Discussion · VoyageForum

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Original post

Dard

17 posts

2025-08-17

Hey Fellow Travelers,

I was caught off guard when the Malagasy consulate in Scandinavia informed me they don’t issue entry visas for Madagascar—what’s the point of a consulate, I wonder! They advised me to apply at the Malagasy embassy in London. So, I started filling out the online form, but the price for the visa made me do a double-take: nearly 200 €!

But apparently, you can also get it on arrival! Has anyone tried this before? I’d love to know if the process takes a long time (I’ll be landing in Nosy Be, exhausted after nearly 15 hours of travel), what the cost is, and—since corruption isn’t just a word—whether you absolutely have to grease the palm of the official(s). This is because I almost took the next flight back when I arrived in a country I won’t name. Even though all my documents were in order—passport, visa, vaccinations, hotel reservation—the immigration officer initially refused to stamp my passport. I later found out I was supposed to slip at least $10 into the document when presenting it... Thanks! /d

Dard

Tongasoa31 ·2025-08-17

No worries about getting your tourist visa on arrival. Sometimes the customs officers might ask for a little "gift" when they search your luggage, but if you don’t give in, there won’t be any consequences. They’re just trying their luck, that’s all

DA Dard ·2025-08-18

No problem getting your tourist visa on arrival. Sometimes the customs officers, when searching your luggage, might ask for a little "gift," but if you don’t give in, there won’t be any consequences. They’re just trying their luck, that’s all.

Thanks! I know these officials are underpaid, but I’m against this kind of practice. So I’ll turn a deaf ear to any potential request for a "little gift!" Now I just need to find out how much the visa costs! /d

Dard

Daniel74 Veteran ·2025-08-18

Hi, It’s totally possible to get your visa on arrival. 30-day visa: 35 €; 60-day visa: 40 €. That’s what I did: 2022, 2023, 2024, and soon in September. I arrive with Air France—it’s a bit long. Maybe it’s quicker if you arrive with another airline.

Daniel - Hédoniste "Vivre simplement pour que d'autres puissent simplement vivre" Gandhi

DA Dard ·2025-08-19

Hey Daniel, A huge thanks for your reply! My online visa application would’ve cost me around 150 €! The difference between 35 € and 150 € isn’t small, that’s for sure! Have a great trip! /d

Dard

DA Dard ·2025-09-27

Hello Daniel74, I’d hate to take advantage of your kindness, but alarming news is circulating about the highly unstable situation in Madagascar, which seems to be experiencing violent street protests. There are reports of several civilian deaths and injuries, a nationwide curfew imposed by the authorities, and cancellations of both international and domestic flights. Based on your last message, you’re currently in Madagascar. Could you confirm or deny these reports and share your personal take on the situation? Unless the flight cancellations are confirmed, the plane I’ll be on should land at Fascene Airport, Nosy Be, at the beginning of next month—in just a few days! Thanks so much, and take care! /d

Dard

Rotsaka Globetrotter ·2025-09-28

Hi, I’m not on the ground myself, but part of my family is. Yes, there were protests that were meant to be non-violent but turned into looting in several major cities. A curfew was put in place, but not across the entire country. From what I’ve heard, it’s been lifted in several areas.

As far as I know, there aren’t any major issues in Nosy Be, unlike Diego.

On Flightradar, it looks like domestic flights are still operating from Ivato, and some international flights seem to be scheduled (though not all). In Nosy Be, international flights appear to be running as usual.

The situation is volatile, and more gatherings are planned for tomorrow, so keep a close eye on things.

As always, the best way to get updates during a crisis is through the social media channels that Malagasy people follow to stay informed and connected. But you can also check out local newspapers—they’re pretty reliable for a neutral take on what’s happening: Midi Madagasikara L'Express de Madagascar

They’re widely read and fairly rigorous, so worth checking out for a bit of perspective.

Tongasoa31 ·2025-09-28

Hi there.

Western embassies, including France’s, have formally advised against all travel to Madagascar for the past three days.

Air France has canceled all flights between Paris CDG and Antananarivo over the last three days. However, Ivato Airport remains operational for other flights.

Domestic flights are still running but are highly disrupted, with cancellations and schedule changes.

