Travel Costs & Prices: How Expensive is Seychelles?

When thinking of Seychelles, you probably have some white sand beaches, palm trees and turquoise waters in mind. And yes, I can already confirm – Seychelles is the synonym for tropical paradise on Earth! However, this island nation is widely considered to be one of the most expensive travel destinations in the whole world. But is it possible to visit Seychelles without going bankrupt?

Mahe Airport. Seychelles

Mahe Airport

How expensive is Seychelles? We got this question a lot when we came back from 2 weeks in paradise. In fact, you can visit Seychelles on a budget, but it is not possible to visit Seychelles cheaply.  Seychelles can be affordable but these are not backpacking prices and it won’t be cheap. The quality of life is actually very high – the prices of everything are almost the same as the prices in Innsbruck where I do live, which means – it is expensive.

Airport Mahe

Coco Ferry Seychelles

But there is an option to visit Seychelles on a budget if you choose your accommodations and dining options selectively. The prices for flights from Europe are not more expensive than flying to Thailand or Bali. You can save a lot of money when you book a self-catering villa or chalet in advance instead of booking a hotel. There are enough villas and private apartments usually with a kitchen inside. This means you can visit the supermarket and cook your own meals. Another option for cheaper food is takeaways. There are takeaways on each of the three main islands and the prices for a meal range between 4 € and 8 €. Takeaway restaurants are mostly open for lunch, but many are also open for limited hours during dinner as well.

Beau Vallon

Another good thing is that all beaches are public access! You don’t have to pay a cent for visiting the best beaches in the world – whether you are a superstar or just a normal guy, you can chill on any beach you want to!

Beau Vallon

Aldabra Tortoise Seychelles

Expensive or not I would totally recommend renting a car in Praslin and Mahe. Renting a car will cost 50 € per day but it was worth it every single day! We saw everything, and with everything I mean EVERYTHING! I don’t think that people who spend 1000 € per night in a 5-star hotel experience as much as we did. So I would say, self-catering apartment + car is the best combo for Mahe and Praslin.

La Digue

La Digue

Index of Prices in Seychelles in EUR

Anse Soleil

Mahe and Praslin have well-integrated bus networks but still, you don’t have the flexibility to go wherever and whenever you want to go. For us, public transport was no option. Taxis neither – they are too expensive. A taxi from the Airport Mahe to the Port of Mahe costs about 30 € and a rental car cost about 50 € a day! You know what I mean …

Anse Marron

In terms of travelling between islands, Cat Cocos is the most popular ferry service which offers transportation between Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. You cannot save from the ferry tickets – the prices are fixed and always the same. Though I recommend to buy them online 48 hours in advance.

Petit Anse

Flying Fox, Seychelles

Sunset Beach Mahe

La Digue

So long story short: Seychelles is not a low-budget destination, but you can visit the islands without going bankrupt! If you work hard and safe harder, and if you decide to book a self-catering apartment, not eat in a restaurant every single day, not have 3-4-5 cocktails every single evening – Seychelles Islands can be affordable and are not an impossible destination to visit.