Transport by land

Regular Taxi

Relevant for short distances in the cities, in the suburbs of Tana and along the main national routes.

Any hotel can arrange the taxi, but be aware it will be a little more expensive. If you are on a stringent budget, head out of hotel and around the first or the second corner you will bump into number of taxis. Negotiate and this way you can get a better deal.

• Akamasoa: 25 km from Tana city center: 30.000Ar one way, 50.000Ar return (Hotel arranged taxi).
• Airport: 17 km: 50.000Ar one way (Hotel arranged taxi).

Private taxi with a driver (4×4)

70-90 eur/day. Depending on your negotiation skills. Gas included.

You can get information in the tourist information offices, in the hotel or just ask locals, they will quickly bring you someone to give you information needed.

• Alternatively, check the FB page: “Location 4×4 Madagascar”

Rent-a-car

It is not advisable to drive on your own.

Bus

Buses are rare and mostly present in larger cities.

Taxi-Brousse (sharing taxi)

Taxi-brousse: This is a sharing taxi, usally an old car or a van that is falling apart. It stops just everywhere and picks up the passengers and be aware the driver will pick up as many people as possible. Sometimes as many as three people are squeezed in per one seat and sometimes the door can not be even closed. For some comfort, consider buying two tickets and demand having an own seat. Price is literally a few cents and this is way the cheapest way to travel around Madagascar. Not the fastest, though.

Deluxe-Taxi-Brousse: This is also sharing taxi, however, it is much newer and cleaner and it drives to a destination without a stop. You will have your own seat. It starts the journey within a schedule (up to 30 minutes delay) and it comes to a destination on time (Potentially earlier than they have told you).

• Morondava – Antananarivo: 15 hours, price 45.000Ar/person.
• Toliara – Antananarivo: 22 hours non-stop, price 52.000Ar/person.

NGO cars: Sometimes people working at NGOs are heading in certain directions. They typically come to taxi-brousse stops and pick the locals (or tourists) for the same price as taxi-brousse.

Carandale or Kamion-Brousse (sharing truck)

In the south, Carandale is the only possibility to move around except for the 4×4 vehicle. Especially in the rainy season, when one needs to cross the rivers and the water is too high for the cars to pass. It departs once a week or once per forth-night depending on the route. Price: Cheaper than taxi-brousse.

Motorbike

One can go everywhere by cross-motorbike. /but the roads are demanding, especially in the sandy south. Be experienced and have a good insurance.

Pousse-Pousse (riksha)

Malagasy bicycle riksha: Very convenient to move around the town. Count about 1000Ar/km.

Malagasy walking riksha: Mostly reserved for a transfer of stocks.

Transport on the sea and rivers

Boats, Galletes, Pirogues

Galletes (large sailing boats): Be patient, at least once a week one will pass by. Jump on it and enjoy the cheapest way to go down to the south by the sea. It is very random and slow way of traveling.

NGO boats: Similarly as with the NGO’s cars, sometimes the boats are heading in certain directions. They pick up the locals or tourists). Price depends on the negotiation. It is typically a good deal.

Modern motor boats: Prices depend on the negotiation, but do not expect a cheap deal unless you are sharing the trip with larger group.

Motor Pirogue (a local wooden boat with the motor): Prices depend on the negotiation, they are approximately at least double to triple of the price of the local “pirogue a voile”.

X(larger sailing boat): Typically used to transfer stocks between the cities. Similarly to the case of Gallets, head to the harbor and try your luck.

Pirogue a voile (small sailing boat): Ask in the village for it. In an hour or two, somebody will come back with the pirogist (sailor). There are typically two or three pirogists, and depending on their number they can take on board three or two people.

Transport by Air

Air Madagsacar / internal lines

[To be added: Several internal flights]

[To be added: Unreliable]

[To be added: See post How reliable is Air Madagascar]

Pro-hints

If you are low budget and traveling by taxi-brousse, do take Deluxe-Taxi-Brousse any long distances. You will pay some 3-5 euros more for the distance of 1.000km, but you will start on time and without any unnecessary stops, you will arrive on time.

Price for Morondava-Antanarivo is 45.000Ar, and for Toliara-Antanarivo it is 52.000 Ar.

If you are tight on time, go by Deluxe-Taxi-Brousse instead of flying. 🙂