking are free, though you’ll spend €10–15 / $11–17 on snacks and fuel.

Afternoon: Drive 1–1.5 hours back to Saint-Denis (or directly to the airport). Stop at Saint-Paul’s market if timings align.

Daily costs:

• Budget: $85–105
• Mid‑range: $160–200
• Luxury: $280–340 (lagoon‑front hotel, spa, fine dining)

According to regional tourism data, coastal stays are where many travellers spend the most on restaurants and activities. Use Hello’s bank statement import or Gmail receipt auto‑import to pull in card payments and see how much of your overall Réunion 10 day trip budget went toward "last‑day treats" by the sea.

A 10 day trip to Réunion typically costs $700–900 for budget travellers, $1,400–1,900 for mid‑range, and $2,800–3,500+ for luxury in 2026, covering accommodation, car rental, food, and activities on a classic loop through Saint-Denis, the cirques, Wild South, and west coast.

Q: Is 10 days enough for Réunion?
Yes. You can visit Saint-Denis, Salazie, Cilaos, Piton de la Fournaise, the Wild South, and Saint-Gilles in 10 days without rushing if you rent a car and limit very long hikes. Many bloggers and travel guides use similar 10–14 day loops to cover the island’s highlights.

Q: How much should I budget per day?

• Budget: $70–110 (hostels/guesthouses, self‑catering, simple car)
• Mid‑range: $140–200 (2–3 star hotels, daily restaurant meals, guided activities)
• Luxury: $280–350+ (premium hotels, private guides, high‑end dining)

Q: Do I need a car, or can I rely on buses?
Public buses connect major towns like Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, and Saint-Gilles for about €2–4 / $2–4 per ride, but timetables and mountain access are limited. A car gives you flexibility for Maïdo, Cilaos, Salazie viewpoints, and sunrise volcano drives.

Q: When is the best time to follow this Réunion itinerary?
Dry season (May–November) is generally best for hiking and road trips; cyclone season peaks around January–March per Météo-France. Always check local forecasts before planning volcano or high‑altitude days.

Q: How do I track and split trip expenses easily?
Use the Hello app for AI receipt scanning in French, multi‑currency totals, and expense splitting with friends. At the end of your Réunion travel plan, you can see category breakdowns (transport, food, activities) to refine budgets for your next adventure.