Driving in Seychelles — Quick Summary
Seychelles drives on the left (same as the UK). Your home driving licence is valid — no international permit needed. Speed limits: 40 km/h in towns, 65 km/h on main roads, 80 km/h on the highway. Roads are paved but narrow and winding. All SeyBooking rental cars are automatic with AC. Minimum age 18. Rent from €45/day — free airport delivery.

Driving in Seychelles — The Complete Guide for Visitors

Driving in Seychelles is the best way to explore the islands. The roads are quiet, the scenery is stunning, and having your own car means you can reach beaches, restaurants, and viewpoints that buses and taxis simply cannot. This guide covers everything you need to know before getting behind the wheel.

The Essentials

Side of road Left (same as UK, Australia, Japan)
Steering wheel Right-hand drive
Licence required Your home country licence (any nationality). No international permit needed.
Minimum driving age 18 years old
Seatbelts Mandatory for driver and all passengers
Drink driving limit 0.08% BAC (strictly enforced — police checkpoints are common)
Mobile phone Hands-free only. No handheld use while driving.
Headlights Required from 6 PM to 6 AM

Speed Limits

40
km/h
Towns & built-up areas
65
km/h
Main roads
80
km/h
Dual carriageway (Victoria–Airport)

Speed cameras operate at several locations, particularly on the Victoria–Airport road and near schools. Fines are issued and can be sent to your hotel or rental company.

Driving on the Left — Tips for First-Timers

If you normally drive on the right (Europe, Americas, Middle East), driving on the left feels strange for about 15 minutes. After that, it becomes natural. Here are the key things to remember:

  • Stay left. The biggest risk is drifting to the right at junctions and after overtaking. Keep a mental note: “stay left, stay left.”
  • Roundabouts go clockwise. Give way to traffic coming from your right. This is the opposite of Continental Europe.
  • The gear stick is on your left. In an automatic car (all SeyBooking cars are automatic), this does not matter — no gear changes to worry about.
  • Wipers and indicators are swapped. You will hit the wipers when you mean to indicate. Everyone does it. It stops after a day.
  • Look right first when pulling out of junctions and driveways.
  • Overtake on the right. Pass slower vehicles on their right side.

Our recommendation: Pick up your car at the airport and drive the quiet airport road first — it is straight and flat, perfect for getting used to left-hand driving before tackling the mountain roads. All SeyBooking cars are automatic, which removes the gear-change stress entirely.

Road Conditions

Main roads on Mahé and Praslin are paved, well-surfaced, and maintained. However, they are nothing like European motorways. Expect:

  • Narrow roads. Many roads are single-lane in each direction with no hard shoulder. When two vehicles meet on a narrow stretch, one may need to pull over.
  • Mountain passes. Routes like Sans Souci (crossing the centre of Mahé) and La Misère have steep gradients, hairpin bends, and blind corners. Drive slowly and use your horn before blind curves — locals do this and it is expected.
  • No motorways. The only dual carriageway is the short stretch between Victoria and the airport (~5 km). Everything else is single carriageway.
  • Potholes on minor roads. Beach access roads and some side roads can have rough patches. Drive carefully but a standard car handles them fine — no 4×4 needed.
  • Pedestrians and cyclists. Particularly in Victoria and residential areas. Drive cautiously through villages.
  • Buses. SPTC buses stop frequently and can block narrow roads. Be patient — there is no rush in Seychelles.

Best Scenic Drives on Mahé

Having a car is not just about getting from A to B — the drives themselves are spectacular. These are the routes worth taking slowly, windows down, camera ready:

Route Time Highlights
Sans Souci Pass
Victoria → Port Glaud via mountain		 30 min The most dramatic mountain road. Hairpin bends through dense jungle with panoramic views over both coasts. Stop at the Mission Lodge viewpoint — the most photographed viewpoint on Mahé.
La Misère Road
Victoria → Anse Royale via mountain		 25 min Climb over the central mountains with views of Eden Island, the marine park, and the east coast. Quieter than Sans Souci. Stop at the La Misère viewpoint for photos.
South Coast Circuit
Anse Royale → Baie Lazare → Anse Intendance		 45 min The quietest, most beautiful coastal stretch. Granite boulders, deserted beaches, coconut plantations. Stop at Anse Takamaka, Baie Lazare, and Anse Intendance — three beaches in one drive.
West Coast Road
Port Glaud → Anse Soleil		 30 min Wind through Port Launay Marine Park to the hidden coves of the west coast. Detour down the narrow road to Anse Soleil for the best beach restaurant on the island.
Full Mahé Circuit
Complete loop of the island		 2.5–3 hrs Drive the entire coast road around Mahé. ~55 km total. Add the Sans Souci pass through the middle for a figure-eight route. The ultimate Seychelles road trip — plan a full day with beach stops.

