Trip planning · Reunion Island

How to plan a trip to Reunion Island: the complete 2026 guide

When to go, how to get there, where to sleep, how to get around, what budget to plan, what to pack, which activities to prioritise. Everything you need to sort out for a great 1 to 3-week trip to Reunion Island.

11.5 hrs direct from Paris2-3 weeks idealFrom €550 return from ParisMay to November recommended

Quick facts

Reunion Island at a glance

Population

885,700 residents

Area

2,512 km²

Distance from Paris

9,393 km

Direct flight from Paris

11.5 hours

Time zone

UTC+4, no daylight saving

Main airport

Roland-Garros, Saint-Denis

Currency

Euro

Language

French and Creole

Reunion Island is a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, 800 km east of Madagascar and 9,393 km from Paris. That makes it part of France and the European Union: the currency is the euro, French is the official language (with Creole widely spoken), and you drive on the right. Most long-haul routes go through Paris, with Mauritius the other main gateway.

Climate and seasons

When to go to Reunion Island

Two distinct seasons in the southern hemisphere, which shape the choice of dates and the itinerary.

Austral winter (May to November)

The dry season. Coastal temperatures of 22 to 28°C, 8 to 18°C inland. Very little rain on the west coast, a bit more (but not excessive) on the east side. Ideal for hiking, diving, whale watching (June to October). The recommended period for most travellers.

Austral summer (December to April)

Hotter (28 to 30°C on the west coast), more humid, cyclone risk from December to March. The highlands can become inaccessible during heavy rain. The scenery is just as beautiful, and the lagoon is at 27°C. Fewer crowds, though flight prices are often a little higher during the local peak season (late December to early January).

To go further: When to go to Reunion Island, month by month.

3 budget profiles

How much does a trip to Reunion Island cost

Three verified ranges depending on the comfort you're after, excluding international flights. For 2 weeks as a couple or solo.

Backpacker budget (€50-70/day)

Wild camping allowed on designated sites (free), youth hostel dorms (€25-30/night), takeaway "carri" (curry) meals from snack bars (€7-9), Car Jaune buses and hitchhiking, free hiking. Budget €700 to €1,000 for 2 weeks solo, excluding flights.

•Designated camping spot €0
•Hostel dorm €25-30
•Takeaway curry €7-9
•Car Jaune bus €2-3/trip

Standard budget (€100-140/day)

Half-board mountain gîte in the cirques (€55-70), a city car rental (€25-35/day), a Creole lunch (€15-25), reasonably priced paid activities (a catamaran trip €75, a first dive €70). Budget €1,400 to €2,000 for 2 weeks as a couple, excluding flights.

•Half-board gîte €55-70
•Car €25-35/day
•Restaurant €15-25
•Activity €50-90

Comfort budget (€200-350/day)

A 4-star hotel or 5-star resort (€150-300/night), an SUV rental, fine-dining restaurants, a helicopter flight (€205-345), spa treatments, premium outings. Budget €2,800 to €5,000 for 2 weeks as a couple, excluding flights.

•4-5 star hotel €150-300
•SUV €50-90/day
•Fine dining €40-80
•Helicopter €205-345

On the standard and comfort budgets, car hire is one of the bigger items. For high season (December-January, July-August), book 4 to 8 weeks ahead and compare rental car offers before you commit.

6 types of accommodation

Where to sleep in Reunion Island

From free wild camping to a 5-star resort, the offer covers every budget. Six formats worth knowing to pick the stay that fits the plan.

Wild camping on designated sites

Free, allowed on around a dozen forest and seafront sites (Maïdo, Piton Sec, Pointe au Sel, Trois-Bassins, Étang-Salé). Basic facilities, sometimes a water point. Booking through the local council is recommended in high season. A tent is compulsory, no open fires.

