7 days in Reunion Island by campervan: the full road trip (2026)
The whole island in a week: a day-by-day loop from the lagoon to the volcano and the cirques, with where to park for the night, what to see and do, and 5 hotels along the way if you'd rather travel by car.
7 days / 6 nights600km in total5 areas coveredFrom €450 a week for the van
Quick facts
The road trip in numbers
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Total distance
About 600km
Direction
West → Cilaos → Volcano → South → Salazie → East
Airport
Roland-Garros (Saint-Denis)
Van hire
From €450 a week
Total budget for two
€1,200 to €1,800
Best season
May to November
Driving
For confident drivers (hairpins, altitude)
This anticlockwise route covers the island's 5 main areas in a comfortable order, alternating between the coast and the mountains so the driving doesn't wear you out. For the version without a van, see my campervan vs car comparison. For general trip planning, the complete guide covers the basics.
Day by day
7 days, 7 areas, 6 nights in a van
Go anticlockwise: the west to recover from the flight, then up into the mountains, down to the south, up to Salazie and back to the airport. Each day gives the distance, where to park overnight and what to do.
Day 1
Airport → La Saline-les-Bains
Distance: 70kmDuration: 1h15 drive
Pick up the van at Roland-Garros airport or a west coast depot and head down to the lagoon via the Route des Tamarins. Swim in the reef-sheltered lagoon at La Saline-les-Bains and Trou d'Eau, then watch your first sunset over the ocean. Stock up on food in Saint-Paul or Saint-Gilles before heading to your overnight spot.
Where to sleep
The Trou d'Eau beach car park or the hills above Saint-Leu
What to do
The lagoon and snorkelling · A whale and dolphin trip (June-October) · Seafront restaurants
Leave the west early, stop in Saint-Louis for fuel and food, then climb to Cilaos on the N5 and its 420 numbered bends. The UNESCO-listed cirque sits at 1,200m. Take a short hike to Roche Merveilleuse or stroll around Mare à Joncs. If it's Sunday, there's a Creole market in the morning, with Cilaos lentils straight from the growers.
Where to sleep
The Plateau des Chênes car park or the village's picnic areas
What to do
Roche Merveilleuse (1h) · Mare à Joncs (45 min) · Bras Rouge waterfall (3h round trip)
Back down to Saint-Louis, then round via Le Tampon on the N3 and up to Bourg-Murat. Don't miss the Cité du Volcan (an excellent volcano museum), then take the Route Forestière du Volcan up to the Plaine des Sables: a Mars-like landscape at 2,200m, with red earth as far as the eye can see. Arrive at Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob in the late afternoon.
Where to sleep
The Pas de Bellecombe car park, allowed for one night
What to do
Cité du Volcan (2-3h, from €10) · Plaine des Sables · Sunset at Pas de Bellecombe
Watch the sunrise over the crater from the viewpoint, then walk down into the caldera to Formica Léo (3 to 4h there and back, easy, gentle climbs). Drive back down to Saint-Pierre via Plaine des Cafres and follow the coast road into the wild south: the Jardin des Parfums et des Épices in Saint-Philippe, then Cap Méchant for sunset over the basalt cliffs.
Where to sleep
Pointe de la Table or the Cap Méchant picnic area
What to do
Formica Léo (4h) · Jardin des Parfums et des Épices · Cap Méchant
A short drive to Manapany-les-Bains for a dip in the sea pool, then up the Langevin river to the Grand-Galet waterfall, one of the island's most photogenic. In the dry season, you can go tubing on the river. In the late afternoon, hike to Cap Jaune for sunset over the ochre cliff, which contrasts strikingly with the turquoise water.
