How to visit Réunion Island
Renowned for its exceptional environment and breathtaking scenery, Réunion is a travel destination that suits holidaymakers looking for relaxation as well as explorers looking for adventure. And whatever your profile, it's safe to say that you've already wondered how to get to and around this island!
Nestling in the Indian Ocean, Réunion is an island with a surface area of 2,512 km² that can be circumnavigated in approximately 4 hours by car, covering a total distance of around 220 km. There are plenty of sites to visit in each of its 4 arrondissements (Saint-Paul, Saint-Denis, Saint-Benoît and Saint-Pierre), so you'll need to get organised if you want to see as much as possible. So if you want to visit Réunion in the best possible way, to suit your budget and your desires, read on for some advice!
How to get to Réunion
As with all travel plans, the first question that arises when you want to visit Réunion is how to get there. But given that this destination is an island, there are no 36 ways of getting there, only 2: by plane or by boat.
Flying is still the quickest and easiest way to get to Réunion, with around 11 hours' direct flight time from Paris (Paris-CDG or Paris-Orly airports). The island has 2 airports:
- Roland Garros airport in Saint-Denis - the main airport where the majority of international flights arrive from mainland France, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Madagascar, the Comoros, Mayotte and Johannesburg;
- Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds airport - the island's second airport, serving only Mauritius and Rodrigues internationally.
You will most likely arrive at Roland Garros airport in the north of the island, which only offers direct flights to Paris-CDG, Paris-Orly, Marseille-Provence, Lyon-Saint-Exupéry and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (Mauritius), Plaine Corail (Rodrigues), Marcel Henry (Mayotte), Moroni Prince Saïd Ibrahim (Comoros), OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and some airports in Madagascar such as Nosy Be-Fascene and Antananarivo-Ivato in Tananarive.
Apart from flying, you can also decide to visit Réunion from Mauritius by boat, provided you have time to spare and the means to make the crossing, as no ferries carry passengers: you will have to find a company offering sailboat or catamaran crossings. Alternatively, you can choose to join a cruise that stops over on the island, but you'll be limited in terms of where you can go and how much free time you have.
Getting around the island
Unsurprisingly, car/van hire is the best possible option for making the most of Réunion, as there are no set departure and return times and you have total freedom of movement. A number of service providers are available at Roland Garros airport to provide you with a vehicle as soon as you arrive.
But if you haven't budgeted for car hire and don't mind having to manage your time according to public transport timetables, you can visit Réunion by taking its regional bus network: Car Jaune. This links the main towns together, as well as the most important tourist sites. And if ever you need to get to a more specific place inland, other bus networks will be able to help you:
- Citalis - for the north-east of the island, from Saint-Denis to Sainte-Suzanne ;
- Kar'Ouest - for the west coast, from La Possession to Saint-Leu ;
- Alternéo - for the south-west of the island, from L'Etang-Salé to Petite Île, via Cilaos;
- Carsud - for the south of the island, from Saint-Joseph to Saint-Philippe, via Entre-Deux and Le Tampon ;
- Summer - for the east of the island, from Saint-André to Sainte-Rose, via Salazie and Plaine des Palmistes.
You can also find 'taxis à la place' from the bus stations to various villages once they are full, at a more affordable rate than taxis and VTCs (Véhicule de Transport avec Chauffeur). The latter are particularly practical for short distances, such as from your hotel to the beach, but they are expensive and should be used only as a last resort, unless you can afford them.
Finally, apart from a car or van, you can opt to hire another type of vehicle, such as a motorbike, which is more practical on certain narrow roads, or a 4x4, which is ideal for all types of terrain. You can also hire a bicycle or mountain bike, with or without electric assistance. However, as the island lacks cycle paths and has a pronounced relief, this is not the best option for getting around over several days. Instead, you'd be better off taking a one-day mountain bike excursion in Réunion, on a route suited to your level and your desires!
How to visit the island
If you've got a car, visiting Réunion and all its nooks and crannies will be a breeze. You'll have the freedom to set off whenever you want, to the destination of your choice! You'll have no trouble getting to the meeting points with various local guides to discover the island's natural wonders on exceptional guided outings: hikes in Réunion's National Park; horse-riding at Piton Maïdo, Piton de la Fournaise, Grand Etang or Bassin Boeuf; quad or buggy excursions all around Réunion; etc.
On the other hand, if you don't have a car and you're looking for a way to discover the island without too many constraints, you'll no doubt be interested in the many guided van tours around Réunion, which are generally offered with pick-up directly from your accommodation. You won't have to worry about transport, just listen to and follow the guide, who will be delighted to introduce you to the island through its culture, history and environment.
And for a memorable visit to Réunion, whether or not you have a car, head for Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds airport, the Cambaie microlight base north of Saint-Paul or the Corail Hélicoptères heliport in Saint-Gilles, all easily accessible for a panoramic flight over the island! Flying over Reunion Island in a helicopter will give you an unforgettable experience of the island's impressive relief, which is accessible to all the family, while taking part in a microlight flight over Reunion Island will give you not only superb panoramic views, but also a unique and intense flying experience.
Réunion is a natural jewel in the Indian Ocean, brimming with splendid landscapes and adventures to suit all types of traveller. So, once you've found out how to get there and get around so you don't miss a thing, you might be wondering what's the best time of year to go to Réunion?