See camping spots

Mountain gîtes d'étape

€25 to €30 for a dorm bed, €55 to €70 half-board. Found in Mafate (La Nouvelle, Marla, Roche Plate, Aurère), Cilaos (Bloc, Caverne Dufour), Salazie (Bélouve), the volcano area (Pas de Bellecombe). Bookings are centralised through Île de La Réunion Tourisme, the island's tourist board. It's the most immersive way to stay.

See mountain gîtes

Youth hostels and cheap hotels

€25 to €30 for a dorm bed, €50 to €60 for a private room. Well-known places: Kaz Auberge O Passage (Terre Sainte, Saint-Pierre), Chez Papa Daya (central Saint-Pierre), Elizoziles (western Saint-Leu). A good way to meet people on a budget.

See hostels and cheap hotels

3 to 5-star hotels

€70 to €350 a night depending on category and location. Concentrated on the west coast (Boucan Canot, L'Hermitage, La Saline-les-Bains, Saint-Gilles). My Agoda picks appear across several guides on the site.

See hotels in Reunion Island

Unusual stays

Cabins, domes, glamping, eco-lodges. Gadiamb City in Saint-Pierre (glamping), Domaine Petite Île (sea-view domes), transparent bubbles in the forest. €100 to €250 a night for two.

See unusual stays

A campervan

Your transport and accommodation in one, perfect for a road trip. €80 to €130/day for a 5-seat VW T5 or Pössl via Yescapa, with airport delivery. Ideal for anyone stringing together the cirques, the volcano and the coast without a hotel.

See campervan rental

Getting around

Car, bus or van: which mode to choose

A road through the volcanic scoria plain on the way to Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island

Car rental: the most flexible option. A city car costs €25-35/day, an SUV €50-90/day. Local rental companies (Multiauto, ITC Tropicar) are often cheaper than international chains. See my car rental guide for the full terms.

Car Jaune buses: an inter-city network covering every coastal town and the main towns in the highlands. €2-3 a trip, with the Citalis, Kar'Ouest and Alternéo apps depending on the area. Practical for a trip without a car, more limited for reaching the trails.

A campervan: combines transport and accommodation, ideal for road trips of 5 days or more. €80-130/day for 2-5 people. See the campervan rental page.

The panoramic option

A helicopter to see the whole island

A 25 to 55 minute flight covers Mafate, Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise in a single outing. Operators: Hélilagon, Corail, Mafate Hélicoptères. Easy to combine with a car or a day excursion.

Rent a campervan peer-to-peer via Yescapa: 40+ vans from €50/day. Small van, fitted van, 4-berth pop-top van for a free-roaming road trip.

From

€50/person

View offers

See the full hub: 60+ activities in Reunion Island.

The full road-trip option

A campervan to combine your vehicle and accommodation

For a 5 to 15-day stay, a campervan remains the most efficient tool: sleep wherever you like, cut out hotel costs, keep total freedom over the itinerary. Yescapa offers VW T5s, Pössls and Fiat Ducatos depending on group size. For self-sufficient nights, KAILOP roof tents remain a reference.

Rent a van on Yescapa

Go further

Six companion guides

The wild coastline of Reunion Island: a stream flowing into the ocean, pandanus trees and tropical vegetation at the end of the day

Island-wide

When to go to Reunion Island

Climate, seasons, events

A winding road on the Plaine des Sables, ochre-red ground with distant volcanic fumaroles

Island-wide

Car rental

Rental companies, rates, tips

A trail above the Mafate cirque at sunset, an iconic Reunion Island excursion landscape

Island-wide

5 day excursions

With a driver-guide, from €35

Four hikers in silhouette on a ridge at sunset, backpacks and bivouac mats

Island-wide

Top 10 hikes

Easy, moderate, sporty

L'Hermitage beach in Reunion Island, a turquoise lagoon and casuarina trees, a free activity for tight budgets

Island-wide

10 free activities

For a tight backpacker budget

A solo female traveller in a yellow dress facing the ocean, a green cliff along the Reunion Island coast in the background

Island-wide

Travelling solo in Reunion Island

Safety, solo itineraries

Frequently asked questions

Planning a trip to Reunion Island

How long should a trip to Reunion Island last?

