Getting Around Mayotte

Road Network and Traffic

The road traffic code in Mayotte is the same as in metropolitan France. The island's road network is fairly average, with roads not always in good condition and often congested during rush hours, especially around and in Mamoudzou. Speed rarely exceeds 50 km/h. In any case, it's best to be cautious of other drivers, as well as two-wheelers, pedestrians, or animals that can be encountered almost anywhere on the roads, particularly at dusk.

Car Rental

There are several car rental agencies in Mayotte, primarily in Mamoudzou, offering vehicles for a minimum of 25/30 € per day. Logically, it's preferable to rent on Grande-Terre, where a vehicle is more necessary than on Petite-Terre, which would require paying for the ferry each time you cross between the two islands. In any case, never leave valuables in the car when it's parked.

Buses and Shared Vehicles

There is no "traditional" bus network in Mayotte, and *taxis-brousse* (some of which are "unofficial") handle transportation outside the cities. These are usually minibuses with a capacity of up to fifteen people, which depart when full and then stop on demand or make a few detours. In any case, they remain economical, with fares generally ranging from 1 to 6 € per trip. Recommended if you're not in a hurry, looking for local interactions, or want to travel cheaply.

Two-Wheelers

Motorcycle

It's possible to rent small motorcycles or scooters for 20 to 25 € per day. This is actually a great way to explore the island. But watch out for theft!

Bicycle

Hitchhiking (and Carpooling)

Hitchhiking is a possible mode of transport, but make sure the person picking you up is doing so for free. In a similar vein, there is now a carpooling service in Mayotte.

Boats

The "Barge" by STM is the only way to connect Petite-Terre (Dzaoudzi) to Grande-Terre (Mamoudzou) via the roughly two-kilometer strait separating the two. The trip takes about fifteen minutes, with departures every half-hour during the day (hourly afterward) and a fare of 0.75 € for pedestrians, 2 or 3 € for two-wheelers, and 15 € for a vehicle. Note that there are actually two boats: the "Barge" for pedestrians and the "Amphidrôme" for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Trains and Domestic Flights

There are no trains or domestic flights in Mayotte.

In Town

There is no urban public transport network in Mayotte.

Taxis

"City taxis" remain inexpensive. Their fare is flat-rate: 1.40 € per person during the day or 2.10 € between 7:00 PM and 5:00 AM, on Sundays, and holidays. They operate in Mamoudzou and Petite-Terre.

There is also a special pricing for taxis labeled "airport" that cover the airport-ferry route. Their fare is 5.60 € during the day and 8.40 € at night, on Sundays, and holidays, regardless of the number of passengers.

Other Means

Whether in Mamoudzou or other localities, you can also get around on foot given their small size.

Which Transport to Choose?

It really depends on how often you need to travel and whether you want (or need) a vehicle full-time. In that case, a scooter can be a good option. Otherwise, you can opt for the economical *taxis-brousse*, though they aren’t always the fastest.

Distances Between Cities

Distances (km) between the main towns:

Pamandzi*: The municipality where Mayotte's airport is located.

Additional Information