Published
Updated September 2026

Reunion Island without a car: is it possible?

Buses, taxis, guided tours with hotel pick-up, activity shuttles: 5 ways to explore the island without hiring a car, and the best places to base yourself to make it work.

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You often hear that there's no point visiting Reunion Island without a car. That's not true, as long as you accept a few limits: sticking to 2-3 well-served areas, using guided tours for remote places, and giving up a bit of spontaneity.

Here are the 5 ways to get around and the 4 best bases to make it work, with real budgets and practical tips.

Transport

5 ways to get around

1

The Car Jaune network (intercity)

The island-wide bus network links every major town on 14 routes: Saint-Denis ↔ Saint-Pierre along the coast road, Saint-Denis ↔ Saint-Benoît via the east, the wild south route to Saint-Philippe, and mountain routes to Cilaos, Plaine-des-Cafres and Plaine-des-Palmistes. A low flat fare per journey. Frequent buses during the day, fewer in the evening and at weekends.

Pros
  • +Very cheap
  • +Covers the whole coast
  • +An official timetable app
Limits
  • -Journeys can be long
  • -No buses at night
  • -Fewer buses on Sundays
2

Town bus networks (Citalis, Alternéo, Estival)

Saint-Denis and the north have the Citalis network (good coverage), the south has Alternéo (Saint-Pierre, Le Tampon, Saint-Louis) and the east has Estival (Saint-Benoît, Sainte-Rose). They're reliable for getting around town, and each has its own real-time timetable app.

Pros
  • +Good coverage in town
  • +Cheap fares
  • +Real-time apps
Limits
  • -Networks don't connect directly
  • -Few evening buses
  • -Not much use for remote sites
3

Taxis and private-hire cars

Available at the airport, in town centres and near hotels, but mostly by booking rather than hailing in the street. Regulated fares in town (around €10-25 for a short trip), higher at night (9pm-7am) and on Sundays. For long trips or into the mountains, agree a fixed price in advance.

Pros
  • +Easy to find in town
  • +Comfortable
  • +Fine with luggage
Limits
  • -Expensive outside town
  • -Harder to find in the evening and at weekends
  • -Not ideal for remote spots
4

Guided day tours with hotel pick-up

The easiest way to sightsee without a car: a day trip by minibus with a guide, with pick-up from your hotel. All the reputable operators run them to Maïdo, the volcano, Cilaos, Salazie and the Wild South. The price includes transport, a guide and sometimes lunch. Ideal for 1-3 days of exploring without hiring a car.

Pros
  • +No planning needed
  • +A local guide
  • +Well-organised visits
Limits
  • -Pricier than going it alone (around €80-160 a day)
  • -Fixed timetable
  • -Fewer departures out of season
5

Activity shuttles (helicopter, paragliding, boat)

Most guided activities offer a free or cheap shuttle from your hotel: helicopter flights (Pierrefonds), paragliding (Saint-Leu), whale and dolphin trips (Saint-Gilles), the lava tunnel (on the lava road), canyoning. Ask when you book: it saves the hassle of getting to remote spots.

Pros
  • +Shuttle often included
  • +Everything taken care of
  • +No hassle
Limits
  • -Confirm when booking
  • -Pick-up area is limited
  • -Watch the timings
Where to base your trip

4 destinations that work without a car

Saint-Denis

The capital, 10 minutes from the airport, with a dense Citalis bus network for museums, markets, the seafront and the Jardin de l'État botanical garden. Ideal for 1-2 nights when you arrive.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

The best base without a car: a direct T line bus from the airport, several Car Jaune stops, and accommodation within walking distance of the lagoon, restaurants and supervised beaches. Boat trips leave from here too.

Cilaos

A cirque you can reach by bus from Saint-Louis (on the road with 420 bends, around 1.5 hours). Once there, the whole village is walkable. If you're not staying the night, a guided day trip is the better option.

L'Ermitage / La Saline

A good choice for the lagoon: quieter than Saint-Gilles and just as easy to reach by bus, with accommodation close to the beach, beach snack bars and the Friday market in La Saline.

The top pick without a car

The island tour by helicopter

If you have no car to reach remote places, a helicopter solves the problem. Flights leave from Pierrefonds, and a shuttle from your hotel can often be arranged. 25 minutes for the volcano (€205), 45 for the cirques plus the volcano (€305), 55 for the full tour (€345).

See helicopter rates
Frequently asked questions

Reunion Island without a car: your questions answered

Can you really visit Reunion Island without a car?
Yes, and for some travellers it's even the better option (tight budgets, nervous mountain drivers, short trips). But you'll need to stick to 2-3 well-served areas (Saint-Gilles, Saint-Denis, Cilaos) and use guided day tours with hotel pick-up for remote places (Maïdo, the volcano, Mafate).
How do I get from Roland Garros Airport without a car?
Three bus options: the Citalis ZE line (around 10 minutes to central Saint-Denis), the Car Jaune S line (to Saint-Pierre along the coast road, around 1.5 hours) and the Car Jaune T line (airport ↔ Saint-Gilles, around 45 minutes). Otherwise, a taxi (around €25-35 to Saint-Denis, €80-100 to Saint-Gilles).
Which activities can I do without a car?
Almost anything with a shuttle included: helicopter flights (pick-up available), paragliding in Saint-Leu, whale and dolphin trips from Saint-Gilles, glass-bottom kayaking, diving, catamaran trips. For the volcano, Maïdo, Mafate or Cilaos, book a guided day trip by minibus.
Is a car-free trip cheaper than hiring a car?
A hire car costs around €30-50 a day, plus fuel and parking. Without a car, allow around €5-10 a day for buses plus €80-160 per guided day tour to remote sites (around 3 over a week). All in, going car-free works out slightly more expensive, but it saves you parking, driving and fatigue.
Is there a train in Reunion Island?
No, not since 1976 (the 'Lorraine' train ran between Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre until then). A regional tram project comes up regularly but hasn't happened so far. Buses are the only public transport.
Can I get to Mafate without a car?
No road enters Mafate anyway: you reach it on foot or by helicopter, so not having a car is no disadvantage. From Saint-Paul or Saint-Louis, take a Car Jaune bus to a trailhead (Sans-Souci, Le Bélier, Cilaos) and hike in. See the dedicated guide to the 2-day Mafate hike.
What are the best apps for getting around Reunion Island?
Car Jaune (regional network), Citalis (Saint-Denis and the north), Alternéo (the south), Estival (the east). All have real-time timetables and journey planners. Park4night is handy even without a car, for picnic and wild-camping spots near the stops.
Keep reading

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And if, once you're there, you fancy setting your own timetable for a day or two, a short car hire can sit alongside the buses and guided tours: see which cars are available.

Article updated on 19 September 2026.