If you have doubts is it worth hiring a car in Mauritius here is an clear answer: yes it is! Renting a car is the key to unlocking Mauritius’ hidden gems. From secluded beaches to charming villages, you’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace. All you need to do is bring your driver’s license, rent a car, and embark on an adventure. Here I will share my experience and must-read tips before you rent a car in Mauritius in 2024.
I’ve gathered all my experiences of renting a car in Mauritius, along with some useful tips, in this guide, and I hope you’ll find it valuable.
Renting a Car in Mauritius – The 2024 Complete Guide
Mauritius offers car rentals from both local street vendors and international companies. Here’s my experience to help you choose:
- Local Street Rentals: These can be the most budget-friendly option, but be prepared for some uncertainty.
- International Rental Companies: These companies typically offer vehicles in good technical condition, giving you peace of mind. On other hand they usually have a higher price and ask for a quite big rental deposite.
- Hotel Car Rentals: Renting a car through your hotel is convenient, but on my experience it is a way to pay a premium compared to booking online or through a local rental agency.
Where to Find Trusted Rental Cars in Mauritius Online:
- Localrent – this website contains reliable rentals from local car hire companies. To make a car reservation, a small prepayment of 15% is required, with the remaining amount payable on-site in either cash or by card. Official website →
- Economybookings.com – car rental price starts from 30 euros / day for a Hyundai i10. This website provides vehicles from renowned international car rental companies like Sixt, Budget, Avis, and Europcar. Official website →
- DiscoverCars.com – another comparison site offering a wide range of rental car options in Mauritius. I like this website because of good seasonal promotions and zero deposit rental options. It provides vehicles from both good known international car rental companies like Hertz, Budget, Avis and local rentacars like Mauriconnect, Am 38, Garuda Car Rental. Official website →
When vacationing in Mauritius for 1-2 weeks, it’s advisable to utilize international services like localrent or economybookings. I’ve used both platforms to book cars in various countries, and I’ve never encountered any issues with pick-up or return.
If you plan to spend a couple of months on the island, then it makes sense to look for a car from local rental cars. For example, on Flic-en-Flac beach that rents inexpensive Malaysian cars. For example, Perodua Axia. If you are looking for a cheaper car, then this is a great inexpensive option. True, even the Nissan March rides more cheerfully, but it will do for trips around the island.
Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Mauritius
Here is my Mauritius Must-Know tips for first-timers:
- Skip the Manual Transmission: While you might be on a budget, the difference in price between manual and automatic cars in Mauritius is usually negligible. The automatic will make your driving experience much smoother, especially on unfamiliar roads.
- Newer Cars are Better: When renting through LocalRent, you can see real photos and details of each car. But if you choose a local rental on the street,here’s a tip for checking the car’s age: the last two digits of the license plate usually correspond to the year of manufacture. Experienced travelers recommend avoiding cars older than 4-5 years.
- Don’t Get Hot Under the Collar: Always check the air conditioning during a car pickup. It can get quite hot on the island, so ensure it’s working properly.
- Color Matters: Opt for white or red cars over black ones. Lighter colors are more heat-resistant, while black absorbs heat, making the car even hotter inside.
- Book in Advance: Especially during peak season, booking your car rental online in advance is crucial. You’ll have a wider selection of vehicles and potentially score better deals.
Car Rental at Plaine Magnien, Mauritius Airport: My Experience and Tips
When I planned my trip to Mauritius, I chose to pre-book a car through the Localrent website. I’ve frequently used this platform while traveling and have gained extensive experience, making it my preferred choice over any other option. However, if you’d like to book a car from internationally renowned companies such as Europcar, Sixt, Avis, etc., I would recommend using the EconomyBookings website or DiscoverCars website.
Here are some things to consider when pre-booking a car online in Plaine Magnien, Mauritius:
- Pickup Location: Ensure that the pickup location is specified as Mauritius International Airport (MRU). Some websites may list it as Plaine Magnien, others as Mauritius Airport (MRU), or in its longer form, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Occasionally, it may simply be referred to as Mahebourg, the name of the nearest town.
- Pickup Time: Specify your pickup time as your flight arrival time plus an additional hour. I recommend adding your flight number in the order notes for clarity and coordination. This helps ensure a smooth pickup process upon your arrival.
After confirming a car reservation with a small prepayment, I received a booking voucher with all the details in my email.
I picked up the Nissan March subcompact car at the airport for an 8-day rental period. The pickup process went smoothly and quickly. A representative from the rental company was waiting for me at the designated meeting area at the Mauritius Airport. He efficiently completed a rental agreement. I carefully inspected the car, noting any existing damages in the rental agreement, and then proceeded to sign it. And that was it.
Honestly, I can’t claim that this car is fantastic. However, it serves its purpose well for 1-2 persons and is an ideal choice when you are on a budget.
