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Renting a car or taking taxis in Mauritius?
To explore the island at your own pace, rent a car: roads are in decent shape, traffic drives on the left and there is zero tolerance for drink-driving. If you mostly stay at your hotel or dread driving on the left, take taxis at a fare agreed in advance, topped up with buses and the Metro Express.
Renting a car in Mauritius is the best option if you want to explore the island freely, from north to south, without counting every ride. Roads are generally in good condition, but traffic drives on the left and there is zero tolerance for drink-driving. If you will mostly stay at your hotel, or if driving on the left worries you, taxis at a fare agreed in advance will do, with buses and the Metro Express as backup.
So the choice depends on your trip: how many outings you plan, where your hotel is, your budget and how comfortable you are behind the wheel. Here are the rules, the prices seen in October 2026 and our advice to help you decide.
Car or taxi: the answer depends on your trip
Mauritius is a small island, but its sights are spread out: beaches in the north, Le Morne Brabant in the southwest, the central plateau around Curepipe. Buses stop running early in the evening. Taxis generally have no meter. A rental car is therefore the most flexible option for an active trip.
| Your profile | Our advice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel stay, two or three outings | Taxi at an agreed fare | No deposit, no driving on the left |
| A week or more, lots of outings | Rental car | Free schedule, scattered beaches and sights |
| Tight budget, light luggage | Bus and Metro Express | Extensive network, but slow and stops early in the evening |
| Not comfortable driving | Taxi with driver for the day | Package offered by taxis, according to the tourism authority |
| Evenings at restaurants | Taxi booked for the ride back | Zero tolerance for drink-driving |
Many travelers combine the two: a taxi or transfer on arrival, then a car for a few days of exploring. Others rent for the whole trip and never take a taxi.
Renting a car in Mauritius: license, age and deposit
Your driver's license
The official rules vary with your home country. According to France Diplomatie, the French foreign ministry's travel advice, a French license is accepted for a tourist stay. The ministry still recommends getting an international driving permit before you leave, as a precaution.
The U.S. Department of State says a valid U.S. license lets you drive for up to 4 weeks. For longer stays, it advises an international driving permit. The UK government says a UK photocard license is enough, and you should carry it when driving.
Our advice
The most cautious rule applies to everyone: travel with your national license and an international driving permit, whatever your nationality.
Rental companies can require it even when the law does not. The UK government makes the point: rental companies often have stricter rules, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age or an international driving permit.
Age and driving experience
At Sixt, according to its rental conditions in Mauritius checked in October 2026, you must be 21 and have held your license for at least 2 years. Some vehicle categories require you to be 25. A surcharge applies to drivers under 25.
Licenses printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Arabic, Cyrillic, Japanese and so on) must come with an international driving permit. Photocopies, digital licenses and learner's permits are not accepted.
Credit card and deposit
The deposit is the real question before you sign. At Sixt, the cardholder must be the renter. Prepaid cards and debit cards are refused, unless they are enabled for online payments.
The deposit held on your card is €1,000 for the small and compact categories, and up to €1,500 for the largest models. The exact amount is set when you pick up the car. Check your card limit before you leave.
Our advice
Ask the rental company, in writing, for the deposit and excess amounts before you book. A credit card in your name, with a high enough limit, avoids a bad surprise at the counter.
Insurance and excess
In Mauritius, every vehicle must be insured, France Diplomatie points out. A rental therefore includes third-party insurance. The question is the excess (deductible), meaning what you still pay if the car is damaged.
At Sixt, the standard excess is €1,000 for the small categories and €1,500 for the largest. One option reduces it to €450 for a small car, another brings it down to zero. Tires and windshield are covered by a separate option: without it, you pay for all of the damage.
Local agencies set their own conditions. Read the contract, walk around the car with the agent and photograph every scratch. Our guide to renting a car in Morocco covers these habits in detail, and they work in Mauritius too.
How much does a rental car cost? (October 2026)
Prices vary widely with the season, the length of the rental and the category. In October 2026, the comparison site KAYAK gave an average of 32 U.S. dollars per day, taxes included, for a rental car in Mauritius.
| Category | Average price per day (KAYAK, October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Small car | about $31 |
| SUV | about $61 |
| Mid-size car | about $91 |
| Large car | about $120 |
These are rough averages, based on searches by the site's users. The final price depends on the insurance you choose, the excess option and any young driver surcharge. For reference, France Diplomatie gave €1 = 55.15 Mauritian rupees as of June 3, 2026.
On the Routard forum, in December 2024, a traveler who had rented through her hotel recommended an automatic “for more ease.” With left-hand traffic, it really helps: you don't have to shift gears with your left hand.
Driving in Mauritius: the rules to know
Traffic drives on the left, as in the UK. According to France Diplomatie, the speed limit is 40 km/h in towns and 80 km/h outside built-up areas. It rises to 110 km/h on some stretches of the four-lane highway that crosses the island from north to south. The island has fixed and mobile speed cameras, and many police patrols carry out targeted checks.
