Getting Around Seychelles: Transport Guide for Travellers

Getting around Seychelles in 2026 is easiest with a mix of airport taxis or hotel transfers, public buses on Mahé and Praslin, and ferries between islands, with car rental for flexibility and Hello eSIM for navigation and ride apps. Expect airport taxi rides from around €35 and ferries from about €15 one way.

If you’re planning your trip, think of Seychelles transport in three layers: airport to hotel, around the main islands, and between islands.

From Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, most travellers use taxis or pre-booked transfers, typically €35–€50 one way depending on distance, based on 2025–2026 fare calculators and transfer portals. Victoria and Beau Vallon are on the lower end; south Mahé beaches cost more due to longer travel time.

On Mahé and Praslin, public buses are the budget-friendly backbone of Seychelles public transport, while rental cars give you the freedom to explore beaches and viewpoints at your own pace.

Between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, fast ferries like Cat Cocos and Cat Rose run several times daily, with one‑way adult tickets from about €56 between Mahé and Praslin and around €15 between Praslin and La Digue, according to multiple ferry booking platforms in 2026.

For maps, live ferry confirmations, and checking bus stops, using an eSIM from Hello keeps you online from landing, so you don’t have to hunt for local SIMs or Wi‑Fi once you arrive in the islands.

Airport transfers in Seychelles are primarily by taxi or pre-booked shuttle, with typical 2025–2026 prices ranging from about €35 to €50 for popular areas like Victoria and Beau Vallon, and up to €70–€80 for the far south of Mahé for a private car.

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) sits on Mahé, about 10–20 minutes’ drive from Victoria. According to 2025 taxi fare calculators and a 2026 airport transfer guide, example one-way prices from the airport include:

• Airport → Victoria: roughly €35–€40
• Airport → Beau Vallon: around €40–€45
• Airport → Anse Royale / Baie Lazare: about €35–€45
• Airport → south Mahé beaches (Anse Intendance area): often €55–€80, especially for minivans or late-night transfers

Many hotels and guesthouses offer private airport transfers at similar rates or slightly higher, usually quoted per vehicle, not per person. For small groups, pre-booked minivans are common and can cost €70–€120 depending on distance and capacity.

If you’re continuing straight to Praslin or La Digue, factor in time and cost to reach the Victoria jetty. Several 2026 ferry FAQs note airport–jetty shuttle services around €10 per adult each way for the international terminal, with lower child fares.

A practical tip: screenshot your booking confirmations and keep your driver’s WhatsApp number handy. With Hello’s eSIM plans for Seychelles, you can message your driver, share live location, and adjust pickup time if your flight is delayed, without relying on airport Wi‑Fi.

Public transport in Seychelles is centered on government-operated buses on Mahé and Praslin, offering the cheapest way to get around with flat fares per ride and simple pay-on-board systems rather than complex passes or metro cards.

There is no metro or train system in Seychelles; locals and budget travellers rely on the bus network, taxis, and private cars. Buses run from early morning to early evening, connecting Victoria with key beach areas like Beau Vallon, Anse Royale, and Anse Boileau on Mahé, plus main settlements on Praslin.

Fares are typically a flat rate per journey, paid directly to the driver in cash (Seychellois rupees). While specific 2026 fare tables can vary slightly, recent visitor reports and transport guides suggest single rides are in the range of SCR 12–15 (about €0.8–€1) per trip, making buses dramatically cheaper than taxis.

There is usually no need for a transport card or long-term pass for short holidays. You hop on, pay the driver, and keep the paper ticket. However, buses can be crowded at commuter times and are not designed for large suitcases, so they’re best if you pack light and don’t mind a local-style experience.

Because bus stop names and timetables aren’t always obvious on the ground, many travellers use map apps and live location to avoid missing their stop. Staying online via a Hello eSIM helps you see where you are on Mahé’s winding coastal roads and check walking distances from the nearest bus stop to your guesthouse.

Inter-island travel in Seychelles is dominated by fast ferries, with 2026 prices starting around €56 one way between Mahé and Praslin and about €15 between Praslin and La Digue, making ferries the go-to option for most travellers.

Two main ferry operators link the three most-visited islands: Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. Schedules and fares vary slightly, but multiple 2024–2026 booking sites show broadly consistent prices:

• Mahé ↔ Praslin (Cat Cocos): Economy adult tickets from about €56–€60 one way, with children paying roughly half; business class and upper deck upgrades add €5–€21.
• Mahé ↔ La Digue (via Praslin): Economy adult fares from around €66–€74 one way, depending on cabin and tax; journeys take roughly 1.5 hours, including the Praslin stop.
• Praslin ↔ La Digue (Cat Rose / Inter Island Ferry): Short 15–20 minute crossings with adult fares around €15 and child fares about €7, according to 2026 ferry FAQs.

Some guides also mention hotel–jetty transfers on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, typically €10–€16 per adult per direction.

