Jedu na Mauricius

Getting around Mauritius

Updated: November 2026

Distances are short, but roads are narrow and traffic is heavy. A trip that looks like 20 minutes on the map can take an hour.

Car

  • Traffic drives on the left. A driver with a valid licence issued by the competent authority may drive in Mauritius. Rental companies may have their own requirements (age, experience, international driving permit); check them in advance.
  • Speed limits vary by type of road; follow the signs. Mauritius has many roundabouts; learn the lane rules.
  • Local drivers often don't use indicators and sometimes signal turns with a hand out of the window. Drive defensively. Honking usually isn't aggression but a warning (overtaking, alert).
  • If you have no experience driving on the left and are staying only briefly, consider a taxi or trips with a driver. We recommend a car with an automatic gearbox.
  • Inspect the car thoroughly when you collect it and check the fuel level. Most rental companies deliver and collect the car anywhere on the island for a fee.
  • Motorcyclists: coastal roads often have sand on them, and showers can come several times a day.

Source: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Useful tips, checked 3 Nov 2026

Trusted rental companies are listed under Car rental.

Taxi

Your hotel can order a taxi, or use taxi services we know. There are no fixed fares, so always agree the price in advance. You can also book a driver for a full or half day: they wait for you and suggest what to see along the way.

Bus

Buses are widely used by locals and cheap. You pay the fare on board according to distance, so carry small change. But the timetable is unreliable: you may wait ten minutes or over an hour, and a journey with frequent stops takes much longer than by car. An overview of routes is offered by the unofficial website mauritius-buses.com; we have not found an official national timetable online.

Metro Express

A woman in a sari walks along a covered walkway by a light-rail station

The Metro Express light rail links Port Louis with Curepipe via Rose-Hill and Quatre Bornes. It is handy for trips to Port Louis if you are staying inland or near the line.

Boats

You can reach nearby islets by boat on an excursion, or by boat taxi from the nearest beach. Check that the operator has a permit and life jackets.