The U.S. Department of State adds two rules: seat belts are mandatory for the driver and passengers, and using your phone while driving is illegal.
Driving is on the left, so it feels quite strange the first few times, but you get used to it very quickly.
Drink-driving: zero tolerance
France Diplomatie describes a “zero tolerance” policy on drink-driving. Penalties range from heavy fines to prison, or a license suspension. The UK government notes that penalties apply even at very low levels, about a quarter of England's legal limit. The simplest rule: not a drop of alcohol if you are driving.
Road conditions
According to France Diplomatie, the road network is in decent shape, but signs and lighting are lacking in places. Some motorists drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and regularly cause accidents. Pedestrians and stray animals sometimes cross.
The UK government notes that accidents are common. Motorbikes are slow and often ride without headlights at night. Some roads are narrow with no sidewalk, and pedestrians and cyclists also use the main roads. Finally, the U.S. Department of State warns that buses often swerve suddenly instead of braking.
Watch out
Avoid driving at night on small roads: lighting is poor, and pedestrians, motorbikes without headlights and animals appear without warning.
If you have an accident
France Diplomatie advises calling the police immediately on 999. Vehicles normally stay where they are until the police arrive. Insurers generally require a copy of the police report, which you need to be compensated. A joint accident report form exists, but not when there are injuries, alcohol or an uninsured vehicle.
The UK government adds a local detail: drivers must carry yellow chalk or a yellow indelible marker in the car. It is used to mark the vehicle's position and registration number on the road after an accident. Ask the rental company for one.
Taxis: convenient, but agree on the fare
Taxis wait at the airport, outside hotels and at stands in town, according to the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA). Your hotel concierge can also call one.
The key point: according to France Diplomatie, taxis generally have no meter. Ask the fare before you get in, and agree on the exact amount, in rupees. The U.S. Department of State advises booking ahead, especially at night.
Our advice
Ask the hotel reception for the usual fare of a trip before you flag down a taxi. You will know whether the driver's price is reasonable.
A taxi for the day
Taxis also offer day packages to visit different regions, the tourism authority says. It is a good solution if you don't want to drive. On the Routard forum, a traveler judged in December 2024 that “the taxi driver-guide option is good.” Agree in advance on the route, the duration and the total price.
Uber and ride-hailing apps
Don't count on them. According to the U.S. Department of State (December 2025), ride-shares are not available in Mauritius. Agree on the fare and how you will pay with the driver before the ride.
Buses and the Metro Express: the budget option
According to France Diplomatie, the bus network is extensive and reliable. Hours vary between sources: the tourism authority gives 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in towns and 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in rural areas. In remote areas, don't count on a bus after 6 p.m.
The Metro Express, a light rail line, links Port Louis and Curepipe with 20 stations, according to its operator. It runs every day, public holidays included, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., hours the company may change. Single tickets are sold at station machines, by cash or bank card. The metro does not serve the airport.
| Mode | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Town buses | 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (MTPA) | Trips between towns and villages |
| Rural buses | 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (MTPA) | Day trips with no tight schedule |
| Metro Express | 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day | Port Louis, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, Curepipe |
Buses suit patient travelers with light luggage. With suitcases, children or a tight schedule, a car or a taxi is simpler.
Safety, entry requirements and calendar
According to France Diplomatie, the whole country is at normal vigilance. Since October 13, 2026, however, the ministry has reported spontaneous protests in some localities, with road closures and transportation disruptions. The UK government says a nighttime curfew applied across most of the island from October 12 to 18, lifted at 4:30 a.m. on October 19. Also check your own government's travel advice.
For parked cars, France Diplomatie recommends leaving no bags or belongings in sight, including in beach parking lots. Details on risks and emergency numbers are on our Mauritius page.
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Check your case on our Mauritius entry requirements page, and apply one to two weeks before you leave if you need a visa. To avoid busy roads on a holiday, see our calendar of festivals in Mauritius.
Watch out
If you run into a protest or a closed road, turn back and follow the local authorities' instructions. Listen to the local media before a long drive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an international driving permit for renting a car in Mauritius?
It depends on your license and the rental company. France Diplomatie recommends the international permit as a precaution, and Sixt requires it for a license in a non-Latin alphabet. The safest choice is to bring one.
Can I rent a car with a debit card?
At Sixt, no, unless the debit card is enabled for online payments. The card must be in the renter's name. Local agencies may have other rules: ask before you book.
Do taxis in Mauritius have meters?
Generally not, according to France Diplomatie. Agree on the fare before you set off, and ask your hotel for the usual price of the trip.
Is driving on the left difficult?
The first few miles call for attention, especially at roundabouts. An automatic helps a lot. Avoid driving at night at first, until you get your bearings.