Spent three trips to Mauritius figuring out the taxi situation so you don’t have to. This guide covers real prices (not the inflated tourist numbers), which booking methods actually work versus which ones waste your time, and the mistakes I made so you can skip them. If you’re landing at SSR Airport or need rides around the island, I’ve got you covered with stuff that actually matters.

Why Taxis Beat Other Options

My first Mauritius trip? Total disaster with transport. Thought I’d be smart and take the bus from the airport. Stood there sweating in the humidity for 25 minutes, couldn’t figure out which bus went where, and finally caved and grabbed a taxi. Should’ve done that from the start.

Here’s the thing about buses they’re fine if you live there. But when you’ve been on a plane for 12 hours, you’re hauling suitcases, and you just want a shower? Forget it. The schedules don’t make sense unless you read French fluently. Routes change randomly. And try fitting your luggage, your partner’s luggage, and all your beach stuff on a crowded local bus during tourist season. Not happening.

Rental cars sound great until you’re actually doing it. I rented one my second visit. Returned it the next day. Driving on the left side messed with my head more than I expected, and when I got to those winding mountain roads near Black River Gorges, I was genuinely scared. Plus finding parking near any decent beach in high season is basically impossible.

Taxis just work. You get in, you go where you need to go, done. No stress about directions or parking or whether you’re on the right bus route.

But here’s the part nobody mentions in those glossy travel guides: your taxi driver becomes way more valuable than just someone driving you around. This guy Jean-Claude picked me up from my hotel one morning. We got talking, and he started telling me which restaurants were actually good versus the overpriced tourist traps. Took me to this spot where local fishermen sell their catch right off the boats—I paid like a third of what the hotel restaurant charged.

Another time, my driver detoured without asking and showed me this hidden viewpoint that wasn’t in any guidebook I’d read. Said tour buses don’t know about it because it’s just where locals go. Those moments? Can’t put a price on that.

Understanding Taxi Fares (And Not Getting Ripped Off)

Let’s talk money because this is where tourists get taken advantage of if they’re not careful.

Mauritius taxis don’t have meters. I kept looking for one like an idiot. Everything’s based on zones and fixed prices, except “fixed” is more like guidelines that flex depending on who’s asking.

From SSR Airport, here’s what you’re actually paying:

Grand Baie area: Expect 1,900-2,400 rupees. That’s roughly €37-47 depending on exchange rates. North coast, popular with tourists, bit of a drive.

Flic en Flac: About 1,200-2,100 rupees (€24-42). West coast, closer to the airport. Prices vary because some drivers go direct, others take the scenic route and charge more.

Belle Mare: You’re looking at 1,800-2,200 rupees (€35-43). East coast, gorgeous beaches, worth every rupee.

Le Morne: 2,200-2,600 rupees (€43-51). Down south, bit farther, but that view of Le Morne mountain? Unreal.

Mahebourg: Cheapest ride at 800-1,000 rupees (€16-20) because it’s super close to the airport.

Why such big ranges? Time matters. Night pickups cost more because drivers know you’re stuck. If you’ve got four huge suitcases instead of just carry-ons, that bumps the price. Holiday weekends? Prices jump because demand goes up.

Real story: Landed at 11 PM once, exhausted beyond belief. This guy at the airport offered to drive me to Grand Baie for 3,500 rupees. I was so tired I almost said yes just to get it over with. But this other tourist nearby heard and pulled me aside, whispered “dude, that’s literally double.” We ended up sharing a Go Taxi Mauritius for 1,200 rupees each. The driver was totally fine with it and we both saved a ton of money.

How to avoid getting scammed:

Lock in the price before anything goes in the trunk. Once your bags are loaded, your negotiating power disappears. I learned this the hard way.

Ask if the price includes everything. Some drivers quote you a low number then add charges for tolls, luggage, “night fee,” whatever they can think of. Get clarity upfront.

Check if your hotel does flat-rate pickups. Mine charged 2,000 rupees to Grand Baie with an English-speaking driver guaranteed and help with bags. Totally worth it for the peace of mind.

WhatsApp your driver before landing. Get that quote in writing, screenshot it. Sounds paranoid but saved me when a driver tried saying he quoted euros not rupees. Yeah, nice try.

How to Actually Book a Go Taxi Mauritius

You’ve got options. Some work great, others are hit or miss.

Before you leave home:

Just email your hotel. Seriously, this is the easiest way. Most places work with specific drivers they trust. You’ll pay maybe 200 rupees more than negotiating at the airport, but someone’s waiting with your name, knows where they’re going, and you avoid the whole airport chaos. First-timers especially should do this.

You can also prebook through websites like Welcome Pickups or similar services. Pay online beforehand, driver meets you at arrivals, done. Removes the awkwardness of figuring out payment and tipping.

Apps (these are sketchy):

Ala-Lila is what everyone talks about. It’s trying to be Mauritius’ version of Uber. Sometimes works perfectly. Other times you request a ride and nobody accepts it. Depends heavily on where you are and what time. Better luck in Port Louis than small villages.

There’s also MoTaxi. I downloaded it, tried using it once. Driver never showed up. Deleted the app. Some people swear by it though, so maybe I just got unlucky.

