Which organisations provide or regulate public and inter-island transport in Seychelles?

The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation provides scheduled buses on Mahé and Praslin. The Department of Land Transport and the Seychelles Licensing Authority handle road transport and licensing, while the Seychelles Ports Authority, Seychelles Airports Authority, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, ferry companies and Air Seychelles cover maritime and aviation services.

What does a scheduled bus trip cost in Seychelles in 2026?

The standard scheduled bus fare is SCR 8 from 1 February 2026. Visitor Cards cost SCR 100 for one day, SCR 198 for four days or SCR 363 for eight days, while student, pensioner and disabled-person cards follow separate conditions.

How can passengers travel between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in Seychelles?

Cat Cocos provides ferry services from Mahé to Praslin in about 1 hour 15 minutes and from Mahé to La Digue in about 1 hour 45 minutes via Praslin; Cat Rose takes about 15 minutes between Praslin and La Digue. Air Seychelles flies from Mahé to Praslin in about 15 minutes, and live ferry or flight prices and schedules should be checked for the travel date.

What must a vehicle owner complete for legal road use in Seychelles?

The vehicle needs the appropriate licence, a current vehicle licence, road fund payment, valid insurance and a pass from the Vehicle Testing Station. Imported vehicles additionally require the relevant import permit, Bill of Entry and proof of purchase, and imported motor vehicles must be right-hand drive.

Why does cycling in La Digue differ from cycling on Mahé and Praslin in Seychelles?

Cycling is a primary form of everyday mobility on La Digue, where bicycles operate alongside approved buggies, pick-ups and limited local services. Mahé and Praslin have narrower, winding roads and heavier mixed-traffic risks, while electric-bicycle rules and proposed 2026 two-wheeler changes require current verification.

Transport in Seychelles

Transport in Seychelles combines scheduled buses on Mahé and Praslin, ferries and domestic flights between islands, private vehicles, taxis, cycling and walking. Access, fares and safety conditions differ sharply by island: La Digue relies heavily on bicycles and approved buggies, while mountainous, narrow roads make walking and cycling on Mahé and Praslin more demanding. The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC), transport authorities, licensing bodies, port authorities and aviation institutions each manage different parts of the system.

Tip

Choose transport in Seychelles by island, timing and road conditions rather than by one national default. Use scheduled buses on Mahé and Praslin when the timetable fits, ferries or flights for inter-island travel, and give extra weight to cycling safety and vehicle restrictions on La Digue. Check current schedules, fares, licensing rules and service changes immediately before travelling or hiring a vehicle.

byMarie&Jean

The Department of Land Transport handles road transport matters under the Ministry for Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation. The Seychelles Licensing Authority manages driving licences, vehicle licences and registration, while the Vehicle Testing Station checks roadworthiness. The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation provides scheduled bus services on Mahé and Praslin. Normal bus service generally runs from about 05:30 to 19:00, but the timetable and available service depend on the individual journey. From 1 February 2026, the standard bus fare is SCR 8; announced policy plans refer to SCR 7 in 2027 and SCR 6 in 2028. Visitor Cards cost SCR 100 for one day, SCR 198 for four days and SCR 363 for eight days, while student, pensioner and disabled-person cards have separate conditions. App-based payment, QR payment and contactless cards are available on supported services. La Digue has no currently evidenced regular SPTC timetable and relies mainly on bicycles, buggies, pick-ups and limited local bus or truck-based services. Ferry travel is the main inter-island option: Cat Cocos takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Mahé to Praslin and about 1 hour 45 minutes from Mahé to La Digue via Praslin, while Cat Rose takes about 15 minutes from Praslin to La Digue. Passengers normally need to check in at least one hour before a Cat Cocos departure and at least 30 minutes before a Cat Rose departure. Ferry prices vary, include SCR and value-added tax, and should be checked live because they change. Air Seychelles connects Mahé and Praslin in about 15 minutes and operates more than 170 scheduled flights each week, with charter flights serving some outer islands. The Seychelles Airports Authority manages airport operations, while the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority regulates aviation safety, technical matters and the sector. Taxis are regulated under the Road Transport (Taxi) Regulations 2013. A taxi driver generally needs to be at least 24 years old and have at least five years of driving experience; the taxi licence fee is SCR 500 per year. Metered or regulated fares apply, but no reliable universal current tariff is available. Cabinet-approved amendments from March 2026 would require drivers to remain at taxi ranks for relevant services and provide for a SCR 1,000 fixed penalty, with implementation status requiring confirmation. A private or commercial vehicle used on a public road needs the appropriate driving licence, vehicle licence, road fund payment, roadworthiness approval and valid insurance. The annual road fund is generally SCR 2.50 per cubic centimetre for private and public vehicles, with a minimum of SCR 1,000, and SCR 2.50 per cubic centimetre for motorcycles, with a minimum of SCR 200. Vehicle registration costs SCR 100. Imported vehicles require an import permit, a Bill of Entry and proof of purchase; imported motor vehicles must be right-hand drive and have prior import approval. A self-drive hire company needs a licence costing SCR 1,000 per year and must use licensed and insured vehicles, written hire agreements, maintenance records and a 24-hour call-out service. La Digue has the highest practical relevance for cycling. Policy rules allow electric bicycles up to 300 watts for riders aged at least 16, with helmets required; normal bicycles have a policy exemption from the helmet requirement. Cabinet-approved two-wheeler measures from 2026 propose tighter power and speed limits, helmet standards, training and testing, stronger enforcement against stand-up electric scooters and a temporary moratorium on new scooter and motorcycle licences, but their legal status should be checked before reliance. Mahé and Praslin are also cycleable, but narrow, winding roads and mixed traffic create greater safety risks. Footpaths and footbridges have expanded, although coverage remains uneven. Road users face mountainous and coastal roads, storm drains, landslide and flood exposure, and coastal erosion. An official 2025 assessment identified 27 critical road locations on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Road Safety data for January to October 2025 recorded 11 fatal crashes and 14 deaths, compared with 9 deaths in 2024. Transport policy also targets safer walking and cycling, lower fossil-fuel use and better resilience. SPTC launched two electric pilot buses in 2026, with a long-term objective of about 250 electric buses and the first 100 by 2028. The national climate plan prioritises electric and active mobility, public and high-occupancy transport, secure walking and cycling infrastructure and lower emissions from domestic maritime transport. No complete, verified inventory of electric-vehicle charging points is available in the reviewed information. Disabled-parking rules and an amendment concerning seat belts for omnibus and SPTC drivers were approved in 2026, but commencement should be verified before relying on them. Transport availability therefore depends on the island, the selected provider, the travel date, payment card, vehicle status and current safety or licensing rules.