Here’s a quick comparison of typical 2026 ferry prices:

| Route | Approx. Duration | Typical Adult One-Way (Economy) | | Mahé ↔ Praslin | ~1 hour | €56–€60 | | Mahé ↔ La Digue (via Praslin) | ~1.5 hours | €66–€74 | | Praslin ↔ La Digue | ~15–20 minutes | €15 |

Book ferries a few weeks ahead in high season (June–September, December–January), and allow at least two hours between landing at SEZ and ferry departure. With mobile data via a Hello eSIM, you can easily show e‑tickets, receive schedule change alerts, and navigate from airport to jetty.

Driving in Seychelles gives you the most flexibility on Mahé and Praslin, with small rental cars starting around €40–€60 per day in 2026 and no need for an international driving permit for most visitors staying under three months.

Seychelles follows left-hand traffic (same as the UK), and roads on Mahé and Praslin are generally paved but often narrow, winding, and occasionally steep. For most nationalities, a valid home-country driving licence is sufficient for tourist stays; the government and major rental agencies state that an international driving permit is not mandatory for short visits, though some travellers still bring one as backup.

Typical 2026 rental prices for compact cars, based on local agency listings and general Indian Ocean market trends, are:

• Small hatchback: roughly €40–€60 per day, sometimes lower for week-long rentals
• SUV or larger vehicle: often €70–€100 per day

Fuel is relatively expensive compared to mainland destinations but manageable for short trips, and parking around Victoria and popular beaches can be tight. Many hotels have small car parks, while some beach areas offer informal roadside parking.

A few practical tips:

• Avoid driving at night on unfamiliar coastal roads.
• Use low gear on steep descents and watch for blind corners.
• Be courteous: locals know the roads well, but tourists sometimes hesitate on hills.

Navigation apps make a big difference, especially for hidden viewpoints or villa addresses. With a Hello eSIM for Seychelles, your phone can act as a reliable GPS, even when your hotel Wi‑Fi drops or you’re far from town.

Seychelles does not yet have major ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt as of 2026, so travellers rely on traditional taxis, hotel drivers, and tour operators, making mobile connectivity crucial for coordinating pickups and navigation.

Unlike destinations such as Thailand or Japan where app-based rides are standard, Seychelles transport is still relatively old-school. Taxis are widely available around Victoria, Beau Vallon, and the airport, but you’ll often arrange them by phone call, WhatsApp, or through your accommodation rather than via an app.

Typical 2025–2026 taxi fares align broadly with airport transfer rates. Trips from the airport to popular Mahé areas range roughly from €35 to €50, while shorter hops within Victoria or to nearby beaches are cheaper but still more expensive than buses. Most taxis don’t run on meters; fares are usually agreed upfront, so it’s worth asking your hotel for a ballpark price before you ride.

Because ride-hailing platforms are limited or absent, staying connected matters more than in many destinations: you’ll need data for map directions, WhatsApp calls, and checking ferry or tour confirmations.

This is where Hello’s eSIM connectivity comes in handy. You can buy and activate a Hello eSIM for Seychelles before you fly, arrive already online, and use features like expense splitting and budget tracking to keep taxi and tour costs clear among friends. For other trips, you can also explore options like Hello eSIM for Japan to stay connected across multiple stops.

Within the Hello app, AI receipt scanning and multi-currency tracking make it easy to log what you’ve spent on taxis versus ferries, helping you compare whether renting a car might be better value over several days.

Most first-time visitors get around Seychelles with a mix of taxis, public buses, ferries, and occasional car rental, as the country has no metro or train system and ride-hailing apps are limited; planning ahead keeps costs predictable and journeys stress-free.

Q: Do I need an international driving permit to drive in Seychelles?
For most tourists staying under three months, a valid licence from your home country is accepted, and an international driving permit is generally not required. Many rental companies confirm this in their 2026 terms, though carrying an IDP can still be useful for peace of mind.

Q: How much does the ferry between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue cost in 2026?
Recent ferry booking platforms list economy adult tickets around €56–€60 one way between Mahé and Praslin and €66–€74 between Mahé and La Digue (via Praslin), with €15 fares on the short Praslin–La Digue route. Kids typically pay roughly half those amounts.

Q: Is public transport in Seychelles reliable for tourists?
Yes, buses on Mahé and Praslin are generally reliable and very cheap, with flat fares per journey paid in cash. However, they can be crowded and aren’t ideal for large luggage, so many travellers combine buses with taxis or car rental.

Q: Are Uber, Grab or Bolt available in Seychelles?
As of 2026, major ride-hailing apps like Uber, Grab, and Bolt do not operate locally. You’ll book regular taxis through hotels, guesthouses, or phone/WhatsApp, so having mobile data via a Hello eSIM makes organising transport much easier.

Q: How can I keep track of my transport budget?
The Hello app includes budget tracking, AI receipt scanning, and expense splitting in multiple currencies, helping you log ferry tickets, taxi rides, and car rental costs so you can see at a glance how much getting around Seychelles is actually costing your group.