There is no train, no metro and no official shuttle from Mauritius airport — the decision is made before you land. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) airport sits at Plaine Magnien, in the far south-east of the island; almost every hotel is 45 to 90 minutes away by road. Three routes lead from the terminal to the coast: the taxi from the official counter, the public bus at about Rs 30, and the pre-booked driver. This guide compares all three — with prices checked on 15 October 2026. And once you are at the hotel, the explorer map with the island’s spots takes over the planning.
Budget tip: in Mauritius, part of what you do can cost you less. See how to save money with discounts on your activities.
On arrival: your three options
Land in Mauritius and, after customs and the baggage belt, you step into a single arrivals hall — with exactly three choices. One: the taxi. There is an official counter with a posted fare list, right past the sliding doors. Two: the public bus. By far the cheapest, but it does not stop outside the terminal — its stop is in the car park — and it does not suit every flight. Three: the pre-booked driver, waiting in the hall with a sign bearing your name, at a price fixed before you even took off.
Full guide: Flights to Mauritius: when to book, direct routes and smart prices
The right answer depends less on budget than on three questions: what time do you land? With how much luggage? And how many of you are there? A couple arriving at 11 pm after a twelve-hour flight does a different calculation from a backpacker landing at noon with a cabin bag. So here are the three routes, one by one — with the real numbers.
One quirk first, because it surprises many travellers: the Metro Express, the island’s modern light rail, does not go to the airport. It links Port Louis with Curepipe and the towns of the central plateau. For the airport–hotel leg, it plays no part.
The taxi: official counter, 2026 fare list
In the arrivals hall, just past the sliding doors, stands the official taxi counter. A fare list applies there, in force since January 2026 — the key reference points: to Flic-en-Flac and the Wolmar hotels, about Rs 3,000 (roughly €60 depending on the rate), to Le Morne or Chamarel, about Rs 3,500, to the north-east coast also about Rs 3,500. The decisive detail: the price is per vehicle, not per person — with four of you, the taxi suddenly becomes good value.
Two things worth knowing. Nights cost more: between roughly 11 pm and 5 am a surcharge of 10 to 20 percent applies — and many long-haul flights from Europe land precisely in that window. And payment is mostly cash, in rupees: there are ATMs in the arrivals hall; paying in euros or dollars rarely gets you the best rate. Ask to see the printed fare list at the counter and have the price confirmed before the luggage goes into the boot.
The drivers at the official counter are licensed and the cars are fine — the system works. The one real drawback of the airport taxi: you only learn the price at the counter, and you pay in cash. After a night flight with two tired children, hunting for the ATM is exactly the step you would rather skip.
The Rs 30 bus — and its limits
Yes, you can leave Mauritius airport for less than one euro. Three bus routes serve the airport stop (timetable checked on 15 October 2026): route 9 from Mahébourg via the airport to Curepipe (first bus 5:00 am, last 7:25 pm, about every 9 minutes), route 10 to Rivière des Galets (5:45 am to 6:15 pm, about every 20 minutes) and route 198 to Port Louis (5:25 am to 6:25 pm, about every 15 minutes). A ride costs about Rs 30.
The stop, however, is not outside the terminal but in the middle of the car park: leave the building and keep right. Allow about 70 minutes to Port Louis — and for most travellers the journey only starts there: for Grand Baie you have to change, for instance onto route 215. With two big suitcases it gets sporty: the buses have no real luggage hold.
The honest verdict: the bus is a real option if you land in daytime, travelling light, with time to spare — and a lovely first taste of the island’s everyday life. It is the wrong choice after a night flight, with lots of luggage or on an evening arrival: the last buses leave long before the late planes land.