Where to sleep
Vincendo or Grande Anse
What to do
Manapany sea pool · Grand-Galet waterfall · Langevin tubing (dry season) · Cap Jaune (1h30)
Head up the coast road to the north-east, past Saint-Benoît, and climb to Salazie on the N6: a lush green cirque full of waterfalls, completely different from Cilaos. Explore the listed village of Hell-Bourg, with its colourful Creole houses and old spa baths, and hike to the Voile de la Mariée, one of the island's tallest waterfalls.
Where to sleep
The hills above Hell-Bourg or the Bébour road
What to do
Voile de la Mariée (2-3h hike) · Maison Folio in Hell-Bourg · Sources Pétrifiantes
Down the east coast via Sainte-Rose, the Bois Blanc beaches and the 2007 lava flow, then back up to Sainte-Suzanne for the Niagara Waterfall and the Bel Air lighthouse (1846), and the Saint-André market if it's on. A last picnic at Champ-Borne beach, then back to Roland-Garros airport to return the van.
6 spots where vans are tolerated or welcome overnight, from a beach car park at 5m to the top of Pas de Bellecombe at 2,311m. True wild camping is banned in the national park, so stick to these to stay on the right side of the rules.
Trou d'Eau car park
5m
La Saline-les-Bains
A car park right on the beach, shaded by casuarina trees, with public toilets and beach showers. Busy during the day, much quieter in the evening. A van is tolerated for 1 night if you keep a low profile and leave early.
Watch out for: Very busy at weekends, watch your valuables
Plateau des Chênes (Cilaos)
1,200m
Cilaos Cirque
A forest car park 5 min from Cilaos village, with picnic tables, shade from the cryptomeria trees and several trailheads. It's cool at night, so bring a sleeping bag. Peaceful, and perfect for recovering after the 400 bends.
Watch out for: Cool nights: 8 to 12°C in the dry season
Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob
2,311m
Piton de la Fournaise
A car park at 2,311m where the trail to Dolomieu crater starts. Overnight parking is allowed except during eruptions. The sunrise over the caldera is spectacular; bring warm clothes (5°C at night in season).
Watch out for: Closed during eruptions: check the OVPF (volcano observatory) bulletin
Pointe de la Table
10m
Saint-Philippe
A car park on the edge of a basalt cliff, with an interpretation trail over the 1986 lava flows, compost toilets and information boards. Vans are tolerated for one night, and it feels like the end of the world facing the wild ocean.
Watch out for: Strong wind at night in season
Cap Méchant
5m
Saint-Philippe
A picnic area facing the Cap Méchant cliffs, with views of the pounding sea and recent lava flows, and Creole restaurants nearby (goat massalé curry, sausage rougail). Vans are tolerated for 1 night if you arrive late.
Watch out for: Stay on the paved area and keep off the grass
Hell-Bourg car parks
950m
Salazie Cirque
Several small car parks around the listed village of Hell-Bourg. It's cool (12-15°C at night), with afternoon fog in the rainy season. There's a Creole market in the morning, and the Sources Pétrifiantes trail starts 200m away.
Watch out for: Frequent afternoon fog, so plan ahead
What's tolerated varies with the season and local bylaws. Always arrive late, leave early and leave no trace. The national park regularly carries out checks in protected areas.
The easy road-trip option
Hire your van for this route on Yescapa
Yescapa puts local van owners in touch with travellers, with delivery to Roland-Garros or collection on the west coast. VW T5s, Pössl Campsters and home-built Fiat Ducato conversions: pick a short van (under 5m) for the Cilaos hairpins and the Route Forestière du Volcan. The deposit and insurance are handled by the platform. To turn a hire car into a camper for the odd night, the KAILOP rigid roof tents are a compact alternative for couples who want to sleep at Maïdo or Pas de Bellecombe without hiring a whole van.
To do the same trip by car and hotel: one Agoda hotel per area, matching the stops from day 1 to day 6. Prices and ratings checked on 2 November 2026.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains8.4/10 (96 reviews)
Tropic Appart'Hotel
Fully equipped apartments 5 minutes from the Saint-Gilles marina, with a kitchen, air conditioning and parking. Great for self-catering families, and ideal for the first west coast stop if you've gone for a car instead of a van.