At the airport:

Don’t talk to the first three drivers who approach you. Just don’t. They’re charging double because they’re betting on tired tourists who’ll pay anything. Walk straight to the official taxi stand there are signs, you’ll find it. Drivers there are slightly more regulated, though you still negotiate prices.

Through your hotel:

Best option once you’re actually there. My hotel kept one driver on call who charged fair rates consistently. By day three of my trip, he was just texting me “beach or town today?” and I’d tell him when to come. Built a relationship, got better prices, and he genuinely looked out for me.

Random tip that helped me: when you find a good driver, get his personal number. Most love repeat customers and will give you discounts for booking directly instead of through companies.

Which Services to Use

I haven’t tried every taxi company on the island. But here’s what worked and what didn’t, based on real experience.

Airport specialists:

These companies only do airport runs. They’re reliable because it’s literally their whole business model. Cars are usually newer, drivers speak English, they track flights so delays aren’t a problem. You pay extra—maybe 200-300 rupees more—but zero stress. Worth it if you’re traveling with kids or just value convenience.

Tour operators:

Completely different from regular taxis. These drivers do full-day tours, not just point-to-point rides. I hired one for a day trip to Chamarel. His name was Raj, drove me around for eight hours, explained everything, stopped at viewpoints he said tour buses skip. Cost 3,500 rupees total, split it with my wife, ended up being super reasonable. Found him through a random recommendation at a restaurant.

Minivans for groups:

If you’ve got six-plus people, regular sedans won’t work. Some companies have passenger vans. Way more space, and per-person cost actually drops. Met a family paying 4,000 rupees for a van that seated eight. Would’ve cost them 4,000 total for two separate sedans, so they saved money going bigger.

English-speaking drivers:

Most drivers know some English. But if you want someone fluent, request it specifically when booking. Makes everything smoother—restaurant recommendations, cultural questions, directions. Tour drivers generally speak better English since they deal with international tourists constantly.

Meet-and-greet:

Some companies send someone into arrivals with a sign, help with your bags, walk you to the car. Sounds unnecessary but if you’re traveling with elderly parents or toddlers, it’s actually clutch. Adds maybe 500 rupees to your total fare.

Before booking any company, check recent TripAdvisor reviews. Not the glowing five-star ones—read the negative reviews. If people complain about dangerous driving or harassment, run. If complaints are just “driver was 15 minutes late,” that’s pretty standard for island timing.

Tours and Day Trips with Your Driver

Biggest mistake tourists make? Thinking taxis are just for airport transfers. Your driver can be your personal tour guide for way cheaper than those organized bus tours.

Most taxi drivers do full-day tours at flat rates. When I wanted to see the south, my driver quoted 4,000 rupees for eight hours. We saw Chamarel, Black River Gorges, this random rum distillery, and a local beach with zero tourists. He waited at each spot, gave background info, even stopped so I could buy fresh sugarcane juice from a roadside stand.

Compare that to my hotel’s organized tour: 75 euros per person, rigid schedule, stuck on a bus with 30 other people, and half the time was spent at souvenir shops trying to sell you stuff.

Want to visit Île aux Cerfs without dealing with public ferries? Some drivers will take you to the boat launch, arrange a private boat transfer, wait around, then drive you back. Whole package runs 5,000-6,000 rupees depending on your negotiation.

North Island tours—Grand Baie, Cap Malheureux, the botanical gardens—usually cost 2,500-3,500 rupees for half a day. South Island tours (Le Morne, Chamarel, waterfalls) run 3,500-4,500 because of the extra distance.

Here’s a move that saved me money: I hired a driver for three full days at once. Negotiated 10,000 rupees total. He basically became my personal driver for 72 hours. Best money I spent on the entire trip because I had complete freedom to go wherever whenever I wanted.

Safety Stuff Nobody Talks About

Let me cover the practical things guidebooks skip over.

Child seats: Most taxis don’t have them. It’s not standard at all. If you’re traveling with little kids, request this when booking and confirm multiple times. Even then, don’t be shocked if the driver shows up without one. I’ve seen parents just holding toddlers on their laps, which made me uncomfortable to watch. If safety matters to you, book with a legit transfer company that specifically lists child seats, or bring your own portable seat.

Wheelchairs: Tough situation. Standard sedans obviously won’t work. You need vans with ramps or wheelchair space, and there just aren’t many. Email way ahead of time, be super specific about mobility needs. Don’t assume anything will work out.

Luggage: Normal sedans fit four people plus regular suitcases fine. But if you’ve packed your entire wardrobe or you’re bringing dive equipment, warn the driver ahead. I watched tourists try cramming five massive bags into a small sedan. Didn’t work. They ended up paying for a second taxi or leaving bags at the hotel.

Late night arrivals: Totally fine. SSR Airport has taxis 24/7. I landed at 1 AM once, no problems. Just costs more at night, and you definitely want to prebook so you’re not negotiating with sketchy drivers when you’re exhausted.