That said, the situation seems to have calmed down slightly since yesterday. President Rajoelina managed to return to the country after being in New York and is trying to regain control. Just when we thought we were finally rid of it...

Really, we’ll have to wait and see how things unfold. The crisis is very unpredictable—it could drag on for years or everything could return to normal quickly. We’ll see...

The hardest-hit cities are Manakara, Antananarivo, Diego, Antsirabe, Mahajanga, Tulear, and of course, Tamatave.

Strength to the Malagasy people fighting for their legitimate rights.

AS Astaffort Regular ·2025-09-28

hi I’ve been in Madagascar for a week now. I left Tana early in the morning because of protests—we saw the police deployment. We arrived in Tamatave (after stopping in Andasibe) Friday evening. We had to take the back streets to get to the hotel near the town hall. All the shops and restaurants were closed, then curfew. We managed to leave Tamatave Saturday morning for Soanierana Ivongo without any issues (except for the terrible road conditions). This morning, we took the Rozina ferry to Sainte-Marie, where we’re staying at the hotel. Here, everything’s working fine—no problems at all. Since we’re staying a week, I’m waiting for updates from my Malagasy friends in Tana. For us, apart from RN 2 and RN 5 being in really bad shape, everything’s okay!! Tana to Tamatave: at least 10 hours Tamatave to Soanierana Ivongo: 7 hours No issues with Madagascar Airlines flights so far. Greetings from the north of Ambodifotra. For visas, no problems on arrival—just pay and make sure your passport is valid for 6 months from your departure date. Bye, the sea is waiting for me. Veloma!

jipi

DA Dard ·2025-09-29

Hello and thank you! I’ll be traveling with Ethiopian Airlines, and from what I’ve gathered, their flights to Nosy Be are still running smoothly! I also went through the articles from the two newspapers you kindly shared. That said, I wouldn’t have made a big deal if my flight had been canceled. Let me explain. I’ve never set foot on the Big Island, and for this first visit, I took the time to browse online, watch several YouTube videos, and what stands out is that poverty—deep, grinding poverty—rears its ugly head everywhere, along with its usual "nuisances": prostitution, rampant corruption, and insecurity. Given that, I understand the protesters and stand with them. Thanks again for your reply! /dard

Dard

Ours81 Regular ·2025-10-10

Hi there, Arrived this morning, October 10th, at Ivato (from Toulouse via Roissy and Nairobi). I got a 90-day visa for 50 € on the spot—otherwise, the standard 30- or 60-day visas are still available.

Daniel74 Veteran ·2025-10-19

Hello, I’m still in Madagascar, in Tana. I arrived on September 22, and was there during the protests on the 25th. They were happening right outside my hotel, near the Indian and French embassies. As soon as I could "escape," I did. My main goal: traveling up the Pangalanes Canal. Headed south to Antsirabe (a few gatherings, but no violence), then Fianarantsoa (nothing to report). I wanted to take the train to Manakara, but it was only running on a very short section. So, I went to Manakara (nothing to report), then Mananjary (nothing to report). I traveled up the canal (nothing to report) over 2 days and 1 night, then took a bush taxi to Brickaville (nothing to report), and finally Tamatave (nothing to report). Right now in Tana, everything is calm—this is how I like this city. I’m flying back to France on October 28 with Air France, which should resume its flights. Important: register on the *Fil d’Ariane* website—it lets you receive updates.

Daniel - Hédoniste "Vivre simplement pour que d'autres puissent simplement vivre" Gandhi

AS Astaffort Regular ·2025-10-19

hi we arrived on the 21st via Turkish Airlines, which maintained all its flights—my friends left on the 14th, while Air France had no flights, with lots of French people saying it was chaos. Don’t exaggerate, I was in Toamasina at the height of the crisis, staying at a downtown hotel near the town hall. After landing, I had no problem driving to the hotel, but everything was closed in the city, so I headed to Soniarana for the Sainte-Marie boat. Breadcrumb trail—barely useful during COVID in 2020. I was in Senegal and got a ticket 20 days after my original date. The return ticket (Air France) cost me double what a round-trip with Royal Air Maroc would’ve been. Air France—a senator’s airline, terrible service, staff barely friendly. Nothing like Turkish Airlines, where you can actually enjoy the food!!!

jipi

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Malagasy visa: cost and procedure

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