Documents Required for Car Rental in Mauritius
Here are list of the documents you need to rent a car on Mauritius:
- Identification. A valid foreign passport issued by the government.
- Driver’s license. A valid driver’s license is a must. Make sure it’s in good condition and not expired. An international driver’s permit (IDP) is recommended, but not always mandatory. Check with your rental agency for their specific requirements.
- Credit Card: Most rental companies require a credit card in the driver’s name. This is often used for security deposits or to cover any additional charges.
- Reservation Confirmation: If you’ve made a reservation in advance, having the reservation confirmation or booking voucher can be helpful.
The island has both large gas stations with shops and toilets, as well as small gas stations.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Mauritius
In 2024 the cost of renting a car on the island is:
- The lowest price I found for renting a car was at a no-name street rent-a-car agency. It was a car with a manual transmission, priced at 21 euros per day. The car was in extremely poor condition.
- The cheapest price for a car with an automatic transmission is 25 euros / day. Typically, such cars tend to be older and may have limited air conditioning quality.
- The cost of a car on a manual gearbox in normal condition is from 30 euros / day, depending on the size and class of the car.
- The average price for a small car with an automatic transmission is 35 euros per day. The car will be in good condition.
- The hotel offered me a highest price of 50 euros per day.
You can check actual prices on this website →
If you decide to rent a car from local rental agencies, it’s highly probable that you’ll need to provide a cash deposit for the vehicle. Here’s a crucial detail to keep in mind:
Some other costs that you can have with a local rental agency:
- For picking up / dropping off a car at the airport.
- Car wash – you can wash the car before returning but not only outside, interior must be clean too. If the distributor does not like it, he will deduct the car wash from the deposit.
- Gasoline – if you were given a car with a full tank and you return it with an empty one.
Be prepared for the possibility of receiving a rental car with an almost empty tank. Your first task should be to locate the nearest gas station and ensure you have cash on hand for refueling. As of January 2024, the gasoline prices are as follows:
|
Types of Fuel |
Price in MUR |
| 1 Liter Gasoline/Petrol: | 74 MUR / 1.35 € |
| 1 Liter Diesel Price: | 60.55 MUR / 1.08 € |
Understanding the Road Rules in Mauritius
In Mauritius, traffic flows on the left-hand side of the road. Adapting to this driving orientation is relatively straightforward, and the majority of traffic congestion occurs primarily in the central region of the island. Along the coastal areas, with the exception of peak hours in Grand Baie, you’ll generally encounter fewer vehicles.
What suits best for Mauritius: car or motorbike? Locals do indeed use both cars and motorbikes for transportation, but it’s safe to say that Mauritius is generally considered to be more car-friendly than motorbike-friendly. The road infrastructure and traffic regulations are designed with cars in mind, and cars are the most common mode of transportation for both locals and tourists.
Is it difficult to drive in Mauritius? No, absolutely not! I found the traffic on the island to be straightforward, particularly when compared to experiences in countries like Thailand and Malaysia. There are no intricate interchanges to contend with, except perhaps in the capital city, Port Louis. Instead, roundabouts are common in various locations. Additionally, I observed that Mauritians tend to drive in a calm manner.
Traffic on the roads of Mauritius during rush hour in the center of the island
The speed limit in Mauritius is 60 km/h in the city and 80 km/h beyond city limits and 100 km/h on highways. It is important to follow the rules of the road, and not just out of a sense of civic duty, but also because traffic police are vigilantly monitoring the movement of vehicles.
There are almost no police on the roads, they will rarely stop you. But there are a lot of cameras, and the fine arrives very quickly.
There are a lot of cameras on the roads of Mauritius.
I didn’t rent any navigation system to navigate the island. Instead I cached Google Maps and used them offline. Google Maps know the roads of the island well; inaccuracies were only a couple of times on the roundabounds. Google thought there were fewer ramps on the ring than there actually were. It’s just that the Mauritians made dead-end ramps in reserve, and Google Maps didn’t know about it then.
There are no problems with parking on the island. All beaches have large parking lots that are free. Near the shops there is also free parking, as well as near the banks. There are only few paid parkings on the island and one of them is located in the city of Port Luis.
Hello!
My name is Tatiana, and I am glad to see you in my Mauritius travel guide.
For more than 12 years I have been traveling and creating travel guides to different countries. For the first time I got to Mauritius in 2018. I got inspired by the island so much that I decided to create this guide.
I personally visited all the places described on this site. Photos and texts are also taken and written by me. I update articles regularly to keep them up to date.
I hope you’ll forgive any errors or awkward phrasing, as I am not a native English speaker.
- Find the best flight to Mauritius – Trip.com.
- Score a sweet deal on a hotel – Booking.com
- Hire a car – Localrent.
- Book a taxi from / to the airport – GetTransfer or KiwiTaxi.
- Find interesting or unique tours & activities – GetYourGuide.