Seychelles International Airport

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), also known as Pointe Larue Airport, is the only international airport in the Seychelles archipelago. Located on the east coast of Mahé, the largest island, it sits about 10 km south of Victoria — the world's smallest national capital.

The airport has a single terminal divided into two wings:

• International wing: All long-haul and regional flights (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian, etc.)
• Domestic wing: Inter-island flights operated by Air Seychelles to Praslin (PRI) and other inner islands

The terminal is compact. Walking from one end to the other takes under 5 minutes. The runway is built on reclaimed land along the coast, with approaches over the Indian Ocean.

Key airlines: Air Seychelles (home base), Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Condor, Kenya Airways, and Air France (seasonal).

SEZ is centrally located on Mahé's east coast, making most destinations on the island accessible within 30-60 minutes:

• To Victoria: 10 km, 15-20 minutes
• To Beau Vallon Beach: 15 km, 25-35 minutes
• To Anse Royale: 10 km, 15-20 minutes (south coast)
• To Anse Intendance: 20 km, 30-40 minutes
• To Port Launay/Ephelia area: 25 km, 35-45 minutes (northwest)

Mahé's roads are narrow and winding through hills. Travel times increase after dark and during rain.

Uber and Bolt do not operate in Seychelles. Taxis are the primary transport option.

Taxis are available directly outside the arrivals hall. Fares are regulated by the government and posted at the airport.

Destination	Fare (SCR)	Fare (USD)	Time
Victoria	SCR 400-500	$28-35	15-20 min
Beau Vallon	SCR 550-700	$38-50	25-35 min
Anse Royale	SCR 400-500	$28-35	15-20 min
Four Seasons (Petite Anse)	SCR 600-750	$42-53	30-40 min
Constance Ephelia	SCR 700-900	$50-64	35-45 min

Tips:

• Confirm the fare before getting in — meters are not standard
• Taxis charge more after 20:00 and on Sundays/holidays (roughly 50% surcharge)
• Most hotels can arrange airport transfers; luxury resorts typically charge SCR 1,000-2,500 ($70-180) each way

Car rental is available at the terminal from companies including Hertz, Avis, and local operators. Rates start around SCR 600-800 ($42-57) per day. Driving is on the left. Roads are steep and narrow — a compact SUV is recommended over a sedan.

SPTC Buses

The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) operates bus routes from the airport.

• Route: Buses run between the airport and Victoria bus station
• Fare: SCR 7 ($0.50) — exact change required
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes during the day
• Hours: Roughly 05:30-19:30 (no evening or night service)
• Journey time: 20-30 minutes to Victoria

From Victoria bus station, you can connect to buses serving the rest of Mahé (Beau Vallon, Anse Royale, etc.).

Practical note: Buses are functional but not designed for travelers with large luggage. There is limited storage space. Buses do not run to most resort areas directly. For most visitors, a taxi or hotel transfer is the better option.

The airport has a single parking area directly in front of the terminal.

Type	Rate	Notes
Short-term	SCR 25/hour ($1.75)	Adjacent to terminal
Daily	SCR 150/day ($10.50)	Same lot

The lot is small. For trips longer than a few days, leaving a rental car at the rental company's lot is a better option.

Dining options inside SEZ are limited. The terminal has a few food outlets:

Airside (after security):

• Small cafe serving sandwiches, pastries, and drinks
• A bar with basic meals and Seybrew (local beer, SCR 75 / $5)

Landside (before security):

• Cafeteria-style restaurant with Creole dishes and international basics
• Prices: meals range from SCR 150-350 ($10-25)

Outside the airport: Several restaurants and takeaway spots are within a 5-minute drive along the coast road. If you have time before departure, eat before arriving at the airport — options inside are sparse.

Network: Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal.

• Speed: Slow — adequate for messaging and email, not for video calls or large downloads
• Registration: Connect and accept terms; no password required

For a more reliable connection, consider using a local SIM card with mobile data.

SIM cards are available at the airport arrivals hall from two carriers:

• Airtel Seychelles: Prepaid tourist SIMs with data packages. A 5 GB plan costs around SCR 250-300 ($18-21)
• Cable & Wireless (CWS): Similar offerings, slightly wider 4G coverage on outer islands

What to expect:

• Bring your passport for registration
• 4G coverage is solid on Mahé and Praslin; patchy on La Digue and outer islands
• Consider buying a SIM if staying more than a couple of days — hotel WiFi at resorts can be unreliable

Currency: Seychellois Rupee (SCR). Approximately SCR 14 = 1 USD.

ATMs: Two ATMs are located in the arrivals hall (Nouvobanq and MCB). They dispense SCR. Most accept Visa and Mastercard. Withdrawals are typically capped at SCR 5,000-10,000 ($350-700) per transaction.