A minimum of 2 weeks to cover the classic programme (the volcano, one cirque, the lagoon). Ideally 3 weeks to add a multi-day Mafate crossing, Piton des Neiges, and some relaxed days. 1 week is still possible for a first trip focused on the volcano and the lagoon, but anything shorter becomes frustrating given the long-haul flight.

When should you go to Reunion Island?

May to November (the dry season) is the recommended period: mild temperatures, easy hiking, clear seas, whales from June to October. December to April is hot and humid, with a cyclone risk monitored by Météo France.

What budget should you plan for 2 weeks in Reunion Island?

Solo backpacker: €700 to €1,000 excluding flights. A couple on a standard comfort budget: €1,400 to €2,000 excluding flights. A couple at 4-5 star comfort: €2,800 to €5,000 excluding flights. Return flights from Paris cost €550 in low season and up to €1,500 at the height of high season; from elsewhere, add the cost of getting to Paris or another hub.

Which airlines fly to Reunion Island?

Air Austral, Air France and French Bee fly direct from Paris (Charles-de-Gaulle or Orly), and Air Mauritius and Corsair Fly also serve the island. If you're not starting in France, you'll usually connect through Paris or Mauritius. Comparing prices 6 months ahead gets the best fares, especially outside French school holidays.

Do you need to rent a car in Reunion Island?

Yes, unless your stay is very localised on the west coast. A car gives you autonomy and lets you explore the whole island. The Car Jaune bus network covers the main towns but makes the highlands hard to reach. My car rental guide details the options and best practices.

What documents do you need to travel to Reunion Island?

Reunion Island is part of France, so French rules apply. French citizens only need a valid ID card. Everyone else should check the entry and visa requirements for their passport with the French embassy or consulate before booking. No vaccinations are compulsory (keep routine vaccinations up to date; yellow fever may be required if you transit through certain countries).

What gear should you pack for Reunion Island?

Swimwear, sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen, a cap, a light rain jacket (it rains often at altitude), a jumper for the highlands (8 to 18°C), walking shoes for the trails, a mask and snorkel for snorkelling. No need to bring toiletries, everything is available locally.

Is it dangerous to travel to Reunion Island?

No, it's a safe destination. No major health risk, modern hospitals, safe tap water. As everywhere: avoid isolated areas at night, don't leave valuables visible in the car. The real danger is mountain weather, so check Réunion National Park's bulletins.

What are the must-do activities in Reunion Island?

Climbing Piton de la Fournaise, hiking in Mafate, a helicopter flight, snorkelling in the Hermitage lagoon, whale watching from June to October, diving in Saint-Gilles or Saint-Leu, canyoning in Cilaos, horse riding at Maïdo. My hub lists 60 supervised activities.

Can you travel to Reunion Island solo or with family?

Yes, and yes. It's a safe island, packed with supervised activities that make it easy to meet people when travelling solo. French is the main language, so a few basic phrases go a long way. For families, accessible trails and easy hikes with children cover a wide range of needs. My guide to travelling solo and my accessibility guide go further into both.

Should you get travel insurance?

Yes. If you're covered by the French health system, your Carte Vitale works in Reunion Island just as in mainland France; everyone else should check what their own cover includes. Either way, insurance is worth having for repatriation, cancellations and higher-risk sports (canyoning, paragliding, diving). Check what your premium bank card already includes before buying anything extra.

Where can you find guided excursions in Reunion Island?

Several formats: day-long group excursions (a coach with a driver-guide, from €35 for a half-day at Maïdo, €60 for a full day), guided hikes with a mountain guide (€55 to €180), catamaran sea trips and whale watching. Full details in my guide to 5 day excursions.

Go further

Related pages on the site

Article updated on 26 October 2026.