As an island, the only two ways of getting to Madagascar are by air or by water. Air travel is the most common, with most inernational flights flying into the capital, Antananarivo. Sea travel is an option from other locations in the Indian Ocean. Getting around the country offers a variety of options, and the most convenient and time effective will depend on what you want to see and how much time you have to see it in.
This Madagascar Transportation Guide gives some details about the best ways of getting to and from the country, as well as the various options available for you to travel around Madagascar after you have arrived. More detailed city transportation options can be found by visiting the transportation guides available on each of the cities or regions listed on our Madagascar Destination Guides page.
Getting to & from Madagascar
Air
Air Madagascar (MD) (http://www.airmadagascar.mg/) is the national airline of Madagascar. Other airlines flying into Madagascar include:
- Air Austral/Air Mauritius
- Air France
- British Airways
- Corsair
- Interair
The main airport is Antananarivo Airport (TNR), which is located 17km (11 miles) from the city. Facilities located at the airport include restaurants, bureaux de change and car hire offices. Transport options into the city centre include taxis and an Air Madagascar shuttle service. Other airports areound the country include Arivonimamo (located near Mahajanga), Nosy Bé and Toamasina. There is no departure tax.
Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Madagascar.
Flights to Madagascar
Water
The main arrival and departure port is Toamasina. A number of international cruise operators now include stopovers in Madagascar on extended cruises around the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.
Getting around Madagascar
Air
Air travel is a good way to get around this vast country, especially if time is short. Almost anywhere in Madagascar can be reached by air, apart from a few locations in the central highlands. Air Madagascar offers some good deals and extensive coverage, flying to over 50 cities and towns throughout the country.
Water
Transport by water is mainly limited to coastal transport services, as rapids on many of the rivers mean that they are not navigable. Accommodation providers in coastal areas can normally provide detailed information about transport options.
Rail
There are five different railway links on Madagascar, including to Toamasina and Fianarantsoa to Manakara. These are quite scenic journeys, passing through forests, mountains and small villages. Some of the other links are to Antsirabe and Moramaga to Lake Alaotra. The Antananarivo to Moramanga and Lake Alaotra service is the only regular passenger one, running basically every second day and returning the day after. First-class carriages are air-conditioned, and light snacks and refreshments are served on board.
Road
The road network in Madagascar is quite poor. Tarred roads are normally only used to link major towns in the most populated areas, with the remainder still dirt roads. These are often impassable in the rainy season, which runs from November to March. Traffic drives on the right.
Buses
Buses charge a flat fare, regardless of the distance of the journey. The buses are normally very crowded, quite slow, and the service is often unreliable.
Taxi
In everywhere except Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, taxis charge flat fares for rides. In the two cities mentioned, it depends on whether the ride is staying in the ‘lower town’ or continues on to the ‘upper town’. There are two types of taxis in Madagascar. One is the taxi-be, which is much more comfortable and generally alot quicker, and the other is the taxi-brousse (bush taxi), which makes more stops, is cheaper, slower and normally operates on cross-country routes. You should agree on the fare before commencing your journey.
Pousse-pousse
The pousse-pousse (rickshaw) is a common way of getting around within cities and towns. Prices are not set, and will vary depending on the distance of the journey. They should also be agreed upon in advance.
Car Hire
Car hire is not very common, and car hire offices can normally only be found in the bigger towns and cities. Driving can be quite a stressful experience, and therefore it is normally a better option to hire a car and a driver. If you do choose to drive yourself, a national driving licence is normally sufficient, but make sure to make detailed inquiries about what is covered by the insurance.