Currency exchange: A Bureau de Change counter operates in the arrivals area. Exchange rates at the airport are less favorable than in Victoria — withdraw from ATMs instead if possible.

Card acceptance: Major hotels, restaurants, and tour operators accept credit cards. Smaller shops, market stalls, and buses require cash in SCR. Euros are widely accepted at hotels and tourist businesses, often at a slightly unfavorable rate.

Tip: Carry some SCR cash for buses, taxis, small shops, and tips. The best exchange rates are at banks in Victoria.

SEZ has a small duty-free area in the international departure lounge.

Duty-free options:

• Alcohol (rum, whisky)
• Perfume
• Cigarettes
• Seychelles souvenirs (vanilla, cinnamon, coconut oil, tea)

Local products worth buying:

• Takamaka rum: Locally distilled, several varieties
• Coco de Mer products: Replicas and carvings (real nuts require a CITES export permit)
• Vanilla and spices: High-quality Seychellois vanilla
• Local crafts: Small selection of art and jewelry

The selection is modest. For better shopping, visit the Victoria market (Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market) or craft shops in town.

Seychelles Airport Lounge (International Departures)

• Location: International departure area, past security
• Access: Business class passengers on select airlines, Priority Pass, or pay at the door (approximately SCR 700 / $50)
• Amenities: Seating, drinks, light snacks, WiFi
• Quality: Basic compared to Gulf carrier lounges. Limited food options. Adequate for a 1-2 hour wait before boarding
• Hours: Opens to align with flight departures; not 24/7

Airline-Specific Lounges

Emirates and Qatar Airways passengers traveling in business or first class may access the shared lounge or have dedicated seating arrangements. There are no standalone airline lounges at SEZ.

Hotels near SEZ are concentrated along the east coast of Mahé and within a short drive of the terminal. Seychelles is a luxury destination, so rates are high by global standards — budget options are limited but exist in self-catering guesthouses.

Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, known for granite boulder beaches, coral reefs, and nature reserves. Most visitors come for beach holidays and honeymoons.

Mahé highlights (with travel time from airport):

• Victoria: 15-20 min — smallest capital in Africa; visit Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market for fish, spices, and local food
• Beau Vallon Beach: 25-35 min — Mahé's most popular beach, good for swimming and snorkeling
• Morne Seychellois National Park: 30-40 min — hiking trails through tropical forest to Mahé's highest peak (905 m)
• Anse Intendance: 30-40 min — dramatic surf beach with no reef, backed by granite boulders
• Takamaka Rum Distillery: 20-25 min — tours and tastings at La Plaine St. André

Beyond Mahé:

• Praslin Island: 15 min by Air Seychelles from SEZ, or 1 hour by Cat Cocos ferry from Victoria. Home to Anse Lazio (one of the world's best beaches) and the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site (endemic Coco de Mer palms)
• La Digue Island: 15 min by ferry from Praslin. Car-free island with Anse Source d'Argent — the iconic granite-boulder beach. Get around by bicycle
• Curieuse Island: Day trip from Praslin. Giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely
• Sainte Anne Marine National Park: 20 min by boat from Victoria. Snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours

Practical tips:

• No visa required for any nationality. You receive a visitor permit on arrival (up to 3 months). You need a return ticket and proof of accommodation
• Budget: Seychelles is expensive. Budget guesthouses start at SCR 1,500-2,500 ($105-175) per night. Restaurant meals: SCR 200-500 ($14-35). A local beer: SCR 60-80 ($4-6)
• Inter-island transport: Air Seychelles flies Mahé to Praslin in 15 minutes (SCR 2,500-4,000 / $175-285 one way). Cat Cocos ferry takes 1 hour (SCR 1,300 / $90 one way). Book both in advance during peak season (December-January, July-August)
• Getting around islands: Mahé has taxis and rental cars. Praslin has taxis and rental cars. La Digue is bicycles and ox carts
• Best time to visit: April-May and October-November (between monsoons) — calm seas, less rain, best diving visibility
• Creole cuisine: Try grilled fish with Creole sauce, octopus curry, ladob (plantain and coconut dessert), and breadfruit chips. Most restaurants serve fresh-caught fish daily
• Water: Tap water is safe to drink on Mahé and Praslin
• Tipping: Not mandatory but appreciated. SCR 50-100 ($3-7) per day for hotel staff; 10% at restaurants if service charge is not included
• Sun protection: Equatorial sun is intense. The UV index is high year-round — sunscreen, hats, and reef-safe products are strongly recommended
• Marine parks: Several areas require permits for diving and snorkeling. Tour operators handle this, but independent visitors should check with the Seychelles National Parks Authority