The pre-booked driver: prices per vehicle
The third route: a transfer booked online before departure. The driver tracks your flight, waits in arrivals with a sign bearing your name and takes you straight to the hotel — the price is fixed in advance, night or day, with no surcharge. On the Kiwitaxi booking page, on 15 October 2026, the Mauritius prices read as follows, per vehicle: a sedan for up to 4 people $65 — whether to Flic-en-Flac in the west (about 47 km, 1 h 15) or Trou-aux-Biches in the north (about 70 km, 1 h 30). A minivan for 4 with lots of luggage $70, a minibus for 7 $75, for 10 $118.
The rules of the game, as stated on the page: book at least 16 hours before pick-up (24 hours for the big minibuses), 90 minutes of waiting are free — enough buffer for a slow passport queue — and rescheduling and cancellation are flexible. Do the maths: for 7 people, $75 per vehicle is under $11 a head — no other means of transport with room for suitcases comes close.
Who is it right for? Anyone landing at night (a fixed price instead of a surcharge and an ATM hunt), families and groups (one minibus instead of two taxis), and anyone who, after twelve hours in the air, simply wants to see their name on a sign. If you land at noon, as a pair, travelling light, the counter taxi serves you just as well.
Hotel shuttle or rental car?
Two routes remain. The hotel transfer: many resorts arrange their own car on request — comfortable, but rarely the cheapest option; the hotel quotes its price at booking, so simply compare it with the figures above. The rental car from the airport: it makes sense if you plan to stay mobile all holiday — remember Mauritius drives on the left, and avoid scheduling your first drive at night after a long-haul flight.
Full guide: Renting a Car in Mauritius: Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid
However you arrive, the first days are easier to plan when the spots are already sorted. In the app, the island’s 225 addresses are sorted by category, and day one’s route slides straight into the weekly agenda.
How long to your coast?
The airport is in the south-east — so almost everything lies “on the other side”. The reference points: Mahébourg and Blue Bay are a good ten minutes away, the only truly nearby destinations. Port Louis is about 48 km, 45 to 60 minutes. Flic-en-Flac in the west: about 47 km, around 1 h 15. The north (Trou-aux-Biches, Grand Baie): about 70 km, around 1 h 30. The east coast around Belle Mare is closer in kilometres but its roads are smaller — allow about an hour.
Keep a margin in the schedule: around Port Louis, traffic jams up in the morning and late afternoon. And if you are aiming for the beach on arrival day, a glance at the land and sea conditions, zone by zone, is worth it — the island’s coasts rarely share the same weather at the same time.
Which option for whom?
Couple, night flight, two suitcases: pre-booked driver. $65 per vehicle, name sign, fixed price — the gap to the taxi is small, the comfort gain after a long-haul flight is large.
Family or group of 5 or more: minibus, no contest. $75 for 7 people or $118 for 10 beats any other per-head calculation — and every suitcase comes along.
Solo, cabin bag, landing at noon: the Rs 30 bus, as a first little adventure. Or the counter taxi if your accommodation is far from the bus routes.
And once the suitcase is in the room, the real journey begins: look at the map and pick which corner of the island to explore tomorrow — with the weather, the routes and the spots you actually came for.
FAQ
Is there a train or metro from the airport?
No. The Metro Express links Port Louis with Curepipe but does not serve the airport. That leaves the taxi, the bus, the pre-booked driver — or a rental car.
How much is a taxi from the airport?
Per the official list (since January 2026): about Rs 3,000 to Flic-en-Flac, about Rs 3,500 to Le Morne or Chamarel — per vehicle. At night (11 pm to 5 am), a 10 to 20 percent surcharge. Pay cash, in rupees.
Can you reach your hotel by bus?
For about Rs 30 — routes 9, 10 and 198, stop in the car park. But: a change for the north, no luggage hold, last departures in the early evening.
How far ahead should you book the transfer?
At least 16 hours before (24 hours for the big minibuses). The driver waits with a name sign, and 90 minutes of waiting are free.
Is the app paid?
Yes: €24.90 once, for life, no subscription — every feature included. 30-day money-back guarantee.
