Getting around Seychelles: ferries, buses, driving and domestic flights

Seychelles is small but not walkable end to end. The three islands most visitors use — Mahé, Praslin and La Digue — each have a different best mode, and the ferry is the spine that connects them. Costs below are 2026 estimates; confirm current fares and schedules before you book.

Between islands, the Cat Cocos ferry is the default. Mahé to Praslin takes about an hour and leaves from Victoria; Praslin to La Digue is a 15-minute hop. Book ahead in high season, arrive 30 minutes early, and sit low and at the back if you are prone to seasickness — the crossing is rough in the trade-wind season. The Air Seychelles shuttle between Mahé and Praslin takes about 15 minutes and is the smoother option when the sea is up, but baggage limits are tight and there is no airport on La Digue, so you still finish by boat.

On Mahé and Praslin, a hire car is the best way to reach beaches on your own schedule. Roads are steep and narrow with deep drains, and you drive on the left. A car is not essential if you base yourself in one place and use buses and taxis, but it saves time and money once you want to string together several beaches in a day.

The SPTC public bus is cheap and scenic and covers most of Mahé and Praslin. Bring exact change, expect crowding at school times, and note that services stop early evening. On La Digue, almost everyone rides a bicycle: the island is small, but the east side has steep hills, so lock the bike when you stop.

Taxis work for transfers — the airport to Beau Vallon is about 30 minutes — but they are expensive, so agree the fare before you get in. There is no rail network anywhere in the country.

Ferry schedules are daytime only, so a late arrival on Mahé can strand you for the night. Trade-wind season crossings are rough; if you get seasick, take the flight or sit low and at the back. Domestic flight baggage limits are strict, and La Digue has no airport.

On the road, watch the deep drains at the edge of narrow roads, and remember traffic drives on the left. Bus drivers may not give change, and services end early evening. Bicycles on La Digue need locking, and the east-side hills are steeper than they look on a map.

Tap water is treated on Mahé and Praslin, though many visitors drink bottled or filtered water. Shops close Saturday afternoon and Sunday, and Victoria is quiet on Sundays — plan fuel, cash and groceries around that.

Fares, schedules and baggage rules change; treat every figure here as a 2026 estimate and confirm with the operator before you travel. This page was last checked in September 2026.