Every scenic drive requires a rental car. There are no tour buses, no hop-on-hop-off services, and the public bus does not take these routes.

Rent a Car — from €45/day, all scenic routes included →

Petrol Stations

Fuel costs approximately SCR 22–25 per litre (~€1.40–1.60). Economy cars like the Suzuki Celerio use about 5–6 litres per 100 km, so a full tank lasts several days on Mahé. Stations are located at:

Mahé

  • Victoria (multiple stations)
  • Beau Vallon
  • Anse Royale
  • Baie Lazare
  • Port Glaud
  • Pointe Larue (near airport)

Praslin

  • Baie Sainte Anne
  • Grand Anse

Praslin is small — two stations cover the entire island.

Tip: Most stations close by 7–8 PM. Fill up during the day. SeyBooking cars are returned with the same fuel level as pickup — no need to return full.

Parking

Parking in Seychelles is generally easy and free outside Victoria. Hotels have their own parking. Beach access roads usually have informal parking areas at the end. A few things to know:

  • Victoria: Paid parking in the town centre. The multi-storey car park near the market is the most convenient. Street parking is scarce during work hours.
  • Beaches: Free roadside or end-of-road parking at most beaches. Anse Soleil, Petite Anse, and some south coast beaches have limited spaces — arrive early.
  • Do not block driveways or narrow roads. Locals will let you know politely but firmly.
  • Lock your car and do not leave valuables visible. Seychelles is generally safe, but opportunistic theft from unlocked cars at remote beaches does occur.

Do I Need a 4×4?

No. A standard automatic car handles every main road and the vast majority of beach access roads on both Mahé and Praslin. The mountain passes (Sans Souci, La Misère) are steep but fully paved — any car with reasonable power can manage them.

The only scenarios where higher ground clearance helps are unpaved tracks to remote viewpoints or construction sites — these are optional detours, not essential routes. Our SUV options (Suzuki Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki Fronx from €65/day) provide extra comfort and space for families, but they are not required for the roads.

Emergencies & Useful Numbers

Police 999
Ambulance 151
Fire 999
SeyBooking 24/7 roadside assistance +248 2 577 772 (call or WhatsApp)
In case of accident Stop. Do not move the vehicles. Call the police (999). Call SeyBooking. Exchange details with the other driver. Take photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side of the road do they drive on?

Left side, same as the UK. All rental cars are right-hand drive. It takes about 15 minutes to adjust. The main thing to remember: stay left, especially at roundabouts (go clockwise) and after overtaking.

Do I need an international driving licence?

No. Your home country licence is valid in Seychelles. This applies to all nationalities — EU, UK, US, Australian, Middle Eastern, Asian, African. No international permit needed.

Are the roads safe?

Yes. Seychelles has low traffic, no aggressive driving culture, and well-maintained main roads. The challenges are narrow mountain roads and blind corners — drive slowly, use your horn before blind curves (locals do this), and you will be fine.

Do I need a 4×4?

No. A standard automatic car handles all main roads and beach access roads. Our economy cars (from €45/day) are perfect for the island roads. SUVs (from €65/day) offer more space and comfort but are not necessary for the terrain.

How much does petrol cost?

Approximately SCR 22–25 per litre (~€1.40–1.60). An economy car uses about 5–6 litres per 100 km. A full tank will last several days on Mahé — the island is only 27 km long.

What is the minimum age to rent a car?

18 years old with SeyBooking. Most other rental companies require 21 or 25. You need a valid driving licence from your home country.

What if I break down?

Call SeyBooking on +248 2 577 772 (available 24/7 by phone and WhatsApp). We arrange a replacement vehicle or roadside assistance. Full comprehensive insurance is included with every rental — you are covered.

Ready to Drive Seychelles?

All cars automatic. All inclusive. Free airport delivery. 24/7 support.

From €45/day · No deposit · No credit card · Minimum age 18

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