A guesthouse in the heart of Cilaos village, with a warm Creole welcome, highly rated home-cooked dinners, views of the cirque walls and comfortable rooms. The best value in the cirque.
Guesthouse rooms in the highlands, 20 min from Bourg-Murat and the Cité du Volcan, with cool mountain air, open views and a personal welcome. An ideal stop before heading up to Pas de Bellecombe.
A guesthouse in Petite-Île, on the south coast between Saint-Pierre and Saint-Joseph, with a tropical garden, a pool and secure parking. A good base for the Grand-Galet waterfall and Cap Jaune.
Guesthouse rooms right in the Salazie cirque, small and friendly, with a family welcome. Ideal the night before the Voile de la Mariée hike and a morning in Hell-Bourg.
Agoda prices as of 2 November 2026 for 2 people, 1 night. For something more upmarket, see my 4-5 star hotels in Reunion Island. The hotel version also starts and ends at Roland-Garros airport, which makes it the natural place to collect a car: see car hire options.
Practical tips
6 things to sort out before you go
Fuel, food, gear, weather, phone signal and parking safety: the local details that make the difference between a stressful road trip and a great one.
Fill up with fuel in the right places
Before Cilaos, fill up in Saint-Louis (there's no petrol station in the cirque). Before the volcano, fill up in Bourg-Murat (it's a remote 50km round trip). Before Salazie, fill up in Saint-André. Fuel is cheaper than in mainland France, but petrol stations in the hills close early.
Water and grocery stops
Carrefour and Leclerc supermarkets in Saint-Paul, Saint-Pierre and Saint-Denis. Street markets: Saint-Paul (Friday), Saint-Pierre (Saturday), Saint-André (Sunday). Local produce: Petite-Île garlic, Cilaos lentils, Saint-Philippe vanilla. Tap water is drinkable everywhere on the island.
Clothing and gear
Beach and lagoon: swimwear, a sarong, flip-flops. At altitude (Cilaos, the volcano, Salazie): a fleece, a windproof, trousers and closed shoes. For nights at the volcano: a sleeping bag rated to 0°C or a thick blanket. A head torch for the sunrise walk at Pas de Bellecombe. Sunscreen is essential, even at altitude.
Weather and cyclone alerts
Check Météo France Réunion (app and radio) every morning. In the dry season (May to November), expect settled weather on the coast and afternoon fog in the highlands. In the rainy season (December to April), there's a cyclone risk: follow the orange and red alerts and move the van away from the coast.
Mobile signal and GPS
Orange, SFR and Free Mobile cover the island, and a mainland French plan works here (Reunion Island is a French department). With a non-French SIM, check your roaming charges or buy a local SIM. Coverage is patchy in the highlands, so download Google Maps offline before heading into the Cilaos cirque or up to the volcano, where the signal drops in places.
Overnight parking safety
Violent crime isn't a concern, but opportunistic theft can happen in some busy car parks during the day. Leave nothing visible on the seats, lock every door and park in busy areas. The car parks up in the hills are the safest (they're relatively deserted).
The scenic flight option
See Mafate and Trou de Fer by helicopter
The van loop covers 5 areas of the island, but the Mafate cirque and Trou de Fer can only be reached on foot or seen from the air. A 30 to 45-minute helicopter flight from Saint-Gilles or Pierrefonds is the perfect add-on, showing you from above the cirques you've explored on the ground.
What's the total budget for 7 days in a van in Reunion Island?
For two: €1,200 to €1,800, not including flights. That's about €450-650 for a campervan for the week, €80-120 for fuel, €150-200 for food for self-catering, €200-300 for the odd restaurant meal and €200-400 for paid activities (Cité du Volcan €10, a whale trip €60, Langevin tubing €50). You can get it down to €1,000 by cooking in the van and skipping paid activities.