General safety: Never had any problems. Mauritius is genuinely safe for tourists. That said, common sense applies. Don’t flash expensive jewelry around. Don’t leave bags visible in the car when you stop somewhere. And if any driver makes you uncomfortable for any reason, trust that feeling—get out and find another taxi.

Saving Money Without Getting Sketchy Rides

Everyone wants to save cash. Here’s how to actually do it.

Book ahead online: Companies discount prebookings because guaranteed business beats maybe getting a random airport fare. I’ve seen 10-15% off just for booking a few days early.

Share rides: Traveling with friends or family? One taxi, split the cost. Obvious, I know, but I’ve literally watched four tourists each pay for their own taxi to the same hotel. Just… why?

Multi-day packages: If you know you need taxis several days, negotiate a bundle upfront. My driver gave me three days for less than what three separate single-day bookings would’ve cost.

Timing matters: Morning and afternoon rides are cheaper than late-night or early morning airport runs. If your schedule’s flexible, use it to your advantage.

Cash vs card: Some drivers will knock off a few hundred rupees if you pay cash in local currency. Credit cards sometimes have processing fees they pass to you.

Skip airport touts: Those guys approaching you right when you exit arrivals? They’re charging double what you should pay. Walk to the official taxi stand or have someone prebooked waiting.

Discount codes and coupons? Honestly rare for local Mauritian services. International booking platforms sometimes have codes, but then you’re paying platform fees that eat up your savings. Best “discount” is finding one solid driver and becoming a repeat customer. They’ll give you better rates than random pickups.

Questions People Actually Ask

How much does a taxi from the airport to Grand Baie actually cost?

Between 1,900 and 2,400 rupees in 2025. About 37-47 euros. Night rides cost more. If you prebook through your hotel, expect around 2,000 rupees fixed with no surprise charges.

Do taxis in Mauritius use meters?

Nope. Zero meters anywhere. Everything’s negotiated based on zones. This is exactly why you need to agree on the price before your bags go in the trunk. Once you’re in the car, negotiating power drops to basically nothing.

Can I use Uber there?

No. Uber doesn’t operate in Mauritius. Local apps like Ala-Lila and MoTaxi exist but they’re unreliable. Most people just prebook actual taxi services or negotiate at the official airport taxi stand. The app situation is nowhere close to Uber’s reliability in other countries.

How do I get a child seat?

You have to specifically request it when booking and then confirm multiple times. Most regular taxis don’t carry them. Your best bet is using a proper transfer company that lists child seats as available. Some parents just bring their own portable car seats because availability is so inconsistent.

What if my flight gets delayed?

If you prebooked with a legit company, they usually track flights automatically and adjust pickup times. I had a three-hour delay once and my driver was just there waiting when I finally came through arrivals. Random airport taxi stand drivers can’t track your flight, so you’d need to call them if you have their number, or just grab whoever’s there when you land.

Can I pay by card?

Depends who you’re riding with. Bigger transfer companies and prebooking platforms take cards. Random airport taxis? Cash only, usually Mauritian rupees. Some take euros or dollars but the exchange rate they give you is terrible. Hit the ATM at the airport if you need local cash.

Should I tip drivers?

Not required but nice if they went beyond basic service. If someone helped haul heavy bags, gave great local recommendations, waited patiently while you took a million photos—rounding up or adding 100-200 rupees is appreciated. For basic airport transfer where they just drove? Not necessary.

Is it safe for women traveling alone?

Generally yes. My sister visited solo and had zero issues, and most solo female travelers I’ve talked to said the same thing. Use basic common sense: prebook when possible, sit in back, keep valuables hidden, don’t share too much personal info. If something feels wrong, trust that instinct. But overall, Mauritius is pretty safe.

Private transfer or shared taxi which is better?

Private means you leave when you want, stop where you want, no waiting for other passengers. Shared is cheaper but you’re on someone else’s timeline. For airport pickups after a long flight, I always go private because I just want my hotel. For getting around during your trip, shared can actually be fun—met some cool people that way.

Can taxis do multiple stops?

Yeah, absolutely. Just agree on it upfront and expect to pay more. I wanted to stop at a grocery store on the way from the airport once. Driver added 300 rupees and waited 15 minutes. For full-day tours with lots of stops, negotiate one flat daily rate instead of per-stop pricing—way cheaper that way.

Final Thoughts

That’s everything I learned about Mauritius taxis through three trips, multiple mistakes, and way too many conversations with drivers.

Real talk? Taxis are your best option for getting around the island without stress. Yeah, they cost more than buses, but the convenience and local knowledge make them worth it. Just remember: agree on prices before getting in, prebook when you can, and try to find one good driver you can use the whole trip.

Don’t stress too much about it. Mauritius is a small island with genuinely friendly people. You’re not going to get seriously scammed if you use basic common sense. The few extra rupees you might pay are nothing compared to the stress you’ll save.

Ready to book your ride? If you’re landing soon, contact your hotel right now about airport pickup. If you’re already there, ask reception for their go-to driver’s number. And if you’re the plan-everything type, download Ala-Lila before landing, but definitely have a backup plan.

One last thing: don’t skip Chamarel’s seven-colored earth. Sounds touristy and gimmicky but it’s actually legitimately cool. Your driver will know how to get there.