Practical answers about deposits, driving, ferries and how our comparison works, gathered from questions we get from travellers every week.
This page collects the questions we are asked most often by people planning a trip to the islands. Some are about the practical side of driving here, others about how our site works and what happens once you pick an offer. If you cannot find what you need, the contact page has a form and a WhatsApp number.
We compare offers from local suppliers on Mahe, Praslin and around Victoria, and show you the conditions side by side - price, deposit, mileage, fuel policy. You pick the offer that suits you and complete the booking on the supplier's platform. We are not a rental company ourselves; the contract is always with the local supplier.
Most local suppliers accept a debit card or cash on arrival and do not ask for a credit card. This varies by supplier though, so check the conditions shown on the specific offer before you confirm.
No. A good number of the suppliers we compare do not hold a deposit at all. Where one applies, it is stated clearly on that offer along with how and when it is released, so there are no surprises at handover.
Left-hand side, the same as the UK, Ireland, Australia and South Africa - a legacy of British administration. Visitors from those countries usually find it comes back naturally within the first few kilometres. Visitors used to driving on the right need a bit more concentration for the first day, especially at roundabouts.
A valid national driving licence from your home country is normally sufficient, provided it is in the Roman alphabet and you have held it long enough (usually one year, sometimes longer depending on age). No international permit is required in most cases, but bring your licence with you - it will be checked at handover.
Yes, many suppliers meet travellers at the arrivals car park at SEZ on Mahe shortly after landing. There is usually no dedicated rental counter inside the terminal - handover happens outdoors, which is normal here and takes a few minutes.
No, rental cars do not travel on the Cat Cocos ferry between islands. If your trip includes both Mahe and Praslin, you rent separately on each island and simply return the car before your ferry or flight.
No. La Digue is essentially car-free and gets around by bicycle. There is no need to arrange anything there, and you would not find much use for a rental car if you brought one over.
May-June and September-October tend to bring the best value, since demand drops between the two peak periods (December-January and July-August). Booking a week or two ahead rather than on the day also opens up more of the cheaper offers.
On Mahe, a small automatic handles the mountain roads like Sans Souci or La Misere without trouble, since the limiting factor is width and hairpins rather than power. An SUV adds comfort and ground clearance if you plan to reach beaches on the south coast often. On Praslin, a compact car is normally all you need.
They are narrow and mountainous in places, with a general limit of 65 km/h, and lighting is sparse outside Victoria at night. Most visitors adjust within a day. Driving after dark on the interior roads is worth avoiding until you know the route.
Many suppliers offer hotel delivery on Mahe and Praslin as part of the booking, sometimes at no extra charge depending on the area. This is shown in the conditions of each offer.
Euros are widely accepted for rentals and most tourist spending. Seychelles rupees (SCR) are handy for smaller purchases like fuel top-ups or snacks, but you will rarely be stuck without EUR being an option.
On Mahe, filling stations are plentiful and spread across the island. On Praslin there are only two, so it is worth keeping an eye on the gauge rather than assuming one is nearby.