Getting around Seychelles means two things, moving between islands and getting about on each one. Between islands you take the fast Cat Cocos catamaran or a short Air Seychelles flight. On Mahe and Praslin a hire car gives you the most freedom, backed up by cheap SPTC buses and taxis. La Digue is almost car-free, so you explore it by bicycle.
Seychelles is wonderfully easy to travel once you understand that the journey has two layers. First you hop between the main islands, then you explore each one on the ground. Get both sorted and the whole country is within reach, even on a short trip.
Between the islands
The three main islands, Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, are linked by sea and air. The fast Cat Cocos catamaran is the workhorse, crossing from Mahe to Praslin in about an hour and continuing to La Digue, with the short Praslin to La Digue leg taking only around fifteen minutes. Air Seychelles flies the Mahe to Praslin route in roughly fifteen minutes too, a scenic shortcut if you would rather not take the water. Book the ferries ahead in busy periods, since the popular sailings fill up. Our inter-island ferry schedule lays out the crossings and timings.
On Mahe and Praslin: hire a car
For the two larger islands, nothing beats a hire car. It frees you from timetables, gets you to the quieter beaches the buses never reach, and turns the islands into an easy series of day trips. Roads are paved and signed, you drive on the left, and distances are short. With free delivery to your hotel or the airport and no deposit needed, picking up a car on arrival is the simplest way to make the islands your own.
Buses and taxis
If you would rather not drive, the SPTC public bus network covers Mahe and Praslin cheaply and reaches most places a visitor wants to go, if not always quickly. It is a fun, local way to travel, and our bus route finder helps you plan a journey and catch the right one. Taxis are available too, handy for airport runs and evenings out, though they cost considerably more than the bus.
La Digue: by bicycle
La Digue plays by its own rules. There are almost no cars, and the island is small and flat, so everyone gets around by bicycle, hired right at the jetty for a modest daily rate. Cycling between the beaches under the palms is one of the great simple pleasures of a Seychelles trip. A few taxis and golf buggies handle luggage and longer trips.
Putting it together
A typical island-hopping trip might start with a hire car on Mahe, cross to Praslin by catamaran and pick up a second car there, then take the short ferry to La Digue for a day or two on two wheels. Plan the ferry legs around your hotel changes, sort your cars in advance, and the logistics melt away.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get around Seychelles?
Between islands, the fast Cat Cocos catamaran or a short Air Seychelles flight. On Mahe and Praslin, a hire car gives the most freedom, with cheap SPTC buses as a backup. La Digue is explored by bicycle.
Do you need a car in Seychelles?
On Mahe and Praslin a hire car is the easiest way to reach the quieter beaches and travel on your own schedule. On car-free La Digue you do not need one, as everyone cycles.
How do you travel between the Seychelles islands?
By the fast Cat Cocos catamaran, about an hour from Mahe to Praslin and on to La Digue, or by a short Air Seychelles domestic flight of around fifteen minutes.
Are there buses in Seychelles?
Yes. The SPTC public bus network covers Mahe and Praslin cheaply and reaches most visitor spots. Use a route finder to plan your journey, and carry small rupee notes for the fare.
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