Should you book the van long in advance?
Yes, in high season (July-August, December-January and French school holidays), book 4 to 8 weeks ahead. Outside high season (May-June, September-October), 2 to 3 weeks is enough. Yescapa and local rental companies book up fast in high season, especially VW T5 and Pössl models.
Can you do this loop in 5 days instead of 7?
You can, but it's a squeeze. Drop one cirque (Cilaos or Salazie) and cut back the east coast. A typical 5-day version: the west 1 day, the volcano 2 days, the wild south 1 day, then back to the west coast for 1 day. You'll miss the contrast between the two cirques and the east coast, but keep the heart of the loop.
Where can you sleep in a van in Reunion Island?
True wild camping is banned in the national park (Mafate, Bélouve, parts of the volcano) and on protected beaches. Several car parks in the hills tolerate one night: Maïdo, Pas de Bellecombe, Plateau des Chênes (Cilaos). Several coastal spots accept vans too: Trou d'Eau, Cap Méchant, Étang-Salé forest. Always arrive late, leave early and leave no trace.
Is a van suited to Cilaos's road of 400 bends?
Yes, in short vans (under 5m, VW T5 or Trafic L1H1 type). Longer vans (Ducato L3H2) are hard work, but not impossible. Allow 2h30 from Saint-Louis, drive calmly and don't let yourself be rushed. There are lots of bends and lots of tourist minibuses, so take care where the road is too narrow to pass.
Which direction should you go, anticlockwise or clockwise?
Anticlockwise (west → Cilaos → volcano → south → Salazie → east): you start by the lagoon to get over the flight, then head up into the mountains and gradually work your way back down through the south. Clockwise works too (east → Salazie → volcano → Cilaos → west), especially if you want to avoid heavy west coast traffic on day one. The stops are the same either way.
Are there public showers along the route?
There are free beach showers at Trou d'Eau, Boucan-Canot, L'Hermitage, Saint-Pierre, Grande-Anse and Étang-Salé. There are no public showers in Cilaos or Salazie, so bring an outdoor shower for the van or another way to wash. The Étang-Salé municipal campsite has paid showers (€2-3).
Can you combine this loop with a Mafate trek?
Yes, if you stretch the trip to 10 or 11 days. After the west coast, add a 2-3 day Mafate trek from Maïdo: leave the van in the Maïdo car park and hike into the cirque for 2 nights in a gîte (hikers' lodge) at La Nouvelle or Marla. See my 2-day Mafate hike guide for details.
Do you need a special licence to drive a van in Reunion Island?
No, a standard car licence (category B) covers any van up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight, which includes the usual campervans (VW T5, T6, Pössl, Trafic, Ducato L3H2). Very large motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes need a C1 licence, but they're almost never rented out in Reunion Island (they're unsuited to the roads). If your licence was issued outside the EU, check with the rental company what they accept.
Is the van suitable with young children?
It's possible but hard work: a travel cot in the van, tricky nappy changes on hairpin roads and fixed nap times all limit your freedom. With babies under 2, a car plus hotels or guesthouses works better. From about age 6-7, the van becomes an adventure: children love sleeping in the back and making up the stops as you go.
What should you do if the weather turns bad in a cirque?
The highlands (Cilaos, Salazie) have their own microclimates, with frequent afternoon fog and rain in the rainy season. If the forecast is poor, switch things round: stay on the coast (the wild south, the west coast lagoon) when it's wet and head for the mountains on dry days. Reunion Island's weather changes every few hours, so stay flexible.
Is there wifi at the car parks and rest areas?
On the coast, 4G is good enough to share your phone's data or use the van's hotspot. Municipal libraries (Saint-Paul, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Denis) have free wifi during the day. There's nothing at the car parks in the hills (Pas de Bellecombe, Plateau des Chênes): take it as a chance to switch off.
