Compare car hire, buses, the metro express and taxis to choose the ideal way to get around Mauritius and explore the west coast freely.
Are you arriving in Mauritius soon and wondering how to get around once you’re there? Hiring a car remains the most flexible way to explore the west coast, while buses, the Metro Express, taxis and scooters provide alternatives to suit all budgets. Each area of the island has its own transport habits, and the right choice depends on your holiday plans. Here’s a clear overview of the different transport options to help you understand how to get around Mauritius with complete peace of mind during your stay at our luxury residence, Legend Hill.
When travelling around Mauritius, you have five main options, each suited to a specific purpose. No single transport network covers the entire island with the same level of service, so a car remains the most convenient option for connecting towns, beaches and sightseeing spots.
Before choosing your mode of transport, compare these options according to your itinerary and travel pace:
Our concierge team will be delighted to assist you and provide further information.
Hiring a car is widely considered the best way to get around Mauritius, especially on the west coast, where public transport options are more limited. You must be at least 21 years old and have held your driving licence for more than one year to rent a vehicle. Prices vary depending on the vehicle category and the season: our concierge team will be delighted to give you the exact rates.
One detail often surprises travellers: driving is on the left, a legacy of the British colonial period in Mauritius. The main roads are generally in good condition, but road signs and roundabouts require a little extra attention during your first few days. Once you get used to it, it’s easy to reach Tamarin, the north of the island or some of the more secluded beaches.
From our property perched on the hills of La Tourelle in Rivière Noire, having a car gives you access to the entire west coast in less than thirty minutes. Our concierge team will be happy to arrange your car hire and recommend the most pleasant routes to Tamarin, Chamarel or the beaches of the south-west, away from the busiest roads.
Public transport remains the most economical way to get around Mauritius, provided you are not in a hurry. The bus network and Metro Express mainly cover the central area and the island’s major towns.
The bus network serves almost all Mauritian towns and villages at very low fares, starting at around twenty rupees per journey, less than one euro. Buses generally run from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in towns, with a reduced service on Sundays. They are an ideal option for reaching markets or northern beaches such as Grand Baie, provided you are prepared for journeys that can sometimes be slow and lack precise timetables.
The Metro Express connects Port Louis to Curepipe via 20 stations, with the journey taking around forty minutes. Trains run every ten minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the fare is calculated according to the number of zones travelled. Air-conditioned and punctual, it helps you avoid traffic congestion on the central plateau, but it does not serve the coastal areas of the west coast.
A taxi is the most comfortable way to get around Mauritius without getting behind the wheel. Fares are not based on a regulated meter, so always agree on the price with the driver before setting off, depending on the distance.
Apps such as Yugo now make it easier to book a local taxi, with the fare confirmed before you set off.
For your arrival, please note that Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is located in Plaisance, in the south-east of the island. Reaching the west coast takes around an hour by road, covering approximately 53 kilometres to Rivière Noire. Booking a private transfer in advance means you can avoid waiting after a long flight.
Once here, our residents can enjoy golf-cart shuttles to get around our 10-hectare estate, as well as a private car transfer service from the airport.
Every stay is an opportunity to create unforgettable memories through genuine and personalised attention. With 23 years in luxury hospitality, I coordinate every journey, from your arrival transfer to your boat excursion.
From your first transfer to boat excursions, our private concierge service, available 7 days a week, coordinates every aspect of your travel.
Dreaming of a stay where every journey becomes part of the experience rather than a constraint? Leave the organisation of your transport to the Legend Hill concierge team and enjoy the Mauritian west coast in complete freedom.
Want a stay with no travel worries?
Method: the number of stations, operating hours and frequency of the Metro Express were taken from the official Metro Express Mauritius website, driving rules and licence requirements were cross-checked with the guides listed above, and distances and journey times were supplemented by the Legend Hill team's field knowledge of the west coast, verified in August 2026. Bus, taxi and car hire rates change over time: ask our concierge team before booking.
Sunny Malliah started out as a receptionist in Mauritian hospitality in 2003 and now heads the rooms division at Legend Hill: front office, concierge, reservations and housekeeping. Twenty-three years on the ground, a CTH hospitality management diploma and a Cornell certificate, plus the coordination of a 54-room build and a water park project. A great stay, in this view, is above all a well-paced one, much like our one-week itineraries.
La Plantation Marguery
Black River Mauritius
Tel : +230 5509 8168
reservations@legendhill-mauritius.com